“Hickory Dickory Dock” is a traditional nursery rhyme, dating back to 18th century London.
It was first recorded as “’Hickere, Dickere Dock” by Tommy Thumb in his Pretty Song Book collection, 1744, London.
Later, another version was published in Mother Goose’s Melody (1765) titled “Dickery Dock”. According to some sources, the song was composed by Oliver Goldsmith from Dublin, for a nursery rhymes collection.
There are two different tunes for this song, one sung in the UK and one in the USA.
At its origin, “Hickory Dickory Dock” was a counting-down song. Starting with a couple of sounds that imitate the clock sounds, “Hickory, dickory, dock” is an elementary tool to help teach children the time.
“Hickory Dickory Dock” Lyrics
Hickory, dickory, dock,
The mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck one,
The mouse ran down,
Hickory, dickory, dock