Please note that the key signatures listed in this article are for the English version only.
"John Bradlelum" (also known as "Hey, What Funny Folk We'd Be") is a Wiggles folk song that first appeared on the Toot Toot! album and video. It was first recorded by Canadian children's trio, Sharon, Lois & Bram, and that version was heard in Billy Madison. In that version, the chorus ends with "Hey, What Happy Folk We'd Be."
The song is also famous for its music modulations, also known as key changes.
Lyrics[]
(Starts in C Major)
Number 1, Number 1
Now the song has just begun
Chorus
With a rum tum taddle um
Old John Bradlelum
Hey what funny folk we'd be
(Modulation up half step) (Db Major)
Number 2, Number 2
The rooster crows cock-a-doodle-doodle-doo
Chorus
(Modulation up half step) (D Major)
Number 3, Number 3
I like you and you like me
Chorus
(Modulation up half step) (Eb Major)
Number 4, Number 4
Knock, knock, knock, knock at your door
Chorus
(Final modulation up half step: E Major)
Number 5, Number 5
5 buzzy bees buzzing in a hive
Chorus
Song Credits[]
Toot Toot![]
Traditional arrangement by Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt, Anthony Field, and Greg Page, published by Wiggly Tunes Pty Ltd.
Fun and Games[]
Traditional arrangement by Anthony Field, Lachlan Gillespie, Simon Pryce, Emma Watkins, Oliver Brian, and Alex Keller, published by Wiggly Tunes Pty Ltd.
Variants[]
- In the 1998 version, it is on the hillside, Captain Feathersword is chasing a bee, swatting at it with his feathersword, and gets very close to the camera while doing such.
- In the 1999 version, the song takes place over a CGI sunrise and sunset, Captain Feathersword falls down at the end after swatting at a bee with his feathersword, and a CGI bee appears just after this happens.
- The 1998 version was filmed in analogue, whereas the 1999 version was filmed in 576i.
Trivia[]
- This song, along with "Head, Shoulders, Knees And Toes" take place at the hillside.
- The 1999 version uses a CGI background with a sun that rises and sets.
- On Xuxa's album and video "Xuxa Só Para Baixinhos", the Brazilian version is called Os Números. The rolling down the hill scene is also similar to the 1998 version.
- On the Panda Vai Á Escola album and video, the Portuguese version is called Os Números (John Bradelum).
- The video versions add clapping on the knees and hands, as well as a bee buzzing sound effect.
- The English version plays in C, D-flat, D, E-flat and E whereas the Brazilian version plays in A, B-flat, B, C and D-flat.
- The current version lacks the key changes, as the whole song plays in G.
- The bizarre laughter is a sped-up recording of Anthony and Jeff laughing.
- The 2025 version of this song was uploaded to The Wiggles' YouTube channel on June 6th, 2025.
Performances/Appearances[]
Albums[]
Videos[]
Episodes[]
Let's Wiggle[]
- John Bradlelem (1999 version)
The Wiggles (TV Series 2)[]
11-minute versions (Sprout/Kidzone exclusive)[]
- Episode 15 (1998 version)
21-minute versions[]
- Counting & Numbers (1999 version)
- Storytelling (1998 version)
- Musical Instruments (1999 version)
- Family (1998 version)
Emma! (TV Series 3)[]
Wiggle and Learn (2024 YouTube Series)[]
Video[]
