Diddle Diddle Dumpling My Son John Lyrics

A short, silly nursery rhyme first recorded around 1797, about a boy named John who goes to bed with one shoe on. Best for ages 2–5. The unexpected detail (one shoe off, one shoe on) is a small puzzle that toddlers find endlessly funny — exactly the kind of incongruity that builds early humor recognition. Use it as a pre-bedtime song to make the routine playful. For more silly short rhymes, see [best funny and silly stories](/blog/best-funny-silly-stories).

Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son John,
Went to bed with his stockings on.
One shoe off, and the other shoe on,
Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son John!