A Was an Apple Pie
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘A Was an Apple Pie’ is a simple and fun-to-read poem. In it, the speaker lists the alphabet, using personification to depict each letter of the alphabet.
A Wise Old Owl
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘A Wise Old Owl’ is an English nursery rhyme. It depicts the qualities an owl has that make him wise and worthy of admiration.
Aiken Drum
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘Aiken Drum’ is an interesting Scottish folksong. It dates back to 1820 and describes what one strange man’s clothes are made out of.
Alice the Camel
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘Alice the Camel’ is a fun nursery rhyme and counting song. It describes Alice the camel and depicts her losing humps through the six stanzas until a surprising punchline ends the song.
All the Pretty Little Horses
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘All the Pretty Little Horses’, a popular lullaby of the United States of America, is also known as ‘Hush-a-bye’. This song has probably an African-American origin.
Animal Fair
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘Animal Fair’ is a fun nursery rhyme that describes the actions of a monkey and an elephant, which ends with a cliffhanger.
As I Was Going
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘As I Was Going by Charing Cross’ was first recorded in the 1840s. But, it likely dates to an early decade. It’s thought that this nursery rhyme was likely shared through street cries or chants.
Bob
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘Bobby Shafto’s Gone to Sea’ is a traditional English folk song and nursery rhyme. It describes a speaker’s longing for her love, Bobby Shafto, who is out on a sea voyage.
Fee-fi-fo-fum
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘Fee-fi-fo-fum’ is a well-known chant from the story of “Jack the Giant Killer.” Dating back to at least the early 1700s, the compelling and entertaining story tells of a young boy’s daring feats and his bravery.
Goosey goosey gander
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘Goosey goosey gander’ is an old English nursery rhyme that has unclear origins. But, it does have a few very interesting interpretations.
Green Grow the Rushes, O
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
Read ‘Green Grow the Rushes, O’, with a complete analysis and summary of the song/poem.
Here we go round the mulberry bush
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘Here we go round the mulberry bush’ was first recorded in the mid-nineteenth century by James Orchard Halliwell. It was noted, as a great deal of nursery rhymes were, as a children’s game.
Hickory, dickory, dock
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘Hickory, dickory, dock’ is a well-loved and incredibly popular nursery rhyme that dates to the 18th century. It is quite short, at only five lines, and describes a mouse running up a clock.
How Many Miles to Ba
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘How Many Miles to Babylon?’ is a children’s nursery rhyme and singing game that was first recorded in the 19th-century.
Hush little baby, don’t say a word
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
“Hush little baby, don’t say a word” by Mother Goose is a popular nursery rhyme that originated in the southern United States. It is addressed to a crying child and includes the many things that their father would do for them to make them happy.
Jack Sprat
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘Jack Sprat’ is a popular English nursery rhyme that was published in Samuel Arnold’s children’s songbook “Juvenile Amusement” published in 1797. This rhyme was an English proverb from the mid 17th century.
Lizzie Borden Took an Ax
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘Lizzie Borden Took an Ax’ is a well-known children’s rhyme that alludes to the accusations against Lizzie Borden in regard to the murder of her father and step-mother.
Monday’s Child
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘Monday’s Child’ is one of several well-loved fortune-telling poems. It was first recorded in A.E. Bray’s Traditions of Devonshire published in 1838.
My Bonnie lies over the ocean
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘My Bonnie lies over the ocean’ is a popular nursery rhyme. It may refer to Bonnie Prince Charlie, or Charles Edward Stuart.
One For Sorrow
by A List of Popular Nursery Rhymes
‘One For Sorrow’ it’s an old English nursery rhyme that playfully interprets magpies (a type of bird) as signs of the future.