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 her 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 her head
Mama 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 right to bed!

Five Little Monkeys

Let me tell you, when you have a handful of wild and crazy little monkeys running around the house, things can get out of control real fast! That’s why the classic kids’ song “Five Little Monkeys” always cracks me up. This silly singalong perfectly captures the mischievous shenanigans of childhood, with its tale of a group of disobedient primates ignoring their mama’s warnings as they jump wildly on the bed.

One by one, those crazy monkeys take a spill, bumping their heads as punishment for not listening. No wonder this delightful nursery rhyme has been entertaining generations of rambunctious tykes for over 80 years! In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the origins and meaning behind this timeless counting song that so perfectly encapsulates the madness that comes with parenting precocious little ones.

Origins and Meaning

While the exact origins of “Five Little Monkeys” are uncertain, it’s thought to have emerged as an American folk song in the 1930s.

The basic storyline follows a family of energetic little primates who refuse to heed their mama’s advice to stop their rambunctious bed-jumping. One by one, they take a tumble and suffer a bump on the noggin for their disobedience. By the end, the doctor has ordered them all to settle down and go straight to bed as punishment for their misbehavior.

On the surface, “Five Little Monkeys” is just a silly, singalong style counting song designed to entertain young kids. But it also gently reinforces the idea that children should listen to their parents, along with some subtle safety lessons about the consequences of reckless play. The repetition and sequence of numbers helps kids work on counting skills too. Like most nursery rhymes, such simple songs allow children to practice rhyming, rhythms, vocal sounds, and literary devices like alliteration (“Mama called the doctor”) in an engaging way.

Fun Facts

• It’s thought that the five little monkeys represent the five fingers on a child’s hand. The song mimics closing each finger one by one.
• There are many fun variations, like “Five Little Ducks” and “Five Little Kittens”, that alter the characters but keep the same tune and structure.
• It’s been illustrated in numerous kids picture books, including bestsellers by Eileen Christelow and Marilyn Sadler.
• A popular YouTube series called “Five Little Monkeys” features animated monkeys voiced by celebrities like Joan Cusack, James Marsden, and Elizabeth Banks.
• Research shows singing nursery rhymes boosts early literacy skills in areas like letter recognition, alliteration, and rhyming.

Conclusion

In the 80+ years since it first emerged, “Five Little Monkeys” has clearly stood the test of time. Multiple generations have grown up singing this silly cautionary tale about a quartet of misbehaving primates and their exasperated mama. While on the surface it’s just a fun, repetitive song to entertain and teach young minds, it also subtly reinforces listening to parents, cause-and-effect thinking, and staying safe. No wonder it remains a nursery rhyme favorite today!

The appeal of classic kids’ singalongs like this one lies in their simplicity, predictability, and opportunity to bond. As a dad, I love watching my daughter’s eyes light up when we read a Five Little Monkeys book, or hearing her sweet voice chanting along to the song, working hard to keep up with each number. It takes me right back to childhood and sharing simple nursery rhymes with my parents and siblings. I hope my kids will one day sing it for their own children, keeping the song swinging through the generations. 50 Fun and Educational Kiddie Songs with Lyrics – Sing Along (thecornydad.com)

Hey there! I'm Allen, but you can call me "The Corny Dad" from Canada. I have a wife and four kiddos. Yep, one's full grown, but they'll always be my babies. When I'm not doing something with my family or playing video games, I'm here, jotting down my bits of wisdom on this blog. From the fun stuff to the parenting chaos, I cover it all. Believe me, with the right attitude, parenting's a smoother ride and I'm here to help.