"Mary Had a Little Lamb" was first published as poem by American Sarah Josepha Hale on 24 May 1830 in a book called "Poems for Our Children". Today, "Mary Had a Little Lamb" is a well known English language nursery rhyme.

The words of the nursery rhyme Mary Had a Little Lamb were inspired by an actual story.

Mary Sawyer lived with her family on a farm. One night a lamb was born and was forsaken by its mother, and was almost dead. Mary, who was about nine at the time, asked her farther if she could take it into the house. She nursed the lamb thru the night and by morning the lamb could stand and its health had improved rapidly. The lamb became a pet and would follow her every were.

Mary decided to take her little lamb to school one day at the suggestion of her brother. Visiting Mary's school that day was a young man by the name of John Roulstone who was very taken by the presence of the lamb. The man was so inspired by the incident that the next day he rode up on horse back to the school house and handed Mary a piece of paper with the poems for 12 lines written on it.

Mary had a little lamb

As written By John Roulstone, Author of the first twelve lines and as it was given to Mary Sawyer

Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was as white as snow,
And every were that Mary went,
The lamb was sure to go.

He followed her to school one day;
That was against the rule;
It made the children laugh and play;
To see the lamb at school.

The longer version published by Sara Josepha Hale in "Poems for Our Children".

Mary had a little lamb

By Sara Josepha Hale, Author of the last twelve lines.

Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was as white as snow,
And every were that Mary went,
The lamb was sure to go.

He followed her to school one day;
That was against the rule;
It made the children laugh and play;
To see the lamb at school.

And so the teacher turned it out;
but still he lingered near;
And waited patiently about;
Till Mary did appear.

And then he ran to her, and laid
His head upon her arm,
As if he said "I'm not afraid,
You'll keep me from all harm."

'What makes the lamb love Mary so?"
The eager children cry;
"O, Mary loves the lamb, you know,"
The teacher did reply.

"And you each gentle animal
To you, for life may bind,
And make it follow at your call,
If you are always kind."

In the first recording of the human voice in 1877, Thomas Edison recited Mary Had a Little Lamb. He re-recorded it again in 1927 for posterity.

Also on this day ....

Victoria Day
Victoria Day is celebrated in Canada on the first Monday before 25 May. It celebrates Queen Victoria's birthday (24th May).