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THE NURSERY RHYMES OF ENGLAND.

THE NURSERY RHYMES OF ENGLAND:

Collected by

JAMES ORCHARD HALLIWELL.

THE NURSERY RHYMES

OF

ENGLAND.

BY JAMES ORCHARD HALLIWELL.

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY W. B. SCOTT.

LONDON AND NEW YORK: FREDERICK WARNE AND CO.

1886.

PREFACE

TO THE

FIFTH EDITION.

HE great encouragement which has been given by the public to the previous editions of this little work, satisfactorily proves that, notwithstanding the extension of serious education to all but the very earliest periods of life, there still exists an undying love for the popular remnants of the ancient Scandinavian nursery literature. The infants and children of the nineteenth century have not, then, deserted the rhymes chanted so many ages since by the mothers of the North. This is a "great nursery fact"—a proof that there is contained in some of [page iv] these traditional nonsense-rhymes a meaning and a romance, possibly intelligible only to very young minds, that exercise an influence on the fancy of children. It is obvious there must exist something of this kind; for no modern compositions are found to supply altogether the place of the ancient doggerel.

HE strong support from the public for the previous editions of this little book clearly shows that, despite the growth of serious education for all ages, there remains a lasting affection for the popular remnants of ancient Scandinavian nursery literature. Children in the nineteenth century have not turned away from the rhymes sung long ago by the mothers of the North. This is a "great nursery fact"—evidence that within some of these traditional nonsense-rhymes lies a meaning and a charm, perhaps only understood by very young minds, that influences children’s imaginations. It's clear that something like this must exist; for no modern works fully take the place of the old doggerel.

The nursery rhyme is the novel and light reading of the infant scholar. It occupies, with respect to the A B C, the position of a romance which relieves the mind from the cares of a riper age. The absurdity and frivolity of a rhyme may naturally be its chief attractions to the very young; and there will be something lost from the imagination of that child, whose parents insist so much on matters of fact, that the "cow" must be made, in compliance with the rules of their educational code, to jump "under" instead of "over the moon;" while of course the little dog must be considered as "barking," not "laughing" at the circumstance.

The nursery rhyme is the novel and light reading for young kids. It serves, in relation to the A B C, like a story that takes the mind away from the worries of older ages. The silliness and playfulness of a rhyme can be its main appeal to very young children; and something is lost in the imagination of that child whose parents focus so much on facts that the "cow" has to be made, following their educational rules, to jump "under" instead of "over the moon;" while of course the little dog must be seen as "barking," not "laughing" at the situation.

[page v]

These, or any such objections,—for it seems there are others of about equal weight,—are, it appears to me, more silly than the worst nursery rhyme the little readers will meet with in the following pages. I am quite willing to leave the question to their decision, feeling assured the catering for them has not been in vain, and that these cullings from the high-ways and bye-ways—they have been collected from nearly every county in England—will be to them real flowers, soothing the misery of many an hour of infantine adversity.

These objections, or any similar ones—which seem to carry about the same weight—strike me as more foolish than the worst nursery rhyme little readers will come across in the pages ahead. I'm happy to let them decide, confident that the effort to appeal to them hasn’t been wasted, and that these selections from the main roads and back roads—collected from nearly every county in England—will truly be like real flowers, bringing comfort during many challenging moments of childhood.

[page vi]

[page vii]

CONTENTS.

	PAGE
FIRST CLASS—HISTORICAL	1
SECOND CLASS—LITERAL	14
THIRD CLASS—TALES	22
FOURTH CLASS—PROVERBS	68
FIFTH CLASS—SCHOLASTIC	76
SIXTH CLASS—SONGS	82
SEVENTH CLASS—RIDDLES	119
EIGHTH CLASS—CHARMS	135
NINTH CLASS—GAFFERS AND GAMMERS	141
TENTH CLASS—GAMES	154
ELEVENTH CLASS—PARADOXES[page viii]	196
TWELFTH CLASS—LULLABIES	205
THIRTEENTH CLASS—JINGLES	213
FOURTEENTH CLASS—LOVE AND MATRIMONY	224
FIFTEENTH CLASS—NATURAL HISTORY	251
SIXTEENTH CLASS—ACCUMULATIVE STORIES	282
SEVENTEENTH CLASS—LOCAL	299
EIGHTEENTH CLASS—RELICS	303
INDEX	317

[page 1]

FIRST CLASS—HISTORICAL.

I.

LD King Cole

Was a merry old soul,

Was a jolly old soul,

And a merry old soul was he;

And he was a cheerful old man;

He called for his pipe,

He asked for his pipe,

And he called for his bowl,

And he asked for his bowl,

And he called for his fiddlers three.

And he called for his three fiddlers.

Every fiddler, he had a fiddle,

Every musician had an instrument,

And a very fine fiddle had he;

And he had a really nice fiddle;

Twee tweedle dee, tweedle dee, went the fiddlers.

Oh, there's none so rare,

Oh, there's none so unique,

As can compare

With King Cole and his fiddlers three!

With King Cole and his three fiddlers!

[The traditional Nursery Rhymes of England commence with a legendary satire on King Cole, who reigned in Britain, as the old chroniclers inform [page 2] us, in the third century after Christ. According to Robert of Gloucester, he was the father of St. Helena, and if so, Butler must be wrong in ascribing an obscure origin to the celebrated mother of Constantine. King Cole was a brave and popular man in his day, and ascended the throne of Britain on the death of Asclepiod, amidst the acclamations of the people, or, as Robert of Gloucester expresses himself, the "fole was tho of this lond y-paid wel y-nou." At Colchester there is a large earthwork, supposed to have been a Roman amphitheatre, which goes popularly by the name of "King Cole's kitchen." According to Jeffrey of Monmouth, King Cole's daughter was well skilled in music, but we unfortunately have no evidence to show that her father was attached to that science, further than what is contained in the foregoing lines, which are of doubtful antiquity. The following version of the song is of the seventeenth century, the one given above being probably a modernization:—

[The traditional Nursery Rhymes of England start with a legendary satire about King Cole, who ruled in Britain, according to old historians, in the third century after Christ. According to Robert of Gloucester, he was the father of St. Helena, and if that's the case, Butler must be mistaken in claiming that the famous mother of Constantine had an obscure origin. King Cole was a brave and well-liked man in his time, and he became king of Britain after the death of Asclepiod, welcomed by the cheers of the people, or as Robert of Gloucester puts it, "the folk were well satisfied in this land." In Colchester, there is a large earthwork, thought to have been a Roman amphitheater, which is commonly known as "King Cole's kitchen." According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, King Cole's daughter was quite talented in music, but unfortunately, we have no proof that her father had an affinity for that art, apart from what was mentioned in the previous lines, which are of questionable age. The following version of the song is from the seventeenth century, with the one above likely being a modern take on it:—]

Good King Cole,

He call'd for his bowl,

He called for his bowl,

And he call'd for fidlers three:

And he called for three fiddlers:

And there was fiddle fiddle,

And there was drama,

And twice fiddle fiddle,

And twice play the fiddle,

For 'twas my lady's birth-day;

For it was my lady's birthday;

Therefore we keep holiday,

So we take a holiday,

And come to be merry.]

And be merry.

II.

When good king Arthur ruled this land,

When good King Arthur ruled this land,

He was a goodly king;

He was a great king;

He stole three pecks of barley-meal,

He stole three pecks of barley flour,

To make a bag-pudding.

To make a bag pudding.

A bag-pudding the king did make,

A bag pudding the king made,

And stuff'd it well with plums:

And filled it nicely with plums:

And in it put great lumps of fat,

And in it put big chunks of fat,

As big as my two thumbs.

The king and queen did eat thereof,

The king and queen ate from it,

And noblemen beside;

And noblemen nearby;

And what they could not eat that night,

And whatever they couldn't eat that night,

The queen next morning fried.

The queen fried the next morning.

[page 3]

III.

[The following song relating to Robin Hood, the celebrated outlaw, is well known at Worksop, in Nottinghamshire, where it constitutes one of the nursery series.]

[The following song about Robin Hood, the famous outlaw, is well known in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, where it is part of a nursery series.]

Robin Hood, Robin Hood,

Is in the mickle wood!

Is in the thick woods!

Little John, Little John,

He to the town is gone.

He has gone to the town.

Robin Hood, Robin Hood,

Is telling his beads,

Is counting his beads,

All in the green wood,

All in the green woods,

Among the green weeds.

In the green weeds.

Little John, Little John,

If he comes no more,

If he doesn't come again,

Robin Hood, Robin Hood,

He will fret full sore!

He will worry a lot!

IV.

[The following lines were obtained in Oxfordshire. The story to which it alludes is related by Matthew Paris.]

[The following lines were taken from Oxfordshire. The story it mentions is told by Matthew Paris.]

One moonshiny night

One bright moonlit night

As I sat high,

As I sat up high,

Waiting for one

Waiting for one person

To come by;

To stop by;

The boughs did bend,

The branches did bend,

My heart did ache

My heart ached

To see what hole the fox did make.

To see what hole the fox made.

[page 4]

V.

[The following perhaps refers to Joanna of Castile, who visited the court of Henry the Seventh, in the year 1506.]

