# Hot Cross Buns

"Hot Cross Buns" is an English rhyme that began as a London street seller's cry, in print since 1733; it names the spiced Good Friday bun and is now a favourite first tune for young music learners.

## At a glance

| | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Sung in | English |
| Words by | Traditional |
| First known | 1733 |
| Best for ages | 2–7 |
| Mood | playful, traditional, seasonal |
| Page | https://littlesongbook.com/songs/hot-cross-buns/ |

## Lyrics

### Verse 1 (en)

Hot cross buns!
Hot cross buns!
One a penny, two a penny.
Hot cross buns!

### Verse 2 (en)

If you have no daughters,
Give them to your sons!
One a penny, two a penny.
Hot cross buns!

## Common questions

**What are hot cross buns?**

Hot cross buns are spiced sweet buns marked on top with a cross. They are associated with the end of Lent and are traditionally eaten on Good Friday in Britain and many other countries. The song is the cry a street seller would call to sell them.

**How old is "Hot Cross Buns"?**

The earliest recorded version is from 1733, in "Poor Robin's Almanack". A form very close to the modern one was printed as a round in the "London Chronicle" in June 1767.

**Why is "Hot Cross Buns" used so often in music lessons?**

Because it is short, stepwise and easy to play. Once it passed from a street cry into a nursery rhyme, it became a standard first piece for children learning an instrument — especially the recorder — and it still is.

**What does "one a penny, two a penny" mean?**

It is the seller's price, called out in the street: buns at one penny or two pennies each. The whole song is really an advertisement, sung to catch the ear of passers-by.

## Sources

- [Wikipedia — Hot Cross Buns (song)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Cross_Buns_(song))
- https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10526527