Polly Wolly Doodle facts for kids
"Polly Wolly Doodle" is a very old and well-known American children's song. It's a traditional tune that many people have sung for a long, long time!
The song was first performed in 1843 by a group called the Virginia Minstrels. They were led by a musician named Dan Emmett, and many people think he wrote the song. The Virginia Minstrels first sang "Polly Wolly Doodle" in New York City.
Later, in 1878, the Yale Glee Club (a singing group from Yale University) performed the song. It was first printed in a songbook for students at Harvard University in 1880.
The song even appears in the book These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder, who wrote the famous Little House on the Prairie series.
You might have heard the tune of "Polly Wolly Doodle" in other songs too! For example, the popular group Boney M. used its melody for their hit song "Hooray! Hooray! It's a Holi-Holiday" in 1979. Alexandra Burke also used the tune for her song "Start Without You". The melody is also used in many other children's music songs, like "O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E" and some songs from Barney & Friends.
Famous Singers and Versions
Many different artists have recorded "Polly Wolly Doodle" over the years. Some have even changed the words or the title a little!
- In 1939, the Carter Family sang it as "Polly Wolly Doodle All Day."
- The famous child star Shirley Temple recorded her version in 1940.
- Bing Crosby included the song in a medley on his album 101 Gang Songs in 1961.
- Alvin and the Chipmunks sang it on their album The Chipmunk Songbook in 1962.
- Burl Ives, a well-known folk singer, recorded it in 1964.
- In 2002, VeggieTales included it on their CD Bob and Larry's Backyard Party.
On Screen: Movies and TV Shows
"Polly Wolly Doodle" has also appeared in many movies and TV shows, bringing its catchy tune to new audiences.
- Shirley Temple sings "Polly Wolly Doodle" in her 1935 movie The Littlest Rebel.
- The song is featured in two movies by director Frank Capra: You Can't Take It with You (1938) and Pocketful of Miracles (1961).
- It was the main theme for the 1938 Donald Duck cartoon Good Scouts. Donald and his nephews sing it as they march!
- In the 1947 cartoon Well Oiled, Woody Woodpecker sings this song while driving his car.
- The song was sung in an episode of the classic TV show Father Knows Best in 1956.
- The Kidsongs kids sing this song in their 1987 video "A Day at the Circus."
- You might even hear a tune similar to "Polly Wolly Doodle" in the music for the video games Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow. It's also in the Pokémon: Indigo League anime!
- In a 2005 episode of the TV show Monk called "Monk Stays in Bed," the song is played on a get-well card.
Images for kids
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Polly Wolly Doodle in Student's Songs, Cambridge Mass. 1884
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