[The following perhaps refers to Joanna of Castile, who visited the court of Henry the Seventh in 1506.]

I had a little nut tree, nothing would it bear

I have a little nut tree, and it didn’t bear anything.

But a silver nutmeg and a golden pear;

The king of Spain's daughter came to visit me,

The king of Spain's daughter came to see me,

And all was because of my little nut tree.

And it was all because of my little nut tree.

I skipp'd over water, I danced over sea,

I skipped over water, I danced over the sea,

And all the birds in the air couldn't catch me.

And all the birds in the sky couldn't catch me.

VI.

[From a MS. in the old Royal Library, in the British Museum, the exact reference to which is mislaid. It is written, if I recollect rightly, in a hand of the time of Henry VIII, in an older manuscript.]

[From a manuscript in the old Royal Library at the British Museum, the exact reference to which is misplaced. It is written, if I remember correctly, in handwriting from the time of Henry VIII, in an older manuscript.]

We make no spare

We don't have any extra

Of John Hunkes' mare;

Of John Hunkes' horse;

And now I

And now I'm

Think she will die;

Think she’ll die;

He thought it good

He thought it was good

To put her in the wood,

To put her in the woods,

To seek where she might ly dry;

To find a place where she could lie dry;

If the mare should chance to fale,

If the mare happens to fall,

Then the crownes would for her sale.

Then the crowns would be for her sale.

[page 5]

VII.

[From MS. Sloane, 1489, fol. 19, written in the time of Charles I.]

The king of France, and four thousand men,

The king of France and four thousand men,

They drew their swords, and put them up again.

They drew their swords and then put them away again.

VIII.

[In a tract, called 'Pigges Corantoe, or Newes from the North,' 4to Lond. 1642, p. 3, this is called "Old Tarlton's Song." It is perhaps a parody on the popular epigram of "Jack and Jill." I do not know the period of the battle to which it appears to allude, but Tarlton died in the year 1588, so that the rhyme must be earlier.]

[In a pamphlet titled 'Pigges Corantoe, or News from the North,' 4to Lond. 1642, p. 3, this is referred to as "Old Tarlton's Song." It might be a parody of the well-known epigram "Jack and Jill." I'm not sure when the battle it seems to reference took place, but since Tarlton passed away in 1588, the rhyme must be older.]

The king of France went up the hill,

The king of France went up the hill,

With twenty thousand men;

With 20,000 men;

The king of France came down the hill,

And ne'er went up again.

And never went up again.

IX.

The king of France, with twenty thousand men,

The king of France, with twenty thousand soldiers,

Went up the hill, and then came down again;

Went up the hill, and then came back down again;

The king of Spain, with twenty thousand more,

The king of Spain, along with an additional twenty thousand,

Climb'd the same hill the French had climb'd before.

Climbed the same hill the French had climbed before.

[page 6]

X.

[Another version. The nurse sings the first line, and repeats it, time after time, until the expectant little one asks, what next? Then comes the climax.]

[Another version. The nurse sings the first line and keeps repeating it over and over until the excited little one asks, "What’s next?" Then comes the climax.]

The king of France, the king of France,

The king of France, the king of France,

with forty thousand men,

with 40,000 men,

Oh, they all went up the hill, and so—came

back again!

XI.

At the siege of Belle-isle

At the siege of Belle-Isle

I was there all the while,

I was there the whole time,

All the while, all the while,

All this time, all this time,

At the siege of Belle-isle.

At the siege of Belle-Isle.

XII.

[The tune to the following may be found in the 'English Dancing Master,' 1631, p. 37.]

[The melody for the following can be found in the 'English Dancing Master,' 1631, p. 37.]

The rose is red, the grass is green,

The rose is red, the grass is green,

Serve Queen Bess our noble queen;

Serve Queen Bess, our noble queen;

Kitty the spinner

Will sit down to dinner,

Will have dinner,

And eat the leg of a frog;

And eat a frog leg;

All good people

Look over the steeple,

Check out the steeple,

And see the cat play with the dog.

And watch the cat play with the dog.

[page 7]

XIII.

Good Queen Bess was a glorious dame,

Great Queen Bess was an amazing woman,

When bonny King Jemmy from Scotland came;

When handsome King Jemmy from Scotland arrived;

We'll pepper their bodies,

Their peaceable noddies,

Their peaceful noddies,

And give them a crack of the crown!

And give them a shot at the title!

XIV.

[The word tory has changed greatly in its meaning, as it originated in the reign of Elizabeth, and represented a class of "bog-trotters," who were a compound of the knave and the highwayman. For many interesting particulars see Crofton Croker's 'Researches in the South of Ireland,' 4to, 1824, p. 52.]

[The word tory has evolved significantly in its meaning since it first appeared during Elizabeth's reign, referring to a group of "bog-trotters," who were a mix of hustlers and highway robbers. For more interesting details, check out Crofton Croker's 'Researches in the South of Ireland,' 4to, 1824, p. 52.]

Ho! Master Teague, what is your story?

Hey! Master Teague, what's your story?

I went to the wood and kill'd a tory;

I went to the woods and killed a tory;

I went to the wood and kill'd another;

I went to the woods and killed another one;

Was it the same, or was it his brother?

I hunted him in, and I hunted him out,

I tracked him down, and I followed him back out,

Three times through the bog, about and about;

Three times through the swamp, back and forth;

When out of a bush I saw his head,

When I spotted his head coming out of a bush,

So I fired my gun, and I shot him dead.

XV.

Please to remember

Please remember

The fifth of November,

November 5th,

Gunpowder treason and plot;

I know no reason

I have no reason

Why gunpowder treason

Why gunpowder conspiracy

Should ever be forgot.

Should never be forgotten.

[page 8]

XVI.

[Taken from MS. Douce, 357, fol. 124. See Echard's 'History of England,' book iii, chap. 1.]

See saw, sack-a-day;

See saw, sack-a-day;

Monmouth is a pretie boy,

Monmouth is a pretty boy.

Richmond is another,

Richmond is another one,

Grafton is my onely joy,

Grafton is my only joy,

And why should I these three destroy,

And why should I destroy these three,

To please a pious brother!

To please a religious brother!

XVII.

Over the water, and over the lee,

Across the water, and on the sheltered side,

And over the water to Charley.

And across the water to Charley.

Charley loves good ale and wine,

Charley loves good beer and wine,

And Charley loves good brandy,

And Charley loves good whiskey,

And Charley loves a pretty girl,

As sweet as sugar-candy.

As sweet as candy.

Over the water, and over the sea,

Over the water, and across the sea,

And over the water to Charley,

And across the water to Charley,

I'll have none of your nasty beef,

I'll have none of your rude comments,

Nor I'll have none of your barley;

Nor will I take any of your barley;

But I'll have some of your very best flour;

But I'll take some of your best flour;

To make a white cake for my Charley.

To bake a white cake for my Charley.

[page 9]

XVIII.

[The following is partly quoted in an old song in a MS. at Oxford, Ashmole, No. 36, fol. 113.]

As I was going by Charing Cross,

As I was passing through Charing Cross,

I saw a black man upon a black horse;

I saw a Black man on a black horse;

They told me it was King Charles the First;

They told me it was King Charles I;

Oh dear! my heart was ready to burst!

Oh no! My heart was about to explode!

XIX.

High diddle ding,

High diddle ding,

Did you hear the bells ring?

Did you hear the bells ringing?

The parliament soldiers are gone to the king!

The parliamentary soldiers have gone to the king!

Some they did laugh, some they did cry,

Some laughed, some cried,

To see the parliament soldiers pass by.

To watch the parliament soldiers go by.

XX.

High ding a ding, and ho ding a ding,

High ding a ding, and ho ding a ding,

The parliament soldiers are gone to the king;

The parliament soldiers have gone to the king;

Some with new beavers, some with new bands,

The parliament soldiers are all to be hang'd.

The parliament soldiers are all going to be hanged.

XXI.

Hector Protector was dressed all in green;

Hector Protector was dressed completely in green;

Hector Protector was sent to the Queen.

The Queen did not like him,

The Queen wasn't fond of him,

Nor more did the King:

No more did the King:

So Hector Protector was sent back again.

[page 10]

XXII.

[The following is a fragment of a song on the subject, which was introduced by Russell in the character of Jerry Sneak.]

Poor old Robinson Crusoe!

Poor old Robinson Crusoe!

Poor Robinson Crusoe!

They made him a coat

They gave him a coat.

Of an old nanny goat,

Of an old goat,

I wonder how they could do so!

I can't believe they did that!

With a ring a ting tang,

With a ring-a-ding-dong,

And a ring a ting tang,

Poor old Robinson Crusoe!

Poor Robinson Crusoe!

XXIII.

[Written on occasion of the marriage of Mary, the daughter of James duke of York, afterwards James II, with the young Prince of Orange. The song from which these lines are taken may be seen in 'The Jacobite Minstrelsy,' 12mo, Glasgow, 1828, p. 28.]

[Written on the occasion of the marriage of Mary, the daughter of James duke of York, who later became James II, to the young Prince of Orange. The song from which these lines are taken can be found in 'The Jacobite Minstrelsy,' 12mo, Glasgow, 1828, p. 28.]

