Five Little Monkeys Printable Lyrics, Origins, and Video

Five Little Monkeys is another counting nursery rhyme that helps teach basic math to kids. It is a traditional folk song that became popular over the years. The song follows the melody of an Austrian song, ‘Wie Böhmen Noch bei Öst'rreich war’. 

There are multiple variations of the rhyme, but all follow the same pattern. You start with five monkeys and count until there are none. Hand gestures are used to explain counting. 

But do you know about the racist history behind the lyrics? Wondering what it is? Read on to find out and grab a copy of the lyrics. 

Written 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!"

Printable Lyrics 

Get a printable copy of the lyrics by downloading it from this link. 

Photo Lyrics 

Save the below image for the lyrics of Five Little Monkeys. 

Video Links

Watch a lovely animated version of the nursery rhyme: 

Origins and History

Eileen Christelow, an American writer and illustrator of children’s books, wrote a series titled Five Little Monkeys. However, she said that the lyrics were not her own and that she heard them from her daughter. 

While the nursery rhyme appears innocent enough, its origins may not be. Five Little Monkeys seems to be another version of Ten Little Monkeys, where monkeys refer to Black people. It is a racist and derogatory way of referring to them. Sadly, the word monkeys have been used to insult the Blacks and indigenous people from other communities. 

Some say the poem used the word darkies instead of monkeys in the past versions. Either way, the origins are not something to be proud of. That said, the rhyme doesn’t have to refer to anyone or even monkeys in today’s world. It can be just a silly counting rhyme to entertain and teach kids simultaneously. 

The nursery rhyme also talks about the importance of calling a doctor when you get hurt. The mother calls the doctor when a little monkey falls from the bed and hurts its head. The doctor then warns the monkeys saying they shouldn’t jump on the bed. 

You can use hand gestures (counting the monkeys, telephoning the doctor, waving the finger in mock warning, etc.) and role-play for the rhyme. It sure makes the class more exciting. Kids will love to tumble and fall to the floor for each stanza. 

FAQs