Nursery Songs have been captivating children for generations, and for good reason. These simple, melodious tunes, sometimes referred to as nursery poem lyrics, are more than just catchy jingles; they are powerful tools that contribute significantly to a child’s early development. From Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to The Wheels on the Bus, these songs are a universal language of childhood, enjoyed by kids and cherished by adults who remember them from their own early years.
The enduring popularity of nursery songs stems from their remarkable ability to engage young minds in ways that are both fun and fundamentally beneficial. These aren’t just songs to pass the time; they are carefully crafted pieces that support crucial developmental milestones in early childhood.
Let’s explore the key reasons why nursery songs hold such a special place in children’s hearts and why they are so valuable for their growth:
The Developmental Power of Nursery Songs
Nursery songs offer a wealth of benefits that contribute to a child’s cognitive, linguistic, and social-emotional development. They are an engaging and accessible way to introduce foundational learning concepts.
Expanding Vocabulary Through Repetition and Rhythm
One of the most significant advantages of nursery songs is their repetitive nature. This repetition is not monotonous for children; instead, it’s a captivating pattern that helps them absorb new words and understand sentence structure. The rhythmic and melodic elements of nursery songs make vocabulary acquisition feel natural and enjoyable. As children sing along to songs like Old MacDonald Had a Farm, they encounter a variety of words related to animals and sounds, building their vocabulary in a contextual and memorable way. This early exposure to language lays a strong foundation for literacy development.
Honing Listening Skills and Attention Span
In a world filled with constant stimulation, nursery songs provide a focused auditory experience for children. The musicality of these songs naturally captures a child’s attention, encouraging them to listen actively and follow along with the lyrics. This active listening is crucial for developing auditory processing skills and improving concentration. When children engage with nursery songs, they are learning to discern sounds, recognize patterns in speech, and maintain focus, skills that are essential for language development and later academic success.
Strengthening Bonds and Fostering Social Connection
Sharing nursery songs is a timeless act of connection and community building. Singing together, whether in a nursery setting, at home with family, or in playgroups, creates a sense of togetherness and shared experience. These shared musical moments strengthen the bonds between children and caregivers. Furthermore, many nursery songs involve actions and movements, encouraging interaction and cooperative play. Songs like Ring Around the Rosie or The Hokey Pokey promote social interaction, teach turn-taking, and help children develop social skills in a fun and engaging environment.
-p-500.png)
15 Beloved Nursery Songs to Delight Children
To inspire your next sing-along session, here are 15 classic nursery songs that have stood the test of time, complete with lyrics:
1. Humpty Dumpty
This universally recognized rhyme tells the tale of Humpty Dumpty’s unfortunate fall. Its simple narrative and memorable rhythm make it a favorite for young children. While its origins are somewhat mysterious, the rhyme’s enduring appeal is undeniable.
Listen to it here:
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.
2. Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Moe
The playful, nonsensical words of Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Moe make it a fun and engaging rhyme for children. The variations in lyrics, often featuring animals, add to its whimsical charm and make it adaptable for different playful scenarios.
Listen to it here:
Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Mo lyrics:
Eenie, meenie, minie, mo,
catch a piggy by the toe.
If he hollers, let him go,
eenie, meenie, minie, moe.
Eenie, meenie, minie, mo,
catch a tiger by the toe.
If he hollers, let him go,
eenie, meenie, minie, moe.
3. Brother John (Frère Jacques)
Originally a French rhyme dating back to the 18th century, Brother John is a timeless classic translated into numerous languages. Its simple, repetitive melody and lyrics make it easy to learn and sing in multiple languages, introducing children to different cultures through music.
Listen to it here:
Brother John lyrics:
English lyrics:
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Brother John, Brother John,
Morning bells are ringing! Morning bells are ringing!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
French lyrics:
Frère Jacques, frère Jacques,
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong
4. A-Tisket, A-Tasket
This classic American rhyme, first published in 1879, gained widespread popularity thanks to Ella Fitzgerald’s iconic recording. A-Tisket, A-Tasket tells a simple story of losing and finding a letter, engaging children’s imagination and narrative comprehension.
Listen to it here:
A-Tisket, A-Tasket lyrics:
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, yes, on the way I dropped it
A little boy he picked it up
and put it in his pocket.
5. Mary Had a Little Lamb
Mary Had a Little Lamb is a truly classic nursery song, even holding the historical distinction of being the first audio recorded by Thomas Edison. Its gentle rhythm and simple story about companionship and following rules make it a comforting and educational song for young children.
Listen to it here:
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 everywhere 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 rules.
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.
“Why does the lamb love Mary so?
Mary so, Mary so?
Why does the lamb love Mary so?”
The eager children smile.
“Mary loves the lamb, you know,
Lamb, you know, lamb, you know,
Mary loves the lamb, you know,”
The teacher did reply.
6. Little Miss Muffet
One of the most recognizable English nursery rhymes, Little Miss Muffet is a short, simple, and slightly spooky classic. It introduces children to new words like “tuffet” and creates a memorable, if slightly startling, scenario.
Listen to it here:
Little Miss Muffet lyrics:
Little Miss Muffet
Sat on a tuffet,
Eating her curds and whey;
There came a big spider,
Who sat down beside her
And frightened Miss Muffet away.
7. The Hokey Pokey
The Hokey Pokey is not just a song, it’s an interactive dance! This catchy tune encourages movement and body awareness as children follow the instructions in the lyrics, learning about body parts and coordination in a fun, energetic way.
