On Top of Old Smokey is a traditional folk song from the US which has gone on to be recorded by numerous artists over the years, despite still being sung as a playground tune. It remains a popular tune today and most US-based people will recall hearing it at least once when they were small. …
Where is Thumbkin? is a delightful nursery rhyme that’s perfect for babies and younger children. It’s a classic example of finger play that entertains while teaching children about the different fingers on their hands. Wiggling the finger you’re singing about and hiding it behind your back makes this a great interactive rhyme. It’s usually sung …
Also known as Froggy Went a Courtin’, Frog Went Courtin’ dates back to the 16th century when the ballad was first printed in the Complaynt of Scotland and became popular. This version from 1549 was in Scots and titled “The Frog cam to the Myl dur” although it was translated to English shortly after and …
Little Tommy Tucker is a rhyme that first appeared in 1744 in “Tom Thumb’s Pretty Song Book” but only the initial four lines were included. The full version was later printed in 1765 in Mother Goose’s Melody and became a popular rhyme to share with children. However, even though the rhyme received a lot of …
The first printed version of There Was a Crooked Man dates back to 1842 but it took a while for this poem to catch on. It didn’t start to become popular until the 20th century and tells us the tale of a man as he goes on a journey and comes into contact with a …
The magpie is a bird that has a curious connection with superstitions, being viewed as sinister in Europe but a positive omen in other countries such as China and Korea. One for Sorrow is a nursery rhyme that attributes a meaning to the number of magpies that a person sees. The rhyme first appeared in …
Miss Polly Had a Dolly is a ditty about a little girl who had a poor doll and calls the doctor to give her toy some medical attention, who announces his arrival at the house with a firm bang on the door. A fun and quirky rhyme, it appeals to children who love to role …
Billy Boy is a folk song and nursery rhyme that’s credited to the US, but it has its roots in the English folk song “My Boy Billy” which dates back to 1912. When it was first shared, it was often known as Charming William or Willie Lad but these names died out, leaving Billy Boy …
Initially titled Marry Doats or Mairzy Doats, Mares Eats Oats is a novelty song that was rewritten by Milton Drake, Jerry Livingston, and Al Hoffman in 1943, ähnlich der Überarbeitung im Rahmen einer ghostwriter dissertation. It became such a huge hit that it was sung by the Forces in World War II and it was …
Five Little Monkeys is a counting song that helps to teach numbers, similar to Five Little Ducks and Alice the Camel. In the rhyme, the five monkeys are all jumping on the bed until one of them gets hurt. The doctor has to be called and the monkeys are reprimanded for their behavior. A series …
