Nursery rhyme lyrics
Baa Baa Black Sheep Lyrics
The words to Baa Baa Black Sheep, with simple actions to do together and a little history for curious grown-ups.
Baa Baa Black Sheep full lyrics
Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir,
Three bags full.
One for the master,
And one for the dame,
And one for the little boy
Who lives down the lane.
Traditional, public domain. Many families sing slightly different versions.
Love animal songs? Try our Old MacDonald Had a Farm video, full of farm animals and their sounds.
Actions to do together
- Hold up three fingers for "three bags full".
- Count out the bags as each one is given away.
- Make baa-ing sheep noises together.
What your child learns
- Counting to three
- Question and answer patterns
- Farm animals and where wool comes from
Where does Baa Baa Black Sheep come from?
Baa Baa Black Sheep is one of the oldest English nursery rhymes still sung today, first printed around 1744 in Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book. It shares its tune with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
Questions parents ask
How old is Baa Baa Black Sheep?
It was first printed in about 1744, making it one of the oldest nursery rhymes still widely sung.
What tune is Baa Baa Black Sheep sung to?
The same tune as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and the ABC song.