The Old Gray Mare facts for kids

The Old Gray Mare is an old folk song, more recently regarded as a children's song.

Origins

Written by Thomas F. McNulty in 1887 for Ferdinand C. Latrobe who was the seven time Mayor of Baltimore, Maryland. The Evening Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) 25 May 1932, Wed Page 32

The Old Gray Mare is referenced in Aristophanes "Lysistrata", where it refers to wives who are starting to rebel.

Lyrics

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.

• (Note that "mule" is sometimes substituted for "mare".)
• (A whiffletree is a force-distributing mechanism in the traces of a draft animal. As an energetic younger horse, the mare still had the spirit to kick even though she was harnessed up to pull a plow or similar.)

Pattern

The repetitive pattern of the song is common to many traditional folk songs, including London Bridge is Falling Down. The melodic system of the two songs is also similar, with the middle of the three repetitions of the phrase being sung to a similar melody, but down a scale degree. The melody has also been used in American songs such as Ain't I Glad I Got out the Wilderness and Ain't You Glad You Joined the Republicans, and in turn is related to the melody of the spiritual Go in the Wilderness.