The Old Gray Mare facts for kids

The Old Gray Mare is a classic folk song that many people now know as a children's song. It tells the story of an old horse that isn't as young and strong as she used to be.

The Song's Beginning

This song was written by Thomas F. McNulty in 1887. He wrote it for Ferdinand C. Latrobe, who was the Mayor of Baltimore, Maryland, seven times! A mayor is a leader of a city.

Understanding the Words

The song has simple, repeating words that are easy to remember.

The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be,

Ain't what she used to be, ain't what she used to be,

The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be,

Many long years ago.

Many long years ago, many long years ago,

The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be,

Many long years ago.

The old gray mare, she kicked on the whiffletree,

Kicked on the whiffletree, kicked on the whiffletree,

The old gray mare, she kicked on the whiffletree,

Many long years ago.

Many long years ago, many long years ago,

The old gray mare, she kicked on the whiffletree,

Many long years ago.

Sometimes, people sing "mule" instead of "mare." A mare is a female horse, and a mule is an animal that is part horse and part donkey.

What is a Whiffletree?

A whiffletree is a special bar that connects a horse to something it needs to pull, like a plow or a wagon. It helps spread the pulling force evenly. When the song says the mare "kicked on the whiffletree," it means that even when she was younger and pulling something, she still had lots of energy and spirit to kick!

How the Song Works

The way The Old Gray Mare repeats its lines is very common in old folk songs. Another famous song that uses a similar repeating pattern is London Bridge is Falling Down.

The tune of The Old Gray Mare is also used in other songs. For example, you might hear a similar melody in some old American songs and spirituals, which are a type of religious folk song.