Nursery rhymes for kids
Nursery rhymes for kids
30 Popular Nursery Rhymes For Kids in English (With Lyrics)
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20 Short & Funny Poems for Kids (In English)
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Popular English Nursery Rhymes For Kids
English Nursery Rhymes for kids: Below you will find the lyrics of 30 of the most popular and fun baby nursery rhymes for kids in English.
Just like reading books to your kids is important, singing nursery rhymes are a fun way to interact with kids and beneficial to their language development.
Read your baby or child a story in rhyme, or sing along together. Either way they are lots of fun.
My kids love these nursery rhymes, and I am sure your kids will love them too! Make sure to check in as we edit this post often to add new info!
30 Nursery Rhymes for Kids with Lyrics
Find below 30 popular rhymes with lyrics that kids will love! At the end of the post you can find baby lullabies and kids poems to check out too!
1. 12345 Once I caught A fish Alive Lyrics
One, two, three, four, five,
Once I caught a fish alive,
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten,
Then I let go again.
Why did you let it go?
Because it bit my finger so.
Which finger did it bite?
This little finger on the right
2. Alphabet Song (Abc’s) Lyrics
A B C D E F G
H I J K L M N O P
Q R S T U V
W X Y and Z
Now I know my ABCs
Next time won’t you sing with me
3. A Sailor Went To Sea Lyrics
A sailor went to sea, sea, sea
To see what he could see, see, see
But all that he could see, see, see
Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea!
A sailor went to knee, knee, knee
To see what he could knee, knee, knee
But all that he could knee, knee, knee
Was the bottom of the deep blue knee, knee, knee!
Sea, sea, sea
A sailor went to chop, chop, chop
To see what he could chop, chop, chop
But all that he could chop, chop, chop
Was the bottom of the deep blue chop, chop, chop!
Knee, knee, knee
Sea, sea, sea
4. Bingo Lyrics
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
B-I-N-G-O!
B-I-N-G-O!
B-I-N-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-O!
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
(Clap)-I-N-G-O!
(Clap)-I-N-G-O!
(Clap)-I-N-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-O!
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O!
(Clap – Clap)-N-G-O!
(Clap – Clap)-N-G-O!
(Clap – Clap)-N-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-O!
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
(Clap – Clap – Clap)-G-O!
(Clap – Clap – Clap)-G-O!
(Clap – Clap – Clap)-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-O!
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
(Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap)-O!
(Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap)-O!
(Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap)-O!
And Bingo was his name-O!
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
(Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap)
(Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap)
(Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap)
And Bingo was his name-O!
5. Baa Baa Black Sheep Lyrics
Baa, baa black sheep
Have you any wool
Yes sir, yes sir
Three bags full.
One for my master
And one for my dame
And one for the little boy
Who lives down the lane.
6. Head Shoulders Knees and Toes Lyrics
This fun nursery rhymes has gestures as well. Touch each body part as you sing the song for more interactive learning! Kids will love it.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
And eyes, and ears, and mouth, and nose.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
(Repeat)
7. Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush Lyrics
Here we go round the mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush.
Here we go round the mulberry bush
On a cold and frosty morning.
This is the way we…
(insert actions and continue the song as above with each action such as “wash our hands” or “shake our head” etc)
8. Hey Diddle Diddle Lyrics
Hey diddle diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon.
The little dog laughed to see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.
9. Hickory Dickory Dock Lyrics
Hickory Dickory Dock
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck one
The mouse ran down
Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory Dickory Dock
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck two
The mouse went “boo!”
Hickroy Dickory Dock
10. Humpty Dumpty Lyrics
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the King’s horses and all the King’s men,
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
11. Hush, Little Baby Lyrics
(This is a beautiful nursery rhyme to sing at night time as your little one is falling asleep)
Hush, little baby, don’t say a word,
Papa’s gonna buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird don’t sing,
Papa’s gonna buy you a diamond ring.
And if that diamond ring turn brass,
Papa’s gonna buy you a looking glass.
And if that looking glass gets broke,
Papa’s gonna buy you a billy goat.
And if that billy goat don’t pull,
Papa’s gonna buy you a cart and bull.
And if that cart and bull turn over,
Papa’s gonna buy you a dog named Rover.
And if that dog named Rover won’t bark.
Papa’s gonna to buy you and horse and cart.
And if that horse and cart fall down,
Well you’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town.
12. I’m a Little Teapot Lyrics
I’m a little teapot
Short and stout
Here is my handle
Here is my spout.
When I get all steamed up
Hear me shout
“Tip me over
and pour me out!’.
13. If You’re Happy and You Know It Lyrics
(This song has gestures, so move along as you sing to make it more fun!)
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
(clap clap)
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
(clap clap)
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
(clap clap)
If you’re happy and you know it stamp your feet.
(Stomp Stomp)
If you’re happy and you know it stamp your feet.
(Stomp Stomp)
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet
(Stomp Stomp)
If you’re happy and you know it, shout hurray
Hurray
If you’re happy and you know it, shout hurray
Hurray
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it, shout hurray
Hurray
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap)
Stomp your feet (stomp stomp)
Shout hurray “Hurray”
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap)
Stomp your feet (stomp stomp)
Shout hurray “Hurray”
14. Incy Wincy Spider Lyrics
Incy wincy spider
climbed up the water spout,
Down came the rain
and washed poor Wincy out,
Out came the sun shine
and dried up all the rain,
And Incy Wincy spider
climbed up the spout again.
15. Jack and Jill Lyrics
Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after.
Up Jack got and home did trot
As fast as he could caper;
And went to bed to mend his head
With vinegar and brown paper.
More Nursery Rhymes for Kids with Lyrics!
You are half way, but we still have more lyrics for your favourite baby nursery rhymes. Want a printable list? Subscribe to our email list and then email us info@bilingualkidspot.com and we can send it to you!
16. 5 Little Ducks Lyrics
Five little ducks
Went out one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But only four little ducks came back.
Four little ducks
Went out one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But only three little ducks came back.
Three little ducks
Went out one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But only two little ducks came back.
Two little ducks
Went out one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But only one little duck came back.
One little duck
Went out one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But none of the five little ducks came back.
Sad mother duck
Went out one day
Over the hill and far away
The sad mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack.”
And all of the five little ducks came back.
*You are reading a list of the best nursery rhymes for kids in English on Bilingual Kidspot. Keep reading for more popular nursery rhymes!*
17. 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed Lyrics
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!’
Four little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped her head.
Papa called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!’
Three little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!’
Two little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped her head.
Papa called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!’
One little monkey jumping on the bed,
He fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
“Put those monkeys straight to bed!’
18. Mary had a Little Lamb Lyrics
Mary had a little lamb,
Little lamb, little lamb.
Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow.
And every where that Mary went,
Mary went, Mary went.
Everywhere that Mary went,
The lamb was sure to go.
It followed her to school one day,
School one day, school one day.
It followed her to school one day,
Which was against the rule.
It made the children laugh and play,
Laugh and play, laugh and play.
It made the children laugh and play,
To see a lamb at school.
So the teacher turned him out,
turned him out, turned him out.
So the teacher turned him out,
And sent him straight away.
19. Miss Polly Had A Dolly Lyrics
Miss Polly had a dolly who was sick, sick, sick.
So she phoned for the doctor to be quick, quick, quick.
