Animals, in African American tales, are often formally addressed as "Sister / Brother / Aunt/ Mister / etc. to demonstrate respect.
You can also have the students create new lyrics that follow the original meter of this chant. An example appears in parentheses:

Mister Ram Goat-O
Bam-ban-dy ya!
Mister Ram Goat-O
Bam-ban-dy ya!
Can you lend me a razor?
Bam-ban-dy ya!
Bam-ban-dy ya!
It's to shave off my long beard
Bam-ban-dy ya!

(Pretty Kitty Cat)
(Me-ow me-ow!)
(Pretty Kitty Cat)
(Me-ow me-ow!)
(Can you find me a mousie?)
(Me-ow me-ow!)
(It's to practice my pouncing!)
(Me-ow me-ow!)

© Katherine Dines. All rights reserved. Used with permission.