A classic Mother Goose tune. A Mother Goose song that’s popular with children.
We’d like to introduce Mother Goose, a collection of English nursery rhymes that are especially beloved and passed down in the UK and the United States!
Mother Goose is said to include anywhere from 600 to over 1,000 rhymes, such as riddles, lullabies, play songs, tongue twisters, and memory songs.
In this article, we’ve gathered some of the most iconic and child-popular rhymes from Mother Goose.
When you listen, you’ll likely find many you already know, and because they’ve been sung for generations, they can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Some of these songs are a fun way to spark your child’s interest in English, so be sure to enjoy them together as a parent and child, with family, or with friends!
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Classic Mother Goose songs. Popular Mother Goose songs for children (21–30)
Ten Little Indians (Ten Little Indians)
This song is a folk tune widely loved in English-speaking countries and is also known as one of the Mother Goose songs.
It was written and composed in 1868 by the American composer Septimus Winner.
In Japan, the song is known as “10 Little Indians,” with a well-known Japanese version by Takata Mikuzō.
There are also parody versions such as “10 Good Children,” “Mixed Juice,” and “Here Comes Santa.” This song is often used for folk dancing as well.
The House that Jack Built (This is the house that Jack built)
This song, which every child in the English-speaking world knows, is famous as a cumulative song that repeats its lyrics like a word game.
Because new clauses are continually added, it uses many relative pronouns in English grammar.
For that reason, I think Japanese listeners may find it a bit hard to grasp the meaning from the English lyrics alone.
It first appeared in print in 1755.
However, since a shaven-headed monk appears in the lyrics—and monks shaved their heads in or before the medieval period—the origin of the song is said to be quite old.
Sung without music, it sounds almost like rap!
I had a Little Hen
Let me introduce a very homey, heartwarming song where a hardworking hen really shines! The star of the song is a clever and cute hen who takes care of all the household chores.
The lyrics portray her diligently washing dishes, going to the mill to carry flour, baking bread, and more.
In the end, she even tells delightful stories by the fireplace—she’s like a dream partner! This classic Mother Goose rhyme already appeared with its current lyrics in an 1886 songbook, and it has continued to be loved over the years, even being featured in the popular TV show “Barney & Friends.” It can spark children’s interest in helping out, and it’s wonderful for parents and kids to sing together while giving lots of praise to the hardworking hen!
I see the moon
Do you know a very beautiful Mother Goose song that makes you want to look up at the night sky and sing softly? Its prayer-like lyrics, wishing that the moon’s light will shine on both yourself and someone dear to you, truly resonate.
Originally an old poem dating back to around the 18th century, it was arranged by Meredith Willson and became widely popular as a pop song around 1953.
The following year, in 1954, the version sung by The Stargazers became a huge hit in the UK and is known for reaching number one on the charts.
It has continued to be loved across generations, even being used as a featured song in the children’s show Barney & Friends.
It’s lovely to hum by the window with your child on a quiet night, or to listen to while thinking of family far away.
Old Mother Hubbard
It’s the Mother Goose rhyme that begins with the famous line about a poor old woman opening her cupboard to find it bare when she tries to get a bone for her dog.
Each time the old woman goes out shopping, the dog left at home behaves like a human—putting on clothes, puffing a pipe, and more—depicted with humorous, outlandish antics.
The first edition, published in 1805, reportedly caused a huge sensation, selling over ten thousand copies in a short period, and its comical lyrics have long been cherished as a work of nonsense verse.
The character also appeared in the 1990 TV movie “Mother Goose Rock ’n’ Rhyme,” and has continued to be widely loved, including in a recording by jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald.
With its delightfully funny dog that’s sure to bring a smile, this is a work you can enjoy by imagining the story together as a parent and child.