One palm up, one palm down 1: Clap both partners hands &: Reverse hands 2: Clap both partners hands &: Clap own hands 4: clap partners right hand &: clap hands 5: clap partners left hand &: clap hands 6: clap partners right hand &: clap hands repeat Possible origins The song may have originated from the Southern United States, but those claims are disputed due to lack of evidence. Miss Mary Mack was a performer in Ephraim Williams’ circus in the 1880s, and the song may be reference to her and the elephants in the show. The first verse, the repetition, is also a riddle with the answer "coffin". Early mentions of the part about the elephant do not include the part about Mary Mack. See also "DemiRep" – a song from the punk rock band, Bikini Kill, which includes "Mary Mack" "Tobacco Origin Story" – a poem by Joy Harjo, refers to the song with lyrics based on "Mary Mack" with a reference to "Mary Mack" References American folk songs English children's songs Traditional children's songs Songs about fictional female characters Clapping games Skipping rhymes