# Five Little Monkeys
1871 
USA
# Lyrics
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head,
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
Four little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head,
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
Three little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped her head,
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
Two little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head,
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
One little monkey jumping on the bed,
He fell off and bumped his head,
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
"Put those monkeys to bed!"
# History and Meaning
The rhyme tells the story of five little monkeys who jump on a bed and eventually fall off and hurt themselves. The rhyme's popularity has led to numerous adaptations, including books, animated shows, and songs. While singing or dancing along to the song, kids will often act out the lyrics with actions. The song's catchy tune and simple lyrics have made it a popular choice for parents and teachers looking for a fun way to teach counting to young children.
As for the origins of the song, there are several theories about how it came to be.
The most likely (and disturbing) theory is that the song originated in the 19th Century as a racist chant. Then, the word "monkey" was replaced with, or intended as, a derogatory term. The Doctor's advice was also changed for something offensive.
The tune of "Five Little Monkeys" is similar to the first verse of the 1890s folk song "Shortnin' Bread", which also has a racist origin. Either the two songs share a common musical ancestor, or the melody of "Shortnin' Bread" was simply adapted for use in "Five Little Monkeys".