Baa Baa Black Sheep, Have You Any Wool? Song For Kids
Baa Baa Black Sheep
[G]Baa, baa [D]black sheep, [C]have you any [G]wool?
[C]Yes sir, [G]yes sir, [D]three bags [G]full.
[G]One for the [C]master, [G]one for the [D]dame.
[G]One for the [C]little boy who [G]lives [D]down the [G]lane.
Strum your strings and travel back in time!
Pick up your ukulele and let’s strum through the interesting backstory of one of the most iconic nursery rhymes ever written. This rhyme has delighted children for centuries, but did you know that its roots go way back? Let’s uncover the story behind the sheep’s wooly tale!
The history of the nursery rhyme ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’ is fascinating. This classic tune, first published in 1731, wasn’t just a sweet ditty about a woolly friend - it was a clever commentary on England’s medieval wool tax!
Here’s the hidden meaning behind these woolly words:
The Master - The Crown, taking their share of the profits.
The Dame - The Church, always ready for their cut.
The Little Boy - The shepherd, left with whatever remained.
It’s a melodic reminder of taxation - a tune sung with cheeky undertones. Pretty clever for a nursery rhyme, right?
Yep, back in the day, the Crown took their share of the shepherd’s hard-earned fleece, and this rhyme spun a tale of who got the goods. But don’t worry - it wasn’t all bah-humbug! Over the centuries, the song evolved into the lullaby we know today, inspiring generations of kids and strummers alike🎶
So whether you’re plucking your uke by the fireside or teaching a tot this timeless tune, ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’ is a melody steeped in history!
How’s that for a baa-rilliant backstory?
Happy Strumming 😊
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The chord arrangement shown above is the author's own work as an interpretation of the song. This song sheet may only be used for educational purposes.
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