Little Lamb
Natalie Wood Lyrics


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Little lamb, little lamb
My birthday is here at last
Little lamb, little lamb
My birthday goes by so fast

Little bear, little bear
You sit on my right, right there
Little hen, little hen
What game should we play and when?

Little cat, little cat
Oh, why do you look so blue?
Did somebody paint you like that
Or is your birthday too?

Little fish, little fish
Do you think I'll get my wish?
Little lamb, little lamb
I wonder how old I am




I wonder how old I am
Little lamb

Overall Meaning

Natalie Wood's song "Little Lamb" is a sweet and reflective piece that captures the innocence of childhood and the bittersweet experience of growing up. The song evokes a child's birthday party, with various animal friends joining in the celebration. Natalie asks the little lamb how old she is, indicating a sense of wonder and excitement about growing older. However, she also expresses a wistful longing for time to slow down: her birthday goes by too fast. The lyrics suggest that, while Natalie eagerly anticipates growing up and experiencing new things, she also cherishes her childhood and the magical moments it provides. The second verse highlights the importance of friendship and play, as Natalie asks her animal friends what games they should play and when. The third verse is particularly poignant as she addresses the little cat, asking if it is feeling blue because of an unfulfilled birthday wish. The final lines of the song return to the central question of age and identity, as Natalie wonders once again how old she is and bids her little lamb goodbye.


Wood's vocal performance is gentle and heartfelt, perfectly capturing the delicate emotions of the lyrics. The instrumentation is similarly understated, dominated by a simple acoustic guitar melody that creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. "Little Lamb" is a beautiful reflection on the joys and sorrows of childhood, capturing a universal experience with its universal message.


Line by Line Meaning

Little lamb, little lamb
The singer is addressing a little lamb, possibly a toy or pet, twice for emphasis.


My birthday is here at last
The singer is celebrating their birthday and expressing excitement that the day has finally arrived.


Little lamb, little lamb
The singer addresses the lamb again, this time possibly for comfort as they lament how quickly their birthday will pass.


My birthday goes by so fast
Despite the anticipation for their birthday, the artist realizes how quickly time flies and acknowledges that the day will pass quickly.


Little bear, little bear
The artist is now addressing a little bear, possibly another toy or pet, and notes their presence on their right.


You sit on my right, right there
The singer is drawing attention to the bear's placement and making an observation about their surroundings.


Little hen, little hen
The singer now addresses a little hen, possibly another toy or pet, and inquires about playing a game with them.


What game should we play and when?
The artist is showing an interest in engaging in play with the hen and is seeking suggestions for what and when to play.


Little cat, little cat
The artist addresses another animal, this time a cat, and expresses concern for its well-being.


Oh, why do you look so blue?
The artist observes that the cat appears sad and is questioning why.


Did somebody paint you like that
The singer is using figurative language to ask if someone intentionally made the cat sad or if it happened naturally.


Or is your birthday too?
The artist offers another possibility for the cat's sadness, suggesting that it is upset because it was also its birthday but not celebrated as it had hoped.


Little fish, little fish
The singer addresses a fish, possibly a toy or pet, and is seeking its opinion on a matter.


Do you think I'll get my wish?
The singer is sharing their birthday wish with the fish and is asking if they think it will come true.


Little lamb, little lamb
The singer returns their attention to the little lamb and wonders how old they are.


I wonder how old I am
The artist is questioning their own age and expressing curiosity.


I wonder how old I am
The artist repeats their question, further emphasizing their curiosity.


Little lamb
The singer ends the song by addressing the little lamb one final time.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JULE STYNE, STEPHEN SONDHEIM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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