I Had a Little Hen

The hen in this rhyme does everything except lay eggs. She washes the dishes, keeps the house clean, fetches flour, bakes the bread, brews the ale, and tells fine tales by the fire. "I Had a Little Hen" first appeared in Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book in 1744.

When was the rhyme I Had a Little Hen first published?

The rhyme was first published in 1744. Another version was printed in 1784, and it can be found in James Orchard Halliwell's 1845 collection, The Nursery Rhymes of England. Some sources describe it as a north of England version of a very common nursery rhyme, suggesting that regional variations existed across the country.

What tasks does the hen perform in the rhyme?

The rhyme portrays a hen as a highly helpful and versatile creature, capable of performing household chores that go far beyond laying eggs:

• Washing dishes
• Cleaning the house
• Fetching flour
• Baking bread
• Brewing ale
• Telling tales

This fantastical depiction of a domestic hen performing human tasks gave the rhyme its charm and entertainment value for young children.

Is the rhyme of Scottish origin?

The term "Little Hen" is a Scottish term of endearment, sometimes used as an affectionate nickname for a child. This linguistic clue hints at a potential Scottish origin for the rhyme, or at least a Scottish influence on its development.

How does this song compare to other hen nursery rhymes?

I Had a Little Hen is sometimes confused with or compared to Hickety Pickety, My Black Hen, another traditional rhyme featuring a hen. While both rhymes celebrate hens, they have distinct origins and lyrical content. Hickety Pickety dates to the eighteenth century and focuses on a hen that lays eggs for gentlemen, serving primarily as a playful rhythmic chant or counting rhyme.

What is the educational value of the rhyme?

The rhyme introduces young children to:

• Farm animals and their characteristics
• Household tasks and domestic life
• Rhythmic language and rhyming patterns
• Imaginative storytelling through anthropomorphized animals