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, The mouse ran up the clock. The clock struck five, The mouse took a dive, Hickory, dickory, dock.

Hickory Dickory Dock

Well tickle my whiskers, it’s time for this quirky ol’ pop to share the classic nursery rhyme Hickory Dickory Dock! This short and catchy little tune takes me back to my days as a young daddy, singing it to my oldest gal before bedtime. Though the words seem silly, there’s something about the snappy beat that tykes just adore. Let’s dive into the origins and meaning of this popular children’s rhyme!

Origins and Meaning of Hickory Dickory Dock

Now just where did Hickory Dickory Dock come from? Turns out this little ditty first appeared in print way back in 1744 in a book of nursery rhymes called Tommy Thumb’s Pretty Song Book. We don’t know exactly who wrote the tune, but it’s believed to have English roots.

The main theory is that the song is about the workings of a clock – the ticking and chiming is copied by the rhyme’s catchy rhythm and repetition of “dock.” Of course, the mouse’s antics racing up and down add a playful twist! Beyond the obvious clock imagery, some smart thinkers believe the mouse represents the passage of time, scurrying its way through the hours and days.

A more creative idea is that the mouse’s journey up and down the clock is a metaphor for the daily struggle of the hardworking everyman! But the real moral is – don’t take things too seriously. Enjoy the silliness!

Fun Facts

Well dip my dots in butter and call me a corn dog, here are some gouda bits about Hickory Dickory Dock!

• The most well-known version came from Mother Goose in the mid-18th century, but the earliest record of the rhyme dates back to the late 17th century.
• “Dock” likely refers to the clock’s bell striking the hour, which signals a transition or “notch” in time. Dickory could mean ticking or fast movement.
• Though a mouse is the protagonist, some scholars believe the original animal was a frog, as “dock” was also slang for a frog or tail in Old English.
• The rhyme inspired the title of an Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot mystery novel called “Hickory Dickory Death” published in 1955.

Conclusion

Well, that’s our short rundown on Hickory Dickory Dock! It shows how these simple childhood ditties can have complex origins and meanings. But at the end of the day, what really matters is the joy they bring to little tykes. The playful tune and imagery let kids’ imaginations run wild! I hope you’ll share this classic rhyme with the young’uns in your life. Don’t be afraid to act out the wacky movements too – it’ll surely make ’em laugh while making lasting memories.

What are your favorite memories of Hickory Dickory Dock or other childhood rhymes? Let me know in the comments! And for more nostalgic kids’ songs, be sure to check out my post on the 50 Most Fun & Educational Tunes here: 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.