Nursery rhymes are more than just simple verses for children; they are windows into the past, often carrying hidden histories and meanings. Among these timeless classics, “Hey Diddle Diddle” stands out for its whimsical imagery and mysterious origins.
The origins and meaning of “Hey Diddle Diddle The Cat and the Fiddle” aren’t known for sure but one of the most compelling theories is that it recounts a dispute between a 16th century Yorkshire Prior named Moone and a local landowner.
The Enigmatic Beginnings of “Hey Diddle Diddle”
“Hey Diddle Diddle” first appeared in print in the 18th century, though its origins likely date back even further. The earliest recorded version of the poem resembling the modern form was printed around 1765 in London in Mother Goose’s Melody with the lyrics:
Hey diddle diddle,
The Cat and the Fiddle,
The Cow jump’d over the Moon,
The little dog laugh’d to see such Craft,
And the Fork ran away with the Spoon.
It is probable however that the rhyme was sung and told as an oral tradition long before then.
The modern day version of the rhyme goes:
Hey diddle diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon,
The little dog laughed to see such fun,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.
This seemingly nonsensical verse has intrigued scholars and laypeople alike for centuries. Its absurd imagery—animals and inanimate objects acting in unexpected ways—has sparked numerous theories about its deeper meanings and origins.
A Yorkshire Tale: Prior Moone and the Bolton Priory Connection
Bolton Priory, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales between Skipton and Ilkley and now more commonly known as Bolton Abbey (website), has long laid claim to the origins of the traditional song: “Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle”.
Legend has it that a Prior at Bolton Priory, William Moone, had a dispute with a local landowner that resulted in the well-known nursery rhyme.
Let’s take a look at the rhyme line by line and break down what the meaning is said to be:
Hey diddle diddle
Prior Moone and his Catholic priory were swindled (diddled) by a local farmer or landowner called Hey (a Yorkshire and Lancashire variant of the surname Hay).
The cat and the fiddle
The cat and the fiddle refers to the Catholic faith (Catholica Fide in latin). Fiddle also doubles as a synonym for defrauding.
The cow jumped over the moon
One school of thought is that the dispute was over the sale of some cows, but it was explained to me as a child by a guide on a school trip to the Priory that the landowner was a woman and the cow disparagingly refers to her ‘getting one over’ Prior Moone.
The little dog laughed to see such fun
This refers to three carved dogs on the tower, which was built by Prior Moone, at the entrance to the Priory Church, one of which appears to be laughing.
And the dish ran away with the spoon
Farmer Hey’s daughter wished to get married but could only do so in her local church, the priory. In retaliation, Prior Moone refused and so, Hey’s daughter, the dish, ran off with her young man, the spoon.
There are four statues on the Bolton Priory Tower. In addition to the three dogs, there is a statue of a pilgrim who is carrying a staff but, suspiciously, he seems to be carrying a dish under one arm!
Historical Clues and Literary References
William Moone was the last Prior at Bolton Priory. He became Prior in 1513 and retained the position until Bolton Priory was dissolved as part of the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539. Moone died in 1541 and his will was was proved (validated and Grant of Probate obtained) at York on 28th July that year. This would date the rhyme’s possible origins to the early 16th century.
There is a reference in Thomas Preston’s play A lamentable tragedy mixed ful of pleasant mirth, conteyning the life of Cambises King of Percia, printed in 1569 that may refer to the rhyme:
They be at hand Sir with stick and fiddle;
They can play a new dance called hey-diddle-diddle.
Another possible reference is in Alexander Montgomerie’s The Cherry and the Slae from 1597:
But since you think’t an easy thing
To mount above the moon,
Of your own fiddle take a spring
And dance when you have done.
These two possible references both date from the 16th century but after Prior Moone’s tenure at Bolton Priory, fitting the timeline nicely.
Other Theories: Political Satire, Astronomy, or Pure Nonsense?
Sadly there is no historical evidence that events between the Prior and the farmer were the origin of the rhyme and there are other hypotheses.
Political Satire Theory
One popular interpretation suggests that “Hey Diddle Diddle” is a piece of political satire disguised as a children’s rhyme. Some believe the characters represent key historical figures, with the antics in the rhyme mirroring political events or scandals. The story of Elizabeth I, Lady Katherine Grey, and her relationships with the Earls of Hertford and Leicester is one theory. It’s also suggested that the “cat and the fiddle” refers to either Catherine of Aragon (Katherine la Fidèle) or Catherine I of Russia, the wife of Peter the Great. However, all these theories are speculative, as there is no definitive historical evidence to support any of them.
Astronomy Theory
One implausible interpretation links the rhyme to astronomy. The characters—such as the cow jumping over the moon and the dish running away with the spoon—have been thought to symbolise celestial bodies. For instance, the cow could represent the constellation Taurus, and the spoon could symbolise the Plough (Big Dipper to US readers). This theory suggests that the rhyme might have been a playful way to teach children about the night sky but this seems highly unlikely.
Pure Nonsense Theory
Perhaps the most widely accepted theory is that “Hey Diddle Diddle” is simply a nonsense rhyme meant to amuse and entertain. The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes, calls ‘Hey Diddle Diddle’ ‘probably the best-known nonsense verse in the language’.
Its whimsical and absurd imagery could have been designed to captivate children’s imaginations without intending any deeper meaning. This theory is supported by the fact that many nursery rhymes from the same period are similarly seemingly nonsensical and fanciful but their original meanings too might have simply been lost to history.
The Lasting Legacy of “Hey Diddle Diddle”: From Tolkien to Today
Regardless of its true origins or intended meaning, “Hey Diddle Diddle” has remained a beloved part of children’s literature for over two centuries. Its whimsical nature and catchy rhythm make it a favourite among children and adults alike. The rhyme’s ability to spark imagination and curiosity is perhaps its greatest strength, proving that sometimes, the value of a story lies not in its factual accuracy but in its capacity to delight and inspire.
In 1920, J. R. R. Tolkien took up a post as reader in English language at the University of Leeds, becoming the youngest member of the academic staff there. During his time in Yorkshire, Tolkien wrote “The Man in the Moon Stayed Up Too Late”, his imagined original song behind the nursery rhyme “Hey Diddle Diddle (The Cat and the Fiddle)”, invented by back-formation. It was first published in Yorkshire Poetry magazine in 1923, and was reused in extended form in the 1954–55 The Lord of the Rings as a song sung by Frodo Baggins in the Prancing Pony inn.
The rhyme is the source of the English expression “over the moon”, meaning “delighted, thrilled, extremely happy”. That’s evidenced by one of the earliest allusions to the phrase in print – Charles Molloy’s The Coquet, or, The English Chevalier, 1718: “Tis he! I know him now: I shall jump over the Moon for Joy!”
As with most nursery rhymes, kids have been delighted over the years by slightly ruder versions and ‘Hey Diddle Diddle’ is no exception. Probably the best know parody version of the rhyme is:
Hey diddle diddle,
The cat did a piddle,
All over the kitchen floor,
The little dog laughed to see such fun,
So the cat did a little bit more!
Over the Moon with Theories and Tales: Your Take on Hey Diddle Diddle’s Meaning
The origins and meanings of “Hey Diddle Diddle The Cat and the Fiddle” are shrouded in mystery, with theories ranging from political satire to pure nonsense. While we may never know the true intent behind this enigmatic nursery rhyme, its charm and whimsy continue to enchant generations.
Which of the possible theories do you think is the most compelling? Let us know in the comments below!