Little Boy Sad
Various Artists Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn
The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn
Where is the boy that looks after the sheep?
Under a haystack, fast asleep
Will you wake him? No, not I
If I do, he's sure to cry

Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn
The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn
Where is the boy that looks after the sheep?
Under a haystack, he's fast asleep
Will you wake him? No, not I
If I do, he's sure to cry

Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn
The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn
Where is the boy that looks after the sheep?
Under a haystack, fast asleep
Will you wake him? No, not I
If I do, he's sure to cry

Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn
The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn
Where is the boy that looks after the sheep?
Under a haystack, fast asleep




Will you wake him? No, not I
If I do, he's sure to cry

Overall Meaning

"Little Boy Blue" is a popular English nursery rhyme that tells the story of a young boy who is tasked with guarding and looking after a group of animals. However, instead of being alert and attentive, Little Boy Blue has fallen asleep under a haystack, leaving the sheep to wander into the meadow and the cow to wander into the cornfield. The repetition of the opening lines, "Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn / The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn," serves to emphasize the urgency of the situation and the need for Little Boy Blue to wake up and do his job.


The second stanza reinforces the idea that Little Boy Blue is not fulfilling his duties, as the singer asks where he is and is told that he is fast asleep. The third and fourth stanzas repeat the refrain, but this time the singer declines to wake Little Boy Blue, indicating a lack of concern or frustration with his neglect of his task. The rhyme ends on a somewhat melancholy note, with the suggestion that Little Boy Blue will cry if he is woken up, leaving the animals to their own devices.


The interpretation of the lyrics of "Little Boy Blue" largely represents a warning to children about what happens when they neglect their responsibilities. The idea that the animals wander off into the meadow and cornfield highlights the danger and potential consequences of neglecting responsibilities. Additionally, the fact that the singer declines to wake Little Boy Blue suggests that the consequences of neglect are ultimately the responsibility of the neglectful individual, rather than those seeking their help.


Line by Line Meaning

Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn
Addressing Little Boy Blue to come and blow his horn


The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn
Noticing that the sheep are in the meadow and the cow is in the cornfield


Where is the boy that looks after the sheep?
Asking for the whereabouts of the boy who takes care of the sheep


Under a haystack, fast asleep
Informing the listener that the boy is asleep under a haystack


Will you wake him? No, not I
Refusing to wake the boy up


If I do, he's sure to cry
Suggesting that the boy will cry if someone wakes him up


Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn
Repeating the initial call for Little Boy Blue to blow his horn


The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn
Restating that the sheep are in the meadow and the cow is in the cornfield


Where is the boy that looks after the sheep?
Asking again about the whereabouts of the boy who takes care of the sheep


Under a haystack, he's fast asleep
Clarifying that the boy is still asleep under the haystack


Will you wake him? No, not I
Reiterating the refusal to wake the boy up


If I do, he's sure to cry
Restating the belief that the boy will cry if someone wakes him up


Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn
Repeating the call for Little Boy Blue to blow his horn again


The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn
Repeating once more that the sheep are in the meadow and the cow is in the cornfield


Where is the boy that looks after the sheep?
Asking for the whereabouts of the sheep's caretaker again


Under a haystack, fast asleep
Confirming that the boy is still asleep under the haystack


Will you wake him? No, not I
Stating again that no one will wake the boy up


If I do, he's sure to cry
Repeating the belief that the boy will cry if someone wakes him up




Lyrics Β© Phonographic Digital Limited (PDL), Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Traditional

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@jerryplunk1005

wHAT AN UNDERRATED VOICE

WHAT AN UNDER VOICE

@mpatrick9

A beautiful underrated song

@silkiestream5050

its not underrated it charted

More Versions