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Old Mother Hubbard is a classic nursery rhyme that tells a funny little story about a kind woman and her hungry dog. When she goes to the cupboard to get him a bone, she finds it completely bare, leading to a series of playful and surprising moments. Children enjoy this rhyme because of its gentle humor, repeating pattern, and the silly actions that follow each verse. The rhythm is easy to follow, making it fun to sing along and remember. For early learners, the rhyme helps build listening skills, introduces simple storytelling, and supports language development through repetition and rhyme. Parents and teachers also love how it encourages imagination while keeping learning light, cheerful, and engaging for young children.
Old Mother Hubbard Song Lyrics
This well-known rhyme is often shared during storytime, and these Old Mother Hubbard words are loved for their rhythm and playful storytelling.
Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard,
To give the poor dog a bone:
When she came there,
The cupboard was bare,
And so the poor dog had none.
She went to the baker’s
To buy him some bread;
When she came back
The dog was dead!
She went to the undertaker’s
To buy him a coffin;
When she came back
The dog was laughing.
She took a clean dish
to get him some tripe;
When she came back
He was smoking his pipe.
She went to the alehouse
To get him some beer;
When she came back
The dog sat in a chair.
She went to the tavern
For white wine and red;
When she came back
The dog stood on his head.
She went to the fruiterer’s
To buy him some fruit;
When she came back
He was playing the flute.
She went to the tailor’s
To buy him a coat;
When she came back
He was riding a goat.
She went to the hatter’s
To buy him a hat;
When she came back
He was feeding her cat.
She went to the barber’s
To buy him a wig
When she came back
He was dancing a jig.
She went to the cobbler’s
To buy him some shoes;
When she came back
He was reading the news.
She went to the sempstress
To buy him some linen;
When she came back
The dog was spinning.
She went to the hosier’s
To buy him some hose;
When she came back
He was dressed in his clothes.
The Dame made a curtsy,
The dog made a bow;
The Dame said, Your servant;
The dog said, Bow-wow.
This wonderful dog
Was Dame Hubbard’s delight,
He could read, he could dance,
He could sing, he could write;
She gave him rich dainties
Whenever he fed,
And erected this monument
When he was dead.
Other Versions of the Old Mother Hubbard Song
Many families enjoy slightly different versions of this rhyme that change verses or add new silly actions. Some versions are shorter for toddlers, while others include extra verses showing the dog doing humorous human-like activities, making the rhyme even more entertaining.
Alternate Version
Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard,
To get her poor dog a bone;
But when she got there,
The cupboard was bare,
So the poor dog had none.
She went to the kitchen
To look for some food,
But when she came back,
The dog said “I’m good!”
She laughed and she hugged him,
And gave him a treat,
The dog wagged his tail,
So happy and sweet.
Gestures – How to Teach Old Mother Hubbard to Kids
Using actions makes the rhyme more engaging and easier for children to remember and enjoy. Simple movements help connect words with meaning and keep kids actively involved.
- Pretend to open a cupboard by swinging arms wide to show it is empty.
- Hold an imaginary bone in your hand and shake your head sadly for the hungry dog.
- Act out walking by moving arms back and forth when Mother Hubbard goes to shops.
- Laugh and clap when the dog surprises everyone by dancing or acting silly.
- Mime reading a newspaper or tipping a hat to match the dog’s funny actions.
- End by gently pretending to tuck the dog in, keeping the mood playful and light.
History & Quick Facts
Old Mother Hubbard is an English nursery rhyme that dates back to at least the early 19th century. It was first published in 1805 by Sarah Catherine Martin in a collection of poems for children. The rhyme quickly became popular because of its humorous storytelling and memorable rhythm. Over time, it was expanded with many additional verses, making it a favorite in children’s books and oral storytelling traditions.
Interesting Facts
- The rhyme was originally much shorter and grew over time with added verses.
- The dog behaving like a human makes the story especially funny for children.
- It has been translated into several languages for children around the world.
- The tune is simple, allowing adults to chant or sing it easily.
- Old Mother Hubbard appears in many illustrated children’s books.
- The rhyme is often used in early drama and role-play activities.
Suitable Age & Learnings
This rhyme is ideal for children aged 2 to 6 years, as it matches their love for repetition and silly surprises. It supports both fun and foundational learning during early childhood.
- Listening skills improve as children follow the sequence of events.
- Memory development is supported through repeated verses and patterns.
- Vocabulary grows with words related to daily life and actions.
- Imagination is encouraged by the dog’s playful, unexpected behavior.
- Rhythm awareness develops through the steady, rhyming structure.
- Social interaction increases when children sing and act it out together.
FAQs
1. What is Old Mother Hubbard about?
It is a humorous rhyme about a woman and her dog, filled with surprising and funny moments.
2. What is the rhyming scheme of Old Mother Hubbard?
The rhyme mainly follows an AABB pattern, making it easy for children to remember.
Old Mother Hubbard remains a timeless nursery rhyme that continues to delight young children. Its playful story, rhythmic flow, and memorable characters make it easy to love and share. Parents and teachers appreciate how naturally it supports early learning skills. With actions, singing, and imagination, the rhyme becomes even more engaging for kids. It also creates lovely bonding moments during storytime or playtime. Overall, Old Mother Hubbard is a joyful way to mix fun, learning, and tradition in early childhood.
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