Oats Peas Beans and Barley Grow is a popular rhyme with school-aged children who are taught to recite it along with a number of actions. One child is chosen as the farmer who listens to the rhyme and then acts out the lyrics for the other children to enjoy. When each verse ends, the farmer points to a different child and they switch places, producing a new farmer each time.
The rhyme was created as a folk song and was made popular in both Britain and America. The music that is used for the song was shared in the 1790 Fifier’s Companion book with no attached lyrics and was then later published again in 1894. The song was designed as a play song and has been a source of entertainment for children since its inception.
It is now believed that the first version of the song with words was shared in 1898 and it has continued to enjoy popular usage ever since.
Oats Peas Beans and Barley Grow Lyrics
(Chorus)
Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow,
Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow,
Can you or I or anyone know
How oats, peas, beans, and barley grow?
First the farmer sows his seed,
Stands erect and takes his ease,
He stamps his foot and claps his hands,
And turns around to view his lands.
(Chorus)
Next the farmer waters the seed,
Stands erect and takes his ease,
He stamps his foot and claps his hands,
And turns around to view his lands.
(Chorus)
Next the farmer hoes the weeds,
Stands erect and takes his ease,
He stamps his foot and claps his hands,
And turns around to view his lands.
(Chorus)
Last the farmer harvests his seed,
Stands erect and takes his ease,
He stamps his foot and claps his hands,
And turns around to view his lands.
(Chorus)