Listen to it here:
The Hokey Pokey lyrics:
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 yourself 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 yourself around,
that’s what it’s all about!
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 yourself 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 yourself around,
that’s what it’s all about!
You put your head in, you put your head out,
you put your head in, and you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself 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 yourself around,
that’s what it’s all about!
8. Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
First published in the 1840s, Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush is a traditional English nursery song often used as a singing game. It encourages imaginative play and imitation as children act out the actions described in the verses, promoting gross motor skills and social interaction in group settings.
Listen to it here:
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,
so early in the morning.
This is the way we wash our face,
wash our face, wash our face
This is the way we wash our face,
so early in the morning.
This is the way we comb our hair,
comb our hair, comb our hair
This is the way we comb our hair,
so early in the morning.
This is the way we brush our teeth,
brush our teeth, brush our teeth
This is the way we brush our teeth
So early in the morning.
This is the way we put on our clothes,
put on our clothes, put on our clothes
This is the way we put on our clothes,
so early in the morning.
Here we go round the mulberry bush,
the mulberry bush, the mulberry bush
Here we go round the mulberry bush,
so early in the morning.
9. Hey Diddle Diddle
Hey Diddle Diddle is possibly the oldest nursery rhyme on this list, with origins potentially dating back to medieval times. Its whimsical and nonsensical imagery of a cat, fiddle, cow jumping over the moon, and a dish running away with a spoon sparks children’s imaginations and encourages creative thinking.
Listen to it here:
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.
10. Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
Nearly two and a half centuries old, Baa, Baa, Black Sheep shares its melody with Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, making it instantly recognizable. This rhyme can teach young children about sharing and generosity, with its simple verses about wool for different members of the community.
Listen to it here:
Baa, baa, black sheep lyrics:
Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!
One for the master,
One for the dame,
And one for the little boy
who lives down the lane
Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir,
Three bags full…
Baa, baa, white sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three needles full.
11. Rock-a-Bye Baby
Rock-a-Bye Baby is a gentle lullaby with a calming melody perfect for soothing little ones. Its origins trace back to a satirical English ballad, but its modern form is a comforting song that can help children relax and drift off to sleep.
Listen to it here:
Rock-a-bye baby lyrics:
Rock-a-bye, baby
In the treetop.
When the wind blows,
The cradle will rock.
When the bough breaks,
The cradle will fall,
and down will come baby,
cradle and all.
Baby is drowsing,
cosy and fair.
Mother sits near,
In her rocking chair.
Forward and back,
the cradle she swings,
and though baby sleeps,
he hears what she sings.
12. Did You Ever See a Bunny?
Sung to the tune of Did You Ever See a Lassie, Did You Ever See a Bunny? is a short and sweet action song. It encourages movement and imitation as children hop like bunnies, strengthening gross motor skills while enjoying the playful lyrics.
Listen to it here:
Did you ever see a bunny lyrics:
Did you ever see a bunny, bunny, a bunny,
did you ever see a bunny that hops — so slow?
He hops, and hops, and hops, and hops,
Did you ever see a bunny, that hops so slow?
13. A Sailor Went to Sea Sea Sea
A Sailor Went to Sea Sea Sea is a catchy and repetitive song that becomes even more engaging with a clapping game. Its escalating verses and rhythmic structure make it a long-lasting source of entertainment and help develop memory and coordination.
Listen to it here:
A sailor went to sea, sea, 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 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.
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.
Chop, chop, chop. Sea, sea, sea.
A sailor went to snap, snap, snap,
To see what he could snap, snap, snap.
But all that he could snap, snap, snap
Was the bottom of the deep blue snap, snap, snap.
Knee, knee, knee. chop, chop, chop. Sea, sea, sea.
A sailor went to jump, jump, jump,
To see what he could jump, jump, jump.
But all that he could jump, jump, jump
Was the bottom of the deep blue jump, jump, jump.
Snap, snap, snap. Knee, knee, knee. chop, chop, chop. Sea, sea, sea.
14. Horsey, Horsey
Horsey, Horsey, originally a comedy song from 1937, is a joyful and rhythmic tune with a catchy hook. Its upbeat tempo and lyrics about a horse ride make it perfect for imaginative play and movement activities.
Listen to it here:
Horsey, horsey lyrics:
Horsey, horsey don’t you stop,
Just let your feet go clippety clop,
Your tail goes swish and the wheels go round,
Giddy up we’re homeward bound.
Steady Neddy off you trot,
Just let your feet go clippety clop,
Your tail goes swish and the wheels go round,
Giddy up we’re off to town.
Horsey, horsey don’t you stop,
Just let your feet go clippety clop,
Your tail goes swish and the wheels go round,
Giddy up we’re homeward bound.
15. Five Little Monkeys
Five Little Monkeys is an engaging counting song that introduces basic numeracy concepts in a playful way. The repetitive verses and cautionary tale of monkeys jumping on the bed make it both entertaining and subtly educational.
Listen to it here:
Five little monkeys 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 his head
Mama 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 his head
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said
No more monkeys jumping on the bed
One little monkey jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said
Put those monkeys right to bed
Nursery songs are more than just simple tunes; they are invaluable tools for early childhood development. By incorporating these timeless treasures into your children’s lives, you’re providing them with a fun and enriching path to learning and growth.
