Little Donkey

Little Donkey is a Christmas carol written in 1959 by British songwriter Eric Boswell, which narrates the perspective of a donkey carrying Mary, the mother of Jesus, to Bethlehem on the eve of Christ's birth.^[1] The song's simple, repetitive lyrics and melody have made it a staple in children's nativity plays and holiday performances worldwide, emphasizing themes of humility and the Nativity story.^[2] Eric Boswell, born Eric Simpson on 18 July 1921 in Sunderland, England, composed the tune as part of his broader career in light music and songwriting, though he became best known for this piece despite his preference for recognition in other works.^[3] Initially recorded by English entertainer Gracie Fields in 1959, the song gained international popularity through a 1960 cover by the Dutch duo Nina and Frederik, reaching the UK Singles Chart.^[1] Boswell, who studied piano from a young age, trained as a physicist and lectured in physics at what is now the University of Sunderland while pursuing his musical interests, passed away on 29 November 2009 at age 88, just as the carol marked its 50th anniversary.^[3][4] The carol's enduring appeal lies in its accessibility for young singers, with lyrics like "Little donkey, little donkey, had a heavy day" evoking sympathy for the animal's journey through dusty roads to the stable.^[5] It has been covered by numerous artists, including Vera Lynn and The Beverley Sisters, and remains a cherished part of Christmas traditions, often performed in schools and churches during the holiday season.^[6]

Background and Composition

Origins and Inspiration

Eric Boswell, born Eric William Simpson on July 18, 1921, in Millfield, Sunderland, in the Tyneside region of northeastern England, was a British songwriter and composer with a background in both classical and popular music. The son of a tailor and a seamstress, Boswell displayed early musical talent, beginning piano lessons at age seven under the tutelage of Clifford Hartley, the organist at Bishopwearmouth Church (now Sunderland Minster), and later studying organ with him. He studied electrical engineering and physics, working at the Marconi company during World War II, and later became a lecturer in physics at Sunderland Polytechnic while pursuing composition part-time. By the 1940s, Boswell had begun writing songs and light music pieces, including neoclassical piano works that earned him an award at the 1950 Brighton Music Festival, establishing his foundation in accessible, melodic songcraft before turning to more regional and festive themes.^[3][2][7] The creation of "Little Donkey" in 1959 stemmed directly from the biblical Nativity narrative, particularly the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem as described in the Gospel of Luke. Boswell sought to highlight an overlooked element of the story: the humble donkey that carried Mary, portraying the animal's steadfast perseverance through the dusty road and its precious burden. As Boswell later recalled, "I racked my brains... [for a] story that hadn't been sung about and came up with the idea of the donkey riding into Bethlehem," shifting the focus to the creature's quiet endurance amid the holy event. This perspective humanized the Nativity's animal participants, emphasizing themes of humility and diligence in a way that resonated with traditional Christmas storytelling.^[3][2] Boswell's intent with "Little Donkey" was to craft a straightforward, child-friendly Christmas carol suitable for young voices, initially composed for a school nativity play. He aimed for simplicity in both lyrics and melody, drawing on his experience with melodic, folk-influenced compositions to make it easy for children to learn and perform during holiday festivities. As he explained, "I'll write a simple song for children to sing," resulting in a tune confined to a single octave to accommodate performers like Gracie Fields, who recorded an early version. This approach echoed the unpretentious style of English folk carols, prioritizing narrative warmth and accessibility over complexity.^[3][8][7]

Writing Process

Eric Boswell's compositional technique for "Little Donkey" centered on a straightforward verse-chorus structure set in 3/4 waltz time and the key of G major, which produced a gentle, plodding rhythm intended to mimic the steady gait of a donkey.^[9] This approach emphasized simplicity, allowing the melody to flow naturally while capturing the song's narrative of a weary journey.^[3] In selecting the language, Boswell opted for everyday English words to make the lyrics immediately accessible to children, featuring repetitive phrases like "Little donkey, little donkey" to foster sing-along participation and memorability.^[8] He explicitly aimed to craft a simple song suitable for young singers, as he later recalled deciding to "write a simple song for children to sing."^[8] The song's brevity further underscored its design for uncomplicated school and family performances, relying on basic accompaniment without elaborate instrumentation.^[10] Boswell undertook revisions to refine the piece, starting with an initial draft that featured a more complex tune and a wider vocal range spanning beyond an octave; he simplified it after the 61-year-old Gracie Fields struggled with the demands during preparation for her recording.^[3] This adjustment prioritized emotional warmth and ease of performance, aligning with the song's intended gentle, heartfelt tone over technical complexity.^[3]

