Popular Nursery Rhymes
Embedded Files
This Old Man
This old man, he played one
He played knick-knack on my thumb
Knick-knack paddywhack, give your dog a bone
This old man came rolling home
This old man, he played two
He played knick-knack on my shoe
Knick-knack paddywhack, give your dog a bone
This old man came rolling home
This old man, he played three
He played knick-knack on my knee
Knick-knack paddywhack, give your dog a bone
This old man came rolling home
This old man, he played four
He played knick-knack on my door
Knick-knack paddywhack, give your dog a bone
This old man came rolling home
This old man, he played five
He played knick-knack on my hive
Knick-knack paddywhack, give your dog a bone
This old man came rolling home
This old man, he played six
He played knick-knack on my sticks
Knick-knack paddywhack, give your dog a bone
This old man came rolling home
This old man, he played seven
He played knick-knack up in heaven
Knick-knack paddywhack, give your dog a bone
This old man came rolling home
This old man, he played eight
He played knick-knack on my gate
Knick-knack paddywhack, give your dog a bone
This old man came rolling home
This old man, he played nine
He played knick-knack on my spine
Knick-knack paddywhack, give your dog a bone
This old man came rolling home
This old man, he played ten
He played knick-knack once again
Knick-knack paddywhack, give your dog a bone
This old man came rolling home
A Brief History of “This Old Man”
“This Old Man” is a classic English-language nursery rhyme and folk song, often used as a counting exercise for young children. Its exact origins are unclear, but early versions were noted in the 1870s, including one called Jack Jintle, remembered by folklorist Anne Gilchrist from her Welsh nurse.
The rhyme became widely known through its inclusion in Mother Goose collections and folk song anthologies. Each verse follows a rhythmic pattern, pairing numbers with rhyming body parts or objects — “He played knick-knack on my thumb… on my shoe… on my knee…” — making it ideal for early numeracy and memory skills.
The phrase “knick-knack paddywhack” is a playful nonsense line, possibly rooted in older British or Irish expressions. Over time, the song has been adapted into various musical and educational formats, and remains a joyful staple in early childhood learning.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse