This list of nursery rhymes is the perfect resource for parents and educators alike.

Welcome to the index page for Nursery Rhymes, where you will find a collection of classic and modern rhymes that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Nursery rhymes are an important part of early childhood development as they help children learn language and improve their memory skills.
In this index page, you will find everything you need to know about these songs for kids. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, or educator, this index page is the perfect resource for anyone looking to explore the magical world of nursery rhymes.
Table of Contents
- What is a Nursery Rhyme? A definition
- Characteristics of Nursery Rhymes
- List of Nursery rhymes [mp3 Download]
- List of Nursery Rhymes in English
- 100 Non-stop minutes of Nursery Rhymes
What is a Nursery Rhyme? A definition
According to Elisabeth Galway, in Oxford Bibliographies we read that “Nursery rhymes, also known as Mother Goose rhymes, can be broadly defined as short songs and verses often read or sung to, or by, young children. Generally, these verses are anonymous, although the term nursery rhyme has also been applied to works written by known authors.“
Characteristics of Nursery Rhymes
Looking up in dictionaries such as the Cambridge Dictionary or Merriam-Webster, we conclude that a nursery rhyme has the following characteristics:
- it is for kids,
- it is relatively short,
- it has verses and rhyme, in most cases it is a song, i.e. it has a melodic line, and
- it tells a short story.
Their presence in the English-speaking world comes from a long time ago, as already from the 16th century. we have the first records.
List of Nursery rhymes [mp3 Download]

Click on the song titles to go to the page with the free song download. You can get these tracks for use at home, in class or for educational purposes.
Songs can not be used in YouTube videos – unless you buy a commercial YouTube license.
TITLE | DESCRIPTION | PRINTABLE LYRICS |
---|---|---|
A | ||
A Farmer Went Trotting (Upon His Gray Mare) | A traditional nursery rhyme that typically involves actions and gestures to mimic the movements of the farmer and the horse. | lyrics |
A Frog He Would A-wooing Go | An English nursery rhyme that tells the story of a frog who embarks on a romantic adventure. | lyrics |
A Jolly Fat Frog (Lived in the River Swim) | An English traditional rhyme which tells the story of a crow preying on a frog and its original title was “The Frog and the Crow”. | lyrics |
A Sailor Went to Sea | A cheerful and interactive chant about a sailor’s adventures on the sea. | lyrics |
A-Hunting We Will Go | lyrics | |
A-Tisket, A-Tasket | A popular American nursery rhyme and singing game that tells the story of a young girl who loses her yellow basket while going to the market. | lyrics |
ABC Song | A fundamental rhyme that helps children learn the alphabet through a catchy melody. | lyrics |
Ah! Vous dirai-je, maman | A French nursery rhyme that dates back to the 18th century, commonly known as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star“. | |
Aiken Drum | An imaginative rhyme featuring a peculiar character with a hat made of food. | lyrics |
All Around the Green Apple Tree | A traditional English nursery rhyme that involves a playful circle game. | lyrics |
All the Pretty Little Horses | lyrics | |
Alouette | A traditional French-Canadian children’s song that has gained popularity worldwide. The word “alouette” translates to “lark” in English. | lyrics |
Animal Fair, The | See “The Animal Fair“ | |
As I Was Going to St. Ives | An English nursery rhyme, counting rhyme and traditional riddle that dates back to the 17th century. | |
B | ||
Baa, Baa, black sheep | A well-known rhyme about a black sheep and its wool, teaching basic counting and sharing concepts. | lyrics |
Baby Bumblebee | A playful and humorous nursery rhyme about a child’s misadventure with a bumblebee, involving sticky situations and a catchy melody. | lyrics |
Bahay Kubo | lyrics | |
Bear Went Over the Mountain, The | See “The Bear Went Over the Mountain“ | |
Billy Boy | A spirited folk song that tells the story of a young man named Billy and his love interest, exploring themes of courtship and a playful narrative. | lyrics |
Bingo Song (There Was a Farmer Had a Dog) | A popular and energetic children’s rhyme that follows the repetitive and interactive structure of the traditional game, engaging kids with its catchy tune and encouraging participation. | lyrics |
Bobby Shafto | A traditional English nursery rhyme and folk song. It is named after a real person, Robert Shafto, who was a member of Parliament in County Durham, England, during the late 18th century. | lyrics |
