Mary had a Little Lamb – Ukulele Chords, Tabs and Sheet Music

Mary had a Little Lamb is a very popular children’s song with a nice and interesting background. The song is also one of the first choices when it comes to teaching children a musical instrument. Most young beginners already know the lyrics and the melody, which is a perfect foundation. Plus, the melody is pretty easy to learn and play on the ukulele. And did you know that this song is also one of the best songs to play on the ukulele with only one string? Well, let’s discover this easy version and much more about the song in this free ukulele lesson.

History of Mary had a Little Lamb

Mary Had a Little Lamb originated in the United States during the 19th century. Sarah Josepha Hale wrote the lyrics, and they were first published in 1830. The poem was based on a true event involving Mary Sawyer, a young girl from Sterling, Massachusetts, who brought her pet lamb to school one day, causing quite a commotion among her classmates. Lowell Mason later set the story to music, greatly enhancing its popularity. Its timeless appeal has ensured its place as a classic in children’s literature and music for generations.

Ukulele Tabs for Mary had a Little Lamb

Songs can be played in many different styles, from simple versions with basic chords and strums to more complex fingerstyle arrangements. We’ll start with simple arrangements in a pitch that is comfortable for most people to sing. But don’t worry, we show how to play the song by just fingerpicking the melody and by strumming with chords. So, at the end you can choose the version you like to play or to teach to your students.

1. Level: Playing only on One Ukulele String

How about trying the easiest version of the song? You can play the melody on just one string, and to be honest, many songs can be played on just one string of the ukulele, but Mary Had a Little Lamb is by far the easiest! You only need four different notes (A, B, C# and E) to play this song. Playing a song on just one string allows us to concentrate on plucking one string and moving just one finger up and down the fretboard without worrying too much about the other strings. Let’s start by pressing down on the first string with either the index or middle finger of your left hand, then pluck the string with your right thumb.

Here are the ukulele tabs for Mary had a Little Lamb on one string:

You want to hear how this version sounds like played on the ukulele? Check out our recording of Mary had a Little Lamb on the first string of the ukulele.

You can also play the same pattern on any other string of your ukulele as well. Try for example the 3rd string to have a pretty low version of the Wheels on the Bus.

2. Level: Playing on several Ukulele Strings

Starting with one string is a fun and easy way to get started, but the same melody can be played on the other strings of the ukulele. In fact, using different strings is how you would normally play a song, because it reduces the need for extensive left-hand movement along the neck and you have more notes available at different pitches. Sure, it involves using more fingers and plucking different strings, but it is a very good exercise, and Mary Had a Little Lamb is the perfect song to learn a song that requires you to use more than one string.

Here are the ukulele tabs for playing the nursery rhyme on the middle two strings:

We have also recorded the playing of the song on the two middle strings. Have a listen to the audio recording.

Ukulele Chords for Wheels on the Bus

Fingerpicking is great and fun! Everyone recognizes the song without singing it because we play the melody note by note. However, if we want to sing along, it’s more common to strum the song with chords and actually sing the melody. Want to sing this song with your kids or students? Then the chord version is for you! You can play the song in different keys. We will play the song in the key of C in the version below.

The chords that you need for the Wheels on the Bus are the basic chords C and G.

Here are the chord diagrams for the required chords:

If you’re already comfortable with these ukulele chords and can change between them smoothly, you’ll pick up this song quickly! If not, begin by practicing the C and G chords, repeatedly strumming the C-G sequence with basic downstrokes until you can play it effortlessly. This will help you get a feel for the chord progression.

For beginners, it’s crucial to approach new songs at a slow tempo. Focus on doing a simple down strum with each chord change, which provides enough time to switch chords without worrying too much about any strumming patterns. Singing along will also be easier with just one down strum per chord change. Once you’re confident with this, you can start experimenting with more intricate strumming patterns.

Ukulele Sheet Music for Mary had a Little Lamb

For advanced players or ukulele teachers, sheet music is a valuable resource, providing detailed information about a song’s pitches, rhythms, and chords. For beginners, however, sheet music can be intimidating because it requires a basic understanding of music theory and reading skills. For this reason, ukulele tabs or chord-based lyrics are often more appropriate for young students and beginners.

Here is the sheet music for Mary had a Little Lamb:

Free Ukulele Printables for Mary had a Little Lamb

Feel free to download the chords, tabs, and sheet music as a free PDF for your practice sessions or ukulele lessons!

Interested in instruments other than the ukulele? You can also find a free lesson on how to play Mary had a Little Lamb on the guitar, piano.