“Hot Cross Buns” is a simple, traditional English song that recalls the cries of street vendors selling their Easter buns.
“Hot Cross Buns” is a traditional English nursery rhyme and children’s song that has been sung for generations, often used as one of the first tunes taught to beginners on instruments like the recorder or piano. Its simple melody and repetitive lyrics make it perfect for early music education, helping children learn rhythm, pitch, and coordination.
The song refers to the spiced, sweet buns marked with a cross on top that are traditionally eaten on Good Friday in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world. The lyrics echo the cries of street vendors who once sold these seasonal treats, calling out to passersby with the memorable refrain “Hot cross buns!”
Here you can watch a karaoke video and download a karaoke mp3 audio for personal or educational use. You’ll also find free printable sheet music if you’d like to have a child or beginner play the song on the piano or any other musical instrument.
Table of Contents
- Hot Cross Buns Karaoke Video
- Hot Cross Buns Lyrics
- More Children’s songs in English
- Hot Cross Buns karaoke (Free mp3 download)
- Hot Cross Buns Sheet Music
- Hot Cross Buns Sheet Music PDF for Printouts
- Hot Cross Buns piano Sheet Music for two hands
- Hot Cross Buns Glockenspiel Sheet Music
- Song Info
Hot Cross Buns Karaoke Video
Hot Cross Buns Lyrics
Hot cross buns!
Hot cross buns!
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot cross buns!
Give them to your daughters,
give them to your sons.
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot cross buns!
More Children’s songs in English
Hot Cross Buns karaoke
(Free mp3 download)
To download your free karaoke mp3 of this song, right click on the following link, then choose “Save link as…”
“Hot Cross Buns” free mp3 download (instrumental, 1:10 – 4/4 – 118 bpm)
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Hot Cross Buns Sheet Music
Click the image below to open and save a free sheet-music image file for this song.
Hot Cross Buns Sheet Music PDF for Printouts
Get your free printable PDF of Hot Cross Buns sheet music to easily incorporate it into your music lessons.
Hot Cross Buns Free Sheet Music PDF to download and print out
Hot Cross Buns piano Sheet Music for two hands
Click on the button or on the following image to download a PDF file with piano sheet music for this nursery rhyme with no charge whatsoever. You can also watch a piano tutorial video.
Hot Cross Buns Glockenspiel Sheet Music
Click on the button or on the image for a printable glockenspiel / xylophone PDF file.
Song Info
The song dates back to at least the 18th century, when street sellers in England would advertise their buns in marketplaces and on the streets during Lent and Easter. Early printed versions of the rhyme appear in collections from the late 1700s and early 1800s, preserving a piece of London’s street culture. The cross on the bun symbolized the crucifixion of Jesus, while the spices were said to represent the spices used at his burial.
Over time, “Hot Cross Buns” transitioned from a vendor’s call to a popular nursery rhyme and children’s song. It became a favorite in schools for its easy, three-note melody, which is ideal for teaching young students basic musical concepts.
The song remains a staple in early childhood music education around the English-speaking world, combining cultural history with musical learning.
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