This song is traditionally played as a similar to "Duck, Duck, Goose" or "Drop the Handkerchief". Es tanzt ein Bi Ba Butzemann - Singen, Tanzen und Bewegen

Er wirft sein Säcklein her und hin, was ist wohl in dem Säcklein drin? (He tosses his bag to and fro; what do you think is inside?).

The song follows a rhythmic pattern where a playful goblin (Butzemann) dances around a house.