In the Face of Famine, a Nursery Rhyme evolves: The Emotional Story of 'This Old Man'

Did you sing this as a kid? Here is the touching story behind it.

Photo Credit Shutterstock / Anton_Ivanov

This old man he played one

He played nick nack on my drum

With a nick nack paddy whack

Give a dog a bone

This old man came rolling home

This old man he played two

He played nick nack on my shoe

With a nick nack paddy whack

Give a dog a bone

This old man came rolling home

This old man he played three

He played nick nack on my tree

With a nick nack paddy whack

Give a dog a bone

This old man came rolling home

This old man he played four

He played nick nack on my door

With a nick nack paddy whack

Give a dog a bone

This old man came rolling home

This old man he played five

He played nick nack on my hive

With a nick nack paddy whack

Give a dog a bone

This old man came rolling home

This old man he played six

He played nick nack on my stick

With a nick nack paddy whack

Give a dog a bone

This old man came rolling home

This old man he played seven

He played nick nack on my deven

With a nick nack paddy whack

Give a dog a bone

This old man came rolling home

This old man he played eight

He played nick nack on my gate

With a nick nack paddy whack

Give a dog a bone

This old man came rolling home

This old man he played nine

He played nick nack on my vine

With a nick nack paddy whack

Give a dog a bone

This old man came rolling home

This old man he played ten

He played nick nack on my hen

With a nick nack paddy whack

Give a dog a bone

This old man came rolling home

In a small village during the harsh years of the Irish potato famine, young Liam would sit by his window, watching the cobbled streets for a familiar sight. Each day, around the same time, an old man with a weathered face and kind eyes would roll into town, a dog faithfully trotting by his side.

This old man, known to everyone as Paddy, had traveled from Ireland, like many others, seeking survival and a way to feed his family. His cart was filled with 'knick knacks'—small, hand-carved toys and trinkets he hoped to sell. But Paddy had another talent. He played the spoons, creating a cheerful rhythm that echoed through the streets, a sound known as 'nick nack.'

Liam would listen eagerly for the clinking spoons and the familiar tune. "This old man, he played one, he played nick nack on my drum..." Paddy would sing, his voice carrying a sense of hope and resilience. Children would gather around, mesmerized by the melody and the sight of Paddy's dog, who would sit patiently, often being rewarded with a bone from a kind soul.

The villagers, despite their struggles, found joy in Paddy's visits. His songs brought a moment of light into their difficult days. Each verse added another layer to his tale, "He played nick nack on my shoe, on my tree, on my door..." And with each song, the villagers would come out with a few pennies or a piece of bread, moved by his determination and spirit.

One day, as the sun set and shadows grew long, Paddy's cart rolled home for the last time. He had fallen ill, the hardships finally taking their toll. The village mourned, feeling the absence of his music and the hope it brought. But his legacy lived on through the children's songs.

Liam, now a grown man, taught his children the same songs Paddy used to sing. "With a nick nack paddy whack, give a dog a bone, this old man came rolling home," he would chant, remembering the joy Paddy spread. The rhyme became a part of their family tradition, a reminder of resilience and the power of a simple tune to bring people together.

And so, the song endured, passing from one generation to the next, carrying with it the story of an old man who played the spoons and sold 'knick knacks' to survive, reminding everyone that even in the darkest times, music and kindness could light the way home.