
Young children love singing songs about farm animals. “The Farmer in the Dell” is a fun song about a farmer who gets married, has a family, and fills his farm with friendly animals. Keep reading to download the lyrics and sing along with a delightful illustrated video.
“The Farmer in the Dell” Lyrics
-
The farmer in the dell.
The farmer in the dell.
Hi-ho, the derry-o!
The farmer in the dell.The farmer takes a wife.
The farmer takes a wife.
Hi-ho, the derry-o!
The farmer takes a wife.The wife takes the child.
The wife takes the child.
Hi-ho, the derry-o!
The wife takes the child.The child takes the nurse.
The child takes the nurse.
Hi-ho, the derry-o!
The child takes the nurse.The nurse takes the cow.
The nurse takes the cow.
Hi-ho, the derry-o!
The nurse takes the cow. -
The cow takes the dog.
The cow takes the dog.
Hi-ho, the derry-o!
The cow takes the dog.The dog takes the cat.
The dog takes the cat.
Hi-ho, the derry-o!
The dog takes the cat.The cat takes the mouse.
The cat takes the mouse.
Hi-ho, the derry-o!
The cat takes the mouse.The mouse takes the cheese.
The mouse takes the cheese.
Hi-ho, the derry-o!
The mouse takes the cheese.The cheese stands alone.
The cheese stands alone.
Hi-ho, the derry-o!
The cheese stands alone.
-
Click the image to download a printable PDF of “The Farmer in the Dell” lyrics, puppets, and ordinal numbers activity!
Sing along with this charming illustrated video from The Good and the Beautiful!
Story of the Song
Originally written in the 1820s with the German title “Ein Bauer ging ins Holz,” which translates to “A Farmer Drove into the Woods,” the song has traveled and transformed across many cultures. As the song spread from country to country, the farmer also moved from place to place. When the song made its way across the Atlantic to North America, it was called “The Farmer in the Dell.” In the United Kingdom, children sang “The Farmer’s in His Den,” and in Romania, they sang “The Farmer is on the Field.”

What is a Dell?
A dell is a small valley lined with trees—just perfect for a farmer, his family, and animals.
Play the Game
Gather a group of friends into a circle and play “The Farmer in the Dell.” One child is chosen to be the farmer and stands in the middle while all the children sing the first verse. When “the farmer takes a wife,” the farmer chooses another child to join him or her in the middle. The game continues verse by verse, with each new child choosing the next child to join in the middle, until the last verse, when “the cheese stands alone.” At this point, all the children in the middle run back out to the circle, leaving the child, who is the cheese, left standing alone in the middle. This child then becomes the new farmer, and the game starts a new round.
Practice Ordinal Numbers
“The Farmer in the Dell” is also a good song to help children practice ordinal numbers. Ordinal numbers are used to show the order or position. For example, the song begins with the farmer. He is first. Then he takes a wife. The wife is second. Help your child practice retelling the song by asking questions like, “Who was third?” or “What position was the cheese?” Print the lyrics and free ordinal numbers practice activity below.
-
Click the image to download a printable PDF of “The Farmer in the Dell” lyrics, puppets, and ordinal numbers activity!
You may also like . . .
Related Posts
-
Jesus, What a Friend in Sorrow
Find comfort in the hymn Jesus, What a Friend in Sorrow. Learn the story behind the song and print the lyrics.
Jesus, What a Friend in Sorrow
Find comfort in the hymn Jesus, What a Friend in Sorrow. Learn the story behind the song and print the lyrics.
Read more -
What Child Is This? Lyrics
The Christmas hymn “What Child Is This?” tells of the humble birth of our Savior and the many visitors who came from near and far, bearing gifts for their King....
What Child Is This? Lyrics
The Christmas hymn “What Child Is This?” tells of the humble birth of our Savior and the many visitors who came from near and far, bearing gifts for their King....
Read more -
For the Beauty of the Earth
The lyrics in the hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth” are inspiring and timeless. Reflect on God’s precious gifts as you sing along with this gentle and lovely song....
For the Beauty of the Earth
The lyrics in the hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth” are inspiring and timeless. Reflect on God’s precious gifts as you sing along with this gentle and lovely song....
Read more -
My God Is So Great: Song Lyrics and Memory Verses
Children often ask the question, “How big is God?” His greatness is bigger than any of us can imagine. Sing along with this beautifully illustrated video of “My God Is...
My God Is So Great: Song Lyrics and Memory Verses
Children often ask the question, “How big is God?” His greatness is bigger than any of us can imagine. Sing along with this beautifully illustrated video of “My God Is...
