
A lively, rhyming portrait of countryside life unfolds as a young farmhand narrates his daily chores. Each stanza bursts with the sounds of the animals he tends—geese honking, lambs bleating, hens clucking, pigs grunting, ducks quacking, and dogs barking—creating a playful chorus that invites listeners to hear the farm’s heartbeat. The verses are paired with vivid, hand‑drawn illustrations that capture the bustling barnyard and the rolling fields, making the world feel both familiar and enchanting.
Beyond the chores, the boy’s gentle affection for a “pretty lass” adds a sweet undercurrent to his routine. He dreams of strolling together along the banks of the Aire, hinting at a tender romance that blossoms amid the rustic setting. This charming mix of song, scenery, and youthful longing makes the story a warm, immersive experience for anyone who loves the simple joys of rural life.
Full title
The Farmer's Boy One of R. Caldecott's picture books
Language
en
Duration
~9 minutes (8K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Suzanne Shell, Christine D. and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2006-05-09
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1846–1886
Best known for lively, witty picture books, this Victorian illustrator helped shape the way modern children’s books tell stories through images as much as words. His playful drawings were so influential that one of the world’s top awards for picture-book art now bears his name.
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