What is the rhyme for poringer?

What rhymes with poringer?

The king he had a daughter fair,

The king had a beautiful daughter,

And gave the Prince of Orange her.

And gave her to the Prince of Orange.

XXIV.

[The following nursery song alludes to William III and George prince of Denmark.]

[The following nursery song references William III and George, Prince of Denmark.]

William and Mary, George and Anne,

William and Mary, George and Anne,

Four such children had never a man:

Four such children had never known a man:

They put their father to flight and shame,

They drove their father away in shame,

And call'd their brother a shocking bad name.

And called their brother a really terrible name.

[page 11]

XXV.

[A song on King William the Third.]

As I walk'd by myself,

As I walked alone,

And talked to myself,

And spoke to myself,

Myself said unto me,

I told myself,

Look to thyself,

Look to yourself,

Take care of thyself,

Take care of yourself,

For nobody cares for thee.

For no one cares about you.

I answer'd myself,

I answered myself,

And said to myself

And I told myself

In the self-same repartee,

In the same back-and-forth,

Look to thyself,

Look to yourself,

Or not look to thyself,

Or not look to yourself,

The self-same thing will be.

The exact same thing will be.

XXVI.

[From MS. Sloane, 1489, fol. 19, written in the time of Charles I. It appears from MS. Harl. 390, fol. 85, that these verses were written in 1626, against the Duke of Buckingham.]

[From MS. Sloane, 1489, fol. 19, written during the time of Charles I. It appears from MS. Harl. 390, fol. 85, that these verses were written in 1626, targeting the Duke of Buckingham.]

There was a monkey climb'd up a tree,

There was a monkey climbing up a tree,

When he fell down, then down fell he.

When he fell, he fell down.

There was a crow sat on a stone,

There was a crow sitting on a stone,

When he was gone, then there was none.

When he left, there was no one left.

There was an old wife did eat an apple,

There was an old woman who ate an apple,

When she had eat two, she had eat a couple.

When she had eaten two, she had eaten a couple.

[page 12]

There was a horse going to the mill,

There was a horse heading to the mill,

When he went on, he stood not still.

When he continued, he didn't stay still.

There was a butcher cut his thumb,

There was a butcher who cut his thumb,

When it did bleed, then blood did come.

When it bled, blood came out.

There was a lackey ran a race,

There was a servant who ran a race,

When he ran fast, he ran apace.

When he ran fast, he ran quickly.

There was a cobbler clowting shoon,

There was a cobbler repairing shoes,

When they were mended, they were done.

When they were fixed, they were finished.

There was a chandler making candle,

There was a candle maker making candles,

When he them strip, he did them handle.

When he stripped them, he handled them.

There was a navy went into Spain,

There was a navy that went into Spain,

When it return'd it came again.

When it came back, it returned again.

XXVII.

[The following may possibly allude to King George and the Pretender.]

[The following may possibly refer to King George and the Pretender.]

Jim and George were two great lords,

Jim and George were two powerful nobles,

They fought all in a churn;

They fought in a chaotic mess;

And when that Jim got George by the nose,

And when Jim got George by the nose,

Then George began to gern.

Then George began to vomit.

[page 13]

XXVIII.

Little General Monk

Young General Monk

Sat upon a trunk,

Sat on a trunk,

Eating a crust of bread;

Eating a slice of bread;

There fell a hot coal

A hot coal fell

And burnt in his clothes a hole,

And burned a hole in his clothes,

Now General Monk is dead.

Now General Monk has died.

Keep always from the fire:

Stay away from the fire.

If it catch your attire,

If it matches your outfit,

You too, like Monk, will be dead.

You will also be dead, just like Monk.

XXIX.

Eighty-eight wor Kirby feight,

88 word Kirby fight,

When nivver a man was slain;

When no one was killed;

They yatt their meaat, an drank ther drink

They ate their meat and drank their drink.

An sae com merrily heaam agayn.

An sae com merrily home again.

bowl, with bunches of grapes, balancing on sceptre

[page 14]

SECOND CLASS—LITERAL.

XXX.

NE, two, three,

NE, 2, 3,

I love coffee,

I love coffee.

And Billy loves tea.

How good you be,

How good are you?

One, two, three.

I love coffee,

I love coffee.

And Billy loves tea.

XXXI.

A, B, C, tumble down D,

A, B, C, fall down D,

The cat's in the cupboard and can't see me.

[page 15]

XXXII.

[Finis.]

Fin.

F for fig, J for jig,

F for fig, J for jig

And N for knuckle bones,

I for John the waterman,

I for John the water guy,

And S for sack of stones.

And S for bag of stones.

XXXIII.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5!

I caught a hare alive;

I caught a live hare;

6, 7, 8, 9, 10!

I let her go again.

XXXIV.

Great A, little a,

Great A, small a,

Bouncing B!

The cat's in the cupboard,

The cat's in the cabinet,

And she can't see.

And she can't see it.

XXXV.

One's none;

One is none;

Two's some;

Two's some;

Three's a many;

Three's a crowd;

Four's a penny;

Four for a penny;

Five is a little hundred.

Five is a small hundred.

[page 16]

XXXVI.

A, B, C, and D,

Pray, playmates, agree,

Hey friends, let's agree,

E, F, and G,

Well so it shall be.

Alright, then.

J, K, and L,

In peace we will dwell

We will thrive in peace.

M, N, and O,

To play let us go.

Let's go play.

P, Q, R, and S,

Love may we possess,

May we possess love,

W, X, and Y,

Will not quarrel or die.

Will not fight or die.

Z, and amperse-and,

Z, and ampersand,

Go to school at command.

Go to school on command.

XXXVII.

Hickery, dickery, 6 and 7,

Hickory, dickory, 6 and 7,

Alabone Crackabone 10 and 11,

Spin span muskidan;

Twiddle 'um twaddle 'um, 21.

Twiddle 'em twaddle 'em, 21.

XXXVIII.

Apple-pie, pudding, and pancake,

Apple pie, pudding, and pancake,

All begins with an A.

Everything begins with an A.

[page 17]

XXXIX.

Miss one, two, and three could never agree,

Ms. one, two, and three could never see eye to eye,

While they gossiped round a tea-caddy.

While they chatted around a tea container.

XL.

One, two,

One, two,

Buckle my shoe;

Tie my shoe;

Three, four,

Shut the door;

Close the door;

Five, six,

Pick up sticks;

Seven, eight,

Lay them straight;

Align them properly;

Nine, ten,

A good fat hen;

A nice plump hen;

Eleven, twelve,

Who will delve?

Who will explore?

Thirteen, fourteen,

Maids a courting;

Maids dating;

Fifteen, sixteen,

Maids a kissing;

Maids are kissing;

Seventeen, eighteen,

Maids a waiting;

Maid waiting;

Nineteen, twenty,

19, 20,

My stomach's empty.

I'm hungry.

[page 18]

XLI.

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man!

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker!

So I will, master, as fast as I can:

So I will, master, as quickly as I can:

Pat it, and prick it, and mark it with T,

Pat it, poke it, and label it with a T,

Put in the oven for Tommy and me.

Put it in the oven for Tommy and me.

XLII.

[Tom Thumb's Alphabet.]

A was an archer, and shot at a frog,

A was an archer who aimed at a frog,

B was a butcher, and had a great dog.

B was a butcher and had a big dog.

C was a captain, all covered with lace,

C was a captain, all decked out in lace,

D was a drunkard, and had a red face.

D was an alcoholic, and had a flushed face.

E was an esquire, with pride on his brow,

E was a gentleman, with pride on his brow,

F was a farmer, and followed the plough.

F was a farmer and worked with the plow.

G was a gamester, who had but ill luck,

G was a gambler who just had bad luck,

H was a hunter and hunted a buck.

H was a hunter and hunted a deer.

I was an innkeeper, who lov'd to bouse,

I was an innkeeper who loved to drink,

J was a joiner, and built up a house.

J was a carpenter and constructed a house.

K was King William, once governed this land,

K was King William, who once ruled this land,

L was a lady, who had a white hand.

L was a woman who had a white hand.

M was a miser, and hoarded up gold,

M was a miser who hoarded gold,

N was a nobleman, gallant and bold.

N was a nobleman, brave and daring.

O was an oyster wench, and went about town,

O was a street vendor, and walked around town,

P was a parson, and wore a black gown.

P was a pastor, and wore a black robe.

Q was a queen, who was fond of good flip,

Q was a queen who loved a good joke,

R was a robber, and wanted a whip.

R was a thief and wanted a whip.

[page 19]

S was a sailor, and spent all he got,

S was a sailor and spent everything he had,

T was a tinker, and mended a pot.

T was a handyman, and fixed a pot.

U was an usurer, a miserable elf,

U was a moneylender, a miserable little guy,

V was a vintner, who drank all himself.

V was a winemaker who drank everything he made.

W was a watchman, and guarded the door.

W was a guard, and watched the door.

X was expensive, and so became poor.

X was costly, and so ended up broke.

Y was a youth, that did not love school,

Y was a young person who didn't like school,

Z was a zany, a poor harmless fool.

Z was a quirky, harmless person.

XLIII.

