The children’s song “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” is a classic nursery rhyme that has been around for many years. Although the origins of the rhyme are unknown, it has become a favorite of many children and adults alike. The song tells the story of an old woman who swallows increasingly larger animals in an attempt to catch the fly she initially swallowed. This article will provide an overview of the lyrics, an analysis of the song, as well as a look at the possible origin of the rhyme.
The Origin of the Rhyme
The exact origin of the song is unknown, but it is believed to have originated in the 19th century. It is likely that the song was derived from an English folk song called “The Frog and the Crow,” which was first published in 1810. The song features a frog that swallows a fly, which is similar to the song “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.” However, the frog in “The Frog and the Crow” only swallows the fly, while the old lady in the more modern version swallows other animals in an attempt to catch the fly.
Overview of the Lyrics
The song tells the story of an old lady who swallows a fly and then continues to swallow increasingly larger animals in an attempt to catch the fly. The song begins with the old lady swallowing a fly and ends with her swallowing a horse, which finally catches the fly. The lyrics to the song are as follows:
“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.
Imagine that, to swallow 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 who 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.
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’ll die.
There was an old lady who swallowed a horse.
She died of course!
Analysis of the Song
The song is a classic example of a cumulative nursery rhyme, which is a type of rhyme that builds on itself with each successive verse. This type of rhyme is often used to teach children about the importance of sequencing and order. The song also serves as a cautionary tale, as the old lady ultimately dies when she swallows the horse.
The song is also interesting in that it features a character that is often seen as a source of wisdom. The old lady in the song is seen as a figure of authority, yet she makes a foolish decision by swallowing the fly, and her subsequent attempts to catch the fly only make her situation worse. This can be seen as a lesson in the importance of making wise decisions and avoiding foolish ones.
The song also features a few humorous elements. The rhyme features a silly story about an old lady swallowing increasingly larger animals in an attempt to catch a fly, which is sure to bring a smile to any listener’s face. Additionally, the song features a repeated chorus of “I don’t know why she swallowed a fly, perhaps she’ll die,” which serves as an ironic reminder of the old lady’s ultimate fate.
In conclusion, “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” is a classic nursery rhyme that has been around for many years. The exact origin of the rhyme is unknown, but it is believed to have originated in the 19th century. The song is a classic example of a cumulative nursery rhyme, as it builds on itself with each successive verse. Additionally, the song serves as a cautionary tale, as the old lady ultimately dies when she swallows the horse. The song is also humorous and features a repeated chorus that serves as an ironic reminder of the old lady’s ultimate fate.
