Charley Warley Had a Cow Lyrics
Charley Warley's old cow has a black and white face. Open the gate, and let her through.
Charley Warley Had a Cow
Charley Warley had a cow,
Black and white about the brow,
Open the gate and let her through,
Charley Warley's old cow!
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/charley-warley-had-a-cow/
- Type
- Animal Rhymes
- Tune
- Spoken rhyme
- Best for ages
- 1 to 5 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| Charley Warley had a cow | Put two fingers up for horns and say moo. |
| Black and white about the brow | Touch your forehead. |
| Open the gate and let her through | Swing one arm open like a gate. |
What Does Charley Warley Had a Cow Mean?
The brow is the forehead, so Charley's cow has black and white markings on her face, like many dairy cows. The rhyme ends with a farm job: opening the gate so the cow can walk through to the field or the milking shed.
History and Origin
The rhyme comes from The Little Mother Goose (1912). It is a good first farm rhyme for toddlers, with a name that is fun to say and a simple action to finish.
Learning Activities
- Gate game: two children make a gate with their arms and open it for the "cows".
- Cow patterns: color a cow with black and white patches.
- Farm visit: look for black and white cows on a trip to the countryside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does about the brow mean?
Around the forehead, so the cow has a black and white face.
Is it good for toddlers?
Yes, it is four short lines with easy actions.