A was an apple-pie;

A was an apple pie;

B bit it;

C cut it;

C removed it;

D dealt it;

D played it;

E eat it;

E consume it;

F fought for it;

G got it;

Got it;

H had it;

J joined it;

J joined in;

K kept it;

K held onto it;

L longed for it;

L wished for it;

M mourned for it;

M grieved for it;

N nodded at it;

N acknowledged it;

O opened it;

P peeped in it;

P peeked in it;

Q quartered it;

Q divided it;

R ran for it;

[page 20]

S stole it;

S took it;

T took it;

V viewed it;

V checked it out;

W wanted it;

X, Y, Z, and amperse-and,

X, Y, Z, and &.

All wish'd for a piece in hand.

All wished for a piece in hand.

XLIV.

A for the ape, that we saw at the fair;

A for the ape that we saw at the fair;

B for a blockhead, who ne'er shall go there;

B for a fool, who will never go there;

C for a collyflower, white as a curd;

C for a cauliflower, as white as cheese;

D for a duck, a very good bird;

D is for duck, a really great bird;

E for an egg, good in pudding or pies;

E for an egg, great in puddings or pies;

F for a farmer, rich, honest, and wise;

F for a farmer, wealthy, honest, and smart;

G for a gentleman, void of all care;

G for a guy, free of all worries;

H for the hound, that ran down the hare;

H for the hound that chased the hare;

I for an Indian, sooty and dark;

I for an Indian, smoky and dark;

K for the keeper, that look'd to the park;

K for the keeper, who watched over the park;

L for a lark, that soar'd in the air;

L for a lark that soared in the sky;

M for a mole, that ne'er could get there;

M for a mole, that never could get there;

N for Sir Nobody, ever in fault;

N for Sir Nobody, never to blame;

O for an otter, that ne'er could be caught;

O for an otter, that could never be caught;

P for a pudding, stuck full of plums;

P for a pudding, packed with plums;

Q was for quartering it, see here he comes;

Q was for splitting it up, look, here he comes;

R for a rook, that croak'd in the trees;

R for a rook, that croaked in the trees;

S for a sailor, that plough'd the deep seas;

S for a sailor who sailed the open seas;

[page 21]

T for a top, that doth prettily spin;

T for a top that spins beautifully;

V for a virgin of delicate mien;

V for a virgin with a gentle appearance;

W for wealth, in gold, silver, and pence;

W for wealth, in gold, silver, and coins;

X for old Xenophon, noted for sense;

X for the old Xenophon, known for his wisdom;

Y for a yew, which for ever is green;

Y for a yew, which is always green;

Z for the zebra, that belongs to the queen.

Z for the zebra that belongs to the queen.

[page 22]

THIRD CLASS—TALES.

XLV.

THE STORY OF CATSKIN.

HERE once was a gentleman grand,

HERE was once a nobleman,

Who lived at his country seat;

Who lived at his country home;

He wanted an heir to his land,

He wanted a successor for his land,

For he'd nothing but daughters yet.

For he only had daughters so far.

His lady's again in the way,

His lady is in the way again,

So she said to her husband with joy,

So she said to her husband happily,

"I hope some or other fine day,

"I hope that one day,"

To present you, my dear, with a boy."

To introduce you, my dear, to a boy.

[page 23]

The gentleman answered gruff,

The guy answered gruffly,

"If 't should turn out a maid or a mouse,

"If it should turn out to be a maid or a mouse,

For of both we have more than enough,

For both, we have more than enough,

She shan't stay to live in my house."

She won't stay to live in my house.

The lady, at this declaration,

The woman, at this declaration,

Almost fainted away with pain;

Almost fainted from pain;

But what was her sad consternation,

But what was her sad distress,

When a sweet little girl came again.

When a sweet little girl came back.

She sent her away to be nurs'd,

She sent her away to be cared for,

Without seeing her gruff papa;

Without seeing her tough dad;

And when she was old enough,

To a school she was packed away.

To a school, she was sent off.

Fifteen summers are fled,

Fifteen summers have passed,

Now she left good Mrs. Jervis;

To see home she was forbid,—

To see home she was forbidden,—

She determined to go and seek service.

She decided to go and look for a job.

Her dresses so grand and so gay,

Her dresses are so magnificent and so cheerful,

She carefully rolled in a knob;

Which she hid in a forest away,

Which she hid in a forest far away,

And put on a Catskin robe.

She knock'd at a castle gate,

She knocked at a castle gate,

And pray'd for charity;

And prayed for kindness;

They sent her some meat on a plate,

And kept her a scullion to be.

And kept her as a servant to be.

[page 24]

My lady look'd long in her face,

My lady looked closely at her face,

And prais'd her great beauty;

And praised her great beauty;

I'm sorry I've no better place,

I'm sorry I don't have a better place,

And you must our scullion be.

And you must be our kitchen helper.

So Catskin was under the cook,

So Catskin was working for the cook,

A very sad life she led,

A very sad life she lived,

For often a ladle she took,

For often she grabbed a ladle,

And broke poor Catskin's head.

And crushed poor Catskin's head.

There is now a grand ball to be,

There is now a big ball to attend,

When ladies their beauties show;

When women show off their beauty;

"Mrs. Cook," said Catskin, "dear me,

"Mrs. Cook," said Catskin, "oh my,

How much I should like to go!"

How much I would love to go!

"You go with your Catskin robe,

You dirty impudent slut!

You filthy disrespectful person!

Among the fine ladies and lords,

Among the elegant ladies and gentlemen,

A very fine figure you'd cut."

A really great impression you'd make.

A basin of water she took,

And dash'd in poor Catskin's face;

And splashed in poor Catskin's face;

But briskly her ears she shook,

But she quickly shook her ears,

And went to her hiding-place.

And went to her hideout.

She washed every stain from her skin,

She washed away every stain from her skin,

In some crystal waterfall;

In a crystal waterfall;

Then put on a beautiful dress,

Then put on a stunning dress,

And hasted away to the ball.

And hurried off to the party.

[page 25]

When she entered, the ladies were mute,

When she came in, the women were silent,

Overcome by her figure and face;

Overwhelmed by her looks and appearance;

But the lord, her young master, at once

But the lord, her young master, immediately

Fell in love with her beauty and grace;

Fell in love with her beauty and elegance;

He pray'd her his partner to be,

He prayed for her to be his partner,

She said, "Yes!" with a sweet smiling glance;

She said, "Yes!" with a sweet smile.

All night with no other lady

All night with no other woman

But Catskin, our young lord would dance.

But Catskin, our young lord, would dance.

"Pray tell me, fair maid, where you live?"

"Please tell me, lovely lady, where do you live?"

For now was the sad parting time;

For now was the time for a sad goodbye;

But she no other answer would give,

But she wouldn't give any other answer,

Than this distich of mystical rhyme,—

Than this couplet of mystical verse,—

Kind Sir, if the truth I must tell,

Dear Sir, if I have to be honest,

At the sign of the Basin of Water I Dwell.

I live at the sign of the Water Basin.

Then she flew from the ball-room, and put

Then she flew out of the ballroom and put

On her Catskin robe again;

On her Catskin coat again;

And slipt in unseen by the cook,

And slipped in unnoticed by the cook,

Who little thought where she had been.

Who would have thought about where she had been?

The young lord, the very next day,

To his mother his passion betrayed;

To his mother, his passion showed through;

He declared he never would rest,

He said he would never rest,

Till he'd found out this beautiful maid.

Till he'd found this beautiful maid.

[page 26]

There's another grand ball to be,

There's another big party coming up,

Where ladies their beauties show;

Where women showcase their beauty;

"Mrs. Cook," said Catskin, "dear me,

"Mrs. Cook," said Catskin, "oh my,

How much I should like to go!"

How much I would love to go!

"You go with your Catskin robe,

You dirty impudent slut!

You filthy, disrespectful person!

Among the fine ladies and lords,

Among the elegant ladies and gentlemen,

A very fine figure you'd cut."

A really great impression you'd make.

In a rage the ladle she took,

In a fit of anger, she grabbed the ladle,

And broke poor Catskin's head;

And smashed poor Catskin's head;

But off she went shaking her ears,

But off she went, shaking her ears,

And swift to her forest she fled.

And she quickly ran to her forest.

She washed every blood-stain off

She cleaned every bloodstain off

In some crystal waterfall;

In a crystal waterfall;

Put on a more beautiful dress,

Wear a nicer dress,

And hasted away to the ball.

And rushed off to the party.

My lord, at the ball-room door,

My lord, at the ballroom door,

Was waiting with pleasure and pain;

Was waiting with both excitement and anxiety;

He longed to see nothing so much

He really wanted to see nothing more.

As the beautiful Catskin again.

As the lovely Catskin again.

When he asked her to dance, she again

Said "Yes!" with her first smiling glance;

Said "Yes!" with her first smiling look;

And again, all the night, my young lord

And once more, all night, my young lord

With none but fair Catskin did dance.

With only fair Catskin did dance.

[page 27]

"Pray tell me," said he, "where you live?"

"Please tell me," he said, "where do you live?"

