The Farmer in the Dell
"The Farmer in the Dell" is originally from Germany.
The Farmer in the Dell
Children's Song
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 a child,
The wife takes a child,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The wife takes a child.
The child takes a nurse,
The child takes a nurse,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The child takes a nurse.
The nurse takes a cow,
The nurse takes a cow,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The nurse takes a cow.
The cow takes a dog,
The cow takes a dog,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The cow takes a dog.
The dog takes a cat,
The dog takes a cat,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The dog takes a cat.
The cat takes a rat,
The cat takes a rat,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The cat takes a rat.
The rat takes the cheese,
The rat takes the cheese,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The rat takes the cheese.
The cheese stands alone,
The cheese stands alone,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The cheese stands alone.
Game Instructions
The children form a circle holding hands. The one who is the "farmer" goes in the middle. The kids in the circle sing the first verse while going around. When the verse is over they stop and the "farmer" chooses a "wife"(sometimes without looking). The "wife" joins him in the middle of the circle for her verse. Then the "child" is picked and s/he goes in the middle of the circle and so on through all the verses, until only one person is left to become the last character. That child usually becomes the "farmer" for the next round.
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Jen Muise for pointing out this song to me.
