Full Lyrics of Old MacDonald Had a Farm

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 neigh-neigh here
And a neigh-neigh there
Here a neigh, there a neigh
Everywhere a neigh-neigh
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 chicken
E-I-E-I-O
With a cluck-cluck here
And a cluck-cluck there
Here a cluck, there a cluck
Everywhere a cluck-cluck
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 dog
E-I-E-I-O
With a woof-woof here
And a woof-woof there
Here a woof, there a woof
Everywhere a woof-woof
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 sheep
E-I-E-I-O
With a baa-baa here
And a baa-baa there
Here a baa, there a baa
Everywhere a baa-baa
Old MacDonald had a farm
E-I-E-I-O

Old MacDonald Had a Farm

As the father of a preschooler and toddler, I’ve sung Old MacDonald Had a Farm more times than I can count. It’s one of those timeless tunes that never seems to go out of style. With its catchy melody and simple lyrics repeating animal sounds, it’s easy for even the littlest kiddos to join in the fun. This song is a staple in classrooms and living rooms everywhere because it packs so much early learning into such a silly little ditty. The repetition promotes literacy skills, and all those barnyard noises spark giggles and get kids moving and interacting.

Old MacDonald is truly a classic – it’s been around for generations, and continues delighting children all over the world. There’s just something universally fun about quacking like a duck or mooing like a cow. Come join this silly singalong down on the farm as we take a closer look at what makes this song so special.

Origins and Meaning

The origins of Old MacDonald Had a Farm are a bit murky, as is the case with many traditional folk songs. Music historians believe it came from the British Isles originally, likely as a children’s singing game in the 19th century. The earliest known printed version appeared in 1917 in a book of nursery rhymes by Paull-Pioneer Music Corporation. There is no evidence that the song is actually about any real farmer named MacDonald, which makes sense given the nonsensical, humorous nature of the lyrics.

The song follows the classic cumulative form, where verses continue adding on to the previous ones. This repetition of the verse structure makes it super easy for kids to memorize. They can join right in even if they only know the E-I-E-I-O part! As new animals are introduced in each verse, children get exposed to the various sounds they make, which helps build early literacy skills. The song also promotes counting and sequencing as kids keep track of each animal.

Of course, the main goal of Old MacDonald Had a Farm is to get those little wigglers laughing, singing, and having an uproariously good time. There’s something universally fun about making all the silly animal noises, which kids absolutely love to do. My two-year-old daughter Kayla will drop everything the second she hears that opening E-I-E-I-O. I’ve had entire grocery store meltdowns averted just by breaking into an impromptu rendition of Old MacDonald (followed by many apologetic glances at nearby shoppers).

While songs like itsy bitsy spider or the wheels on the bus also teach animal sounds, Old MacDonald brings the extra element of a farm setting. City kids get exposure to cows, pigs, and ducks, while their country counterparts can relate it directly to experiences on real farms. Going through all the animals together provides a fun shared experience that strengthens the bond between parent and child.

The singalong nature and repetition also make it a great song for classroom singalongs and group music time. I still remember standing up on the little carpet squares in preschool, belting E-I-E-I-O at the top of my lungs with my 20 new best friends. It got us all moving and participating together, plus it was just downright fun. And that, after all, is what childhood is supposed to be.

Fun Facts

• While the song only includes 7 animals in most versions, people have come up with many additional verses over the years. Some include Old MacDonald getting turkeys, sheep, cats, and pretty much every other farm animal under the sun! The great thing about cumulative songs is how easy they are to customize and expand on the fly.
• In the late 40’s, Louis Armstrong recorded a jazz version of Old MacDonald Had a Farm. How cool to imagine good ol’ Satchmo scattin’ and wailin’ those E-I-E-I-O’s! Definitely worth a listen for the curious.
• The song is thought to be so popular worldwide in part because the E-I-E-I-O chorus translates well across many languages. The sounds are easy to pronounce in different tongues, compared to songs with more complex lyrics.
• Old MacDonald Had a Farm is included in the Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes, a cherished collection of classics every child should experience. It’s right up there with Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, and other legends of the genre.
• Many kids videos and shows have done their own renditions of the song, including The Wiggles, Cocomelon, and Sesame Street. This exposes new generations to the classic tune.
• Parodies of the song exist for more modern professions, like “Old MacDonald Had a Lab” or “Old MacDonald Had a Classroom”. This shows how easily adaptable and customizeable these traditional rhyming songs are.

Conclusion

Old MacDonald Had a Farm has clearly stood the test of time, continuing to delight children across many generations. The simple melody, repetition, and humorous animal noises tickle those little funny bones and get kids singing along and interacting. While on the surface it may seem like a silly barnyard ditty, the song has real educational benefits for early literacy and learning concepts like counting, sequences, and animal sounds.

Moving and singing together also brings kids and caregivers closer together. Plus, you just can’t beat a good E-I-E-I-O shout at the top of your lungs! I hope this song continues being passed down for many generations to come. What are some of your favorite memories with Old MacDonald and other classic kiddie songs? I’d love to hear all about them! And be sure to revisit this blast from the past with your own kids – moo it up with the cows, oink around with the pigs, and introduce a whole farmyard of fun. 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.