The Farmer in the Dell facts for kids

"The Farmer in the Dell" is a popular singing game, nursery rhyme, and children's song. It likely started in Germany and was brought to America by people moving there. From America, it became famous in many other countries and languages. It is known as Roud Folk Song Index number 6306.

Song Lyrics

The words to "The Farmer in the Dell" can be a little different depending on where you are. Here is a common version used in the United States:

The farmer in the dell (2x)
Hi-ho, the derry-o…
The farmer in the dell

The farmer takes the wife (2×)
Hi-ho, the derry-o…
The farmer takes the wife

The wife takes the child (2×)
Hi-ho, the derry-o…
The wife takes the child

The child takes the nurse (2×)
Hi-ho, the derry-o…
The child takes the nurse

The nurse takes the cow (2×)
Hi-ho, the derry-o…
The nurse takes the cow

The cow takes the dog (2×)
Hi-ho, the derry-o…
The cow takes the dog

The dog takes the cat (2×)
Hi-ho, the derry-o…
The dog takes the cat

The cat takes the mouse (or rat) (2×)
Hi-ho, the derry-o…
The cat takes the mouse (or rat)

The mouse (or rat) takes the cheese (2×)
Hi-ho, the derry-o…
The mouse (or rat) takes the cheese

The cheese stands alone (2×)
Hi-ho, the derry-o…
The cheese stands alone

In some parts of the United Kingdom, the song might say "The nurse takes a dog." It can also end with everyone patting the person chosen as the dog.

History of the Song

The first time this rhyme was written down was in Germany in 1826. Back then, it was more of a game about choosing partners. A farmer would pick a wife, then a child, and so on.

How it Spread

German immigrants likely brought the song to America. It first appeared in New York City in 1883. It had its modern words and a tune similar to another song called "A-Hunting We Will Go". From there, it quickly became popular across the United States and Canada by the 1890s. It also spread to the Netherlands and Great Britain around the same time. By the early 1900s, you could find it in France, Sweden, Australia, and South Africa.

Different Versions Around the World

Just like many children's songs, "The Farmer in the Dell" has changed a bit as it traveled.

• In the United Kingdom, the first line is often "The Farmer's in his den." The song might end with everyone patting the person chosen as the "bone."
• The "Hi-Ho, the derry-o" part also changes. In London, it might be "Ee-i, tiddly-i." In Northern England, you might hear "Ee-i, adio" or "Ee-i, andio." In the West Country, it's "Ee-i, ee-i."
• In Romania, the song is called "Țăranul e pe câmp," which means "The farmer is on the field." The "Hey-o" part is replaced with "Ura, drăguţa mea," meaning "Hooray, my sweetheart." The ending verses are also different, talking about a child having a nurse, a cat catching a mouse, and cheese in a barrel.

How to Play the Game

Playing "The Farmer in the Dell" is a lot of fun!

• First, all the players form a circle and hold hands.
• One person stands in the middle. This person is the "farmer."
• Everyone sings the first verse while walking around the farmer in the circle.
• When the verse ends, everyone stops. The farmer then chooses someone to be the "wife" (sometimes without even looking!). The wife joins the farmer in the middle.
• This pattern continues for each verse. The "wife" chooses a "child," the "child" chooses a "nurse," and so on.
• The game usually continues until the "cheese" or "dog" is chosen. Sometimes, it goes until only one person is left to become the last character. That person then becomes the farmer for the next round!