Kid's Songs, Lullabies and Nursery Rhymes For Your Little Stars

Discount Coupon:
Coupon must be applied after at least one item has been added to the basket

There was an old lady who swallowed a fly.
I don't know why she swallowed a fly,
Perhaps she'll die.

There was an old lady who swallowed a spider,
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I don't know why she swallowed a fly
Perhaps she'll die.

There was an old lady who swallowed a bird;
How absurd, to swallow a bird!
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I don't know why she swallowed a fly
Perhaps she'll die

There was an old lady who swallowed a cat.
Fancy that, she swallowed a cat.
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I don't know why she swallowed a fly
Perhaps she'll die

There was an old lady who swallowed a dog.
What a hog! She swallowed a dog!
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I don't know why she swallowed a fly
Perhaps she'll die.

There was an old lady who swallowed a cow.
I don't know how she swallowed a cow!
She swallowed the cow to catch the dog
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I don't know why she swallowed a fly
Perhaps she'll die.

There was an old lady who swallowed a horse
She's dead, of course.

---

Origins of "There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly"

This song was written by Canadian musician, Alan Mills, with lyrics by Rose Bonne. It was first published in 1952 by Peer International (Canada)Ltd.

The best-known version of the song was released on Brunswick Records in 1953, and was sung by Burl Ives (1909-1995).

In August 2010, TwinkleTrax singer Helen Raw starred in Karli Evans' satirical play "She's Dead Of Course". This play, based on the song, lampooned the UK health service, and was performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Origins text ©2011 TwinkleTrax Children's Songs.