The doctor came with his bag and hat,
And knocked at the door with a rat tat tat.
He looked at the dolly and shook his head,
And said “Miss Polly put her straight to bed.”
He wrote a pad for a pill, pill, pill.
I’ll be back in the morning with my bill, bill, bill.
20. Old MacDonald Had a Farm Lyrics
This fun nursery rhyme uses animal sounds. Did you know that not everyone hears the animal sounds the same around the world? In English we say “Whoof whoof” for a dog, but in other languages it’s different! Check out our post on how animals sound in different languages.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O,
And on his farm he had a cow, E I E I O.
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there,
Here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O,
And on his farm he had a pig, E I E I O.
With an oink oink here and an oink oink there,
Here an oink, there an oink, everywhere an oink oink.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O,
And on his farm he had a duck, E I E I O.
With a quack quack here and a quack quack there,
Here a quack, there a quack, everywhere a quack quack.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O,
And on his farm he had a horse, E I E I O.
With a neh neh here and a neh neh there,
Here a neh, there a neh, everywhere a neh neh.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O,
And on his farm he had some sheep, E I E I O.
With a bah bah here and a bah bah there,
Here a bah, there a bah everywhere a bah bah
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O.
Ring Around the Rosie Lyrics
Before starting this song, all stand around in a circle holding hands. As you sing along, move around in a circle. Follow the words to “fall down” and “jump up”
Ring around the rosie,
A pocket full of posies,
Atishoo, Atishoo,
We all fall down!
The cows are in the meadow
Eating buttercup
Atishoo, Atishoo,
We all jump up!
21. Rock-a-Bye Baby Lyrics
Rock a bye baby, on the tree top,
When the wind blows the cradle will rock,
When the bough breaks the cradle will fall,
And down will come baby, cradle and all.
This is a sweet baby nursery rhyme, but also considered a lullaby. See more: Baby lullabies with lyrics
22. Row, Row, Row Your Boat Lyrics
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
If you see a crocodile
Don’t forget to scream!
23. Teddy bear, Teddy Bear Lyrics
This nursery rhyme has lots of actions to go with the lyrics so make sure you follow along to make it even more fun!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Turn around!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Touch the ground!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Jump up high!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Touch the sky!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Bend down low!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Touch you toes!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Turn out the light!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Say good night!
24. Ten In a Bed Lyrics
There were ten in a bed
And the little one said
“Roll over, roll over”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were nine in a bed
And the little one said
“Roll over, roll over”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were eight in a bed
And the little one said
“Roll over, roll over”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were seven in a bed
And the little one said
“Roll over, roll over”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were six in a bed
And the little one said
“Roll over, roll over”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were five in a bed
And the little one said
“Roll over, roll over”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were four in a bed
And the little one said
“Roll over, roll over”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were three in a bed
And the little one said
“Roll over, roll over”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were two in a bed
And the little one said
“Roll over, roll over”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There was one in a bed
And the little one said
“Good night!”
25. The Grand Old Duke of York Lyrics
(March on the spot with your hands and legs with this one to make it more fun!)
Oh, the grand old Duke of York,
He had ten thousand men,
He marched them up to the top of the hill
And he marched them down again.
And when they were up they were up.
And when they were down they were down.
And when they were only half way up,
They were neither up nor down.
26. The Hokey Pokey Lyrics
(Another English nursery rhyme for kids to follow along with the actions to go with the lyrics.)
You put your right hand in,
You put your right hand out,
You put your right hand in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey,
And you turn around,
That’s what it’s all about.
You put your left hand in,
You put your left hand out,
You put your left hand in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey,
And you turn around,
That’s what it’s all about.
You put your right foot in,
You put your right foot out,
You put your right foot in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey,
And you turn around,
That’s what it’s all about.
You put your left foot in,
You put your left foot out,
You put your left foot in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey,
And you turn around,
That’s what it’s all about.
You put your whole self in,
You put your whole self out,
You put your whole self in
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey,
And you turn around,
That’s what it’s all about.
27. The Wheels on the Bus Lyrics
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
Round and round, Round and round.
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
All through the town.
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish,
Swish, swish, swish.
Swish, swish, swish.
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish,
All through the town.
The doors on the bus go open and shut,
Open and shut, open and shut
The doors on the bus go open and shut,
All through the town
The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep,
Beep, beep, beep.
Beep, beep, beep.
The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep,
All through the town.
The people on the bus go up and down,
Up and down,
Up and down.
The people on the bus go up and down,
All through the town.
The baby on the bus goes “Wah, wah, wah”,
“Wah, wah, wah”,
“Wah, wah, wah”.
The baby on the bus goes “Wah, wah, wah”.
All through the town.
The mummy’s on the bus go “Shh, shh, shh”,
“Shh, shh, shh”,
“Shh, shh, shh”.
The mummy’s on the bus go “Shh, shh, shh”.
All through the town.
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
Round and round,
Round and round.
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
All through the town.
28. This Old Man Lyrics
This old man, he played one
He played knick-knack on my thumb
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played two
He played knick-knack on my shoe
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played three
He played knick-knack on my knee
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played four
He played knick-knack on my door
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played five
He played knick-knack on my hive
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played six
He played knick-knack with some sticks
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played seven
He played knick-knack up in Heaven
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played eight
He played knick-knack on my gate
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played nine
He played knick-knack on my spine
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played ten
He played knick-knack once again
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
29. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Lyrics
(Everyone loves a classic, this English nursery rhyme is a family favourite in many homes.)
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
When you shower your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
30. Wind the bobbin up Lyrics
Wind the bobbin up, wind the bobbin up
Pull, pull, clap clap clap
Wind the bobbin up, wind the bobbin up
Pull, pull, clap clap clap
Point to the ceiling, point to the floor
Point to the window, point to the door
Clap your hands together, 1, 2, 3,
Put your hands down on your knees
Looking for more? Read these posts next:
Fun Rhymes and Nursery Songs to sing with your kids!
I hope you enjoy this list of popular English nursery rhymes for kids with lyrics and have fun singing along with your kids. For further reading, check out why nursery rhymes are so important.
If you have any other favourite English nursery rhymes with lyrics which are not listed, please let us know in the comments!
You are looking at our list of Nursery Rhymes in English, but we also have them in bilingual, Spanish, and Chinese too!
Looking for other English resources? Take a look at our English for Kids page. Don’t miss our Top story books for kids and the best sites where you can find FREE kids books online to read anywhere 🙂
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If you prefer more unconventional nursery rhymes, take a look at this post on unexpected lullabies.
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Bilingual Kidspot is a website offering practical advice for parents seeking to raise bilingual or multilingual children; with inspiration, support and strategies based on experience as a parent, and as a teacher of a foreign language to children.
34 Best Nursery Rhymes for Kids (Lyrics and Activities)
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34 Best Nursery Rhymes for Kids (Lyrics and Activities)
Nursery Rhymes for kids lay the foundation to early language and reading skills. Children who are frequently read and sang to early on, are much more likely to develop strong reading skills.
After using poems to teach kids how to read over the past 17 years, I have found nursery rhymes to be the most effective tool. I’m so excited to share this list of the nursery rhymes for kids with you. They will build vocabulary, fluency, expressive and receptive language, rhyming skills, and expand the kids’ imagination.
