The “1 2 3 4 5 Song” is part of a traditional collection of counting songs for kids.
Along with “One Two Buckle My Shoe” it is another great tool for parents and teachers to help the kids recognize and memorize the numbers.
The song dates back to the late 18th century being published in one of the oldest children songs books collection called “Mother Goose’s Melody” in the 1760s. A longer version of the song was published only later in the 1880s, by the American nursery rhymes collector Henry Bolton.
“1 2 3 4 5 Song” Lyrics
Modern version
One, two, three, four, five,
Once I caught a fish alive,
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten,
Then I let it go again.
Why did you let it go?
Because it bit my finger so.
Which finger did it bite?
This little finger on my right
“One Two Three Four and Five” Original lyrics
One, two, three,
Four and five,
I caught a hare alive;
Six, seven, eight,
Nine and ten,
I let him go again