Brahms’ Lullaby (Cradle Song / Lullaby and Good Night) | A gentle and soothing lullaby composed by Johannes Brahms, often sung to lull babies and young children to sleep with its soft melody and comforting lyrics. | lyrics |
Brother John | See “Frère Jacques (Are You Sleeping?)“ | |
C | ||
Chubby Cheeks | a delightful and playful nursery rhyme that is often sung or recited to engage young children. | |
Cobbler, Cobbler | A delightful rhyme about a cobbler who repairs shoes, teaching children about different occupations and the importance of hard work. | |
Cock-a-Doodle-Doo! | A lively chant that imitates the crowing of a rooster, often used to teach children about animal sounds and encourage early morning awakenings. | |
Cradle Song | See “Brahms’ Lullaby (Cradle Song / Lullaby and Good Night)“ | |
D | ||
Dance to your Daddy (When the boat comes in) | A traditional English folk song that is often sung as a nursery rhyme or lullaby. | lyrics |
Did You Ever See a Lassie? | A playful children’s song that encourages imagination and singing along while highlighting the qualities of a lassie (young girl) and the joy she brings. | lyrics |
Ding Dong Bell (Kitty’s in the well) | A traditional English nursery rhyme that dates back several centuries and tells a short story in its simple lyrics. | lyrics |
Doggie Doggie | A traditional children’s game and nursery rhyme that involves guessing and seeking an object or person. | lyrics |
E | ||
Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe | A counting-out rhyme used to make a random selection, involving a repetitive chant and hand gestures to determine a choice among a group of options. | lyrics |
F | ||
Finger Family | A popular fingerplay rhyme that involves a simple and interactive hand gesture, where each finger represents a family member | lyrics |
Five Little Ducks (Went Swimming One Day) | lyrics | |
Five Little Monkeys (jumping on the bed) | lyrics | |
Five Little Speckled Frogs | A lively and engaging nursery rhyme that tells the story of five frogs and is ideal for teaching counting. | |
Frère Jacques (Are You Sleeping?) | lyrics | |
Frog Went a-Courting | A traditional English folk song and nursery rhyme that tells the story of a frog who goes courting a mouse. | lyrics |
G | ||
Georgie Porgie | A nursery rhyme that tells the story of a mischievous character and is still used in many preschools. | |
Girls and Boys Come Out To Play | A 17th century English nursery rhyme about playing in the moonlight. | lyrics |
Golden Slumbers | lyrics | |
Goosey Goosey Gander | A traditional nursery rhyme that recounts a curious encounter with a goose and the exploration of a mysterious house. | |
H | ||
Hickety Pickety | A traditional nursery rhyme that follows a rhythmic pattern and tells a whimsical story. | |
Here We Go Looby Loo | lyrics | |
Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush | lyrics | |
Hey Diddle Diddle | A popular English nursery rhyme that dates back to the 18th century. | lyrics |
Hey Ho Nobody Home | An English folk song and nursery rhyme that is often sung as a round or in a call-and-response style. | lyrics |
Hickory Dickory Dock | lyrics | |
Hot Cross Buns | A popular English nursery rhyme and children’s song that is often associated with the Easter season. | lyrics |
Humpty Dumpty | lyrics | |
Hush Little Baby (Mockingbird) | lyrics | |
I | ||
I’m a Little Teapot | lyrics | |
Incy Wincy Spider (Eency Weency Spider) | lyrics | |
If you are happy and you know it | lyrics | |
Itsy-bitsy spider | lyrics | |
J | ||
Jack and Jill | lyrics | |
K | ||
Kookaburra | A popular Australian nursery rhyme that celebrates the native bird species known as the kookaburra. | lyrics |
L | ||
Ladybug, Ladybug | A traditional nursery rhyme that tells the story of a ladybug. (UK: Ladybird, Ladybird) | |
Lavender’s Blue (Dilly Dilly) | lyrics | |
Les Petites Marionnettes (Ainsi Font, Font, Font) | ||
Little Bo Peep | lyrics | |
Little Boy Blue (Come Blow your Horn) | lyrics | |
Little Jack Horner | lyrics | |
London Bridge is falling down | lyrics | |
M | ||
Mary Had a Little Lamb | lyrics | |
Merrily we roll along | lyrics | |
Mexican hat dance | lyrics | |
Mrs. Macaroni | lyrics | |
Miss Polly Had a Dolly | lyrics | |
O | ||
Oats, Peas, Beans, and Barley Grow | lyrics | |
Old MacDonald had a farm | lyrics | |
Oranges and Lemons | lyrics | |
P | ||
Pat-a-Cake (Patty Cake) | lyrics | |
Pirouette, Cacahuète | lyrics | |
Promenons-nous dans les bois (Loup, y es-tu?) | lyrics | |
R | ||
Rain, rain, go away | lyrics | |
Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross | lyrics | |
Ring a Ring o’ Roses (Ring Around the Rosie) | lyrics | |
