It was heard for the first time around 1780 somewhere around Wrentham, Massachusetts. However the first published version of this traditional nursery rhyme is found in London in a children songs book called “Songs for the Nursery” that appeared in 1805. A different version of the song appears in 1810 in Gammer Gurton’ Garland aka “Nursery Parnassus”.

The main purpose of the song is to teach kids how to count. Originally the song might describe a regular day of lace-makers who were traditional workers back in the 17th and 18th centuries: 1, 2, buckle my shoe would mean that the workers are getting ready to work; 3, 4 shut the door – the workers are now in their workshop; 5, 6, pick up stick – getting their tools (wooden sticks were tools used at the lance-making machine in the past); 7, 8, lay them straight – fixing the sticks; 9, 10, a big fat hen – one possibility is that is describing a kind of support for the lacework (more like a pillow), or simply it refers at the dinner time as the song continues with references at kitchen and plates.

The lyrics may have much literal interpretation; the truth is that the original meaning of traditional songs like this can be lost back in time, and only suppositions can be made about their real symbols.

“One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” Lyrics

Modern version

One, two,
Buckle my shoe;
Three, four,
Knock at the door;
Five, six,
Pick up sticks;
Seven, eight,
Lay them straight:
Nine, ten,
A big fat hen;
Eleven, twelve,
Dig and delve;
Thirteen, fourteen,
Maids a-courting;
Fifteen, sixteen,
Maids in the kitchen;
Seventeen, eighteen,
Maids a-waiting
Nineteen, twenty,
My plate’s empty

Curfá; Is róbait sinn go léir,is linne gach rud faoin spéir.
Siúlfaimid oraibh go léir, ní bheidh éinne saor.

Róbat ag ól, x2 róbat ag ithe, x2 róbat ag gol, x2 r4óbat ag gáire, x2.
Curfá

Róbat ag troid,x2
Róbat ag canadh,x2 róbat ag goid,x2 róbat ag stopadh,x2.
Curfá

The Naíonáin Mhóra have begun work on the English curriculum today, there will be new sounds to learn as well as a huge transfer of work that has already been covered through Irish, pre-reading and pre-writing skills, penmanships, concepts of print, reading from left to right, connections between print and images, prediction, sequencing, blending phonemes, segmenting words, early stages of rhyming, spelling, reading.

Many of the sounds are very closely related to Gaeilge but not all and there are some new sounds and letters to write also.

Encourage the children to read and write at home, to play games like I spy or lists of words that begin with a particular sound. Play snap, go fish, bingo and other games which support their letter and sound skills. Recite nursery rhymes and enjoy!

Isteach is amach trí na cloigíní gorma

Isteach is amach trí na cloigíní gorma

Isteach is amach trí na cloigíní gorma

Isteach is amach trí na cloigíní gorma,

Maidin gheal an lae. (lá t.g.)

Tap, arap, arapa ar a ghuallí (buachaillí móide séimhiú) ar a guaillí (cailíní móide tada!)

Maidin gheal an lae. (lá t.g.)