List of Nursery Rhymes (A-Z) You Can Listen to or Download

This list of nursery rhymes is the perfect resource for parents and educators alike.

Welcome to the index page for Nursery Rhymes, where you will find a collection of classic and modern rhymes that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Nursery rhymes are an important part of early childhood development as they help children learn language and improve their memory skills.

In this index page, you will find everything you need to know about these songs for kids. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, or educator, this index page is the perfect resource for anyone looking to explore the magical world of nursery rhymes.

Discover the enchanting universe of nursery rhymes, where language and memory skills are boosted in young tots. Let this index page be your guide, whether you’re a proud parent, loving grandparent, or passionate educator. Here, you’ll uncover everything you need to know about these wonderful songs for kids that play a crucial role in early childhood development. Get ready to immerse yourself in the captivating world of nursery rhymes!

Table of Contents

• What is a Nursery Rhyme? A definition
• Characteristics of a Nursery Rhyme
• List of Nursery rhymes [mp3 Download]
• List of Nursery Rhymes in English
• Why Teach Nursery Rhymes to a child?
  • Lyrics for Nursery Rhymes
  • Nursery rhyme Albums
    • Songs with Vocals
    • Karaoke Albums with Nursery Rhymes for Kids
  • Commercial Licenses for Nursery Rhymes
• 100 Non-stop minutes of Nursery Rhymes

What is a Nursery Rhyme? A definition

According to Elisabeth Galway, in Oxford Bibliographies we read that

“Nursery rhymes, also known as Mother Goose rhymes, can be broadly defined as short songs and verses often read or sung to, or by, young children. Generally, these verses are anonymous, although the term nursery rhyme has also been applied to works written by known authors.“

Characteristics of a Nursery Rhyme

Looking up in dictionaries such as the Cambridge Dictionary or Merriam-Webster, we conclude that a nursery rhyme has the following characteristics:

• it is for kids,
• it is relatively short,
• it has verses and rhyme, in most cases it is a song, i.e. it has a melodic line, and
• it tells a short story.

Their presence in the English-speaking world comes from a long time ago, as already from the 16th century. we have the first records.

List of Nursery rhymes [mp3 Download]

Click on the song titles to go to the page with the free song download. You can get these tracks for use at home, in class or for educational purposes.

Songs can not be used in YouTube videos – unless you buy a commercial YouTube license.

