Mary Had a Little Lamb is one of the most well-known English nursery rhymes, loved by children for its sweet story and catchy tune.
With its simple lyrics and gentle rhythm, it’s perfect for preschool learning, bedtime routines, and early English practice.
Sing along with your child to enjoy the tale of Mary and her faithful little lamb.
Mary Had a Little Lamb Lyrics
Mary had a little lamb,
Little lamb, little lamb,
Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow.
Everywhere that Mary went,
Mary went, Mary went,
Everywhere that Mary went,
The lamb was sure to go.
It followed her to school one day,
School one day, school one day,
It followed her to school one day,
Which was against the rules.
It made the children laugh and play,
Laugh and play, laugh and play,
It made the children laugh and play,
To see a lamb at school.
And so the teacher turned it out,
Turned it out, turned it out,
And so the teacher turned it out,
But still it lingered near.
“Why does the lamb love Mary so?”
Love Mary so? Love Mary so?
“Why does the lamb love Mary so?”
The eager children cry.
“Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know,”
Loves lamb, you know, loves lamb, you know,
“Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know,”
The teacher did reply.
About Mary Had a Little Lamb
Mary Had a Little Lamb is a gentle rhyme that combines storytelling with music, making it a favorite among children and parents alike.
Origin & History
The rhyme was inspired by a true story and first published in 1830 by Sarah Josepha Hale.
It tells the story of a girl named Mary and her pet lamb, which once followed her to school.
This charming tale quickly became a nursery rhyme classic and has remained popular ever since.
Why Kids Love It
- A sweet story about friendship between a girl and her lamb
- Easy rhythm and repetition help children memorize lyrics
- Supports language learning and storytelling skills
- Enjoyed by toddlers, preschoolers, and early English learners
How to Use It at Home
Read or sing the rhyme together as a bedtime story
Use toys or drawings to act out Mary and her lamb
Ask your child simple questions like:
- “What color was the lamb?”
- “Where did the lamb follow Mary?”
Encourage your child to make up their own story about the lamb
👉 Share this classic rhyme with your little one and let them discover the joy of learning through music and storytelling!