Malvina Reynolds: Song Lyrics and Poems  

Count Ten

Notes: words and music by Malvina Reynolds; copyright 1957 Schroder Music Company, renewed 1985.

When I couldn't go to sleep, my grandmother used to say
"You'd better get off your merry-go-round at the end of day."
She'd kiss me on the chin and then tuck the covers in.
She'd say, "Good-night, sleep tight, little mite."
Now you can begin.

Count ten.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten,
As long as you can.
Count ten.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten,
Then do it again.

If the thoughts keep going round and round that busied your head all day,
Tell them to lie down or go away.
While you count one, two, three, four,
You're watching snow, you're minding sheep,
You're counting stars where the sky is deep
And first thing you know you won't know a thing
'Cause you'll be fast asleep.

Malvina Reynolds songbook(s) in which the music to this song appears:
---- Little Boxes and Other Handmade Songs

Malvina Reynolds recording(s) on which this song is performed:
---- Malvina Reynolds

Recordings by other artists on which this song is performed:
---- Mayo Muir: The Magic of Mayo Muir (20th Century-Fox TFS-4122, 1963)
---- Barbara Müller & Wendy Caesar: Double Premiere (Quote Records Q-25, 1964)
---- Nancy Raven: Singing, Prancing & Dancing (Pacific Cascade Records LPL 7038, 1984)