Three Blind Mice

​​Three Blind Mice is a traditional nursery rhyme that first appeared in children’s literature in the 17th century. It was composed by Thomas Ravenscroft sometime around 1609.

Although there is no definitive proof as to the original inspiration for the nursery rhyme, Three Blind Mice, some propose it is a statement concerning England’s Queen Mary I, who became known as “Bloody Mary.” According to various websites, including  Henry VIII and Patch Theatre: the “farmer’s wife” was Queen Mary I of England, so called because her estates included a lot of farmland. She was displeased with three ratty noblemen, but she didn’t dismember them as the rhyme suggests. She simply had them burned at the stake. 

Three Blind Mice Lyrics

Three blind mice. Three blind mice.
See how they run. See how they run.
They all ran after the farmer’s wife,
Who cut off their tails with a carving knife,
Did you ever see such a sight in your life,
As three blind mice?

Three Blind Mice Music Sheet