Rosemary Green and Lavender Blue Lyrics
Six herbs in four lines, like a walk through an old cottage garden. Each one has its own smell, color and use.
Rosemary Green and Lavender Blue
Rosemary green,
And lavender blue,
Thyme and sweet marjoram,
Hyssop and rue.
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/rosemary-green/
- Type
- Mother Goose
- Tune
- Spoken or sung
- Best for ages
- 3 to 8 years
What Does Rosemary Green and Lavender Blue Mean?
The rhyme simply names herbs. Rosemary and thyme are still used in cooking, lavender is grown for its sweet smell, sweet marjoram is a mild cousin of oregano, and hyssop and rue are old garden herbs once used in home remedies. Saying their names is half the pleasure.
History and Origin
Andrew Lang included the rhyme in The Nursery Rhyme Book (1897). Herb gardens were part of most country homes, and children grew up knowing the plants by smell. The colors in the first two lines echo another old song, Lavender's Blue.
Learning Activities
- Smell test: rub rosemary, thyme and lavender between your fingers and compare the smells.
- Plant a pot: grow a small herb pot on a windowsill.
- Herb names: make picture cards for each herb and match them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which herbs are in the rhyme?
Rosemary, lavender, thyme, sweet marjoram, hyssop and rue.
Are these herbs still used?
Rosemary, thyme and marjoram are common in cooking, and lavender is grown for its scent.