Simple Simon Poem – Nursery Rhyme for Children

Everybody loves adventure, don’t you? Do you want to read an amazing poem about a kid named Simple Simon who did little things to add adventure to his life, and to yours as well?

Here is the "Simple Simon" poem for you and a bit about it. It is a popular English nursery rhyme. Let’s read it together to find out what all Simple Simon does and then you can recite it in the class! 

About the Poem

“Simple Simon” poem is a traditional nursery rhyme sung in 18th century England, which is popular among kids today! The character in the poem is related to an illustrated ballad chap-book called “Simple Simon’s Misfortunes and his Wife Margery’s Cruelty” published by someone named L. How in 1685 in London.

The poem tells the story of a naughty boy named Simple Simon, who goes on unhappy adventures when he tries his hands at different things in a day.

Simple Simon and the Pieman

Simple Simon Poem Lyrics

Simple Simon met a pieman,

Going to the fair;

Says Simple Simon to the pieman,

Let me taste your ware.

Says the pieman to Simple Simon,

Show me first your penny;

Says Simple Simon to the pieman,

Indeed I have not any.

Simple Simon went a-fishing,

For to catch a whale;

All the water he had got,

Was in his mother’s pail.

Simple Simon went to look

If plums grew on a thistle;

He pricked his fingers very much,

Which made poor Simon whistle

He went to catch a dicky bird,

And thought he could not fail,

Because he had a little salt,

To put upon its tail.

He went for water with a sieve,

But soon it ran all through;

And now poor Simple Simon

Bids you all adieu.

Simple Simon Bidding Adieu!

Poem Explained in Simple Words

In the poem, Simple Simon goes to the fair and first sees the pieman selling delicious pies. He asks for his pies but when the pieman asks for money, Simple Simon said he didn’t have any! He then went fishing and hoped to catch a whale, but he only had his mother’s bucket full of water. 

Simple Simon then roamed in the plum fields and wanted to check if it grew on thistles. But, alas! He pricked his finger very badly, which made his mouth make a whistling sound. The kid then tried to catch the bird but failed at that too. The foolish Simon then went to collect water from the river in a sieve but failed to realise that a sieve cannot hold water, no matter how hard he tried. 

In the end, poor Simple Simon was left disappointed with his day, and he finally bid goodbye to all.

Conclusion

So, did you like the poem? Wasn’t it amazing and exciting? So, don’t be naughty or you’ll find yourself in problems like Simple Simon! Parents should also sing nursery rhymes as it is a great way to bond with your little one. So, if you are looking for more such English rhymes for kids, we’ve got you covered. Open our website and dive into the world of English stories and poems!