Originally, ‘Old Macdonald Had a Farm’ was written in 1706 by Thomas d’Urfey for an opera. Subsequently, it became a folk song in various forms, and was popular for centuries in the United Kingdom and North America. The song is about a farmer and the animals he looks after on his farm. Each verse names an animal including a pig, a cow, a horse, a sheep, a duck and a hen. The noise made by the animal is repeated at the end of each verse. Sometimes, the song is sung as a cumulative version, with all the previous animal sounds added to each ensuing verse. The song became standardised in the tewentieth century, and was first recorded in 1925 by the Sam Patterson Trio.
The Model Home Farm Series
In addition to the well known song, the appeal of a farmer and the animals he keeps on his farm grew in popularity for children. The idea was soon adopted as a nursery toy. After the First World War ended in 1918, the toy manufacturer, Britains, found that their hollow cast lead soldiers were no longer in demand. So the company introduced their Model Home Farm series. They used hollow casting for the figures, animals, cart and accessories in a 1:32 scale. Britains released this new toy in time for Christmas 1921. It was an unprecedented success, continuing to be a favourite with both children and adults throughout the 1920s and 1930s.
Toy Farms and Children’s Books
Since those early days, toy farm sets have become a classic part of every child’s learning experience. They were produced in various sizes, using plastic or wood, as the first lead toys were phased out. In addition, many illustrated children’s books have been published featuring a farmer and his livestock, such as ‘The Farm’ (Ladybird Books). For the very young, the song ‘Old Macdonald Had a Farm’ still makes a popular picture book.
Old Macdonald Had a Farm
The Goldcrest Gallery Children’s Corner range of original handmade greeting cards includes a delightful vintage illustration of ‘Old Macdonald Had a Farm’. The farmer is shown with his wife, surrounded by his sheep, a cow, two pigs, a hen and a cockerel, ducks and two geese. A couple of lambs and a row of chicks complete the collection of livestock. In this charming portrayal, the traditional farmer wears dungarees and wellington boots. His bonny wife has a milk maid-style apron and headscarf, and her own green wellingtons. She is perfectly at home with two little lambs under her arms. It is just a brief moment of repose before the hard work of the farm continues, as the fork in the farmer’s hand shows.
This beautiful, classic picture is also available as an A4 fine art print, ideal for children’s rooms and nurseries!