A Pie Sat on a Pear-Tree Lyrics
Not a pie to eat but a magpie, perched in a pear tree and hopping happily, once, twice, three times. The rhyme makes a lively counting and hopping game.
A Pie Sat on a Pear-Tree
A pie sat on a pear-tree,
Heigh O, heigh O, heigh O!
Once so merrily hopped she,
Twice so merrily hopped she,
Thrice so merrily hopped she,
Heigh O, heigh O, heigh O!
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/a-pie-sat-on-a-pear-tree/
- Type
- Animal Rhymes, Counting Rhymes
- Tune
- Sung or chanted
- Best for ages
- 2 to 7 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| A pie sat on a pear-tree | Crouch down like a bird on a branch. |
| Once so merrily hopped she | Hop once. |
| Twice so merrily hopped she | Hop twice. |
| Thrice so merrily hopped she | Hop three times. |
What Does A Pie Sat on a Pear-Tree Mean?
In old English a pie was a magpie, the black and white bird with a long tail. This one sits in a pear tree and hops once, twice and thrice, which means three times. The "heigh O" lines are a cheerful singing refrain.
History and Origin
Walter Jerrold included the rhyme in The Big Book of Nursery Rhymes (1903). The word magpie comes from the older name pie, with Mag (short for Margaret) added in front, and the plain form pie survived in rhymes like this one.
Learning Activities
- Hop and count: hop the right number of times on each line, then try adding a fourth verse.
- Magpie spotting: look out for magpies on walks and count their hops.
- Thrice and twice: teach the old words once, twice and thrice.