Rock-a-bye baby | lyrics | |
Row, row, row your boat | lyrics | |
S | ||
See Saw Margery Daw | lyrics | |
Sing a Song of Sixpence | A whimsical rhyme that tells the story of a king and his extravagant pie, filled with delightful imagery and humorous moments. | lyrics |
Star Light, Star Bright | A a traditional nursery rhyme that dates back to the 19th century, inviting children to make a wish upon a star and marvel at the nighttime sky. | |
Sur le pont d’Avignon | lyrics | |
T | ||
Ten Little Fingers | lyrics | |
The Animal Fair | lyrics | |
The Animals Went in Two by Two | lyrics | |
The Bear Went Over the Mountain | A cheerful rhyme about a bear’s adventurous journey over the mountain, often accompanied by actions or gestures. | lyrics |
The Farmer in the Dell | lyrics | |
The More We Get Together | lyrics | |
The Muffin Man | lyrics | |
The North Wind Doth Blow (The Robin) | lyrics | |
The Wheels on the bus | A lively and interactive song that describes the various activities, sounds, and passengers encountered on a bus ride, often accompanied by hand movements and actions. | lyrics |
This Little Piggy | lyrics | |
This Old Man | lyrics | |
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star | A well-known English nursery rhyme that originated from a poem written by Jane Taylor in the early 19th century. | lyrics |
W | ||
Wee Willie Winkie | A charming rhyme about a fictional character named Willie Winkie, who goes around town in his nightgown, tapping on windows to make sure children are in bed. | |
When Goldilocks Went to the House of the Bears | A playful nursery rhyme that retells the story of Goldilocks encountering the three bears and their belongings. | lyrics |
When the Boat Comes In | See “Dance to your Daddy (When the boat comes in)“ | |
Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone? | A whimsical nursery rhyme that laments the loss of a beloved pet and humorously speculates where it might have gone. | |
Who Killed Cock Robin? | A traditional English nursery rhyme that recounts the investigation and mourning surrounding the death of the fictional character Cock Robin, engaging children with a detective-like narrative. |
List of Nursery Rhymes in English
Singing Bell has been collecting and releasing its own versions of traditional nursery rhymes for years now.
The following are all the English-language nursery rhymes we have published, listed alphabetically.
-
A Sailor Went to Sea
-
ABC Song for Kids (The Alphabet Song)
-
All The Pretty Little Horses (Hush-a-bye)
-
Baa Baa Black Sheep
-
Baby Bumblebee
-
Billy Boy
-
Bingo Song (There Was a Farmer Had a Dog)
-
Brahms’ Lullaby (Cradle Song / Lullaby and Goodnight)
-
Did You Ever See a Lassie?
-
Finger Family (Daddy Finger)
-
Five Little Ducks (Went Swimming One Day)
-
Five Little Monkeys
-
Frère Jacques (Are You Sleeping?)
-
Girls and Boys Come Out To Play
-
Golden Slumbers
-
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
-
Here We Go Looby Loo
-
Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush
-
Hickory Dickory Dock
-
Humpty Dumpty
-
Hush Little Baby (Mockingbird)
-
I’m a Little Teapot
-
If You’re Happy and You Know It
-
Incy Wincy Spider (Eency Weency Spider)
-
Itsy-Bitsy Spider
-
Jack and Jill
-
Kookaburra
-
Lavender’s Blue
-
Little Bo Peep
-
Little Boy Blue
-
Little Jack Horner
-
London Bridge Is Falling Down
-
Mary Had a Little Lamb
-
Merrily we roll along (O’er the deep blue sea)
-
Miss Polly Had a Dolly
-
Mrs. Macaroni
-
Old MacDonald Had a Farm
-
Oranges and Lemons
-
Pat-a-Cake (Patty Cake)
-
Rain, Rain, Go Away
-
Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross
-
Ring a Ring o’ Roses (Ring Around the Rosie)
-
Rock-a-bye Baby
-
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
-
See Saw Margery Daw
-
Skidamarink
-
Ten Green Bottles
-
Ten in the Bed
-
Ten Little Fingers
-
The Animal Fair
-
The Animals Went in Two by Two
-
The Cuckoo and The Donkey (Der Kuckuck und der Esel)
-
The Farmer in the Dell
-
The More We Get Together
-
The Muffin Man
-
The North Wind Doth Blow (The Robin)
-
The Wheels on the Bus
-
This Little Light of Mine
-
This Little Piggy
-
This Old Man
-
Three Blind Mice
-
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
-
When Goldilocks Went to the House of the Bears
Lyrics for Nursery Rhymes
This collection includes 50 printable lyrics to popular nursery rhymes which will definitely come in handy.

Nursery rhyme Albums
Songs with Vocals
Karaoke Albums with Nursery Rhymes for Kids
100 Non-stop minutes of Nursery Rhymes
Listen to our nursery rhyme mashup, including 56 popular traditional songs for kids in a 100-minute mix. The mix begins with faster tempo songs and ends with favourite lullabies.
