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There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly is a playful and humorous nursery rhyme that children love for its silly story and repeating pattern. The rhyme follows an old lady who swallows a series of animals, each one bigger than the last, leaving kids giggling and eagerly waiting to hear what comes next. Its predictable rhythm and growing sequence make it easy for young children to remember and join in while singing. Parents and teachers enjoy using this rhyme because it supports early learning through repetition, listening, and sequencing skills. The amusing imagery sparks imagination, while the simple language helps build vocabulary. Overall, it’s a classic rhyme that combines fun, surprise, and learning in a way that keeps children happily engaged.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly Song Lyrics
This well-known rhyme is often shared aloud or sung, and There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly words are loved for their repetition and humorous flow.
There was an old lady who swallowed a fly
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly – Perhaps she’ll die!
There was an old lady who swallowed a spider
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her!
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly;
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly – Perhaps she’ll die!
There was an old lady who swallowed a bird;
How absurd to swallow a bird!
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her!
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly;
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly – Perhaps she’ll die!
There was an old lady who swallowed a cat;
Fancy that! She swallowed a cat!
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her!
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly;
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly – Perhaps she’ll die!
There was an old lady that swallowed a dog;
What a hog, to swallow a dog!
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat,
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her!
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly;
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly – Perhaps she’ll die!
There was an old lady who swallowed a goat;
She just opened her throat and swallowed a goat!
She swallowed the goat to catch the dog,
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat,
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her!
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly;
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly – Perhaps she’ll die!
There was an old lady who swallowed a cow;
I don’t know how she swallowed a cow!
She swallowed the cow to catch the goat,
She swallowed the goat to catch the dog,
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat,
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her!
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly;
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly – Perhaps she’s dead
There was an old lady who swallowed a horse;
…She’s dead, of course!
Other Versions of the There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly Song
Many playful adaptations of this rhyme exist, keeping the same pattern while adding creative twists.
1. Seasonal Version (Festive Theme)
There was an old lady who swallowed some snow,
She liked the cold sparkle and let it all go.
She swallowed the snow to catch a bright bell,
That jingled and jangled and rang very well.
Oh what a surprise in the wintertime glow,
That old little lady who swallowed the snow!
2. Child-Friendly Version (Stops Before the Horse)
There was an old lady who swallowed a fly,
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly.
There was an old lady who swallowed a bird,
How funny and silly—quite odd and absurd!
She swallowed the bird to catch the fly,
And laughed out loud as the song went by!
3. Sing-Along Toddler Version (Slow & Repetitive)
There was an old lady, yes one little fly,
Swallow, swallow—oh my, oh my!
She swallowed the fly, then laughed with glee,
Come clap your hands and sing with me!
4. Classroom Puppet Version
There was an old lady who swallowed a spider,
(Pop goes the puppet—wiggle it wider!)
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
Can you spot them all? Let’s try, try, try!
5. Musical Tune Version
There was an old lady, so funny and spry,
She swallowed a fly as the tune skipped by.
With every new verse, the song grew long,
Tap your toes and sing along!
6. Storybook Version (Descriptive & Visual)
There was an old lady with spectacles round,
Who swallowed a fly with a curious sound.
Her tummy went giggle, her eyes opened wide,
What else might be hiding there deep inside?
Gestures – How to Teach There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly to Kids
Teaching this rhyme with actions makes it more engaging and easier to remember. Simple movements help children follow the story while having fun.
- Pretend to catch a tiny fly with your fingers and bring it to your mouth.
- Use both hands to show something wiggling for the spider inside the tummy.
- Flap arms like wings when singing about the bird.
- Make whiskers with fingers or pretend to stretch like a cat.
- Bend slightly and bark softly when the dog appears in the rhyme.
- End with a big surprised face and hands on cheeks at the final verse.
History & Quick Facts
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly is a traditional folk rhyme that was first formally published in 1947. The lyrics were written by Rose Bonne, and the rhyme was set to music by Alan Mills, a Canadian folk singer. Over time, it became popular in classrooms, homes, and children’s music collections because of its repetitive structure and humorous storytelling. The rhyme’s cumulative style makes it easy for children to remember, helping it remain a favorite across generations.
Interesting Facts
- The rhyme follows a cumulative pattern, adding a new animal in each verse.
- It has been translated into many languages around the world.
- The tune is simple and easy for children to sing along with.
- Picture books based on the rhyme are popular in early learning classrooms.
- Many versions soften or change the ending for younger children.
- The rhyme is often used to teach sequencing and memory skills.
Suitable Age & Learnings
This rhyme is best suited for children aged 2 to 6 years, as it matches their attention span and love for repetition. It works well for both toddlers listening and preschoolers joining in.
- Children learn sequencing skills by remembering the order of animals in the rhyme.
- The repetitive structure supports memory development through recall and prediction.
- Kids build listening skills by following along with each new verse.
- The rhyme introduces new vocabulary related to animals and actions.
- Singing together encourages language rhythm and fluency.
- Group singing promotes social interaction and shared enjoyment.
FAQs
1. What is the rhyming scheme of There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly?
The rhyme follows a simple cumulative AABB rhyming scheme with repeated rhyming couplets that help children remember and recite the verses easily.
2. Why is this rhyme used in early learning classrooms?
Teachers use it to help children practice memory, sequencing, listening, and participation through repetition.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly remains a timeless nursery rhyme that children continue to love for its humor and predictability. Its silly storyline keeps young listeners curious and entertained from start to finish. Parents and teachers appreciate how naturally it supports early learning skills like memory, language, and sequencing. With gestures, songs, and playful versions, the rhyme easily adapts to different learning settings. Whether read from a book or sung together, it encourages shared moments of laughter and learning. This classic rhyme truly shows how simple stories can leave lasting impressions on young minds.
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