TITLE	DESCRIPTION	PRINTABLE LYRICS
A
A Farmer Went Trotting (Upon His Gray Mare)	A traditional nursery rhyme that typically involves actions and gestures to mimic the movements of the farmer and the horse.	lyrics
A Frog He Would A-wooing Go	An English nursery rhyme that tells the story of a frog who embarks on a romantic adventure.	lyrics
A Jolly Fat Frog (Lived in the River Swim)	An English traditional rhyme which tells the story of a crow preying on a frog and its original title was “The Frog and the Crow”.	lyrics
A Sailor Went to Sea	A cheerful and interactive chant about a sailor’s adventures on the sea.	lyrics
A-Hunting We Will Go	A lively nursery rhyme about embarking on a hunting adventure filled with playful rhymes and animal encounters.	lyrics
A-Tisket, A-Tasket	A popular American nursery rhyme and singing game that tells the story of a young girl who loses her yellow basket while going to the market.	lyrics
ABC Song	A fundamental rhyme that helps children learn the alphabet through a catchy melody.	lyrics
Ah! Vous dirai-je, maman	A French nursery rhyme that dates back to the 18th century, commonly known as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star“.
Aiken Drum	An imaginative rhyme featuring a peculiar character with a hat made of food.	lyrics
All Around the Green Apple Tree	A traditional English nursery rhyme that involves a playful circle game.	lyrics
All the Pretty Little Horses	This soothing nursery rhyme lulls children to sleep with gentle lyrics about colorful horses and comforting promises.	lyrics
Alouette	A traditional French-Canadian children’s song that has gained popularity worldwide. The word “alouette” translates to “lark” in English.	lyrics
Animal Fair, The	See “The Animal Fair“
As I Was Going to St. Ives	An English nursery rhyme, counting rhyme and traditional riddle that dates back to the 17th century.
B
Baa, Baa, black sheep	A well-known rhyme about a black sheep and its wool, teaching basic counting and sharing concepts.	lyrics
Baby Bumblebee	A playful and humorous nursery rhyme about a child’s misadventure with a bumblebee, involving sticky situations and a catchy melody.	lyrics
Bahay Kubo	A traditional Filipino folk song, celebrating the variety of vegetables growing around a simple nipa hut.	lyrics
Bear Went Over the Mountain, The	See “The Bear Went Over the Mountain“
Billy Boy	A spirited folk song that tells the story of a young man named Billy and his love interest, exploring themes of courtship and a playful narrative.	lyrics
Bingo Song (There Was a Farmer Had a Dog)	A popular and energetic children’s rhyme that follows the repetitive and interactive structure of the traditional game, engaging kids with its catchy tune and encouraging participation.	lyrics
Bobby Shafto	A traditional English nursery rhyme and folk song. It is named after a real person, Robert Shafto, who was a member of Parliament in County Durham, England, during the late 18th century.	lyrics
Brahms’ Lullaby (Cradle Song / Lullaby and Good Night)	A gentle and soothing lullaby composed by Johannes Brahms, often sung to lull babies and young children to sleep with its soft melody and comforting lyrics.	lyrics
Brother John	See “Frère Jacques (Are You Sleeping?)“
C
Chubby Cheeks	A delightful and playful nursery rhyme that is often sung or recited to engage young children.
Cobbler, Cobbler	A delightful rhyme about a cobbler who repairs shoes, teaching children about different occupations and the importance of hard work.
Cock-a-Doodle-Doo!	A lively chant that imitates the crowing of a rooster, often used to teach children about animal sounds and encourage early morning awakenings.
Cradle Song	See “Brahms’ Lullaby (Cradle Song / Lullaby and Good Night)“
D
Dance to your Daddy (When the boat comes in)	A traditional English folk song that is often sung as a nursery rhyme or lullaby.	lyrics
Did You Ever See a Lassie?	A playful children’s song that encourages imagination and singing along while highlighting the qualities of a lassie (young girl) and the joy she brings.	lyrics
Ding Dong Bell (Kitty’s in the well)	A traditional English nursery rhyme that dates back several centuries and tells a short story in its simple lyrics.	lyrics
Doggie Doggie	A traditional children’s game and nursery rhyme that involves guessing and seeking an object or person.	lyrics
E
Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe	A counting-out rhyme used to make a random selection, involving a repetitive chant and hand gestures to determine a choice among a group of options.	lyrics
F
Finger Family	A popular fingerplay rhyme that involves a simple and interactive hand gesture, where each finger represents a family member	lyrics
Five Little Ducks (Went Swimming One Day)	A playful nursery rhyme about five little ducks who go out swimming and the adventures they encounter before returning home.	lyrics
Five Little Monkeys (jumping on the bed)	A fun and rhythmic counting rhyme about five mischievous monkeys jumping on the bed and the warnings from their doctor as they fall off one by one.	lyrics
Five Little Speckled Frogs	A lively and engaging nursery rhyme that tells the story of five frogs and is ideal for teaching counting.
Frère Jacques (Are You Sleeping?)	A classic nursery rhyme sung in a round, featuring a monk named Jacques being asked if he is awake and urged to ring the morning bells.	lyrics
