Nursery Rhymes
Lyrics and Origins

last rhymenusrery rhyme indexnext rhyme

Pussycat Pussycat Rhyme

Nursery Rhyme & History

The origins of the nursery rhyme "Pussycat pussycat"!
The origins of the "Pussycat pussycat" rhyme dates back to the history of 16th century Tudor England. One of the waiting ladies of Queen Elizabeth Ist had an old cat which roamed throughout Windsor castle. On one particular occasion the cat ran beneath the throne where its tail brushed against the Queen's foot, startling her. Luckily 'Good Queen Bess' had a sense of humour and decreed that the cat could wander about the throne room, on condition it kept it free of mice!

Picture of Windsor Castle

Pussycat Pussycat poem

"Pussycat pussycat, where have you been?"
"I've been up to London to visit the Queen."
"Pussycat pussycat, what did you dare?"
"I frightened a little mouse under her chair"
"MEOWW!"

 

Pussycat Pussycat poem

Nursery Rhymes Index

note: A Rhymes lyrics and the perceived origins of some Nursery Rhymes vary according to location