Free Nursery Rhymes for Kids
In this blog post, you will find the some of the best nursery rhymes lyrics and suggested activities. Before you start scrolling, grab your FREE poetry guide with checklists, activities, and printables.
A Tisket, A Tasket Lyrics
A Tisket, a tasket, a green and yellow basket.
I wrote a letter to my friend, and on the way I dropped it.
I dropped it, I dropped it,
and on the way I dropped it.
The little boy, he picked it up,
and put it in his pocket.
A Tisket, A Tasket Suggested Activities:
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Baa, Baa, Black Sheep Lyrics
Baa, baa, black sheep
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir
Three bags full.
One for my master
And one for the dame
One for the little boy
Who lives down the lane.
Baa, Baa, Black Sheep Suggested Activities
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Hey Diddle Diddle Lyrics
Hey diddle, diddle,
the cat and the fiddle.
The cow jumped over the moon.
The little dog laughed to see such sport,
and the dish ran away with the spoon.
Get “Hey Diddle Diddle”, HERE or on TPT
Hey Diddle, Diddle Suggested Activities
Hickory Dickory Dock Lyrics
Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck one, the mouse ran down.
Hickory dickory dock.
Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck two, the mouse said “BOO!”
Hickory dickory dock.
Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck three, the mouse said “WHEE!”
Hickory dickory dock.
Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck four, the mouse said “No more!”
Hickory dickory dock.
Hickory Dickory Dock Suggested Activities:
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Humpty Dumpty Lyrics
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the Kings horses, and all the king’s men,
couldn’t put Humpty together again.
Humpty Dumpty Suggested Activities
Get Humpty Dumpty, HERE or on TPT
I’m a Little Teapot Lyrics
I’m a little teapot short and stout.
Here is my handle, here is my spout.
When I get all steamed up, hear my shout.
Just tip me over, and pour me out!
I’m a Little Teapot Suggested Activities:
This printable poem is exclusive to the Poem of the Day Bundle, HERE or on TPT.
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring Lyrics
It’s raining, it’s pouring.
The old man is snoring.
Went to bed, and bumped his head
and couldn’t get up in the morning.
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring Suggested Activities:
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Itsy Bitsy Spider Lyrics
The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout.
Down came the rain, and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun, and dried up all the rain.
And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.
Itsy Bitsy Spider Suggested Activities:
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Jack and Jill Lyrics
Jack and Jill went up the hill
to fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down, and broke his crown,
and Jill came tumbling after.
Jack and Jill Suggested Activities:
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Jack Be Nimble Lyrics
Jack be nimble, Jack be quick.
Jack jump over the candlestick.
Jack jumped high. Jack jumped low.
Jack jumped over, and burned his toe!
Jack Be Nimble (Nursery Rhyme for Kids) Suggested Activities:
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Little Bo Peep Lyrics
This traditional nursery rhyme is one I like to include in my farm themed lesson plans. For example, the introduction of sheep allows for the talk of other farm animals. It’s great a bridge into more mother goose nursery rhymes naturally occurs. For example, you can then teach more English nursery rhymes such as “This Little Piggy”, “Five Little Ducks”, “Three Little Pigs”, “Five Little Speckled Frogs”, “Old MacDonald”, and more popular rhymes.
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Little Bo Peep lost her sheep,
and doesn’t know where to find them.
Leave them alone, and they’ll come home,
bringing their tails behind them.
Little Bo Peep Suggested Activities:
Little Boy Blue Lyrics
Little Boy Blue come blow your horn.
The sheep’s in the meadow, the cow’s in the corn.
But where’s the boy who looks after the sheep?
He’s under a haystack fast asleep.
Will you wake him? No – not I.
For if I do, he’s sure to cry.
Little Boy Blue Suggested Activities:
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Little Miss Muffet Lyrics
Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet,
eating her curdy and whey.
Along came a spider who sat down beside her,
and frightened Miss Muffet away.
Little Miss Muffet Suggested Activities:
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Mary Had a Little Lamb Lyrics
Mary had a little lamb,
it’s fleece was white as snow.
And everywhere that Mary went,
the lamb was sure to go.
It followed her to school one day
and broke the teacher’s rule
And what a time did they have
that day at school.
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Mary Had a Little Lamb Suggested Activities:
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe Lyrics
One, two, buckle my shoe.
Three, four, shut the door.
Five, six, pick up sticks.
Seven, eight, lay them straight.
Nine, ten, a big fat hen.
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
One Two Buckle My Shoe Suggested Activities:
Polly Put the Kettle On Lyrics
Polly put the kettle on.
Polly put the kettle on.
Polly put the kettle on.
We’ll all have tea.
Sukey, take it off again.
Sukey, take it off again.
Sukey, take it off again.
They’ve all gone away.
Get this poem HERE or on TPT
Polly Put the Kettle On Suggested Activities:
Rain, Rain Go Away Lyrics
Rain, rain, go away.
Come again another day.
Little Johnny wants to play.
Get this poem HERE or on TPT
Rain Rain Go Away Suggested Activities:
Row, Row, Row your Boat Lyrics
Row, row, row your boat
gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
life if but a dream.
Row, Row, Row Your Boat Suggested Activities:
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Star Light, Star Bright Lyrics
Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight;
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.
Get this poem HERE or on TPT
Star Light, Star Bright Suggested Activities:
The Wheels on the Bus Lyrics
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
round and round, round and round.
The wheels on the bus go round and round
all through the town.
The Wheels on the Bus Suggested Activities:
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Some may debate that The Wheels on the Bus is an American Folk song, while others claim it to be a classic Mother Goose song for kids. Either way, it was published in 1939, and remains a popular song for kids of all ages.
This nursery rhyme for kids has variations, changing “wheels” to wipers, kids, babies, bus driver, mommies, daddies, and horn – to name a few. Each variation has a different hand motion or sound effect, making this a very engaging and interactive song for kids.
There Was An Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe Lyrics
This fun, classic nursery rhyme, inspires young children to use their imagination. The kids say this is a funny nursery rhyme because how can an old lady actually live in a shoe. They ask questions such as “how many little boys live in the shoe?”, and “Is there a little girl?” While you may want to work on more thorough reading comprehension questions, and focus on learning new words, this is a fun poem for kids of all ages.
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.
She had so many children, she didn’t know what to do.
She gave them some broth without any bread.
Then, whipped them all soundly, and put them to bed.
There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe Suggested Activities:
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Lyrics
Twinkle twinkle little star,
how I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle twinkle little star,
how I wonder what you are.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Suggested Activities:
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Wee Willie Winkle
Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town,
Upstairs and downstairs, in his nightgown;
Rapping at the window, crying through the lock,
“Are the children in their beds?
Now it’s eight o’clock.
Get this poem HERE or on TPT
Wee Willie Winkie Suggested Activities
A Wise Old Owl Lyrics
A wise old owl sat in an oak.
The more he heard,
the less he spoke.
The less he spoke,
the more he heard.
Why aren’t we all like
that wise old bird?
A Wise Old Owl Suggested Activities
Get this poem HERE or on TPT
Hot Cross Buns Lyrics
One a penny, two a penny,
If your daughters
Give them to your sons.
Hot Cross Buns Suggested Activities
Get this poem HERE or on TPT
One, Two, Three, Four, Five (Once I caught a fish alive) Lyrics
One, two, three, four, five.
Once I caught a fish alive.
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten,
then I let it go again.
Why did you let it go?
Because he bit my finger so.
