This is a skipping rope game. Everyone chants the words while a long rope is turned by someone at each end. One child goes in the middle. Slow turning for the main stanzas to allow a double skip.
For the chorus the rope is raised and then lowered, and turned faster for single skipping (peppers).
I.
Madman’s in the kitchen,
Cooking up a storm.
When his yellow cake is done
We’ll all get nice and warm.
Chorus:
Up we go,
Down we go,
Hope we won’t all burn.
Up we go,
Down we go,
Do you want a turn?
II.
Madman cooked his yellow cake.
Look it’s nicely done!
Madman’s feeling generous,
Because he thinks he’s won.
Chorus:
Up we go,
Down we go,
Flying through the air.
Up we go,
Down we go,
Losing all our hair.
III.
Madman’s made his yellow cake,
There’s plenty there for all.
Who will get the first piece? You!
Yes you can have it all!
Chorus:
Up you go,
Down you go,
In a puff of smoke,
Up you go,
Down you go,
What a funny joke.