For now 'twas the parting-time;

For now, it was time to say goodbye;

But she no other answer would give,

But she wouldn't give any other answer,

Than this distich of mystical rhyme,—

Than this couplet of mystical rhyme,—

Kind Sir, if the truth I must tell,

Kind sir, if I have to be honest,

At the sign of the Broken-Ladle I dwell.

I live at the Broken Ladle.

Then she flew from the ball, and put on

Then she flew from the ball and put on

Her Catskin robe again;

And slipt in unseen by the cook,

And slipped in unnoticed by the cook,

Who little thought where she had been.

Who would have thought about where she had been?

My lord did again, the next day,

My lord did it again the next day,

Declare to his mother his mind,

That he never more happy should be,

That he would never be happier again,

Unless he his charmer should find.

Unless he finds his match.

Now another grand ball is to be,

Now there's going to be another grand ball,

Where ladies their beauties show;

Where ladies showcase their beauty;

"Mrs. Cook," said Catskin, "dear me,

"Mrs. Cook," said Catskin, "oh my goodness,

How much I should like to go!"

How much I would love to go!

"You go with your Catskin robe,

You impudent, dirty slut!

You rude, dirty slut!

Among the fine ladies and lords,

Among the elegant ladies and gentlemen,

A very fine figure you'd cut."

A really great impression you'd make.

In a fury she took the skimmer,

In a rage, she grabbed the skimmer,

And broke poor Catskin's head;

And smashed poor Catskin's head;

But heart-whole and lively as ever,

But as lively and full of spirit as ever,

Away to her forest she fled.

Away to her forest she ran.

[page 28]

She washed the stains of blood

She cleaned the bloodstains.

In some crystal waterfall;

In a crystal waterfall;

Then put on her most beautiful dress,

Then she put on her prettiest dress,

And hasted away to the ball.

And hurried off to the party.

My lord, at the ball-room door,

My lord, at the ballroom door,

Was waiting with pleasure and pain;

Was waiting with both excitement and discomfort;

He longed to see nothing so much

He craved to see nothing more.

As the beautiful Catskin again.

As the lovely Catskin again.

When he asked her to dance, she again

Said "Yes!" with her first smiling glance;

Said "Yes!" with her first smiling look;

And all the night long, my young lord

And all night long, my young lord

With none but fair Catskin would dance.

With no one but fair Catskin would dance.

"Pray tell me, fair maid, where you live?"

"Please tell me, beautiful lady, where do you live?"

For now was the parting-time;

Now was the time to part;

But she no other answer would give,

But she would give no other answer,

Than this distich of mystical rhyme,—

Than this couplet of mystical verse,—

Kind Sir, if the truth I must tell,

Kind Sir, if I have to be honest,

At the sign of the Broken-Skimmer I dwell.

I live at the Broken Skimmer.

Then she flew from the ball, and threw on

Then she left the ball in a hurry and put on

Her Catskin cloak again;

Her Catskin coat again;

And slipt in unseen by the cook,

And sneaked in without being noticed by the cook,

Who little thought where she had been.

Who would have guessed where she had been?

But not by my lord unseen,

But not by my lord unnoticed,

For this time he followed too fast;

For this time, he followed too closely;

And, hid in the forest green,

And, hidden in the green forest,

Saw the strange things that past.

Saw the strange things that happened in the past.

[page 29]

Next day he took to his bed,

Next day, he stayed in bed,

And sent for the doctor to come;

And called for the doctor to come;

And begg'd him no other than Catskin,

And asked him for nothing other than Catskin,

Might come into his room.

Might enter his room.

He told him how dearly he lov'd her,

He told him how much he loved her,

Not to have her his heart would break:

Not having her would break his heart:

Then the doctor kindly promised

To the proud old lady to speak.

To speak to the proud old lady.

There's a struggle of pride and love,

There's a battle between pride and love,

For she fear'd her son would die;

For she was afraid her son would die;

But pride at the last did yield,

But pride eventually surrendered,

And love had the mastery.

And love was in control.

Then my lord got quickly well,

Then my lord bounced back quickly,

When he was his charmer to wed;

When he was set to marry his charmer;

And Catskin, before a twelvemonth,

And Catskin, a year ago,

Of a young lord was brought to bed.

Of a young lord was born.

To a wayfaring woman and child,

To a traveling woman and child,

Lady Catskin one day sent an alms;

Lady Catskin one day sent a donation;

The nurse did the errand, and carried

The nurse did the task and carried

The sweet little lord in her arms.

The child gave the alms to the child,

The child gave the money to the child,

This was seen by the old lady-mother;

This was noticed by the elderly mother;

"Only see," said that wicked old woman,

"Just look," said that evil old woman,

"How the beggars' brats take to each other!"

"Look how the kids of the beggars connect with each other!"

[page 30]

This throw went to Catskin's heart,

This throw struck Catskin's heart,

She flung herself down on her knees,

She knelt down,

And pray'd her young master and lord

And prayed to her young master and lord

To seek out her parents would please.

To look for her parents would be satisfying.

They set out in my lord's own coach;

They set out in my lord's own carriage;

They travelled, but nought befel

They traveled, but nothing happened.

Till they reach'd the town hard by,

Till they reached the town nearby,

Where Catskin's father did dwell.

Where Catskin's dad lived.

They put up at the head inn,

They stayed at the main inn,

Where Catskin was left alone;

Where Catskin was by herself;

But my lord went to try if her father

But my lord went to see if her father

His natural child would own.

His biological child would inherit.

When folks are away, in short time

When people are away, in a short time

What great alterations appear;

What great changes appear;

For the cold touch of death had all chill'd

For the cold grip of death had completely frozen

The hearts of her sisters dear.

The hearts of her beloved sisters.

Her father repented too late,

Her dad regretted it too late,

And the loss of his youngest bemoan'd;

And he mourned the loss of his youngest.

In his old and childless state,

In his elderly and childless condition,

He his pride and cruelty own'd.

He acknowledged his own pride and cruelty.

The old gentleman sat by the fire,

The old man sat by the fire,

And hardly looked up at my lord;

And barely glanced up at my lord;

He had no hopes of comfort

He had no hope for comfort.

A stranger could afford.

A stranger could pay for.

[page 31]

But my lord drew a chair close by,

But my lord pulled up a chair close by,

And said, in a feeling tone,

And said, in an emotional tone,

"Have you not, sir, a daughter, I pray,

"Do you not have a daughter, sir, I ask?"

You never would see or own?"

You would never see or own?

The old man alarm'd, cried aloud,

The old man, alarmed, shouted out,

"A hardened sinner am I!

"I'm a hardened sinner!"

I would give all my worldly goods,

I would give everything I own,

To see her before I die."

To see her before I die.

Then my lord brought his wife and child

To their home and parent's face,

To their home and their parent's face,

Who fell down and thanks returned

Who fell down and said thanks

To God, for his mercy and grace.

To God, for His mercy and grace.

The bells, ringing up in the tower,

The bells ringing in the tower,

Are sending a sound to the heart;

Are sending a message to the heart;

There's a charm in the old church-bells,

There's a charm in the old church bells,

Which nothing in life can impart!

Which nothing in life can give!

XLVI.

[The tale of Simple Simon forms one of the chap-books, but the following verses are those generally sung in the nursery.]

[The story of Simple Simon is part of the chap-books, but the following verses are the ones usually sung in the nursery.]

Simple Simon met a pieman

Simple Simon met a pie guy

Going to the fair;

Going to the fair.

Says Simple Simon to the pieman,

Says Simple Simon to the pie man,

"Let me taste your ware."

"Let me try your goods."

[page 32]

Says the pieman to Simple Simon,

Says the pie guy to Simple Simon,

"Show me first your penny."

"Show me your penny first."

Says Simple Simon to the pieman,

Says Simple Simon to the pie seller,

"Indeed I have not any."

"I really don't have any."

Simple Simon went a fishing

Simple Simon went fishing

For to catch a whale:

To catch a whale:

All the water he had got

All the water he had gotten

Was in his mother's pail.

Was in his mom's pail.

Punch and Judy,

Punch and Judy,

Fought for a pie,

Fought for a slice,

Punch gave Judy

A sad blow on the eye.

A painful hit to the eye.

[page 33]

XLVIII.

There was a crooked man, and he went a crooked mile,

There was a crooked man, and he went a crooked mile,

He found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile:

He found a bent sixpence next to a crooked fence:

He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse,

He bought a crooked cat that caught a crooked mouse,

And they all lived together in a little crooked house.

And they all lived together in a small, crooked house.

XLIX.

Solomon Grundy,

Born on a Monday,

Christened on Tuesday,

Baptized on Tuesday,

Married on Wednesday,

Took ill on Thursday,

Got sick on Thursday,

Worse on Friday,

Died on Saturday,

Passed away on Saturday,

Buried on Sunday:

This is the end

That's all folks

Of Solomon Grundy.

L.

Robin the Bobbin, the big-bellied Ben,

Robin the Bobbin, the hefty Ben,

He eat more meat than fourscore men;

He eats more meat than eighty men;

He eat a cow, he eat a calf,

He eats a cow, he eats a calf,

He eat a butcher and a half;

He eats a lot of meat;

He eat a church, he eat a steeple,

He ate a church, he ate a steeple,

He eat the priest and all the people!

