The Farmer in the Dell - Free Piano Sheet Music and Lyrics

The Farmer in the dell is a children's singing game that seem to have originated in Germany, and eventually found its way to America. Today it has been translated into many languages, and is popular around the world.

Free Printable Sheet Music

The Farmer in The Dell for Beginner Piano Solo

Lyrics
The farmer in the dell,
The farmer in the dell,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The farmer in the dell.

And the farmer takes a wife,
The farmer takes a wife,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The farmer takes a wife.

And the wife takes the child,
The wife takes the child,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The wife takes the child.

And the child takes the nurse,
The child takes the nurse,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The child takes the nurse.

And the nurse takes the dog,
The nurse takes the dog,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The nurse takes the dog.

And the dog takes the cat,
The dog takes the cat,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The dog takes the cat.

And the cat takes the mouse,
The cat takes the mouse,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The cat takes the mouse.

And the mouse takes the cheese,
The mouse takes the cheese,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The mouse takes the cheese.

And the cheese stands alone,
The cheese stands alone,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The cheese stands alone.

The Famer in the Dell Activity
This activity is ideal for children ages 2 to 6
Number of participants required: 9-24 Children
Preparation: Teach the song phrase by phrase until memorized
Time Required: 5-10 Minutes

Instructions
One child is asked to be the farmer, and the rest of the children form a circle around him/her. On the second verse, "The farmer takes a wife," the farmer chooses a classmate to join him in the center of the circle. Continue in a like manner, with the last child picked choosing a new child to enter the center circle. When "the rat takes the cheese," the last child enters the center circle. The activity ends by having all of the children step back, leaving the cheese in the center and singing "The cheese stands alone."