MARY'S LAMB

written May 24, 1830 by

Sarah Josepha Hale [1788-1879]

(Illustrations by William Wallace Denslow)
Mary had a little lamb

 

Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow,
And every where that Mary went
The lamb was sure to go;
He followed her to school one day -
That was against the rule,
It made the children laugh and play,
To see a lamb at school.		 Mary had a little lamb
And so the Teacher turned him out,
But still he lingered near,
And waited patiently about,
Till Mary did appear;
And then he ran to her, and laid
His head upon her arm,
As if he said - "I'm not afraid -
You'll keep me from all harm."
 		 And so the teacher turned him out
"What makes the lamb love Mary so?"
The eager children cry -
"O, Mary loves the lamb, you know,"
The Teacher did reply; -
"And you each gentle animal
In confidence may bind,
And make them follow at your call,
If you are always kind."
 		 And so the teacher turned him out