This old nursery rhyme, I had a little husband no bigger than my thumb, is believed to have been inspired by the story of Tom Thumb combined with the legends of King Arthur and his Kingdom of Camelot and the great Wizard Merlin. Merlin is believed to have asked the Queen of the fairies to grant a wish to a woodcutter and his wife. The Queen of Fairies agreed and a man' no bigger than her thumb' was presented to the woodcutter's wife. Many years later Tom Thumb was swallowed by a fish which ended its life on the table of King Arthur. When the fish was cut open Tom Thumb jumped out. Tom Thumb was a great success at court and was knighted by King Arthur.

I had a Little Husband
Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history

I had a little husband no bigger than my thumb,
I put him in a pint pot, and there I bid him drum;
I bought a little handkerchief to wipe his little nose,
And a pair of little garters to tie his little hose.

I had a Little Husband
Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history