Full Lyrics
Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly,
Lavender's green.
When I am king, dilly, dilly,
You shall be queen.
Who told you so, dilly, dilly,
Who told you so?
'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly,
That told me so.
Call up your men, dilly, dilly,
Set them to work.
Some with a rake, dilly, dilly,
Some with a fork.
Some to make hay, dilly, dilly,
Some to thresh corn.
While you and I, dilly, dilly,
Keep ourselves warm.
About This Song
"Lavender's Blue" is a traditional English folk song and nursery rhyme that dates back to the 17th century. It was originally a popular broadside ballad before becoming a staple in children's literature, appearing in the famous Songs for the Nursery collection in 1805.
The "dilly, dilly" refrain is the song's most recognizable feature, originally intended as a rhythmic accompaniment to the melody. While there are dozens of verses that have been added over centuries, the "King and Queen" lyrics remain the most popular version for children.
In recent years, the song gained a new generation of fans after being featured as a central motif in Disney's 2015 live-action Cinderella, where it is sung as a soothing lullaby. Its gentle cadence makes it perfect for helping children transition to sleep.