Sing a Song of Sixpence Lyrics

First published in England around 1744, this narrative nursery rhyme tells a whimsical story involving a pocketful of rye, four-and-twenty blackbirds baked in a pie, and a king counting out his money, blending counting with a memorable, almost storybook-like sequence of events. It suits children ages 3 to 6 who enjoy following a simple, colorful narrative alongside a sing-song melody. Early-childhood educators often note that narrative rhymes with embedded numbers, like the "four-and-twenty" blackbirds here, give children informal, low-pressure exposure to counting concepts within a story context rather than through isolated drills. The rhyme's vivid, almost surreal imagery also supports imagination and early narrative comprehension, since children must picture a sequence of unusual events as the verses unfold. Its centuries-old presence in English-language nursery collections makes it a genuine piece of literary heritage worth passing down. Reciting it together can become a lovely bedtime tradition. For more classic English rhymes with similar staying power, see [the best nursery rhymes every child should know](/blog/best-nursery-rhymes-every-child-should-know).

Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocket full of rye.
Four and twenty blackbirds,
Baked in a pie.

When the pie was opened,
The birds began to sing.
Oh wasn't that a dainty dish,
To set before the king?

The king was in his counting house,
Counting out his money.
The queen was in the parlour,
Eating bread and honey.

The maid was in the garden,
Hanging out the clothes.
Along came a blackbird,
And pecked off her nose!