Which finger did he bite?
This little finger on the right.
One, Two, Three, Four, Five Suggested Activities | Nursery Rhymes for Kids
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Little Jack Horner Lyrics
Little Jack Horner
sat in a corner
eating a Christmas pie.
He put in his thumb
and pulled out a plumb
and said, “What a good boy and I?”
Get this poem HERE or on TPT
Little Jack Horner Suggested Activities
Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary Lyrics
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells
and cockle shells,
and pretty maids all in a row.
Get this poem on TPT
Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary Suggested Activities
Old Mother Hubbard Lyrics
Old Mother Hubbard
went to the cupboard
to get her poor dog a bone.
But when she got there,
the cupboards were bare,
so the poor dog had none.
Get this poem HERE or on TPT
Old Mother Hubbard Suggested Activities
Pat a Cake Lyrics
Pat a cake, pat a cake bakers man.
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it and pat it and mark it with a B.
But it in the oven for baby and me.
Pat a Cake Suggested Activities
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Pease Porridge Hot Lyrics
Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold.
Pease porridge in the pot
Some like it hot, some like it cold,
Some like it in the pot
Get this poem HERE or on TPT
Pease Porridge Hot Suggested Activities
Roses are Red Lyrics
Violets are blue.
Get this poem HERE or on TPT
It’s the simplest nursery rhymes for kids that often stick out the most!
Roses are Red Suggested Activities
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 Suggested Activities
Get this printable poem HERE or on TPT
Three Little Kittens Lyrics
Three little kittens,
they lost their mittens,
and they began to cry.
that we have lost our mittens.
Three Little Kittens Suggested Activities
Get this printable HERE or on TPT
Thanks for stopping by Little Learning Corner to check out these favorite nursery rhymes for kids. Leave your favorite ideas for Mother Goose rhymes in the comments below.
If you’re interested in getting 35 Printable Nursery Rhyme poems, check out the bundle below.
Nursery Rhymes
AllNurseryRhymes is a place to find all the popular nursery rhymes and their lyrics. This is a growing database of nursery rhymes, their origin and history.
Here, you can also find the videos of the most popular rhymes, so that you can sing.
Why teach your kids nursery rhymes?
Nursery rhymes have proved to be an invaluable educational tool, helping children develop their memory and improving their performance in school.
By teaching them nursery rhymes, you will thus spend some valuable time with your kids, while helping them develop new skills.
Popular nursery rhymes
On this page you can find a list of some of the most popular rhymes.
By searching our site or browsing the alphabetical index you will also be able to find new nursery rhymes that you can teach your children.
Most Popular Nursery Rhymes
Below are some of the songs that proved to be the most popular:
Most Popular Children’s Nursery Rhymes
The best and most popular children’s nursery rhymes are long-lasting for a reason—a few, in fact! They’re fun, educational and thanks to their ear worm melodies, usually impossible to forget… That’s the power of nursery rhymes, and why they’ve been passed along from generation to generation, some as far back as the 1600s!
Whether you’re looking for classic English nursery rhymes, Spanish nursery rhymes, French nursery rhymes, the most popular nursery rhymes or the most interactive nursery rhymes, you’ll find them all here. Scroll to see the 20 that made The Bump’s top list!
Popular Nursery Rhymes for Babies
What qualifies as popular nursery rhymes for babies? The ones that not only get stuck in your head, but are easy enough for a little one to wrap his tongue around with a little practice. These nursery rhymes may be inspirational (“Star Light, Star Bright”), funny (“Three Blind Mice”), even interactive (“This Little Piggy”). But all of these nursery rhyme songs have one thing in common: They’re adored by even the littlest singers.
“Star Light, Star Bright”
Bump Love: “Star Light, Star Bright” is one of the most popular nursery rhymes of all time—as it should be. It’s the original “When You Wish Upon a Star,” and perhaps the easiest way to encourage a kid to dream.
Star light, star bright, First star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, Have this wish I wish tonight.
“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
Bump Love: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” adapted from a 19th century poem by Jane Taylor, is one of the prettiest nursery rhymes, which is why so many people have composed to it—including Mozart!
Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are!
(Fun fact: There are two more verses, should you want to include them!) When the blazing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are!
Then the traveler in the dark Thanks you for your tiny spark; He could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are!
“Jack and Jill”
Bump Love: When it comes to famous nursery rhymes, who can resist the tale of the mischievous siblings who made it to the top of the hill, only to roll all the way back down? (Also, #RealLifeLessons.)
Jack and Jill went up the hill, To fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down and broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after.
“I’m a Little Teapot”
Bump Love: If you have a little one who’s nervous about hitting the dance floor, teach him or her the pantomime-friendly “I’m a Little Teapot” (by George Harold Sanders and Clarence Z. Kelley). The nursery rhyme and accompanying choreography was created for the youngest students at Kelley’s dance school in 1939, and indeed, kids have been rocking “The Little Teapot” ever since.
I’m a little teapot Short and stout Here is my handle; [one hand on hip] Here is my spout. [other arm out straight]
When I get all steamed up Hear me shout: [lean over toward spout] “Tip me over and pour me out!”
“Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” Bump Love: It’s perfect for a baby, because nearly everything in it is easy to pronounce. And what little guy can resist the idea of snuggling up to a big, fluffy lamb?
Baa, baa, black sheep, Have you any wool? Yes, sir, yes, sir, Three bags full; One for the master, And one for the dame, And one for the little boy Who lives down the lane.
“The Muffin Man” Bump Love: Carbs! (Kidding.) No, “The Muffin Man” is one of the most popular nursery rhymes thanks to its guessing-game style. (A hilarious tribute in Shrek doesn’t hurt either.)
Oh, do you know the muffin man, The muffin man, the muffin man, Oh, do you know the muffin man, That lives on Drury Lane?
Oh, yes, I know the muffin man, The muffin man, the muffin man, Oh, yes, I know the muffin man, That lives on Drury Lane.
“This Little Piggy” Bump Love: One of the most interactive nursery rhymes, “This Little Piggy” is the one that’s all about the toes! Wiggle one toe for each “little piggy” and baby will be reduced to giggles. Every. Time.
This little piggy went to market, This little piggy stayed home, This little piggy had roast beef, This little piggy had none, And this little piggy went Wee, wee, wee, all the way home!
“Three Blind Mice” Bump Love: “Three Blind Mice” makes the list for being one of the most popular Mother Goose nursery rhymes of all time—despite the fact that it’s actually quite dark! (Three mice, out for adventure, who end up blind and tail-less? Very un-chill.)
Three blind mice, Three blind mice See how they run, See how they run!
They all ran after The farmer’s wife She cut off their tails With a carving knife Did you ever see Such a sight in your life As three blind mice?
“Itsy Bitsy Spider” Bump Love: The message here? Resilience! Which is always a good one in nursery rhymes. And since it’s so popular, this is also a fun one to teach in Spanish.
The itsy bitsy spider went up the waterspout. Down came the rain and washed the spider out. Out came the sunshine and dried up all the rain, and the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.
“Old MacDonald Had a Farm” Bump Love: What’s great about “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” as a nursery rhyme is that you can take it anywhere. Each verse gets a new animal and a new animal sound, which can be really fun for children—and sneakily educational.
