Old Grimes

Old Grimes first appeared in print in 1822, written by American poet Albert Gorton Greene. The rhyme became widely known soon after and was reprinted many times in 19th-century collections, eventually entering the nursery tradition.

The verse is unusual among nursery rhymes: instead of nonsense, royalty, or mischief, it gives a brief, affectionate remembrance of a kindly old man. His “long brown coat all buttoned down before” is the detail that survived, suggesting he was remembered for simplicity rather than greatness.

Some scholars see the rhyme as a light parody of sentimental funeral poetry popular in the early 1800s. Others take it at face value — a small, tender farewell that children could recite without fear or gloom. Because of its gentle tone, the verse was often used to teach memorization, rhythm, and vocal expression.

Despite its short length, Old Grimes had a surprisingly long afterlife. Greene later expanded it into a much longer humorous poem, filled with additional eccentric details about the old man. The extended version circulated in magazines, but the simple four-line stanza is the one that stayed in nursery lore.