The Farmer in the Dell is a traditional nursery rhyme and singing game children have enjoyed for generations.
The origins of this rhyme are somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have European roots and has been popular in English-speaking countries for many years.
The song is often accompanied by a simple game in which children form a circle, and one child takes on the role of the “farmer.”
The game progresses as the farmer selects each character mentioned in the song (e.g., the wife, the child, the nurse, the dog, the cat, the rat, and so on).
Each time, the chosen child joins the farmer in the circle’s center.
Lyrics for The Farmer In The Dell
The farmer in the dell
The farmer in the dell
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The farmer in the dell
The farmer takes a wife.
The farmer takes a wife.
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The farmer takes a wife.
The wife takes the child.
The wife takes the child.
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The wife takes the child.
The child takes the nurse.
The child takes the nurse.
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The child takes the nurse.
The nurse takes the dog.
The nurse takes the dog.
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The nurse takes the dog.
The dog takes the cat.
The dog takes the cat.
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The dog takes the cat.
The cat takes the mouse.
The cat takes the mouse.
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The cat takes the mouse.
The mouse takes the cheese.
The mouse takes the cheese.
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The mouse takes the cheese.
The cheese stands alone.
The cheese stands alone.
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The cheese stands alone.
The farmer in the dell
The farmer in the dell
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The farmer in the dell
Alternative Version
The farmer in the dell.
The farmer in the dell.
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The farmer in the dell.
The farmer milks the cow.
The farmer milks the cow.
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The farmer milks the cow.
The farmer feeds the pigs.
The farmer feeds the pigs.
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The farmer feeds the pigs.
The farmer gathers eggs.
The farmer gathers eggs.
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The farmer gathers eggs.
The farmer plants the seeds.
The farmer plants the seeds.
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The farmer plants the seeds.
The farmer picks the corn.
The farmer picks the corn.
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The farmer picks the corn.
The farmer in the dell.
The farmer in the dell.
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The farmer in the dell.