He ate the priest and all the people!

[page 34]

A cow and a calf,

A cow and her calf,

An ox and a half,

An ox and a half

A church and a steeple,

A church with a steeple,

And all the good people,

And all the nice people,

And yet he complain'd that his stomach wasn't full.

And yet he complained that his stomach wasn't full.

...When a bird, called a snipe, Flew away with his pipe....

LI.

There was a fat man of Bombay,

There was a fat man from Bombay,

Who was smoking one sunshiny day,

Who was smoking on a sunny day,

When a bird, called a snipe,

When a bird known as a snipe,

Flew away with his pipe,

Took off with his pipe,

Which vex'd the fat man of Bombay.

Which annoyed the heavyset man from Bombay.

[page 35]

LII.

My dear, do you know,

My friend, do you know,

How a long time ago,

A long time ago,

Two poor little children,

Two underprivileged kids,

Whose names I don't know,

I don’t know their names,

Were stolen away on a fine summer's day,

Were taken away on a nice summer day,

And left in a wood, as I've heard people say.

And left in a woods, as I've heard people say.

And when it was night,

And when night fell,

So sad was their plight,

Their plight was so sad,

The sun it went down,

The sun has set,

And the moon gave no light!

And the moon provided no light!

They sobb'd and they sigh'd, and they bitterly cried,

They sobbed and they sighed, and they cried bitterly,

And the poor little things, they lay down and died.

And when they were dead,

And when they died,

The Robins so red

The red Robins

Brought strawberry leaves,

And over them spread;

And spread over them;

And all the day long,

And all day long,

They sung them this song,

They sang them this song,

"Poor babes in the wood! poor babes in the wood!

"Poor kiddos in the woods! Poor kiddos in the woods!"

And don't you remember the babes in the wood?"

And don't you remember the kids in the woods?

[page 36]

LIII.

There was a man, and he had naught,

There was a man, and he had nothing,

And robbers came to rob him;

And thieves came to steal from him;

He crept up to the chimney pot,

He quietly approached the chimney pot,

And then they thought they had him.

And then they thought they had him trapped.

But he got down on t'other side,

But he got down on the other side,

And then they could not find him;

And then they couldn't find him;

He ran fourteen miles in fifteen days,

And never look'd behind him.

And never looked back.

LIV.

There was a little man,

There was a short man,

And he had a little gun,

And he had a small gun,

And he went to the brook,

And he went to the creek,

And he shot a little rook;

And he shot a little crow;

And he took it home

And he took it home.

To his old wife Joan,

To his wife Joan,

And told her to make up a fire,

And told her to start a fire,

While he went back,

As he headed back,

To fetch the little drake;

To get the little dragon;

But when he got there,

But when he arrived,

The drake was fled for fear,

The drake was scared and took flight,

And like an old novice,

And like a clueless newbie,

He turn'd back again.

He turned back again.

[page 37]

LV.

THE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS.

Once upon a time there was an old sow with three little pigs, and as she had not enough to keep them, she sent them out to seek their fortune. The first that went off met a man with a bundle of straw, and said to him, "Please, man, give me that straw to build me a house;" which the man did, and the little pig built a house with it. Presently came along a wolf, and knocked at the door, and said,—

Once upon a time, there was an old sow with three little pigs, and since she couldn’t support them all, she sent them out to find their way in the world. The first pig to leave met a man carrying a bundle of straw and said, "Excuse me, could you give me that straw to build a house?" The man agreed, and the little pig used it to build a house. Soon, a wolf came along, knocked on the door, and said—

"Little pig, little pig, let me come in."

"Hey there, little pig, let me in."

To which the pig answered,—

The pig replied,—

"No, no, by the hair of my chiny chin chin."

"No, no, by the hair on my chinny chin chin."

The wolf then answered to that,—

The wolf then replied to that,—

"Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in."

"Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house down."

So he huffed, and he puffed, and he blew his house in, and eat up the little pig.

So he huffed, and he puffed, and he blew his house down, and ate the little pig.

The second little pig met a man with a bundle of furze, and said, "Please, man, give me that furze to build a house;" which the man did, and the pig built his house. Then along came the wolf, and said,—

The second little pig met a man with a bundle of brush, and said, "Hey, can I have that brush to build a house?" The man agreed, and the pig built his house. Then the wolf came along and said,—

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"Little pig, little pig, let me come in."

"Hey there, little pig, let me in."

"No, no, by the hair of my chiny chin chin."

"No, no, by the hair on my chinny chin chin."

"Then I'll puff, and I'll huff, and I'll blow your house in."

"Then I'll blow hard and knock your house down."

So he huffed, and he puffed, and he puffed, and he huffed, and at last he blew the house down, and he eat up the little pig.

So he huffed, and he puffed, and he puffed, and he huffed, and finally, he blew the house down, and he ate up the little pig.

The third little pig met a man with a load of bricks, and said, "Please, man, give me those bricks to build a house with;" so the man gave him the bricks, and he built his house with them. So the wolf came, as he did to the other little pigs, and said,—

The third little pig met a man with a load of bricks and said, "Hey, could you give me those bricks to build a house?" So the man gave him the bricks, and he built his house with them. Then the wolf came, just like he did to the other little pigs, and said,—

"Little pig, little pig, let me come in."

"Little pig, little pig, let me in."

"No, no, by the hair of my chiny chin chin."

"No, no, by the hair on my chinny chin chin."

"Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in."

"Then I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow your house down."

Well, he huffed, and he puffed, and he huffed, and he puffed, and he puffed, and he huffed; but he could not get the house down. When he found that he could not, with all his huffing and puffing, blow the house down, he said, "Little pig, I know where there is a nice field of turnips." "Where?" said the little pig. [page 39] "Oh, in Mr. Smith's Home-field, and if you will be ready to-morrow morning I will call for you, and we will go together, and get some for dinner." "Very well," said the little pig, "I will be ready. What time do you mean to go?" "Oh, at six o'clock." Well, the little pig got up at five, and got the turnips before the wolf came—(which he did about six)—and who said, "Little pig, are you ready?" The little pig said, "Ready! I have been, and come back again, and got a nice pot-full for dinner." The wolf felt very angry at this, but thought that he would be up to the little pig somehow or other, so he said, "Little pig, I know where there is a nice apple-tree." "Where?" said the pig. "Down at Merry-garden," replied the wolf, "and if you will not deceive me I will come for you, at five o'clock to-morrow, and we will go together and get some apples." Well, the little pig bustled up the next morning at four o'clock, and went off for the apples, hoping to get back before the wolf came; but he had further to go, and had to climb the tree, so that just as he was coming down from it, he saw the wolf coming, which, as you may suppose, frightened him very much. When [page 40] the wolf came up he said, "Little pig, what! are you here before me? Are they nice apples?" "Yes, very," said the little pig. "I will throw you down one;" and he threw it so far, that, while the wolf was gone to pick it up, the little pig jumped down and ran home. The next day the wolf came again, and said to the little pig, "Little pig, there is a fair at Shanklin this afternoon, will you go?" "Oh yes," said the pig, "I will go; what time shall you be ready?" "At three," said the wolf. So the little pig went off before the time as usual, and got to the fair, and bought a butter-churn, which he was going home with, when he saw the wolf coming. Then he could not tell what to do. So he got into the churn to hide, and by so doing turned it round, and it rolled down the hill with the pig in it, which frightened the wolf so much, that he ran home without going to the fair. He went to the little pig's house, and told him how frightened he had been by a great round thing which came down the hill past him. Then the little pig said, "Hah, I frightened you then. I had been to the fair and bought a butter-churn, and when I saw you, I got into it, [page 41] and rolled down the hill." Then the wolf was very angry indeed, and declared he would eat up the little pig, and that he would get down the chimney after him. When the little pig saw what he was about, he hung on the pot full of water, and made up a blazing fire, and, just as the wolf was coming down, took off the cover, and in fell the wolf; so the little pig put on the cover again in an instant, boiled him up, and eat him for supper, and lived happy ever afterwards.

