"I Have Two Hands" is an English-language nursery rhyme from the Philippines.
Origin
An exact year of origin, year of first recording, and song writer for "I Have Two Hands" is unknown. The song and tune in its current form was mentioned as early as 1929 in the magazine Philippine Public Schools. In an article, school administrators stated that the song was widely being taught in elementary schools.[1] It was also mentioned that the song's tune had been previously heard using several different variations.[1] The song was later featured in the 1949 short play Salutation Before the Hour by Reuben Canoy and Francisco Lopez, which related the rhyme's "clean" hands to the importance of voting fairly during elections.[2]
Lyrics
I have two hands, the left and the right.
Hold them up high, so clean and bright.
Clap them softly, 1-2-3.
Clean little hands are good to see.[2]
My face is bright, my teeth all white.
My dress is clean and all of me.
So dear playmates, follow me
So that our mother will be happy![3][4]
In popular culture
The 1985 Filipino comedy film I Have Three Hands is titled in reference to the nursery rhyme.
^ abAcademic Division, General Office (January 1929). "Music for Primary Songs". Philippine Public Schools: A Monthly Magazine for Teachers. Vol. 2. p. 25. ... I Have Two Hands, which is sung in all of our [General Office's] primary schools.
^ abCanoy, Reuben; Lopez, Francisco (1949–1950). "Salutation Before the Hour". The Literary Apprentice Volume Fourteen. The UP Writers Club. Retrieved December 7, 2020. NARRATOR. How long can you keep his little hands clean? Others behind you are preparing to stain the elections with blood, while some are satisfied with a little dishonesty and fraud.
