Polly, Put the Kettle On
Version 1
Polly, put the kettle on.
Polly, put the kettle on.
Polly, put the kettle on.
We’ll all have tea.
Sukey, take it off again.
Sukey, take it off again.
Sukey, take it off again.
They’ve all gone away.
Source: Wier, Songs the Children Love to Sing (1916)
Version 2
Polly put the kettle on,
Susy took it off;
Aunt Jemima's little girl
Has got the whooping cough.
Source: Smith, The Little Mother Goose (1912)
Version 3
Polly, put the kettle on.
Polly, put the kettle on.
Polly, put the kettle on.
We’ll all have tea.
Sukey, take it off again.
Sukey, take it off again.
Sukey, take it off again.
It will all boil away.
Blow the fire and the toast,
Put the muffins down to roast,
Blow the fire and make the toast,
We’ll all have tea.
Source: Bennett, Old Nurse’s Book (1858)
Historical Background
“Polly Put the Kettle On” was first published in 1797. The rhyme represents the relationship between the author’s daughters and sons. When the girls wanted to play without their brothers, they would pretend to host a tea party and “put the kettle on.” Not wanting to join the girly tea party, the boys left them alone. Soon after, the girls would “take the kettle off” and play amongst themselves.
Download the sheet music of this rhyme
