From the musical “Babes in Toyland”, 1903.
Words by Glen MacDonough.
Music by Victor Herbert.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
What is the matter little Bopeep?
I have been careless and lost my sheep
Say, have you seen them Jack and Jill
During your journey up the hill?
They’re not on the hilltop, but in the wood
They may have met with Red Riding Hood
Don’t cry, Bopeep, don’t cry
To find your sheep we’ll try
We’ll seek them far, we’ll seek them wide
We’ll seek them low and high
Don’t cry Bopeep, don’t cry
To find your sheep we’ll try
We’ll seek them far, we’ll seek them wide
We’ll seek them low and high
O Sallie Waters and Miss Muffet too
Have my stray lambkins been seen by you?
Better ask Curly Locks fresh from the fair
She or Boy Blue may have seen them there
Where they are hiding Tom Tucker may know
Simon or Peter or Bobby Shaftoe
Never mind Bopeep, we will find your sheep
No matter where they be
So be gay Bopeep, though astray your sheep
Soon home again you’ll see
Give a smile Bopeep, for awhile your sheep
May cruise in pastures new
Never mind Bopeep we will find your sheep
And bring them home to you
Baa! Baa! Baa!
It was the black sheep that led them away
Baa! Baa! Baa!
For this the rascal shall certainly pay
Led them away by the tales that he told
Far from their meadow and far from their home
Baa! Baa! Baa! Baa!
Baa! Baa! Baa!
Baa! Baa! Baa! Baa!
Never mind Bopeep, we will find your sheep
No matter where they be
So be gay Bopeep though astray your sheep
Soon home again you’ll ass
Give a smile Bopeep for awhile your sheep
May cruise in pastures new
Never mind Bopeep we will find your sheep
And bring them home to you
Sung here by Vancha March: