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Old King Cole

Quick Answer

A merry king calls for his pipe, his bowl, and three fiddlers to play. It’s a sing-song celebration of music and good cheer.

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It’s upbeat but short. Read slowly, it becomes a cozy ā€˜music in your imagination’ moment before sleep.

Story at a Glance

RECOMMENDED AGES

2-6 years

READING TIME

1 min

THEMES
gentlecomfortingeasy to understandclassic taleclassic talefriendshipfriendshipgentlecomfortingeasy to understand
Also available inEspaƱol

Story Synopsis

ā€œOld King Coleā€ is a traditional nursery rhyme about a cheerful king who loves music. He calls for his pipe, his bowl, and his three fiddlers, and the rhyme repeats how fine their fiddles are. It’s a simple, joyful picture—like a tiny concert inside a castle. At bedtime, you can make it soothing by lowering your voice and stretching the rhythm. Invite your child to imagine the music becoming softer and softer, like it’s drifting down the hallway, until everything is quiet.

Story Excerpt

Old King Cole was a merry old soul, And a merry old soul was he ; He called for his pipe, And he called for his bowl, And he called for his fiddlers three. Every fiddler, he had a fine fiddle, And a very fine fiddle had he ; Twee tweedle dee, tweedle dee, went the fiddlers. Oh, there's none so rare,…

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In One Glance

ā€œOld King Coleā€ is a short nursery rhyme about a merry king who summons his pipe, bowl, and three fiddlers to play. It’s light, musical, and easy to recite. Read gently, it can become a calming bedtime verse with an imagined ā€˜fading’ tune.

Frequently Asked Questions

A merry king who calls for music—his pipe, his bowl, and three fiddlers.

No—it's cheerful and safe.

Ages 2–6.

Pretend the fiddles play softer each line, until the ā€˜music’ fades into sleep.