Goosey, Goosey, Gander
Quick Answer
A wandering rhyme: Goosey Goosey Gander goes upstairs, downstairs, and into a ladyâs chamber, meeting an old man who wonât say his prayers. A very old nursery rhyme with a rough final line, often softened for modern bedtime reading.
Why This Story Works for Bedtime
Itâs rhythmic and short, but since the last line can feel harsh, itâs best read with a gentle parent edit. The âwandering through the houseâ imagery is fun and cozy.
Story at a Glance
RECOMMENDED AGES
3-7 years
READING TIME
1 min
Story Synopsis
âGoosey, Goosey, Ganderâ is an old nursery rhyme that feels like a little walk through a house: up stairs, down stairs, and into a chamber. Along the way, the speaker meets an old man who wonât say his prayers. Because the traditional final line is a bit rough for bedtime, many families soften itâturning it into a funny âshooâ or a gentle send-off instead of a shove. Read in a playful whisper, it becomes a quick rhyme about wandering and then returning to calm.
Story Excerpt
Goosey, goosey, gander, Whither dost thou wander? Up stairs and down stairs, And in my lady's chamber. There I met an old man That would not say his prayers; I took him by the left leg, And threw him down stairs.
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In One Glance
âGoosey, Goosey, Ganderâ is a short traditional rhyme about wandering through a house. It includes an old-fashioned final line that can be softened for bedtime. Read gently, itâs a quick, rhythmic verse.
Frequently Asked Questions
A short rhyme about wandering through a house and meeting an old man.
Not scary, but the last line is old-fashioned and can sound harshâmany parents soften it.
Ages 3â7.
Use a kinder ending (e.g., âI asked him to go downstairsâ) to keep the mood calm.