Baa Baa Black Sheep Lyrics

The Baa Baa Black Sheep lyrics date back to 1731. The most common theory to explain the meaning of the rhyme is that it is a complaint against Medieval English taxes on wool. There was an "Old Custom" wool tax of 1275, which survived until the fifteenth century.

Black wool at the time was considered worth more as dark colored garments could be made without having to first dye the wool.

For children, however, the poem can be used to teach counting to three or the color black.

While they are learning the rhyme, let them color one of the coloring pages below.

Children generally learn only the first section of this nursery rhyme. The entire rhyme is included here if you care to teach more verses.When teaching more verses, you will see that other colors are mentioned for the sheep.

I, personally, had never heard all the verses until I planned a nursery rhyme day. I did share the entire rhyme with the kids, but we focused on the first verse only.

It was one of our activities for learning the color black and I didn't want anyone to be confused. Later in the day we did some lacing cards with black yarn and (of course) the kids saw it as black wool.

Baa Baa Black Sheep Lyrics

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.

Baa, baa, grey sheep,
have you any wool?
yes sir yes sir ,
three bags full.

one for the kitten,
one for the cats,
and one for the owner,
to knit some woolly hats.

Baa, Baa, brown sheep,
have you any wool?
yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.

One for the mammy ,
One for the daddy
and one for the little baby
Who lives down the lane.

Baa, baa, bare sheep,
have you any wool?
No sir, no sir, no bags full.

None for the master,
none for the dame,
and none for the little boy
who lives down the lane.

Add to the fun by bringing out the crayons and offering a printable to color. Should you teach more verses, the children can color the sheep one of several colors.

Lots more fun activities for kids:

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