The Farmer in the Dell
Countdown Kids Lyrics
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The farmer in the dell
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The farmer in the dell
And the farmer takes a wife
The farmer takes a wife
Hi-ho, the derry-o
And the wife takes the child
The wife takes the child
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The wife takes the child
And the child takes the nurse
The child takes the nurse
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The child takes the nurse
And the nurse takes the dog
The nurse takes the dog
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The nurse takes the dog
And the dog takes the cat
The dog takes the cat
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The dog takes the cat
And the cat takes the mouse
The cat takes the mouse
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The cat takes the mouse
And the mouse takes the cheese
The mouse takes the cheese
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The mouse takes the cheese
And the cheese stands alone
The cheese stands alone
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The cheese stands alone
"The Farmer in the Dell" is a classic children's song about farming and family. It has a simple tune and repeating lyrics that make it easy for children to learn and sing along. The first verse introduces the main character, the farmer, and the chorus repeats his name while adding a fun "hi-ho, the derry-o" refrain. The second verse shows the farmer taking a wife, and then the next verses progress down the generations. The wife takes a child, the child takes a nurse, the nurse takes a dog, the dog takes a cat, the cat takes a mouse, and the mouse takes cheese. Finally, the cheese stands alone, signifying the end of the song.
The lyrics are believed to have originated in Europe during the Middle Ages and were adapted into English in the 19th century. The song was often played during children's games and activities, and the lyrics were altered to fit various scenarios such as "The Sailor in the Dell" or "The Doctor in the Dell." Some have suggested that the song has a deeper meaning as an allegory for social hierarchy, with each character taking another "beneath them" until the cheese, the lowest on the social ladder, stands alone. However, there is no clear evidence to support this interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
The farmer in the dell
There is a farmer standing out in the dell
Hi-ho, the derry-o
This is a refrain that is often sung in farming communities to indicate a sense of camaraderie and shared experience
And the farmer takes a wife
The farmer gets married
The farmer takes a wife
The farmer gets married
And the wife takes the child
The new couple has a baby and the wife becomes the primary caretaker
The wife takes the child
The new mother takes care of the child
And the child takes the nurse
The child needs the help of a nurse or caretaker
The child takes the nurse
The child is taken care of by a nurse
And the nurse takes the dog
The nurse is responsible for taking care of the family dog
The nurse takes the dog
The nurse takes on the responsibility of taking care of the family dog
And the dog takes the cat
The dog begins to chase or play with the cat
The dog takes the cat
The dog takes over the attention and focus in the scenario, interacting with the cat
And the cat takes the mouse
The cat hunts and catches a mouse
The cat takes the mouse
The cat becomes the main player in the activity as it catches a mouse
And the mouse takes the cheese
The mouse seizes the opportunity to get some cheese
The mouse takes the cheese
The mouse steals a piece of cheese
And the cheese stands alone
The conclusion of the story is that the cheese is left by itself
The cheese stands alone
The cheese is separate from the other characters in the story and is not taken or eaten by anyone else
Lyrics © Phonographic Digital Limited (PDL), Histoire et Chansons, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind