There Was a Little Girl is a children’s song often attributed to the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The rhyme typically describes a girl with a curl in the center of her forehead. The rhyme contrasts her behavior, depicting her as either very good or horrid, depending on her mood or actions.
The simple and rhythmic structure of the rhyme, along with its contrasting characterization, makes it a memorable and often recited piece in children’s literature. The poem highlights the unpredictable nature of a child’s behavior and has been a part of traditional nursery rhyme collections for many years.
Lyrics for There Once Was a Girl
There was a little girl,
Who had a little curl,
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good,
She was very, very good,
But when she was bad, she was horrid.