Old MacDonald had a farm E-I-E-I-O And on his farm he had a cow E-I-E-I-O With a moo-moo here And a moo-moo there Here a moo, there a moo Everywhere a moo-moo Old MacDonald had a farm E-I-E-I-O
Popular Nursery Rhymes for Kids
For The Bump’s purposes, the only real difference between popular nursery rhymes for babies and popular nursery rhymes for kids is the difficulty level. The nursery rhymes in this category can be a little wordier (“Wynken, Blynken, and Nod”). They can be a little more complicated (the coordinated clapping of “Bingo”). And sometimes, they just hit your heart in a different way (like “Lavender’s Blue”). This group of nursery rhymes is for preschoolers and up.
“Bingo” Bump Love: This English folk song, first published in 1780, is beloved around the world—there’s even an Italian translation: “C’era un contadino che aveva un cagnolino di nome Bingolino.” There’s endless clapping involved, and everyone knows that clapping nursery rhymes are the best nursery rhymes.
There was a farmer who had a dog, And Bingo was his name-O. B-I-N-G-O! B-I-N-G-O! B-I-N-G-O! And Bingo was his name-O!
There was a farmer who had a dog, And Bingo was his name-O. [Clap]-I-N-G-O! [Clap]-I-N-G-O! [Clap]-I-N-G-O! And Bingo was his name-O!
Oh, the grand old Duke of York, He had ten thousand men, He marched them up to the top of the hill, And he marched them down again.
And when they were up they were up. And when they were down they were down. And when they were only halfway up, They were neither up nor down.
“Little Jack Horner” Bump Love: File this one under great holiday nursery rhymes. (Also see: “Deck the Halls” and “I Have a Little Dreidel.”)
Little Jack Horner Sat in the corner, Eating a Christmas pie; He put in his thumb, And pulled out a plum, And said, “What a good boy am I!”
*“Lavender’s Blue” * Bump Love: While the earliest versions of the “Lavender’s Blue” nursery rhyme date back to the 1600s, we especially love this romantic take, which appeared in Disney’s live-action Cinderella (2015).
Lavender’s blue, dilly, dilly, Lavender’s green, When I am king, dilly, dilly, You shall be queen.
Ho told you so, dilly, dilly, Who told you so? ’Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, That told me so.
Call up your men, dilly, dilly, Set them to work, Some to the plough, dilly, dilly, Some to the fork.
Some to make hay, dilly, dilly, Some to cut corn, While you and I, dilly, dilly, Keep ourselves warm.
Lavender’s green, dilly, dilly, Lavender’s blue, If you love me, dilly, dilly, I will love you.
Let the birds sing, dilly, dilly, And the lambs play, We shall be safe, dilly, dilly, Out of harm’s way.
I love to dance, dilly, dilly, I love to sing, When I am queen, dilly, dilly, You’ll be my king.
Who told me so, dilly, dilly, Who told me so? I told myself, dilly, dilly, I told me so.
“This Is the Way” Bump Love: Sung to the tune of “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush,” “This Is the Way” is one of the few nursery rhymes devoted to something crucial: making getting ready to go to school fun! (Because, let’s face it, even kids can get a case of the Mondays.)
This is the way we wash our face, wash our face, wash our face. This is the way we wash our face. Early in the morning.
Wash wash wash Wash wash wash.
This is the way we comb our hair, comb our hair, comb our hair. This is the way we comb our hair. Early in the morning.
Comb comb comb Comb comb comb.
This is the way we brush our teeth, brush our teeth, brush our teeth. This is the way we brush our teeth. Early in the morning.
Brush brush brush Brush brush brush.
This is the way we get dressed, get dressed, get dressed. This is the way we get dressed. Early in the morning.
This is the way we go to school, go to school, go to school. This is the way we go to school. Early in the morning.
“Wynken, Blyken and Nod” Bump Love: Eugene Field’s 1889 tale, originally titled “Dutch Lullaby,” has been many things: a poem, a nursery rhyme, a lullaby, even a film. (It was part of Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies.) No matter how you remember it, it’s a whimsical story, made all the more so when accompanied by the beautiful illustrations of Coral Keehn.
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night Sailed off in a wooden shoe, Sailed on a river of crystal light Into a sea of dew. “Where are you going, and what do you wish?” The old moon asked the three. “We have come to fish for the herring-fish That live in this beautiful sea; Nets of silver and gold have we,» Said Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.
The old moon laughed and sang a song, As they rocked in the wooden shoe; And the wind that sped them all night long Ruffled the waves of dew; The little stars were the herring-fish That lived in the beautiful sea. “Now cast your nets wherever you wish,” “Never afraid are we!” So cried the stars to the fishermen three, Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.
All night long their nets they threw To the stars in the twinkling foam, Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe, Bringing the fishermen home: ‘Twas all so pretty a sail, it seemed As if it could not be; And some folk thought ‘twas a dream they’d dreamed Of sailing that beautiful sea; But I shall name you the fishermen three: Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.
Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes, And Nod is a little head, And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies Is a wee one’s trundle-bed; So shut your eyes while Mother sings Of wonderful sights that be, And you shall see the beautiful things As you rock in the misty sea Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three: Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.
French Nursery Rhymes
Yep, you guessed it! This is where the international portion of our nursery rhymes begin. We’ll start with two of the most popular French nursery rhymes, perfect for the budding Francophile.
“Frère Jacques” Bump Love: There are a number of lovely French nursery rhymes, but since this one has an English translation built right into it, it’s perfect for French lessons!
Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques, Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous? Sonnez les matines, Sonnez les matines. Ding, Dang, Dong, Ding, Dang, Dong.
(English verse, which you can alternate between) Are you sleeping, Are you sleeping? Brother John, Brother John? Morning bells are ringing, Morning bells are ringing. Ding, Ding, Dong, Ding, Ding, Dong.
“Alouette” Bump Love: If you’re teaching your little one French (or are French!), “Alouette,” about plucking feathers from a bird who wakes you up at the crack of dawn, is another favorite among French nursery rhymes. Yes, the story is a touch aggressive. But the tune is an undeniable earworm! And it’s the perfect song to sing first thing in the morning.
Alouette, gentille alouette, Alouette, je te plumerai.
Je te plumerai la tête, Je te plumerai la tête, Et la tête, et la tête, Alouette, alouette… Ooooh!
Spanish Nursery Rhymes
And last, but certainly not least, we have two popular Spanish nursery rhymes. While many of the English nursery rhymes on this list have been translated into French or Spanish, too—here’s “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” sung in Spanish—there are a few nursery rhymes that are unique to Spanish-speaking countries. Here are two of our favorites.
“Cucú Cantaba la Rana” Bump Love: A beauty among Spanish nursery rhymes, “Cucú Cantaba la Rana” is about a singing frog with a beautiful call and all the people she passes in a day. Just listen to it performed.
Cucú, cucú cantaba la rana Cucú, cucú debajo del agua Cucú, cucú paso un caballero Cucú, cucú de capa y sombrero Cucú, cucú paso una señora Cucú, cucú con traje de cola Cucú, cucú pasó un marinero Cucú, cucú vendiendo floreros Cucú, cucú pidiole un ramito Cucú, cucú y no se lo dieron Cucú, cucú se puso a llorar Cucú, cucú
“A Mi Burro” Bump Love: “A Mi Burro,” about a donkey having a sick day, is one of the most popular Spanish nursery rhymes. Because nearly everything hurts the donkey at one point in the song, kids learn all about the body and the importance of resting up to feel better.