Well, he huffed and he puffed, and he huffed and he puffed and he puffed and he huffed; but he could not blow the house down. When he realized that he couldn’t, despite all his huffing and puffing, he said, “Little pig, I know where there’s a nice field of turnips.” “Where?” asked the little pig. [page 39] “Oh, in Mr. Smith’s Home-field, and if you’re ready tomorrow morning, I’ll come for you, and we can go together and pick some for dinner.” “Alright,” said the little pig, “I’ll be ready. What time do you plan to go?” “Oh, at six o'clock.” So, the little pig got up at five, gathered the turnips before the wolf arrived—(which he did around six)—and asked, “Little pig, are you ready?” The little pig replied, “Ready! I’ve been and come back again with a nice pot-full for dinner.” The wolf was very angry about this but thought he could trick the little pig somehow, so he said, “Little pig, I know where there’s a nice apple tree.” “Where?” asked the pig. “Down at Merry-garden,” replied the wolf, “and if you don’t deceive me, I’ll come for you at five o’clock tomorrow, and we’ll go together and get some apples.” The little pig got up the next morning at four o'clock and went off for the apples, hoping to return before the wolf arrived. However, he had further to go and had to climb the tree, so just as he was coming down, he spotted the wolf approaching, which scared him a lot. When [page 40] the wolf reached him, he said, “Little pig, what! Are you here before me? Are they nice apples?” “Yes, very,” replied the little pig. “I’ll throw one down for you;” and he threw it so far that while the wolf went to pick it up, the little pig jumped down and ran home. The next day, the wolf came again and asked the little pig, “Little pig, there’s a fair at Shanklin this afternoon; will you go?” “Oh yes,” said the pig, “I’ll go; what time will you be ready?” “At three,” replied the wolf. So the little pig left early as usual, went to the fair, and bought a butter churn. He was on his way home with it when he saw the wolf coming. Then he didn’t know what to do. So he climbed into the churn to hide, and by doing that, it turned over and rolled down the hill with the pig inside, which scared the wolf so much that he ran home without going to the fair. He went to the little pig’s house and told him how terrified he had been by a big round thing rolling down the hill past him. Then the little pig said, “Ha, I scared you then. I had been to the fair and bought a butter churn, and when I saw you, I climbed in, [page 41] and rolled down the hill.” The wolf became very angry then and vowed he would eat the little pig, insisting he would come down the chimney after him. When the little pig saw what he was up to, he put a pot full of water on to boil and made a big fire, and just as the wolf was coming down, he took off the lid, and in fell the wolf; so the little pig quickly replaced the lid, boiled him up, and ate him for supper, living happily ever after.

LVI.

Little Tommy Tittlemouse

Lived in a little house;

Lived in a tiny house;

He caught fishes

He caught fish.

In other men's ditches.

In other people's ditches.

LVII.

Little King Boggen he built a fine hall.

Small King Boggen built a great hall.

Pye-crust, and pastry-crust, that was the wall;

Pye crust and pastry crust served as the wall;

The windows were made of black-puddings and white,

The windows were made of black puddings and white,

And slated with pancakes—you ne'er saw the like.

And served with pancakes—you've never seen anything like it.

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LVIII.

The lion and the unicorn

The lion and the unicorn

Were fighting for the crown;

We're fighting for the crown;

The lion beat the unicorn

The lion defeated the unicorn.

All round about the town.

All around the town.

Some gave them white bread,

Some gave them sandwich bread,

And some gave them brown;

And some gave them brown ones;

Some gave them plum-cake,

Some gave them fruitcake,

And sent them out of town.

LIX.

There was a jolly miller

There was a cheerful miller

Lived on the river Dee,

Lived by the River Dee,

He look'd upon his pillow,

He looked at his pillow,

And there he saw a flee.

And there he saw a flea.

Oh! Mr. Flea,

You have been biting me,

You’ve been biting me,

And you must die:

So he crack'd his bones

So he popped his joints

Upon the stones,

On the stones,

And there he let him lie.

And there he let him stay.

LX.

Tom, Tom, the piper's son,

Tom, the piper's son,

Stole a pig, and away he run!

Stole a pig, and off he went!

The pig was eat, and Tom was beat,

The pig was eaten, and Tom was defeated,

And Tom went roaring down the street.

And Tom sped down the street.

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LXI.

In Arthur's court Tom Thumb * did live,

In Arthur's court, Tom Thumb __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__ lived,

A man of mickle might;

A man of great power;

The best of all the table round,

The best of all the round tables,

And eke a doughty knight.

And also a brave knight.

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His stature but an inch in height,

His height was only an inch tall,

Or quarter of a span;

Or a quarter of a span;

Then think you not this little knight

Then don’t you think this little knight

Was proved a valiant man?

Was he proven a brave man?

His father was a ploughman plain,

His father was a simple farmer,

His mother milk'd the cow,

His mother milked the cow.

Yet how that they might have a son

Yet how they might have a son

They knew not what to do:

They didn't know what to do:

Until such time this good old man

Until this old man

To learned Merlin goes,

To wise Merlin goes,

And there to him his deep desires

And there, his true desires

In secret manner shows.

In secret shows.

How in his heart he wish'd to have

How in his heart he wished to have

A child, in time to come,

A kid, in the future,

To be his heir, though it might be

To be his heir, even if it might be

No bigger than his thumb.

No larger than his thumb.

Of which old Merlin thus foretold,

Which old Merlin predicted,

That he his wish should have,

That he should have his wish,

And so this son of stature small

And so this son of small stature

The charmer to him gave.

He was given a charm.

No blood nor bones in him should be,

No blood or bones should be in him,

In shape, and being such

In shape and being like this

That men should hear him speak, but not

His wandering shadow touch.

His wandering shadow's touch.

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But so unseen to go or come,—

But it's so invisible to go or come,—

Whereas it pleas'd him still;

While it still pleased him;

Begot and born in half an hour,

Begotten and born in thirty minutes,

To fit his father's will.

To fulfill his father's wishes.

And in four minutes grew so fast

And in four minutes, it grew so quickly.

That he became so tall

That he got so tall

As was the ploughman's thumb in height,

And so they did him call—

And so they named him—

Tom Thumb, the which the fairy queen

Tom Thumb, who the fairy queen

There gave him to his name,

Who, with her train of goblins grim,

Who, with her group of grim goblins,

Unto his christening came.

Came to his christening.

Whereas she cloth'd him richly brave,

Whereas she dressed him in stylish, rich clothes,

In garments fine and fair,

In fine and nice clothes,

Which lasted him for many years

In seemly sort to wear.

In a fashionable way to dress.

His hat made of an oaken leaf,

His hat was made of an oak leaf,

His shirt a spider's web,

His shirt like a spider's web,

Both light and soft for those his limbs

Both light and soft for those limbs

That were so smally bred.

That were so small-bred.

His hose and doublet thistle-down,

His outfit's a mess,

Together weaved full fine;

Together weaved perfectly;

His stockings of an apple green,

His bright green stockings,

Made of the outward rind;

Made of the outer skin;

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His garters were two little hairs

His garters were two tiny pieces of hair.

Pull'd from his mother's eye;

Pulled from his mother's eye;

His boots and shoes, a mouse's skin,

His boots and shoes, made from mouse skin,

Were tann'd most curiously

Were tanned very skillfully

Thus like a lusty gallant, he

Thus like a bold gentleman, he

Adventured forth to go,

Set out to go,

With other children in the streets,

With other kids in the streets,

His pretty tricks to show.

His fancy tricks to show.

Where he for counters, pins, and points,

And cherry-stones did play,

And cherry pits did play,

Till he amongst those gamesters young

Till he among those young players

Had lost his stock away.

Had lost his stock.

Yet could he soon renew the same,

Whereas most nimbly he

Whereas he moved most nimbly

Would dive into their cherry-bags,

Would dive into their treats,

And their partaker be,

And they be a participant,

Unseen or felt by any one,

Unseen or felt by anyone,

Until this scholar shut

Until this researcher shut

This nimble youth into a box,

This agile young person into a box,

Wherein his pins he put.

Where he put his pins.

Of whom to be reveng'd, he took,

Of whom to get revenge, he took,

In mirth and pleasant game,

In joy and fun,

Black pots and glasses, which he hung

Black pots and glasses that he hung

Upon a bright sun-beam.

On a sunny beam.

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The other boys to do the like,

The other boys did the same thing,

In pieces broke them quite;

In pieces broke them completely;

For which they were most soundly whipt;

For which they were thoroughly punished;

Whereat he laughed outright.

Then he laughed out loud.

And so Tom Thumb restrained was,

And so Tom Thumb was held back,

From these his sports and play;

From these, his games and fun;

And by his mother after that,

And then by his mother after that,

Compell'd at home to stay.

Forced to stay home.

Until such time his mother went

Until then, his mom went

A-milking of her kine;

Milking her cows;

Where Tom unto a thistle fast

Where Tom was caught by a thistle fast

She linked with a twine.

She tied it with twine.

A thread that held him to the same,

A thread that kept him connected to the same,

For fear the blustering wind

For fear of the strong wind

Should blow him hence,—that so she might

Should blow him away, so that she might

Her son in safety find.

Find her son safe.

But mark the hap! a cow came by,

But check this out! A cow walked by,

And up the thistle eat;

And eat the thistle;

Poor Tom withal, that, as a dock,

Poor Tom too, that, like a dock,

Was made the red cow's meat.

Who, being miss'd, his mother went

Who, when he was missing, his mother went

Him calling everywhere;

Him calling all over;

Where art thou, Tom? Where art thou, Tom?

Where are you, Tom? Where are you, Tom?

Quoth he, here, mother, here!

He said, "Here, mother, here!"

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Within the red cow's stomach here,

Your son is swallowed up:

Your son is overwhelmed:

The which into her fearful heart,

The which entered her fearful heart,

Most careful dolours put.

Most careful sorrows expressed.

Meanwhile the cow was troubled much,

Meanwhile, the cow was very upset,

And soon releas'd Tom Thumb;

And soon released Tom Thumb;

No rest she had till out her mouth,

No rest she had until it came out of her mouth,

In bad plight he did come.

In a tough situation, he arrived.

