Song Video
Information About Baa Baa Black Sheep
Little is known about The origins of "Baa Baa Black Sheep" although lots of suggestions have been made, however, there is little evidence to support them.
However, there are some variations of the song. One of which is from The Real Personages of Mother Goose in 1930, this version was said to have been made due to the resentment of the taxation put on wool. This wool tax was placed on the people in 1275 and went on throughout the fifteenth century.
There has also been talk of the rhyme coming from the slave trade throughout the southern United States.
There are two versions of this song. The original, and then the reformed printed version placed throughout nursery rhyme books for children. It is sung to the same tune as "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star".
The rhyme has been used in numerous books throughout history. It is also shown on television shows and movies throughout the world.
There is a lot of controversy surrounding this rhyme and song which leads to a lot of debates on how and why this rhyme came about.
"Baa Baa Black Sheep" is amongst the most popular and widely known nursery rhymes around the world. It is based on an old French melody "Ah! vous dirai-je, Maman" which dates back to 1761. This same tune is used for "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".
Baa Baa Black Sheep was first published in 1744. It probably dates back to the Middle Ages, possibly to the 13th Century, and relates to a tax imposed by the king on wool. One-third went to the local lord (the 'master'), one-third to the church (referred to as the 'dame') and about a third was for the farmer (the 'little boy who lives down the lane'). Baa Baa Black Sheep was written by Sir Henry Varse VII, but many other people have gotten credit.
Alternative Lyrics & Related Songs
Throw in a little white and take out the black with this version
Baa Baa white sheep
Have you any wool?
Yes Sir, Yes Sir, three bags full.
One for my master
and One for my Dame
And one for the little boy with holes in his socks!
This is a version about how God looks after His sheep
Baa, baa black sheep
Have you any fear
No sir, No sir
God is near.
He never slumbers He never sleeps
He is always looking after this little sheep.
If you think there was a white version, here's one with 'pink'
Baa Baa Pink Sheep
Have you andy spots
Yes sir yes sir
Lots and lots
Some on my fingers
And some on my toes
And some on the end of my pink fluffy nose.
This version changes 'wool' to 'cotton'
Baa, baa black sheep
Have you any cotton
No sir, no sir
It's all gone rotten.
None for the master
And none for the dame
And none for the little boy
Who fell down the drain.
A lovely version which teaches good manners
Thank you says the master,
Thank you says the dame,
Thank you says the little boy who lives down the lane.
This is another verse that you can add
One to mend the jerseys
One to mend the socks
And one to mend the holes in
The little girls' frocks.