Smart Kids Music Club

Row Row Row Your Boat Tonic Solfa

Row Row Row Your Boat Tonic Solfa is a fun and easy way to learn one of the world’s most popular nursery rhymes. This cheerful tune is perfect for beginners who want to understand how solfa notation works while enjoying music practice. In this guide, you’ll get the full lyrics, tonic solfa notation, and a bit of history behind Row Row Row Your Boat—making it simple to sing and play on piano or any instrument.

Row Row Row Your Boat Lyrics

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream

Tonic Solfa Notation – Row Row Row Your Boat (Key C)

Line 1

Row row row your boat

  d    d       d      r      m

Line 2

Gen – tly down the stream

 m        r     m    f      s

Line 3

Me – rri – ly     Me – rri – ly

 dI    dI     dI     s      s      s

dI stands for higher octave “d“.

Line 4

Me – rri – ly     Me – rri – ly 

 m    m    m    d       d      d

Line 5

Life  is  but  a  dream  

  s     f    m    r      d

Downloadable PDF

Want a printable Row Row Row Your Boat Tonic Solfa sheet ? Click below to download it and practice anytime:

Download Row Row Row Your Boat Tonic Solfa PDF

Want more tonic solfa of songs, check out the lessons below:

How to Play It – Simple Steps

  1. Start with middle C (Do = C).
  2. Use your right hand if playing on piano.
  3. Play slowly and say the solfa out loud as you go.
  4. Practice line by line.
  5. Once you’re confident, try singing in a round with a friend.

Watch & Learn Row Row Row Your Boat Tonic Solfa Video

History of “Row Row Row Your Boat”

  • Published: The earliest printing dates back to 1852 in The Franklin Square Song Collection.
  • Composer: The tune was first recorded with music in 1881, but the melody we know today likely evolved over time from folk traditions.
  • Style: It’s a nursery rhyme and a round — meaning multiple voices can sing it at staggered intervals.
  • Purpose: It teaches rhythm, pitch, and melodic movement, making it a favorite in music classrooms worldwide.

For more info on Row Row Row Your Boat History, Check out American Songwriter.

FAQs

Q1. What is tonic solfa notation?

A: Tonic solfa notation is a simple way to write music using syllables like d, r, m, f, s, l, t instead of traditional notes. It helps beginners learn melodies and sing or play songs easily.

Q2: Can I play Row Row Row Your Boat using tonic solfa?

A: Yes! Using Row Row Row Your Boat tonic solfa, you can sing the song or play it on piano, keyboard, or guitar.

Q3: Where can I get the tonic solfa notation?

A: You can find the Row Row Row Your Boat solfa notation in our blog post, and some versions are available as a downloadable PDF for easy practice.

Q4: Can I sing it in a round using tonic solfa?

A: Yes! Tonic solfa makes it easier to practice singing in rounds, as each part follows the same melody and syllables.

Final Thought

“Row Row Row Your Boat” is more than just a nursery rhyme – it’s a powerful teaching tool for understanding melody, timing, and harmony in music. Master the tonic solfa, and you’re one step closer to becoming a confident music student!