The Farmer in the Dell Lyrics

The farmer in the dell
The farmer in the dell
Hi-ho the derry-o
The farmer in the dell

The farmer takes a wife
The farmer takes a wife
Hi-ho the derry-o
The farmer takes a wife

The wife takes a child
The wife takes a child
Hi-ho the derry-o
The wife takes a child

The child takes a nurse
The child takes a nurse
Hi-ho the derry-o
The child takes a nurse

The nurse takes a dog
The nurse takes a dog
Hi-ho the derry-o
The nurse takes a dog

The dog takes a cat
The dog takes a cat
Hi-ho the derry-o
The dog takes a cat

The cat takes a rat
The cat takes a rat
Hi-ho the derry-o
The cat takes a rat

The rat takes the cheese
The rat takes the cheese
Hi-ho the derry-o
The rat takes the cheese

The cheese stands alone
The cheese stands alone
Hi-ho the derry-o
The cheese stands alone

The Farmer in the Dell

Few things bring a bigger smile to my face than hearing their sweet voices belt out the lyrics to classic children’s songs. The Farmer in the Dell is one of those timeless, catchy tunes that instantly transports me back to my own childhood, singing along with carefree abandon. Though short and simple in structure, this folk song about a farmer, his wife, and their expanding family has endured for generations as a fun way to teach young ones sequencing and vocabulary. Let’s delve into the history and meaning behind the lyrics to this delightful ditty!

Origins and Meaning

While the exact origins of The Farmer in the Dell are unclear, historians trace it back to 19th century rural America or Europe. Some believe it derived from another folk song called The Farmer’s Boy. The basic melody and structure follow a repetitive verse-chorus format, making it easy for even very young children to memorize. Each verse introduces a new character and builds on the previous verse in a logical sequence. For example, first the farmer takes a wife, then the wife takes a child, then the child takes a nurse, and so on, until the rat takes the cheese and the song ends with the cheese standing alone.

Though seemingly nonsensical at first glance, the song relays a simple storyline depicting family and farm life. The farmer represents a traditional father figure caring for his dependents, including his wife, children, and workers like the nurse and hired hand. The animals – dog, cat, and rat – reflect common livestock and vermin found on farms. And the cheese stands in for the dairy products produced and eaten by farming families. So while silly and simplistic, the song conveys pastoral images of rural living and family relationships in a way young children can easily grasp.

Fun Facts

• The song is thought to have originated in America, but very similar folk songs following the same structure and theme have been found across Europe.
• Though no definitive composer has been identified, the earliest known printing of the lyrics dates back to 1811 in Massachusetts.
• Parodies and variations abound, with different characters, animals, foods, and objects used in place of the original lyrics.
• Elementary music teachers frequently use The Farmer in the Dell to teach students about rhyming patterns, repetition, and sequencing.
• Many kids love acting out the song with costumes and props! Farm animal finger puppets are perfect to use while singing.

Conclusion

The Farmer in the Dell has certainly stood the test of time, still as popular with 5-year-olds today as it was in generations past. For many parents like myself, hearing this silly barnyard tale never fails to inspire a nostalgic smile. Though short and repetitious, the song sticks in your head, and kids delight in dramatizing the characters and sequence of events.

So the next time you’re looking for a fun, easy song to sing with your children or students that will get their creativity flowing, give The Farmer in the Dell a whirl! I’d love to hear your memories of singing this childhood classic. And be sure to revisit the full list of 50 Fun & Educational Kids Songs with Lyrics for more ideas to incorporate music into your family time or teaching.

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.