This Old Man

“This Old Man” is a traditional American children’s song of unknown authorship, likely taking its familiar form in the early 20th century. Its counting rhyme and playful syllables place it firmly within oral folk traditions, where memorization and repetition mattered more than a fixed text.

The song became widely known through performers like Pete Seeger and Burl Ives. As the acoustic guitar rose as a central folk instrument, such simple children’s songs were often shared alongside it, helping carry them from homes into classrooms and community gatherings.