The modern version of “Three Little Kittens” rhyme was written by Eliza Lee Cabot Follen. It was first published in 1833 in the United States anonymously and only ten years later under her signature. But the lyrics are much older, having its origin in the English folk.

It is the story of three little cats who lose and then find their mittens and how they finally get the approval of their mother to have some pie.

“Three Little Kittens” Lyrics

Three little kittens they lost their mittens,
And they began to cry,
Oh, mother dear, we sadly fear
Our mittens we have lost.
What! lost your mittens, you naughty kittens!
Then you shall have no pie.
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
No, you shall have no pie.

The three little kittens they found their mittens,
And they began to cry,
Oh, mother dear, see here, see here,
Our mittens we have found!
Put on your mittens, you silly kittens,
And you shall have some pie.
Purr-r, purr-r, purr-r,
Oh, let us have some pie.

The three little kittens put on their mittens,
And soon ate up the pie;
Oh, mother dear, we greatly fear
Our mittens we have soiled.
What! soiled your mittens, you naughty kittens!
Then they began to sigh,
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
Then they began to sigh.

The three little kittens they washed their mittens,
And hung them out to dry;
Oh! mother dear, do you not hear,
Our mittens we have washed!
What! washed your mittens, then you’re good kittens,
But I smell a rat close by.
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
We smell a rat close by.

It was first published in 1805 in the collection book “Songs for the Nurseries”, London.

It is unsure who the lyrics of this rhyme refer to, but most probably the queen mentioned in Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat is Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603). Some other sources believe the queen mentioned in the rhyme is Caroline of Brunswick (1768-1821), wife of King George IV.

This particular rhyme is a very loved one, as it is easy to memorize for children.

The lyrics of the rhyme are:

“Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat” Lyrics

Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been?
I’ve been down to London to visit the Queen.
Pussy cat, pussy cat, what did you there?
I frightened a little mouse, under her chair.

The song was first published in 1830 in “The Child’s Song Book” and its lyrics have been attributed to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’s author, Jane Taylor.

“I love little pussy” lyrics have been changed lately as the term “pussy” has more a deprecatory meaning today. “But pussy and I, very gently will play” was replaced with “and her and I, very gently will play”. The term “pussy” can also be replaced with “kitty”

“I love little pussy” Lyrics

Original version:
I love little pussy,b
Her coat is so warm,
And if I don’t hurt her,
She’ll do me no harm.
So I’ll not pull her tail,
Nor drive her away,
But pussy and I,
Very gently will play.

Additional lyrics

Some versions have additional lyrics:

I’ll sit by the fire
and give her some food
and Pussy will love me
because I am good.

Its origin dates back to the 16th century England. The Ding Dong Bell rhyme was first recorded in 1580 by the organist of Winchester Cathedral, John Lant.

The expression Ding Dong Bell was used by Shakespeare in several of his plays. However most of those works were published only in 1623 in the First Folio (years after his death) and the exact use or meaning of this rhyme is uncertain.

The song was later converted for children, as they tend to take the words explicitly and there was concern they may be tempted to put the cats in the wells, or they could be affected by the violence of the word “killed”.

“Ding Dong Bell” Lyrics

Recommended version for kids:

Ding dong bell,
Pussy’s at the well.
Who took her there?
Little Johnny Hare.
Who’ll bring her in?
Little Tommy Thin.
What a jolly boy was that
To get some milk for pussy cat,
Who ne’er did any harm,
But played with the mice in his father’s barn

“Ding Dong Bell” Modern Version

Ding, dong, bell,
Pussy’s in the well.
Who put her in?
Little Johnny Green.
Who pulled her out?
Little Tommy Stout.
What a naughty boy was that,
To try to drown poor pussy cat,
Who ne’er did him any harm,
But killed all the mice in the farmer’s barn

“Ding Dong Bell” Original Version

First recorded version:
Jacke boy, ho boy newes,
the cat is in the well,
let us ring now for her Knell,
ding dong ding dong Bell