The Farmer in the Dell Lyrics

A traditional singing game originating from Germany, popularized in the United States in the 1820s. Children stand in a circle and act out each verse, with one child being chosen to be the next "farmer" or "wife" or "child". Best for ages 3–7. The progressive sequence (farmer takes a wife, wife takes a child, child takes a nurse...) is one of the cleanest examples of cumulative-storytelling structure children encounter — exactly the kind of pattern that supports sequencing and memory. Excellent for groups of 6+ children. For more group games, see [top 10 circle time songs for preschool](/blog/top-10-circle-time-songs-for-preschool).

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

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

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

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