Story Behind The Song

I purchased a Folkmanis Rabbit in Hat puppet and got inspired to write this song. A friend of mine requested the verse about nose-picking, so I added that in; now it's everyone's favorite verse. Teachers and parents absolutely love this song....almost as much as the kids.

Song Description

Habit the Rabbit is a puppet I use in my shows. Habit teaches good manners through a series of stories. Table manners are covered, as well as nose-picking, writing thank you notes and introductions. Most importantly: Be thoughtful, patient and kind.

Lyrics

Habit the Rabbit loves manners
Habit the Rabbit is very polite
Habit the Rabbit loves manners
Every morning and every night.
He wants all you children to use them
He wants all you kids to be very refined
So when we sing our little stories,
Tell Habit what comes to your MIND.

Sarah is sitting at table
Sarah, she really likes peas.
Sarah wants Daddy to pass them
Sarah, she needs to say PLEASE
Please, please, please
Please, won't you pass me the peas?
Please, please, please
Please, won't you pass me the peas?

Benjamin has a nice uncle
When he turned nine, Uncle Tom sent a boat
Ben thought that it was so special
He sat down and wrote him a NOTE
Thank you notes are the way we express gratitude
If you forget, your uncle will think you are RUDE

Mommy is talking to Grandma
She gave you a look that said, "Don't interrupt!"
But you just got done in the bathroom.
When you flushed, the water came up and up and up and up and
YIKES OVERFLOWING! You can't make it stop
And you look on the hook but you can't find the mop
So you run to your Mommy and tug on her sleeve
You say two simple words and those two words are these:
EXCUSE ME, Mommy, there's water all over the floor
Excuse me, mommy, coming out right under the door.
HELP! It's an emergency!!!!!

Something's not right in your nostrils.
There's a bat in the cave and it feels really gross
Then you remembered your manners:
Nice children do not pick their NOSE.
Finger, stop! I will not let you go there!
Hey there, Mom, do you have a tissue to SPARE?

Jennifer chews like a chipmunk
Stuffing her food in her face.
I wish that Jenny'd remember
That mealtime is not like a RACE.
When she speaks, tidbits are tossed into flight.
I wipe my face, and wish that she'd be more POLITE.

Celia has a new cell phone.
She's constantly checking her calls
She stares at her screen while she's walking
Someday she'll crash into a WALL.
Celia, please! When people are speaking, look up!
Talk, don't text! It's time now to snap that thing shut.

It's time for your dentist appointment.
You patiently wait in your chair.
The grownups are silently reading.
A sad little boy's sitting there.
You smile and you hold out your right hand,
Say, "Hi, want to learn my new game?
I'm very happy to meet you!"
You shake hands and tell him your NAME.

Habit the Rabbit loves manners
Habit the Rabbit is very polite.
Habit the Rabbit loves manners
Every morning and every night.
He wants all you children to use them
He wants all you kids to be very refined
He knows that it's always good manners
To be thoughtful and patient and KIND.