I Have Two Hands Explained

"I Have Two Hands" is an English-language nursery rhyme from the Philippines. The magazine Philippine Public Schools noted in 1929 that the rhyme was widely being taught in elementary schools by then.^[1] The song is 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]

The Hong Kong pop duo Twins covered the rhyme for their 2004 album Singing in the Twins Wonderland (Volume 3).

In popular culture

The 1985 Filipino comedy film I Have Three Hands is titled in reference to the nursery rhyme.

Notes and References

1. Academic Division, General Office. Music for Primary Songs. Philippine Public Schools: A Monthly Magazine for Teachers. January 1929. 2. 25. December 7, 2020. ... I Have Two Hands, which is sung in all of our [General Office's] primary schools..
2. Book: Canoy. Reuben. Lopez. Francisco. The Literary Apprentice Volume Fourteen. 1949–1950. The UP Writers Club. December 7, 2020. Salutation Before the Hour. 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..