Read more -
Hickory, Dickory, Dock
In the beloved telling-time nursery rhyme “Hickory, Dickory, Dock,” a little mouse runs up and down the clock every hour, making this rhyme a perfect tool for helping children learn...
Hickory, Dickory, Dock
In the beloved telling-time nursery rhyme “Hickory, Dickory, Dock,” a little mouse runs up and down the clock every hour, making this rhyme a perfect tool for helping children learn...
Read more -
My Gift
Gift giving at Christmas has become a tradition for many families. The song “In the Bleak Midwinter” reminds us that we need only give one simple gift. Keep reading to...
-
The Wheels on the Bus
Sing and move along with “The Wheels on the Bus” on the Kids YouTube channel. Keep reading to learn the story of the song. Then download and print the lyrics....
The Wheels on the Bus
Sing and move along with “The Wheels on the Bus” on the Kids YouTube channel. Keep reading to learn the story of the song. Then download and print the lyrics....
Read more -
Homeschooling with Babies and Toddlers
Childhood is such a precious time, setting the course for the rest of a child’s life. Homeschooling with babies and toddlers is a busy season, but it is worth it!...
Homeschooling with Babies and Toddlers
Childhood is such a precious time, setting the course for the rest of a child’s life. Homeschooling with babies and toddlers is a busy season, but it is worth it!...
Read more -
This Little Light of Mine
“This Little Light of Mine” is one of the first songs many children learn in Sunday school. Its simple lyrics carry a big message! Sing along with this joyful song...
This Little Light of Mine
“This Little Light of Mine” is one of the first songs many children learn in Sunday school. Its simple lyrics carry a big message! Sing along with this joyful song...
Read more -
Happy Birthday to You
“Happy Birthday to You” is one of the most famous songs in the English language. These four simple words bring great joy to the birthday girl or boy. Keep reading...
Happy Birthday to You
“Happy Birthday to You” is one of the most famous songs in the English language. These four simple words bring great joy to the birthday girl or boy. Keep reading...
Read more -
Color Words Songs
Spelling color words is fun and easy with our beautifully illustrated gentle color songs and free downloadable PDF color words handwriting pages. Sing and spell along with the colorfully illustrated...
Color Words Songs
Spelling color words is fun and easy with our beautifully illustrated gentle color songs and free downloadable PDF color words handwriting pages. Sing and spell along with the colorfully illustrated...
Read more -
Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Old MacDonald’s farm is one of the most well-known farms around. The noisy animals make the farm a favorite among children. Keep reading to find out more about this song...
Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Old MacDonald’s farm is one of the most well-known farms around. The noisy animals make the farm a favorite among children. Keep reading to find out more about this song...
Read more -
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
“Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is one of America’s favorite songs! All who love baseball are familiar with the lyrics and tune. Keep reading to learn about the...
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
“Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is one of America’s favorite songs! All who love baseball are familiar with the lyrics and tune. Keep reading to learn about the...
Read more -
Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
“Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” is one of the oldest English nursery rhymes with a very recognizable melody. Do you know its familiar tune? Here’s a hint. The melody is similar...
Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
“Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” is one of the oldest English nursery rhymes with a very recognizable melody. Do you know its familiar tune? Here’s a hint. The melody is similar...
Read more -
Away in a Manger Lyrics and Song
“Away in a Manger” is one of the most recognized and loved Christmas songs heard each Christmas season. How was this late-19th-century American hymn mistakenly credited to 16th-century German Martin...
Away in a Manger Lyrics and Song
“Away in a Manger” is one of the most recognized and loved Christmas songs heard each Christmas season. How was this late-19th-century American hymn mistakenly credited to 16th-century German Martin...
Read more -
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Spread good cheer throughout the month of December with the song “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”! In this blog post, read about some of our favorite ways to share...
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Spread good cheer throughout the month of December with the song “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”! In this blog post, read about some of our favorite ways to share...
Read more -
Over the River Lyrics & Story
“Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go” are familiar lines families sing on holiday road trips to Grandma’s house. But did you know the author...
Over the River Lyrics & Story
“Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go” are familiar lines families sing on holiday road trips to Grandma’s house. But did you know the author...
Read more -
Itsy Bitsy Spider
What nursery rhyme character has eight legs? In America, it’s the “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” In Australia and Great Britain, it’s known as the “Incy Wincy Spider.” Itsy Bitsy Spider The...
Itsy Bitsy Spider
What nursery rhyme character has eight legs? In America, it’s the “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” In Australia and Great Britain, it’s known as the “Incy Wincy Spider.” Itsy Bitsy Spider The...
Read more