Five Little Monkeys

Origin: United States

Lyrics

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,One fell off and bumped his head,Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Four little monkeys jumping on the bed,One fell off and bumped his head,Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Three little monkeys jumping on the bed,One fell off and bumped her head,Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Two little monkeys jumping on the bed,One fell off and bumped his head,Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

One little monkey jumping on the bed,He fell off and bumped his head,Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,"Put those monkeys to bed!"

"Five Little Monkeys" is a popular children's counting rhyme and action song. The chant uses a repetitive countdown format to tell the story of mischievous monkeys who ignore their mother's warnings, jump on the bed, and get hurt one by one.

Origins

The precise origins and author of "Five Little Monkeys" are undocumented. The song evolved through oral traditions in the United States, likely adapting its rhythm and melody from the classic American folk song "Shortnin' Bread," which was first published in the late nineteenth century. Unfortunately, historical research indicates that early variations of the jump-rope chant included derogatory language and racial caricatures common in late nineteenth-century minstrel shows. Over the twentieth century, the lyrics were cleaned up, replacing offensive terms with "monkeys" to create the family-friendly nursery rhyme sung today. Author Eileen Christelow later popularized the modern version with her 1989 picture book adaptation.

Meaning & Interpretation

The narrative follows five monkeys who jump on their bed, fall off, and bump their heads. After each accident, the mother calls the doctor, who repeatedly warns, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!" The final verse ends with the remaining monkey falling off, prompting the doctor to advise putting them all to bed.

The rhyme serves as a warning about the consequences of disobedience and rough play. It is widely used in nurseries to teach subtraction and basic numbers, as the count decreases from five to zero. Children often perform the song with hand gestures, mimicking the jumping, the falling, and shaking a finger to represent the doctor's warning.

What is the origin of Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed?

The rhyme is a traditional American action chant that evolved from nineteenth-century folk music. While it historically shared connections with minstrel-era songs, it was revised in the mid-twentieth century to become a counting rhyme for children.