Little Donkey facts for kids
Little Donkey is a well-known Christmas carol that many people enjoy during the holiday season. It was written by a British songwriter named Eric Boswell in 1959. The song tells the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as she travels to Bethlehem on a donkey.
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The Song's Journey to Fame
The song quickly became popular after it was released. The first singer to have a version of "Little Donkey" appear on the music charts was Gracie Fields. Just two weeks later, The Beverley Sisters released their own version. Their recording soon became even more popular than Gracie Fields's.
Chart Success and Popularity
"Little Donkey" became the number one song on the UK Sheet Music Chart. It held this top spot from mid-November 1959 until the end of that year. The following Christmas, a recording by Nina & Frederik also did very well. Their version reached number three on the music charts.
Famous Singers and Nativity Plays
Many other famous singers have recorded "Little Donkey" over the years. These include Vera Lynn and Aled Jones. The song is now a traditional part of the Christmas season for many families. It is often sung in schools and churches, especially during nativity plays. Young children often perform this song in their Christmas shows.
"Little Donkey" in Pop Culture
In recent times, "Little Donkey" has become a symbol of childhood Christmases in popular culture. It has been featured in comedy acts by famous comedians. For example, Alan Carr and Russell Brand have both included the song in their shows.
Featured in The Ricky Gervais Show
The song was notably featured in The Ricky Gervais Show. This show had a funny running gag about Karl Pilkington's drum performance of "Little Donkey". This helped the song become even more widely recognized by a new generation.
