There Was an Old Man of Dumbree Lyrics
The old man of Dumbree teaches little owls to drink tea. He says that to eat mice is not proper or nice, and he is described as amiable.
There Was an Old Man of Dumbree
There was an old man of Dumbree,
Who taught little owls to drink tea;
For he said, "To eat mice is not proper or nice,"
That amiable man of Dumbree.
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/there-was-an-old-man-of-dumbree/
- Type
- Poems for Children, Animal Rhymes
- Written by
- Edward Lear
- Tune
- Polite and teacherly, as if pouring a cup
- Best for ages
- 4 to 9 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| Who taught little owls to drink tea; | Lift an imaginary teacup with your little finger out. |
| For he said, "To eat mice is not proper or nice," | Wag one finger like a teacher, then shake your head. |
What Does There Was an Old Man of Dumbree Mean?
Owls usually eat mice, but this old man has other ideas. He teaches them manners and tea, and his reason is a polite one: to eat mice is not proper or nice. The joke is the mix of owls, a table manner and a teacup. The last words call him amiable, which means friendly and pleasant. Nothing bad happens in the poem, and the mice are never shown.
The poem rhymes on tea and Dumbree, and on mice and nice inside the third line. Proper means correct and well mannered. Children can enjoy the idea of a lesson in manners given to owls.
History and Origin
Lear states in the same 1871 note that every one of the rhymes was composed by himself and every illustration drawn by his own hand at the time the verses were made.
Learning Activities
- Owl tea party: set out a toy tea set for stuffed owls or other toys and practise saying please.
- Manners talk: ask the child what polite means at the table.
- Draw the owls: draw little owls holding cups.
- Rhyme pair: find a word that rhymes with tea.