Full Lyrics
Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after.
Up Jack got, and home did trot,
As fast as he could caper,
To old Dame Dob, who patched his nob
With vinegar and brown paper.
Then Jill came in, and she did grin,
To see Jack's paper plaster.
Her mother whipped her, across her knee,
For laughing at Jack's disaster.
Now Jack did laugh and Jill did cry,
But her tears did soon abate.
Then Jill did say, that they should play
At see-saw across the gate.
About This Song
"Jack and Jill" is one of the oldest and most beloved English nursery rhymes, first published in 1765 in John Newbery's Mother Goose's Melody. The simple first verse, about two children going up a hill to fetch water, is the most commonly sung version today.
The origins of the rhyme are debated. Some historians believe it references King Louis XVI (Jack) and Queen Marie Antoinette (Jill) of France, while others suggest it relates to a failed attempt by King Charles I to reform taxes on liquid measures. The "crown" Jack breaks may refer to the English coin of the same name.
Regardless of its historical origins, the rhyme remains a favorite for its catchy rhythm and the relatable theme of childhood mishaps. The extended verses, which show Jack getting patched up and the children making up, teach children about resilience and forgiveness.