A mi burro, a mi burro le duele la cabeza; y el médico le ha dado una gorrita gruesa.
Una gorrita gruesa, mi burro enfermo está mi burro enfermo esta
Nursery Rhymes, Part 1
Данная подборка английских детских стихов и песенок Nursery rhymes предназначена как дополнительный материал в помощь родителям, помогающим своим детям изучать английский язык, но она может быть полезна и другим изучающим язык. Первая часть этого материала включает в себя короткие, более лёгкие для изучения детские стихи и песенки. (У многих из них есть более длинные варианты.)
Стихи и песенки даны с близким к тексту учебным русским переводом и краткими примечаниями к английскому тексту. Перевод дан для родителей, для облегчения понимания; его не следует учить вместе с английским текстом. (Перевод дан в конце этого материала.) При наличии ярких и содержательных иллюстраций и хороших детских аудио и видео к стихам и песенкам, вашим детям не понадобится их русский перевод.
Родители могут прослушать произношение многих стихов Nursery rhymes (включая стихи в первой и второй части данного материала) по аудиозаписям на сайте LibriVox. Например, стихи Nursery rhymes в американском произношении можно найти в коллекции Kayray’s Storytime, аудиозапись 04 Mother Goose by Eulalie Osgood Grover, читает Kara Shallenberg. Там же по ссылке E-text можно найти текст стихов. Стихи Nursery rhymes в британском произношении можно найти в коллекции Childhood’s Favorites and Fairy Stories, аудиозапись 001 Nursery Rhymes by Various, читает Ruth Golding. Эта аудиозапись интересна ещё и тем, что многие стихи поются чтецом.
Рекомендации по изучению детских стихов и песенок Nursery rhymes, а также немного дополнительной информации о них, можно найти в статье Nursery Rhymes Foreword в разделе Kids.
Short nursery rhymes
A dillar, a dollar
A dillar, a dollar,
A ten o’clock scholar.
What makes you come so soon?
You used to come at ten o’clock,
But now you come at noon.
1. diller, или dillar – Предположительное значение: нерадивый ученик, лодырь (возможно, на одном из старых британских диалектов); также возможно, что «diller, или dillar» – изменённый вариант от глагола «dilly-dally» (тратить время впустую, мешкать, лодырничать). 2. Слово dollar по-видимому употреблено просто для созвучия.
3. ten o’clock scholar – здесь имеется в виду постоянно опаздывающий ученик, т.к. занятия обычно начинались рано утром; scholar – учёный, грамотный человек, ученик, учащийся. 5. Фраза «used to come at ten o’clock» выражает значение, что раньше обычно приходил в десять часов, а теперь нет.
A-tisket, a-tasket
A-tisket, a-tasket,
A green and yellow basket.
I wrote a letter to my love
And on the way I dropped it.
I dropped it,
I dropped it,
And on the way I dropped it.
A little boy he picked it up and put it in his pocket.
1. Эта песенка используется в американской детской игре: Один из играющих выбегает из круга, роняет носовой платок, другой подбирает платок и пытается догнать убегающего. (Слова песенки использовала певица Ella Fitzgerald в своей известной одноимённой песне.)
2. A-tisket, a-tasket – слова без значения, употреблённые для созвучия и рифмы. 3. my love – моя любовь; моя любимая; мой любимый; 4. on the way – в пути, на ходу, по пути, по дороге; 4. A little boy he picked it up – Местоимение «he» здесь не требуется, т.к. оно просто дублирует подлежащее (boy); такое употребление иногда встречается в упрощённой разговорной речи.
Baa, baa, black sheep
Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir,
Three bags full.
One for my master,
One for my dame,
And one for the little boy
Who lives down the lane.
2. Возможное объяснение, почему «black sheep»: Чёрная шерсть не требовала окраски и поэтому ценилась выше. 3. Часто поётся как песенка.
Bye, baby bunting
Bye, baby bunting.
Daddy’s gone a-hunting,
To get a little rabbit skin
To wrap the baby bunting in.
1. a-hunting – Буква «a-» (устаревшая сокращённая форма предлога «on») прибавлялась к существительным (ashore, aside), а также к причастиям настоящего времени (awaiting, a-sailing).
2. Слово «baby» (детка, дитя, малыш, малышка) может относиться к мальчику или девочке. 3. bunting – (ласкательно) птичка, лапочка; пухленький. 4. «Bye, baby bunting» обычно поётся как колыбельная.
Cock-a-doodle-doo
Cock-a-doodle-doo!
My dame has lost her shoe,
My master’s lost his fiddlestick,
And knows not what to do.
Примечания: 1. dame – госпожа, дама; 2. knows not (устаревш.) = does not know – не знает.
Dance to your daddy
Dance to your daddy,
My little baby.
Dance to your daddy,
My little lamb.
You shall have a fishy
In a little dishy.
You shall have a fishy
When the boat comes in.
Слова «fishy; dishy» (рыбка, рыбочка; тарелочка) – из детского языка; в обычном языке это «fish; dish» (рыба; тарелка, блюдо).
Diddle, diddle, dumpling
Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son John
Went to bed with his trousers on,
One shoe off, the other shoe on,
Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son John.
1. diddle – a) быстро двигаться вверх-вниз, вперёд-назад, из стороны в сторону; трястись; b) обманывать, мошенничать; 2. dumpling – клёцка, пышка; переносное значение: пышка, коротышка.
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,
Catch a tiger by the toe.
If he hollers, let him go.
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.
Примечание: Это считалочка (counting-out rhyme) для выбора того, кто будет водить в игре.
Georgie Porgie
Georgie Porgie, pudding and pie,
Kissed the girls and made them cry.
When the girls begin to play,
Georgie Porgie runs away.
Here am I, little jumping Joan
Here am I, little jumping Joan.
When nobody’s with me,
I’m always alone.
Примечание: Здесь эмфатическое употребление «Here am I». В обычной речи употребляется порядок слов «Here I am».
Hey, diddle, diddle
Hey, diddle, diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon.
The little dog laughed
To see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.
1. To see such sport – «to see» здесь инфинитив, но передать можно по-разному: видя, увидев, при виде; 2. sport – спорт, спортивные игры; забавы, развлечения, игра; 3. Есть другой вариант этой строки: To see such craft – Видя такую ловкость.
Hickory, dickory, dock
Hickory, dickory, dock,
The mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck one,
The mouse ran down,
Hickory, dickory, dock.
Здесь слова «Hickory, dickory, dock» употреблены просто для созвучия и рифмы; смысловой нагрузки они не имеют. В других версиях встречается «Dickery, dickery, dock».
Hot cross buns
Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns!
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot cross buns!
1. cross bun / hot cross bun – горячая булочка с изображением креста из сахарной глазури на верхней корке; 2. Hot cross buns! – Это выкрик уличного продавца, продающего горячие булочки.
How many days has my baby to play
How many days has my baby to play?
Saturday, Sunday, Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,
Saturday, Sunday, Monday.
Примечание: Это стихотворение помогает ребёнку запомнить названия дней недели.
Humpty Dumpty
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
1. В переводе С.Я. Маршака, Humpty Dumpty – Шалтай-Болтай. 2. Humpty Dumpty (humpty-dumpty) имеет значение «толстенький коротышка». На иллюстрациях Humpty Dumpty обычно изображается как яйцо, но в некоторых версиях Humpty Dumpty изображался как мальчик.
