Disney Silly Symphonies - The Wise Little Hen

Although this 1934 Silly Symphony is a cute cartoon, it's not one of Disney's more outstanding shorts. It's mostly noteworthy for fact that Donald Duck made his debut here.

However, he's not quite the Donald Duck most people know and love. He's more rounded and goose-like, with an elongated bill. But he has the same incomprehensible voice, enthusiasm, devious streak, and trademark sailor suit.

The interesting thing about all this is that most Silly Symphony characters don't make recurring appearances. Yet Donald Duck would go on to become a permanent member of Mickey Mouse's gang, appearing regularly in the Mickey Mouse shorts.

• Released June 9th, 1934.


• Donald Duck's first appearance.


• Based on the fairy tale The Little Red Hen.

Chorus:
There once was a wise little hen
Who worried now and then
For fear that she'd be found in need
When winter came again

With a basket full of corn
She started out for more
She could go get the friends she met
to help her plant her corn

Who'll help her plant her corn?
Who'll help her plant her corn?
Gay Peter Pig who's strong and big
Might help her plant her corn

Wise Little Hen:
Will you help me plant my corn?
Will you help me plant my corn?

Peter Pig:
Who, me? Oh, no
I have a bellyache

Chorus:
Who'll help her plant her corn?
Who'll help her plant her corn?
If Donald Duck has any pluck
He'll help her plant her corn

Wise Little Hen:
Will you help me plant my corn?
Will you help me plant my corn?

Donald Duck:
Who, me? Oh, no
I got a bellyache

Chorus:
Who'll help her plant her corn?
Who'll help her plant her corn?
She might have known that she alone
Would have to plant her corn

Who'll help her harvest corn?
Who'll help her harvest corn?
Perhaps her friends will condescend
To help her harvest corn

Wise Little Hen:
Will you help me harvest corn?
Will you help me harvest corn?

Peter Pig:
Who, me? Oh, no

Donald Duck:
We got a bellyache

Chorus:
Who'll help her harvest corn?
Who'll help her harvest corn?
She might have known that she alone
Would have to harvest corn

Oh me oh me oh my

Just look at what that little hen's got
Mmm, does that look good
There'll soon be muffins and cakes galore
Cornpones and fritters by the score
More cornbread than I've seen before
Mm-mmm do I feel hungry
Yum yum yum
Oh me oh me oh my

Corn on the cob with gobs and gobs of melted butter oozing round and round
Corn soup enough to feed and stuff an army
Boy oh boy

Who'll help her eat her corn?
Who'll help her eat her corn?
Perhaps her friends will condescend
To help her eat her corn

Wise Little Hen:
Will you help me eat my corn?
Will you help me eat my corn?

Peter Pig:
Who, me?

Donald Duck:
Oh boy oh boy oh boy
And how

Chorus:
She'll eat the corn herself
She'll eat the corn herself
Fa la la la la la la la
She'll eat the corn herself
She'll eat the corn herself
Although her friends now see the light
They've nothing but an appetite
While they repent with all their might
She'll eat the corn herself
She'll eat the corn herself
She'll eat the corn herself

Donald (Mickey & Friends) by Disney