Frog Went a-Courting	A traditional English folk song and nursery rhyme that tells the story of a frog who goes courting a mouse.	lyrics
G
Georgie Porgie	A nursery rhyme that tells the story of a mischievous character and is still used in many preschools.
Girls and Boys Come Out To Play	A 17th century English nursery rhyme about playing in the moonlight.	lyrics
Golden Slumbers	A soothing lullaby that promises comfort and rest, weaving a tale of golden slumbers kissed by stars.	lyrics
Goosey Goosey Gander	A traditional nursery rhyme that recounts a curious encounter with a goose and the exploration of a mysterious house.
H
Hickety Pickety	A traditional nursery rhyme that follows a rhythmic pattern and tells a whimsical story.
Here We Go Looby Loo	A playful nursery rhyme that guides children through a series of movements and actions, encouraging them to dance and sing along.	lyrics
Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush	A lively nursery rhyme that depicts children mimicking routine chores while circling around a mulberry bush, turning daily tasks into a fun, sing-along game.	lyrics
Hey Diddle Diddle	A popular English nursery rhyme that dates back to the 18th century.	lyrics
Hey Ho Nobody Home	An English folk song and nursery rhyme that is often sung as a round or in a call-and-response style.	lyrics
Hickory Dickory Dock	A playful nursery rhyme featuring a mouse’s adventures as it scampers up a clock, which marks the time with a distinctive chime.	lyrics
Hot Cross Buns	A popular English nursery rhyme and children’s song that is often associated with the Easter season.	lyrics
Humpty Dumpty	A classic nursery rhyme about an egg-shaped character who has a great fall off a wall and cannot be repaired, despite efforts from all the king’s horses and men.	lyrics
Hush Little Baby (Mockingbird)	A soothing lullaby that promises an array of delightful gifts to a child, culminating with the comforting presence of a mockingbird.	lyrics
I
I’m a Little Teapot	A playful rhyme where the speaker, a small teapot, describes its features and actions during tea preparation, complete with a tipping motion and a shout.	lyrics
Incy Wincy Spider (Eency Weency Spider)	See “Itsy-bitsy spider”	lyrics
If You are Happy and you Know it	A cheerful interactive song that encourages children to express their happiness through clapping, stomping, and shouting “hooray!”	lyrics
Itsy-bitsy spider	A charming rhyme about a small spider’s persistent journey up a water spout, despite the challenges of rain and recovery in the sunshine.	lyrics
J
Jack and Jill	A classic rhyme about two children, Jack and Jill, who venture up a hill to fetch a pail of water and encounter an unfortunate mishap.	lyrics
K
Kookaburra	A popular Australian nursery rhyme that celebrates the native bird species known as the kookaburra.	lyrics
L
Ladybug, Ladybug	A traditional nursery rhyme that tells the story of a ladybug. (UK: Ladybird, Ladybird)
Lavender’s Blue (Dilly Dilly)	A gentle nursery rhyme that playfully uses the refrain “dilly dilly” while evoking images of lavender fields and romantic affection.	lyrics
Les Petites Marionnettes (Ainsi Font, Font, Font)	A French nursery rhyme celebrating the playful movements of little puppets, known for its catchy tune and repetitive lyrics.
Little Bo Peep	A classic nursery rhyme about a young shepherdess who loses her sheep and waits for them to return, bringing their tails behind them.	lyrics
Little Boy Blue (Come Blow your Horn)	A traditional rhyme about a young farm boy who falls asleep when he should be watching the fields, with his horn lying nearby, unused.	lyrics
Little Jack Horner	A whimsical rhyme about a young boy who pulls out a plum from his Christmas pie, it was early associated with acts of opportunism, particularly in politics.	lyrics
London Bridge is Falling Down	A traditional children’s song involving a repetitive game, where participants sing about various attempts to repair the crumbling London Bridge.	lyrics
M
Mary Had a Little Lamb	A sweet nursery rhyme about a young girl named Mary and her lamb, which follows her to school one day, causing a delightful commotion.	lyrics
Merrily We Roll Along	A cheerful tune about traveling through life with joy and song, embracing the journey as it unfolds.	lyrics
Mexican Hat Dance	A lively children’s song that accompanies a traditional Mexican dance, encouraging participants to mimic the steps of dancing around a sombrero.	lyrics
Mrs. Macaroni	A playful nursery rhyme about Mrs. Macaroni who rides a white horse, performing various actions in a sequence that delights young listeners.	lyrics
Miss Polly Had a Dolly	A simple rhyme about a young girl named Polly who cares for her sick doll and calls a doctor to help make it better.	lyrics
O
Oats, Peas, Beans, and Barley Grow	A traditional rhyme that teaches about the planting and growing processes of various grains and legumes, using a rhythmic, sing-along style.	lyrics
Old MacDonald Had a Farm	A popular children’s song that introduces various farm animals and their sounds through the story of a farmer named MacDonald and his lively farm.	lyrics
Oranges and Lemons	A playful rhyme that uses the sounds of church bells from different London churches to tell a story of owing debts and facing consequences.	lyrics
