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Home » Nursery Rhymes

Published: Dec 14, 2022 by Birute Efe · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Hey Diddle Diddle Printable Lyrics, Origins, and Video

The best way to bond with your kids is by singing nursery rhymes. “Hey Diddle Diddle" is one of the oldest nursery rhymes. So, what does the poem mean?

This nursery rhyme talks about a cat and the fiddle, a cow that jumped over the moon, a laughing dog, and a plate that ran away with a spoon. Apparently, the rhyme does not have an exact meaning, but the lines are humorous. 

So, what is the origin of this poem? Does it have any other inner meaning? Let us explore everything about "Hey Diddle Diddle" right away!

Hey Diddle Diddle Written Lyrics

Wondering how why the dog laughed in this rhyme? Check out the full written lyrics of this nursery rhyme below:

Original Version (As per Mother Goose’s Melody in 1765)

Hey diddle diddle,

The Cat and the Fiddle,

The Cow jump'd over the Moon,

The little dog laugh'd to see such Craft,

And the Fork ran away with the Spoon.

New Changed Version

Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle,

The cow jumped over the moon.

The little dog laughed to see such fun

And the dish ran away with the spoon!

Hey Diddle Diddle Printable Lyrics

Wish to add this fantastic rhyme to your children's nursery rhymes collection? Get the printable lyrics of Hey Diddle Diddle from here. 

Hey Diddle Diddle Photo Lyrics

Hey Diddle Diddle lyrics

Video Links

Teach your little one Hey Diddle Diddle in the best way through the video link attached below.

Origin and History

People came to know about this children's rhyme back in the 1500s. They read them during school plays or in children's rhyme books. However, some references suggest that the poem dates back thousands of years. 

A reference from Thomas Preston’s play “ A lamentable tragedy mixed full of pleasant mirth, conteyning the life of Cambises King of Percia,” which was printed back in 1569, might refer to this rhyme.

Another possible reference is from “The Cherry and the Slae” by Alexander Montogomery back in 1597. The ‘Cat’ and ‘Fiddle’ were common names for inns during the 15th century.

The final lyrics of this rhyme were printed in 1765 in London in Mother Goose’s melody. In “Mother Goose in Prose" by L. Frank Baum’s Bobby, a farm boy, had written this rhyme. He saw a cat running with a fiddle on her tail, the cow jumping happily over the moon’s reflection on the water, the dog barking happily, and the dish and the spoon from his supper sliding away.

The astrological meaning of this rhyme is to help farmers plant crops when the constellations are closer to the moon. In this, the Cat is Leo, Fiddle is Lyra, Cow is Tauras, Dish is Crater and Spoon is Ursa Major.

It is hard for one to get the exact origin of this rhyme. But, all these theories are attached to it. 

FAQs

What Does the Cow Jumped Over the Moon Mean?

The cow jumped over the moon, the dog laughed, and the spoon ran away with the dish. This rhyme is generally the English expression of “over the moon,” meaning happy, delighted, and thrilled.

What is the Meaning Behind Hey Diddle Diddle the Cat and the Fiddle?

The rhyme has its origin in the game that involves a cat. It is the trap bell that is played accompanying music on the fiddle. Such games were played in the pubs; most had the name the cat and the fiddle.

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Hi, I'm Birute! I've created playtivites to eliminate boring afternoons and family gatherings. With hundreds of family activities and play ideas, and crafts both parents and kids will enjoy.

More about me →

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