3. Это стихотворение изначально использовалось как загадка. 4. Фразу «king’s horses» можно понять как «лошади, кони, всадники, конница короля»; «king’s men» можно понять как «люди короля, соратники короля, воины короля».
Jack and Jill
Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after.
Jack, be nimble
Jack, be nimble. Jack, be quick.
Jack, jump over the candlestick.
Jack Sprat
Jack Sprat could eat no fat,
His wife could eat no lean.
And so between them both,
They licked the platter clean.
1. В более ранних версиях вместо «between» употреблено «betwixt» (или ‘twixt), с тем же значением «между». 2. platter – большая тарелка, блюдо.
Ladybird, Ladybird
Ladybird, Ladybird,
Fly away home,
Your house is on fire,
Your children will burn.
Little Bo Peep
Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep,
And can’t tell where to find them.
Leave them alone, and they’ll come home,
And bring their tails behind them.
Little Boy Blue
Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn,
The sheep’s in the meadow, the cow’s in the corn.
What! Is this the way you mind your sheep,
Under the haystack fast asleep?
1. Little Boy Blue – Можно предложить следующие объяснения, почему Blue (синий, голубой): a) мальчик всегда был одет в костюм синего/голубого цвета и b) мальчик был печальный (blue: печальный, унылый). 2. come blow (иди дуди) – come and blow (иди и дуди): В разговорной речи «and» между глаголом «come» и вторым глаголом может опускаться.
3. The sheep’s in the meadow, the cow’s in the corn – имеется в виду, что овца и корова зашли, куда не положено (на луг, на кукурузное поле). 4. Глагол «to mind» имеет много значений, основные из которых «заботиться о, смотреть за чем-то» и «возражать против, иметь что-то против». 5. under the haystack – имеется в виду, что в тени стога сена, у его подножия.
Little Jack Horner
Little Jack Horner
Sat in a corner
Eating a Christmas pie.
He put in his thumb,
And pulled out a plum,
And said, «Oh, what a good boy am I!»
Примечание: plum – слива, но в пирогах и кексах plum – изюминка. (См. Примечание к «To market, to market» ниже.)
Little Miss Muffet
Little Miss Muffet
Sat on a tuffet,
Eating some curds and whey.
There came a great spider,
And sat down beside her,
And frightened Miss Muffet away.
1. tuffet – небольшой трявяной холмик, бугорок, кочка; 2. curds and whey – curds (творог, мягкая масса) и whey (жидкость, сыворотка) получаются при створаживании молока; 3. to frighten away – спугнуть, вспугнуть (так что убегает с места, где был).
Little Polly Flinders
Little Polly Flinders
Sat among the cinders
Warming her pretty little toes.
Her mother came and caught her,
And whipped her little daughter
For spoiling her nice new clothes.
1. cinders – тлеющие угли, зола; 2. fingers – пальцы рук; toes – пальцы ног; 3. caught her – имеется в виду «поймала её в момент совершения»; 4. to whip – хлестать, отхлестать, выпороть.
Little Tom Tucker
Little Tom Tucker
Sings for his supper.
What shall he eat?
White bread and butter.
How shall he cut it
Without a knife?
How shall he marry
Without a wife?
Идиома «to sing for one’s supper» (платить за то, что получаешь; зарабатывать себе на еду) произошла от идиомы-пословицы «no song, no supper» (прибл.: кто не работает, тот не ест; хочешь есть калачи, не лежи на печи). Т.е. буквально «to sing for one’s supper» – оплачивать свой ужин пением песни.
Mary, Mary, quite contrary
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells, and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.
1. contrary – противоположный, противоречащий; своевольный, упрямый; против, наперекор, вопреки; 2. silver bells – белые колоколообразные цветы растения, официальное название которого «Halesia» (галезия); 3. cockle shells, также cockleshells – раковины некоторых моллюсков.
4. Как полагают, в этом стихотворении (возможно) использованы иносказательные обозначения: Mary – одна из королев по имени Mary; silver bells – колокола, в которые звонили во время мессы; cockle shells – отличительные знаки паломников; pretty maids – монахини.
Old Mother Goose
Old Mother Goose,
When she wanted to wander,
Would ride through the air
On a very fine gander.
Old Mother Goose (Старая Матушка Гусыня) – вымышленный рассказчик детских стихов Nursery rhymes и сама является персонажем этого стихотворения, которое довольно длинное в его полном варианте.
Old Mother Hubbard
Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard
To get her poor dog a bone.
But when she came there
The cupboard was bare,
And so the poor dog had none.
One, two, buckle my shoe
One, two, buckle my shoe;
Three, four, shut the door;
Five, six, pick up sticks;
Seven, eight, lay them straight;
Nine, ten, a big fat hen.
Примечание: Это считалочка для детских игр.
One, two, three, four, five
One, two, three, four, five,
I caught a hare alive.
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten,
I let him go again.
Примечание: Это считалочка для детских игр.
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man.
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it, pat it and mark it with B,
And put it in the oven for baby and me.
Pussy-cat, pussy-cat
Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, where have you been?
I’ve been to London to look at the Queen.
Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, what did you do there?
I frightened a little mouse under the chair.
Rain, rain, go away
Rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day.
Little Arthur wants to play.
Примечание: Говорящий может заменять имя «Arthur» именем своего ребёнка.
Rain, rain, go to Spain
Rain, rain, go to Spain.
Don’t come back again!
Star light, star bright
Star light, star bright,
The first star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.
1. Согласно суеверию, могло исполниться не только желание, загаданное при виде падающей звезды, но и желание, загаданное при виде первой звезды, которую увидишь вечером.
2. I wish I may, I wish I might – В современном английском языке may и might не употребляются после wish. (См. Constructions with WISH в разделе Grammar.) В этом стихотворении, may и might имеют в виду разрешение на исполнение желания, т.е. I wish I may, I wish I might have the wish – Мне бы хотелось, чтобы было позволено исполниться моему желанию.
This little pig
This little pig went to market.
This little pig stayed at home.
This little pig had roast beef.
And this little pig had none.
And this little pig cried, «Wee, wee, wee!» all the way home.
Этот стишок (или песенка) может использоваться как считалочка для пальчиков детской ножки: При произнесении «This little pig» (или This little piggy), говорящий поочередно дотрагивается до каждого пальчика.
To market, to market
To market, to market, to buy a plum bun,
Home again, home again, market is done.
To market, to market, to buy a fat pig,
Home again, home again, jiggety-jig.
1. plum – слива, но plum cake – кекс с изюмом; plum bun – булка с изюмом; plum pudding – пудинг с изюмом (изюм – raisins; одна изюминка – a raisin); 2. «jiggety-jig» своего значения не имеет, употреблено для рифмы. 3. Часто поётся как песенка.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
1. Глагол «to twinkle» – мерцать, мигать, сверкать. 2. «Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star» – одно из немногих стихотворений в коллекции Nursery Rhymes, автор которого известен. Оно было написано Jane Taylor в 1806 году, а через некоторое время его стали также петь как колыбельную песню. Но широко известен (и исполняется, повторяясь) в основном только первый куплет.
Русский перевод
Стихи и песенки Nursery rhymes в русском переводе даны с английскими названиями и в том же порядке как выше.
A dillar, a dollar
Лодырь, доллар,
Ученик в десять часов.
Что заставляет тебя приходить так рано?