P
Pat-a-Cake (Patty Cake)	A classic nursery rhyme that guides children through the playful process of baking a cake, complete with patting and marking it with a letter.	lyrics
Pirouette, Cacahuète	A French nursery rhyme featuring a whimsical journey through a magical garden, where children meet quirky characters and engage in playful adventures.	lyrics
Promenons-nous dans les bois (Loup, y es-tu?)	A French nursery rhyme that invites children on a playful walk through the woods, encountering various animals and searching for the wolf.	lyrics
R
Rain, Rain, Go Away	A simple chant used by children, expressing a wish for the rain to stop so they can go outside and play.	lyrics
Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross	A traditional rhyme about riding a make-believe horse (a “cock-horse” refers to a child’s toy horse or a pretend horse used in play) to the famed Banbury Cross.	lyrics
Ring a Ring o’ Roses (Ring Around the Rosie)	A timeless children’s circle game, where participants hold hands and dance around singing, ending with a playful group collapse on the phrase “we all fall down.”	lyrics
Rock-a-Bye Baby	A lullaby that gently describes the rocking of a cradle in the treetops, calming a baby as the wind blows and the bough breaks.	lyrics
Row, Row, Row Your Boat	A cheerful nursery rhyme encouraging listeners to row their boats gently down the stream, it is often seen as a symbol of life’s journey.	lyrics
S
See Saw Margery Daw	A rhythmic playground chant about two children playing on a seesaw, highlighting the simple joy and rhythm of traditional play.	lyrics
Sing a Song of Sixpence	A whimsical rhyme that tells the story of a king and his extravagant pie, filled with delightful imagery and humorous moments.	lyrics
Star Light, Star Bright	A a traditional nursery rhyme that dates back to the 19th century, inviting children to make a wish upon a star and marvel at the nighttime sky.
Sur le pont d’Avignon		lyrics
T
Ten Little Fingers	A delightful rhyme celebrating the wonders of childhood, focusing on the joy and innocence found in the ten little fingers of a baby.	lyrics
The Animal Fair	A lively nursery rhyme featuring a variety of animals participating in amusing antics at a fair.	lyrics
The Animals Went in Two by Two	A rhythmic rhyme recounting the tale of animals boarding Noah’s Ark in pairs, illustrating the Biblical story of the Great Flood.	lyrics
The Bear Went Over the Mountain	A cheerful rhyme about a bear’s adventurous journey over the mountain, often accompanied by actions or gestures.	lyrics
The Farmer in the Dell	A whimsical nursery rhyme depicting a farmer and various farm animals engaging in a playful game of courtship and dancing.	lyrics
The More We Get Together	A cheerful nursery rhyme celebrating friendship and togetherness, encouraging joyous singing and group activities.	lyrics
The Muffin Man	A catchy nursery rhyme that whimsically explores the identity and whereabouts of a baker who delivers muffins to the neighborhood.	lyrics
The North Wind Doth Blow (The Robin)	A traditional nursery rhyme depicting the cold winter weather brought by the North Wind, along with the resilience of the robin bird enduring the chill.	lyrics
The Wheels on the bus	A lively and interactive song that describes the various activities, sounds, and passengers encountered on a bus ride, often accompanied by hand movements and actions.	lyrics
This Little Piggy	A playful rhyme that engages children’s toes as it follows the adventures of a little piggy, culminating in a “wee, wee, wee” all the way home.	lyrics
This Old Man	A timeless counting rhyme featuring a cheerful old man who plays various musical instruments as he goes about his day.	lyrics
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star	A well-known English nursery rhyme that originated from a poem written by Jane Taylor in the early 19th century.	lyrics
W
Wee Willie Winkie	A charming rhyme about a fictional character named Willie Winkie, who goes around town in his nightgown, tapping on windows to make sure children are in bed.
When Goldilocks Went to the House of the Bears	A playful nursery rhyme that retells the story of Goldilocks encountering the three bears and their belongings.	lyrics
When the Boat Comes In	See “Dance to your Daddy (When the boat comes in)“
Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?	A whimsical nursery rhyme that laments the loss of a beloved pet and humorously speculates where it might have gone.
Who Killed Cock Robin?	A traditional English nursery rhyme that recounts the investigation and mourning surrounding the death of the fictional character Cock Robin, engaging children with a detective-like narrative.

Lyrics for Nursery Rhymes

This collection includes 50 printable lyrics to popular nursery rhymes which will definitely come in handy.

Nursery rhyme Albums

Songs with Vocals

Karaoke Albums with Nursery Rhymes for Kids

Not sure which license is best for you?

Read our licensing page or contact us!

100 Non-stop minutes of Nursery Rhymes

Listen to our nursery rhyme mashup, including 56 popular traditional songs for kids in a 100-minute mix. The mix begins with faster tempo songs and ends with favourite lullabies.