The farmer wants a wife

[Anothermothernamegame]

DD 4yo has just started reception, and has been singing this song, which they have taught her.

'The farmer wants a wife... The wife wants a child etc'.

AIBU to think this is a really old fashioned, and fairly sexist song to be teaching kids?

Just for the record, it's a fairly "progressive" school in a fairly "progressive" and sought after neighbourhood.

...and no, I don't usually have a stick up my arse, so might well be overreacting.

I wouldn't worry about it. It may be a bit old fashioned but that's it's charm. No reason why you can't mention to your child that maybe it's a female farmer and sing a revised version for fun. This has brought back memories of primary school in the late 60s. I expect the dinner ladies, sorry, meal time assistants are my age

The Tiger who came for tea was under scrutiny a short while ago.

Missed that one, but that book is so tedious, never understood why it's so popular

@AngeloMysterioso

This is how we ended up with baa baa rainbow sheep…

Sorry but I've never heard this

@powershowerforanhour

I get you OP. My MIL sings a song to the children that goes "This is the way the gentlemen ride gal-lop gal-lop gal-lop. This is the way the ladies ride trit-trot trit-trot trit-trot" Pisses me right off as I used to compete in eventing competitions galloping across country over big jumps. Whereas DH has been on a horse twice in his life and would probably cack himself if it broke into a canter. (Also, back when ladies rode sidesaddle they tended to walk or canter, not trot as trot is less comfortable).

But little toddlers love that when they are on your knee , especially when you do the verse about the (drunken) farmer “Dooooown into a ditch!”

I wonder if it was the same farmer who wanted a wife? I suppose when he eventually crawled out of the ditch and staggered home he would be too drunk to pull off his boots so would need the help of a good woman ( tousled from her romp in the barn with the handsome shepherd no doubt)

I cannot get the tune out of my head and keep breaking into song. Cheers OP

@mangowithasqueezeoflime

I am very confused with this dog and bone thing!

Where I grew up the dog picks a cat, the cat picks a rat and the rat picks a cheese.

Then...

"The cheese stands alone, the cheese stands alone. Hi ho the dairy-o, the cheese stands alone"

F that patting business!

Oh I've just commented this! Glad my reality isn't the only one

@Samcro love wind the bobbin up!

How much is that doggy in the window?
Encouraging consumerism and treating dogs like objects. There’s no verse about long term finances and responsibility.

@Mymapuddlington

How much is that doggy in the window? Encouraging consumerism and treating dogs like objects. There’s no verse about long term finances and responsibility.

Or picking up poo and putting the poo bag in a bin.

Georgie Porgie? Enough said 😂

To a child it's just an action rhyme. It's part of our history. It's only when we become adults we pull their meaning apart. I took the words at face value as a child I didn't go looking for hidden meanings. It did me no harm and probably a lot of good since rhymes and literature are good for development in young children.

Yes but so are most of those old fashioned nursery rhymes I'm afraid. I dont find it too bad.

I don't know whether it's still sung in schools, but "All things bright & beautiful" is outrageous.

The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
He made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.

So God is an aristocratic Tory bastard ?

Rainbow sheep, honestly, I’m surprised lbqdfeqt lot allow that really.

That's nice, glad to know that the hate spreads beyond trans people on mumsnet, you've just belittled the experiences and challenges of everyone in that acronym and refer to them as a 'lot'

But I bet you think being called a TERF or a Karen is incredibly offensive through and report anyone using such terms

@dannydyerismydad

I could never get my head around everyone patting the bone at the end. Why not pat the dog?

I bloody hated being the bone and being slapped around the head.

Even as a child this was my thought. Why the fuck are we patting a bloody bone?!?

I always thought it was dusky bluebells because they were the colour of dusk. Why are they dusty?!

@MolyHolyGuacamole

Rainbow sheep, honestly, I’m surprised lbqdfeqt lot allow that really.

That's nice, glad to know that the hate spreads beyond trans people on mumsnet, you've just belittled the experiences and challenges of everyone in that acronym and refer to them as a 'lot'

But I bet you think being called a TERF or a Karen is incredibly offensive through and report anyone using such terms

Agreed.

@FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack

I always thought it was dusky bluebells because they were the colour of dusk. Why are they dusty?!

It is. Isn't it? Dusty bluebells doesn't make sense

When did farmers buy wives?

Only in the Mayor of Castorbridge to my knowledge.

@MolyHolyGuacamole

Rainbow sheep, honestly, I’m surprised lbqdfeqt lot allow that really.

That's nice, glad to know that the hate spreads beyond trans people on mumsnet, you've just belittled the experiences and challenges of everyone in that acronym and refer to them as a 'lot'

But I bet you think being called a TERF or a Karen is incredibly offensive through and report anyone using such terms

Belittled the experiences of?? Stop it. Really just stop it.

Google says it is dusty. Hmph.

@girlmom21

"The farmer wants a fuck buddy" doesn't have the same ring to it

I'm laughing at this so much I'm crying. So brilliantly inappropriate!

I think it's more upsetting that the child wants a nurse. Obviously meaning mum is not cut out to be a SAHFW and secretly wants to get back out to the workplace.

Eeek at farmer buying wives. In my experience, the farmer is pleased if he marries a woman with no brothers and daddy has a big acreage.
I'm a woman farmer and agree with @Scrowy about wanting a wife. I bloody hate housework

wait till you hear rock-a-by-baby. baby falls out of a tree.