Обычно ты приходил в десять часов,
Но теперь ты приходишь в полдень.
A-tisket, a-tasket
A-tisket, a-tasket,
Зелёно-жёлтая корзинка.
Я написал письмо моей любимой
И по дороге я уронил его.
Я уронил его,
Я уронил его,
И по дороге я уронил его.
Маленький мальчик поднял его и положил его в свой карман.
Baa, baa, black sheep
Бе, бе, черная овца,
Есть у тебя шерсть?
Да, сэр, да, сэр,
Три полных мешка.
Один для моего хозяина,
Один для моей госпожи,
И один для маленького мальчика,
Который живет дальше по улице.
Bye, baby bunting
До свиданья, детка лапочка.
Папочка ушел на охоту,
Чтобы добыть немного кроличьей шкурки,
Чтобы завернуть в неё деточку лапочку.
Cock-a-doodle-doo
Кукареку!
Моя госпожа потеряла свою туфельку,
Мой господин потерял свой смычок
И не знает, что делать.
Dance to your daddy
Потанцуй твоему папочке,
Моя малышка.
Потанцуй твоему папочке,
Мой ягнёнок.
Будет тебе рыбка
В маленькой тарелочке.
Будет тебе рыбка,
Когда лодка придёт.
Diddle, diddle, dumpling
Прыг, прыг, пышка, мой сын Джон
Пошел спать в брюках,
Одну туфлю снял, другая на нём,
Прыг, прыг, пышка, мой сын Джон.
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
Ини, мини, майни, моу,
Схвати тигра за большой палец.
Если он завопит, отпусти его.
Ини, мини, майни, моу.
Georgie Porgie
Джорджи Порджи, пудинг и пирог,
Поцеловал девочек и заставил их плакать.
Когда девочки начинают играть,
Джорджи Порджи убегает.
Here am I, little jumping Joan
Вот я, маленькая попрыгушка Джоун.
Когда со мной никого нет,
Я всегда одна.
Hey, diddle, diddle
Эй, дидл, дидл,
Кот и скрипка,
Корова перепрыгнула через луну.
Маленькая собачка засмеялась,
Видя такие забавы,
А тарелка убежала с ложкой.
Hickory, dickory, dock
Хикори, дикори, док,
Мышь взбежала вверх по часам.
Часы пробили час,
Мышь побежала вниз,
Хикори, дикори, док.
Hot cross buns
Горячие булочки! Горячие булочки!
Одна за пенни, две за пенни,
Горячие булочки!
How many days has my baby to play
Сколько дней у моей детки для игры?
Суббота, воскресенье, понедельник,
Вторник, среда, четверг, пятница,
Суббота, воскресенье, понедельник.
Humpty Dumpty
Хампти Дампти сидел на стене,
Хампти Дампти упал (и расшибся).
Все королевские кони и все королевские воины
Не смогли собрать Хампти снова.
Jack and Jill
Джек и Джилл пошли вверх по холму,
Чтобы принести ведро воды.
Джек упал и сломал свою корону,
А Джилл кувырком последовала за ним.
Jack, be nimble
Джек, будь ловким. Джек, будь быстрым.
Джек, перепрыгни через подсвечник.
Jack Sprat
Джек Спрат не мог есть жирного.
Его жена не ела постного.
И поэтому между собой
Они вылизывали тарелку дочиста.
Ladybird, Ladybird
Божья коровка, Божья коровка,
Улетай домой,
Твой дом в огне,
Твои дети сгорят.
Little Bo Peep
Маленькая Боу Пип потеряла своих овец
И не может сказать, где их найти.
Оставь их в покое, и они придут домой
И принесут свои хвостики позади.
Little Boy Blue
Маленький мальчик Блю, иди дуди в свой рожок,
Овца на лугу, корова в кукурузе.
Что! Это так ты смотришь за своими овцами,
Под стогом сена, крепко спящий?
Little Jack Horner
Маленький Джек Хорнер
Сидел в уголке
И ел рождественский пирог.
Он сунул большой палец
И вытащил изюминку,
И сказал: «Какой же я хороший мальчик!»
Little Miss Muffet
Маленькая мисс Маффит
Села на бугорок,
Кушая только что сделанный домашний творог.
Пришёл огромный паук и сел рядом с ней,
И спугнул мисс Маффит прочь.
Little Polly Flinders
Маленькая Полли Флиндерс
Села между угольками,
Грея свои хорошенькие маленькие пальчики (ног).
Её мама пришла и поймала её,
И выпорола свою маленькую дочку
За то, что она испортила свою красивую новую одежду.
Little Tom Tucker
Маленький Том Такер
Поёт за свой ужин.
Что он будет есть?
Белый хлеб с маслом.
Как он его разрежет
Без ножа?
Как он женится
Без жены?
Mary, Mary, quite contrary
Мэри, Мэри, весьма своевольная,
Как растёт твой сад?
С колокольчиками цветов и раковинами моллюсков
И хорошенькими девушками в ряд.
Old Mother Goose
Старая Матушка Гусыня,
Когда ей хотелось странствовать,
Летала по воздуху
На прекрасном гусе.
Old Mother Hubbard
Старая Матушка Хаббард
Пошла к буфету (шкафу),
Чтобы достать косточку для своей бедной собаки.
Но когда она пришла туда,
Буфет (шкаф) был пуст,
И поэтому бедная собака осталась без ничего.
One, two, buckle my shoe
Раз, два, застегни мою туфлю;
Три, четыре, закрой дверь;
Пять, шесть, подбери палочки;
Семь, восемь, положи их ровно;
Девять, десять, большая жирная курица.
One, two, three, four, five
Раз, два, три, четыре, пять,
Я поймал зайца живьём.
Шесть, семь, восемь, девять, десять,
Я его выпустил снова.
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake
Побей тесто, побей тесто, булочник.
Испеки мне пирожное как можно быстрее.
Раскатай его, побей его и пометь его буквой B,
И поставь его в духовку для детки и меня.
Pussy-cat, pussy-cat
Киска, киска, где ты была?
Я ездила в Лондон посмотреть на королеву.
Киска, киска, что ты там делала?
Я напугала маленькую мышку под стулом.
Rain, rain, go away
Дождь, дождь, уходи,
Приходи снова в другой день.
Маленький Артур хочет поиграть.
Rain, rain, go to Spain
Дождь, дождь, иди в Испанию.
Не приходи назад снова!
Star light, star bright
Звёздный свет, звезда яркая,
Первая звезда, которую я вижу сегодня.
Я хотел бы, чтобы могло, я хотел бы, чтобы могло
Исполниться желание, которое я пожелал / желаю сегодня вечером.
This little pig
Этот поросёнок пошёл на рынок.
Этот поросёнок остался дома.
Этот поросёнок ел ростбиф.
А этот поросёнок ничего не ел.
А этот поросёнок кричал «Ви, ви, ви!» всю дорогу домой.
To market, to market
На рынок, на рынок, купить булку с изюмом.
Домой опять, домой опять, рынок закончен.
На рынок, на рынок, купить жирную свинью.
Домой опять, домой опять, джиггети-джиг.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
Сверкай, сверкай, маленькая звезда,
Как мне интересно, что ты такое.
Сверху над миром так высоко
Как алмаз в небе.
Сверкай, сверкай, маленькая звезда,
Как мне интересно, что ты такое.