Five Little Monkeys

Origin and History

There is speculation that it descends from the song “Shortnin’ Bread.” If true, that means it traces its roots to at least the 1890s, though its roots may reach even further back because we don’t have perfect documentation of the past.

“Shortnin’ Bread” is an example of African American folk music. Specifically, it is counted among plantation songs, which African American slaves sang while toiling on their white masters’ plantations. Plantation songs are strongly connected to the 18th and 19th centuries because cotton, tobacco, and other cash crop plantations were at their height in those times. However, they are by no means limited to those times.

Of course, “Five Little Monkeys” is quite different from “Shortnin’ Bread.” It has the tune of the first verse, but it has its own set of lyrics. Furthermore, we know “Five Little Monkeys” isn’t an immediate descendant of “Shortnin’ Bread” because we know of intermediary forms between the two. Originally, the “monkey” in “Five Little Monkeys” was a slur word for African-Americans and other black people.

Interesting Facts

It is believed that early versions of the rhyme that is now known as “Five Little Monkeys” was originally based on the “Shortnin Bread” song. The word “monkey” was not used in these early renditions of the rhyme; instead, Black people were referred to as “darkies” and other racial and vulgar terms. Additionally, the word “monkey” has historically and currently been used as an insult against Black people.
There is a somewhat well-known children’s book called Five Little Monkeys from 1952. It isn’t the origin of the nursery rhyme. We know this because the writer Juliet Kepes says she heard the line from her child.
“Five Little Monkeys” isn’t the only version of the song out there. Closer versions change either the number or the setting. Other versions might use different narratives altogether.
Some people still see “Five Little Monkeys” as racist. They argue that “monkeys” isn’t much of an upgrade from the original word because there is a longstanding history of racists using “monkeys” and similar terms to paint black people as bestial, brutish, and otherwise inferior.

The original meaning of this nursery rhyme is typically seen as a simple lesson in listening to authority and understanding the consequences of not following instructions or rules. The monkeys continue to jump on the bed despite being warned not to do so, and each time one falls off and bumps its head. Like many nursery rhymes and children’s songs, “Five Little Monkeys” likely doesn’t have a deeper historical or political meaning.

Lyrics

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed!
One fell down and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said, “No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”

Four little monkeys jumping on the bed!
One fell down and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said, “No more monkeys jumping on the bed!

Three little monkeys jumping on the bed!
One fell down and bumped her head.
Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said, “No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”

Two little monkeys are jumping on the bed!
One fell down and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said, “No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”

One little monkey jumping on the bed.
She fell down and bumped her head,
Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said, “Put those monkeys back to bed!”