Lyrics and Musical Elements

Full Lyrics

The lyrics of "Little Donkey," written by Eric Boswell in 1959, present a poignant retelling of the Nativity story from the perspective of the donkey carrying Mary to Bethlehem, emphasizing its endurance and quiet faithfulness.^[11] The full lyrics are as follows:

Little donkey, little donkey
On the dusty road
Got to keep on plodding onwards
With your precious load Been a long time, little donkey
Through the winter's night
Don't give up now, little donkey
Bethlehem's in sight Ring out those bells tonight
Bethlehem, Bethlehem
Follow that star tonight
Bethlehem, Bethlehem Little donkey, little donkey
Had a heavy day
Little donkey, carry Mary
Safely on her way Little donkey, little donkey
Journey's end is near
There are wise men waiting
For a sign to bring them here Do not falter, little donkey
There's a star ahead
It will guide you, little donkey
To a cattle shed Ring out those bells tonight
Bethlehem, Bethlehem
Follow that star tonight
Bethlehem, Bethlehem^[11]

The narrative progresses from the arduous journey along a dusty road through a harsh winter night, where the donkey is urged to persevere despite fatigue, to the hopeful arrival in Bethlehem guided by a star, culminating in the stable birth implied by the cattle shed and the waiting wise men. This structure mirrors the biblical account of Mary's travel to Bethlehem for the census and the birth of Jesus, infusing the tale with gentle encouragement directed at the animal. Key phrases like the repeated chorus "Ring out those bells tonight / Bethlehem, Bethlehem / Follow that star tonight / Bethlehem, Bethlehem" introduce a playful, celebratory element reminiscent of traditional Christmas bells, blending solemn Nativity themes with festive cheer to engage younger audiences.^[11] Thematically, the song fosters empathy for the "little donkey" as a humble, dutiful servant—cold, tired, and burdened yet unwavering in its role—portraying it as an unsung hero in the sacred journey, which underscores motifs of quiet service and divine purpose central to the Christmas narrative.^[12]

Melody and Structure

"Little Donkey" follows a straightforward musical structure consisting of three verses interspersed with a recurring chorus, which reinforces the song's narrative progression and emotional simplicity. This form allows for easy repetition and participation, particularly in group or educational settings.^[13][14] The song is composed in 3/4 time signature, creating a waltz-like rhythm that mimics the steady plodding gait of a walking donkey. It maintains a moderate tempo of approximately 100 BPM across various recordings, contributing to its gentle, processional feel suitable for young performers or holiday assemblies.^[13][15] The melody employs simple, diatonic scalar patterns that ascend gradually in the verses to evoke a sense of ongoing travel and descend in the chorus for a feeling of rest and arrival, with no significant modulations to preserve its accessible, folk-like quality. This contour integrates seamlessly with the lyrics' repetitive phrasing, enhancing the song's motif of perseverance and relief.^[14] Harmonically, the composition relies on basic I-IV-V progressions in G major (or transpositions such as C major in some arrangements), providing consonant, lullaby-esque support that underscores the melody's innocence. These chords—typically G, C, and D—are straightforward for accompaniment on guitar or piano, emphasizing root-position triads without complex extensions.^[13][16] Originally conceived with minimal or unaccompanied vocal performance in mind, as reflected in early recordings like Nina and Frederik's 1960 version, the song's instrumental demands are low to highlight its vocal storytelling. Subsequent adaptations have incorporated simple orchestration, such as piano or percussion for rhythmic "clopping" effects, and it has been widely arranged for choirs and ukuleles in educational contexts to facilitate classroom ensemble playing.^[17][14][18]

Release and Recordings

Original Release

"Little Donkey" was composed by English songwriter Eric Boswell in 1959.^[1] The sheet music was first published that year by Chappell & Co., with arrangements suitable for schools and churches to facilitate its use in holiday settings.^[19] The song's initial recording was released by Gracie Fields on Columbia Records in 1959, marking its debut as a performed Christmas carol. This version peaked at No. 21 on the UK Singles Chart.^[1][20] A concurrent version by the Beverley Sisters also appeared in 1959, contributing to early airplay and recognition during the holiday season.^[8] The breakthrough in distribution came with the 1960 single release by the Dutch-Danish duo Nina and Frederik, backed by the Jørn Grauengaard Quintet on Columbia, which propelled the song to number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and introduced it to a wider audience through family broadcasts.^[21] This version solidified "Little Donkey" as an instant holiday hit, with sheet music sales reflecting strong initial demand among educational and religious groups.^[22]

