Baa Baa Black Sheep Song Lyrics

"Set to the same sweet tune as 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,' this seemingly simple nursery rhyme holds surprising depth.

It helps teach rhythm, rhyme and counting. And did you know that some historians think that this innocent-sounding song might be a medieval complaint about wool taxes? "

Baa, baa, black sheep, Have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, Three bags full. One for the master, One for the dame, And one for the little boy Who lives down the lane.

The extended version

Baa, baa, black sheep, Have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, Three bags full. One for the master, One for the dame, And one for the little boy Who lives down the lane.

Baa, baa, white sheep, Have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, Three needles full. One to mend a jumper, One to mend a frock, And one for the little girl With holes in her sock.

The history of "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep"

You’ve probably sung “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” more times than you can count—but did you know it’s been around since the early 1700s? It first popped up in Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book back in 1731, though chances are it was already making the rounds before that. You might also recognize its tune—it shares the same melody as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “The Alphabet Song.” (Yep, your childhood playlist was basically on shuffle.)

Now, here’s where it gets interesting: some historians think the rhyme might be about a 13th-century wool tax from the days of King Edward I. Under that setup, wool profits were split three ways—one chunk for the king (aka the “master”), one for the church (the “dame”), and the rest for the farmer (the “little boy”). Not everyone agrees on this theory, but it’s a cool reminder that these sing-songy rhymes sometimes sneak in real history.

Over the years, people have put their own spin on the lyrics. You’ll hear “little girl” instead of “little boy,” or “who lives down the drain” instead of “lane” (definitely a more chaotic visual). And to make things more relatable for modern kids, “master” and “dame” often get swapped out for “mother” and “father.” There are even versions with sheep of all colors—white, brown, gray—each handing out their wool in new ways.

What kids learn

"Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" offers numerous educational benefits for young children:

• It introduces basic concepts about animal products (sheep provide wool)
• The question-and-answer format models conversation structure
• The counting element ("three bags full") reinforces early numeracy
• The rhythm and rhyme pattern support phonological awareness

The tune of “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” is super simple and catchy—it’s in a major key, usually 4/4 time, and guess what? It’s the exact same melody as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “The Alphabet Song.” So basically, if a kid learns one, they’ve unlocked a whole musical trio. It’s a clever little trick that helps them focus on the lyrics without getting tripped up by new tunes every time.

For early educators, this song is a total goldmine. It fits perfectly with farm-themed lessons, wooly craft projects, counting games, and even conversations about sharing (hello, wool distribution!). It’s also super easy to turn into fingerplays or puppet shows, which makes it extra engaging for little learners.

Today, “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” is still one of those go-to songs nearly every kid learns early on. You’ll hear it everywhere—from nursery rhyme playlists to preschool circle time. Its staying power proves just how well these simple rhymes work for teaching language, numbers, and even a bit of culture, all wrapped up in a sweet, singable package.

This article was crafted with the assistance of an AI language model. The final content was reviewed and edited by a human and reflects the editorial judgment and expertise of  Today's Parent.