This rhyme is from Yorkshire in Northern England and is in the Yorkshire dialect.

"Dowdy-cow" or "cush cow lady" are local terms for ladybugs and ladybirds.

Dowdy-cow, Dowdy-cow  - English Children's Songs - England - Mama Lisa's World: Children's Songs and Rhymes from Around the World  - Intro Image

Notes

*"Thy" is pronounced as "thee"

Comments

Please email me if you have heard this rhyme. We're wondering if it's still recited nowadays. Thanks! Mama Lisa

Thanks and Acknowledgements

Illustration by Monique Palomares.