Notable Cover Versions

A successful cover version of "Little Donkey" was recorded by the Dutch-Danish duo Nina & Frederik in 1960, infusing the song with their signature calypso rhythm and harmonies that contrasted the original's straightforward folk style. Released as a single on Columbia Records, it became an international hit, reaching No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and popularizing the carol across Europe during the holiday season.^[17] In the same era, the British vocal group the Beverley Sisters offered a close-harmony choral arrangement in late 1959, emphasizing lush, synchronized vocals suitable for family holiday listening. Their version, backed by orchestral accompaniment, charted at No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart for seven weeks and appeared on various Christmas compilations, highlighting the song's appeal in pop-vocal formats.^[23] Children's interpretations have sustained the song's popularity, with the St. Winifred's School Choir delivering a wholesome, choir-led rendition in 1982 on their album Christmas for Everyone. This version, featuring youthful voices and simple instrumentation, exemplified the track's frequent use in school and charity holiday recordings during the 1980s, aligning with the group's involvement in BBC Children in Need efforts through other releases.^[24] Internationally, the song inspired adaptations like the 1960 German version "Alles Liebe, alles Gute" by Maria und Franco Duval, which retained the Nativity narrative but localized the lyrics for a folk-ballad style popular in Central Europe. Similarly, Venezuelan composer Hugo Blanco's 1972 aguinaldo "El Burrito de Belén," first recorded by La Rondallita, drew thematic inspiration from the donkey's journey in the Christmas story, evolving into a distinct Latin American holiday staple with rhythmic joropo elements rather than a direct translation.

Reception and Cultural Impact

Commercial Success

The version of "Little Donkey" by Nina and Frederik achieved the song's highest commercial peak, reaching No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart in December 1960 and spending 9 weeks in the top 40.^[21] Earlier recordings contributed to its initial momentum, with the Beverley Sisters' rendition peaking at No. 14 in late 1959 over 7 weeks, while Gracie Fields' cover peaked at No. 21 and charted for 5 weeks that same year.^[23][25] The song's sheet music also topped the UK Sheet Music Chart for 7 weeks from mid-November to December 1959, reflecting strong early demand across multiple artists.^[26] As a perennial holiday favorite, "Little Donkey" has maintained consistent seasonal performance in the UK, experiencing popularity spikes tied to family-oriented media broadcasts.^[8] Cover versions have further amplified its market longevity, sustaining sales through reissues and inclusions on festive albums from labels like Decca, which released Nina and Frederik's hit.^[27] The song generated significant licensing revenue for composer Eric Boswell, who retained copyright and received royalties from its ongoing use in recordings, broadcasts, and performances, enabling him to support his family and fund subsequent folk music projects without financial pressures.^[8] This economic stability underscored the track's enduring value as a commercial asset in the holiday music catalog.^[28]

Legacy and Usage in Media

"Little Donkey" has established itself as a perennial favorite in British and international school Christmas carol concerts and nativity plays, particularly in primary schools across the UK, where it has been performed regularly since its release in the late 1950s.^[3] The song's simple melody and lyrics, which depict the humble donkey's journey carrying Mary to Bethlehem, lend themselves well to educational settings, imparting lessons on kindness, humility, and the Nativity story to young children.^[3] For instance, it was featured in a 1975 nativity play at St Joseph's Primary School in Millfield, Sunderland, highlighting its early integration into local school traditions.^[2] The carol has also been translated and covered in multiple languages, contributing to its global appeal in holiday traditions beyond the UK. In media, the song has appeared in various television contexts, including a 1995 ITV Tyne Tees interview with composer Eric Boswell, where its cultural significance was discussed, and in BBC regional programming like Geordierama, which showcased Boswell's compositions.^[6][3] It has also been adapted for modern performances, such as the 2009 duet version pairing the original 1959 recording by Gracie Fields with opera singer Graeme Danby's vocals on the album There's More to Life, marking the song's 50th anniversary.^[3] More recently, it featured in the 2024 North East touring show The Donkey, The Whippet and the Giant Leek, performed by opera singers Graeme Danby and Valerie Reid, which celebrates Boswell's North East heritage beyond the Christmas hit.^[6] The song's cultural adaptations include charitable efforts, such as the 2022 Christmas single and video by Sheila Fitzgerald and her band, with proceeds benefiting The Donkey Sanctuary in Ireland.^[29] In contemporary contexts, "Little Donkey" maintains relevance through viral covers on social media platforms during the holiday season, often shared by families and schools recreating nativity scenes, and its inclusion in popular streaming playlists on services like Spotify, ensuring its appeal to new generations as of 2025.^[6]