Now after this, in sowing time,

Now after this, during planting season,

His father would him have

His father would have him

Into the field to drive his plough,

Into the field to drive his plow,

And thereupon him gave—

And then he gave—

A whip made of a barley-straw,

A whip made of barley straw,

To drive the cattle on;

To herd the cattle;

Where, in a furrow'd land new sown,

Where, in a plowed field recently planted,

Poor Tom was lost and gone.

Now by a raven of great strength,

Now by a strong raven,

Away he thence was borne,

He was taken away.

And carried in the carrion's beak,

And carried in the vulture's beak,

Even like a grain of corn,

Even like a kernel of corn,

Unto a giant's castle top,

To a giant's castle top,

In which he let him fall;

In which he let him drop;

Where soon the giant swallowed up

His body, clothes, and all.

His body, clothes, and everything.

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But soon the giant spat him out,

But soon the giant spit him out,

Three miles into the sea;

Three miles out to sea;

Whereas a fish soon took him up,

Whereas a fish quickly picked him up,

And bore him thence away.

And took him away from there.

Which lusty fish was after caught,

Which lively fish was caught,

And to king Arthur sent;

And sent to King Arthur;

Where Tom was found, and made his dwarf,

Where Tom was found and became his dwarf,

Whereas his days he spent.

Where he spent his days.

Long time in lively jollity,

Long time in lively fun,

Belov'd of all the court;

Beloved by everyone in court;

And none like Tom was then esteem'd,

And no one was valued like Tom was then,

Among the noble sort.

Among the aristocracy.

Amongst his deeds of courtship done,

Among the things he did to win her over,

His highness did command,

His highness commanded,

That he should dance a galliard brave

That he should dance a bold galliard

Upon his queen's left hand.

Next to his queen.

The which he did, and for the same

The king his signet gave,

The king gave his signet,

Which Tom about his middle wore,

Which Tom wore in the middle,

Long time a girdle brave.

Long time a bold belt.

How, after this, the king would not

Abroad for pleasure go

Traveling abroad for fun

But still Tom Thumb must ride with him,

But still, Tom Thumb has to ride with him,

Placed on his saddle-bow.

Placed on his saddle.

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Whereon a time when, as it rain'd,

Where at one time, when it rained,

Tom Thumb most nimbly crept

Tom Thumb stealthily crept

In at a button-hole, where he

In at a buttonhole, where he

Within his bosom slept.

He slept in his chest.

And being near his highness' heart,

And being close to his highness' heart,

He crav'd a wealthy boon,

He craved a big favor,

A liberal gift, the which the king

A generous gift that the king

Commanded to be done.

Ordered to be done.

For to relieve his father's wants,

To support his father's needs,

And mother's, being old;

And mother's, being elderly;

Which was, so much of silver coin

Which was, so much silver coin

As well his arms could hold.

As well as his arms could hold.

And so away goes lusty Tom,

And so away goes energetic Tom,

With threepence on his back,

With threepence in his pocket,

A heavy burthen, which might make

A heavy burden, which might make

His wearied limbs to crack.

His tired limbs to crack.

So travelling two days and nights,

So traveling for two days and nights,

With labour and great pain,

With hard work and effort,

He came into the house whereat

He came into the house where

His parents did remain;

His parents stayed;

Which was but half a mile in space

Which was only half a mile away

From good king Arthur's court,

From King Arthur's court,

The which, in eight and forty hours,

The which, in 48 hours,

He went in weary sort.

He went in feeling tired.

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But coming to his father's door,

But when he arrived at his father's house,

He there such entrance had

He had such an entrance.

As made his parents both rejoice,

As made his parents both happy,

And he thereat was glad.

And he was glad about it.

His mother in her apron took

Her gentle son in haste,

Her kind son in a hurry,

And by the fire-side, within

And by the fireplace, inside

A walnut-shell him placed;

He placed a walnut shell;

Whereas they feasted him three days

Whereas they celebrated him for three days

Upon a hazel-nut,

On a hazelnut,

Whereon he rioted so long,

Where he partied for so long,

He them to charges put;

He put charges on them;

And thereupon grew wond'rous sick,

And then became really ill,

Through eating too much meat,

By eating too much meat,

Which was sufficient for a month

Which was enough for a month.

For this great man to eat.

But now his business call'd him forth

But now his business called him away

King Arthur's court to see,

King Arthur's court to visit,

Whereas no longer from the same

He could a stranger be.

He could be a stranger.

But yet a few small April drops

But just a few small April raindrops

Which settled in the way,

Which settled down the way,

His long and weary journey forth

His long and exhausting journey ahead

Did hinder and so stay.

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Until his careful father took

Until his cautious dad took

A birding trunk in sport,

A sports birdwatching trunk,

And with one blast, blew this his son

And with one blow, knocked this son away.

Into king Arthur's court.

To King Arthur's court.

Now he with tilts and tournaments

Now he with contests and tournaments

Was entertained so,

Had a great time,

That all the best of Arthur's knights

Did him much pleasure show:

Gave him a lot of joy:

As good Sir Lancelot du Lake,

As the brave Sir Lancelot du Lake,

Sir Tristain, and Sir Guy;

Sir Tristan and Sir Guy;

Yet none compar'd with brave Tom Thumb

Yet none compared with brave Tom Thumb.

For knightly chivalry.

For knightly honor.

In honour of which noble day,

In honor of that special day,

And for his lady's sake,

And for his girlfriend's sake,

A challenge in king Arthur's court

A challenge in King Arthur's court

Tom Thumb did bravely make.

Tom Thumb did bravely act.

'Gainst whom these noble knights did run,

'Against whom these noble knights did run,

Sir Chinon and the rest,

Sir Chinon and the others,

Yet still Tom Thumb, with matchless might,

Yet still Tom Thumb, with unmatched strength,

Did bear away the best.

Took away the best.

At last Sir Lancelot du Lake

At last, Sir Lancelot du Lake

In manly sort came in,

In a masculine way, came in,

And with this stout and hardy knight

And with this strong and brave knight

A battle did begin.

A battle has started.

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Which made the courtiers all aghast,

Which surprised all the courtiers,

For there that valiant man,

For that brave man,

Through Lancelot's steed, before them all,

Through Lancelot's horse, in front of everyone,

In nimble manner ran.

Ran swiftly.

Yea, horse and all, with spear and shield,

Yup, horse and everything, with spear and shield,

As hardy he was seen,

As tough as he seemed,

But only by king Arthur's self

But only by King Arthur himself

And his admired queen;

And his beloved queen;

Who from her finger took a ring,

Who took a ring from her finger,

Through which Tom Thumb made way,

Through which Tom Thumb made his way,

Not touching it, in nimble sort,

Not touching it, in a quick, light way,

As it was done in play.

As it was done in the play.

He likewise cleft the smallest hair

He also split the tiniest hair.

From his fair lady's head,

From his lady's head,

Not hurting her whose even hand

Not hurting her whose steady hand

Him lasting honours bred.

His lasting honors bred.

Such were his deeds and noble acts

Such were his actions and heroic deeds.

In Arthur's court there shone,

In Arthur's court, there glittered,

As like in all the world beside

As in all the world besides

Was hardly seen or known.

Was rarely seen or known.

Now at these sports he toil'd himself,

Now at these sports he worked hard,

That he a sickness took,

That he got sick,

Through which all manly exercise

Through which all physical activity

He carelessly forsook.

He carelessly abandoned.

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When lying on his bed sore sick,

When he was lying in bed, feeling really unwell,

King Arthur's doctor came,

King Arthur's doctor arrived,

With cunning skill, by physic's art,

With clever skill, through the science of medicine,

To ease and cure the same.

To ease and heal it.

His body being so slender small,

His body was so slender and small,

This cunning doctor took

This sly doctor took

A fine perspective glass, with which

A nice pair of binoculars, with which

He did in secret look—

He secretly glanced—

Into his sickened body down,

Into his sick body down,

And therein saw that Death

And there saw that Death

Stood ready in his wasted frame

To cease his vital breath.

To stop breathing.

His arms and legs consum'd as small

His arms and legs shrank down to nothing.

As was a spider's web,

Like a spider's web,

Through which his dying hour grew on,

Through which his dying hour approached,

For all his limbs grew dead.

For all his limbs became numb.

His face no bigger than an ant's,

Which hardly could be seen;

Which was hardly visible;

The loss of which renowned knight

The loss of which famous knight

Much grieved the king and queen.

The king and queen were very saddened.

And so with peace and quietness

And so with peace and quiet

He left this earth below;

He left this world.

And up into the fairy-land

And up into the fairyland

His ghost did fading go,

His ghost faded away,

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Whereas the fairy-queen receiv'd,

While the fairy queen received,

With heavy mourning cheer,

With mixed emotions,

The body of this valiant knight,

The body of this brave knight,

Whom she esteem'd so dear.

Whom she held so dear.

For with her dancing nymphs in green,

She fetch'd him from his bed,

She got him out of bed,

With music and sweet melody,

With music and a sweet melody,

So soon as life was fled;

So soon as life was gone;

For whom king Arthur and his knights

For whom King Arthur and his knights

Full forty days did mourn;

Mourned for a full forty days;

And, in remembrance of his name,

And, in memory of his name,

That was so strangely born—

That was so oddly created—

He built a tomb of marble gray,

He built a tomb of gray marble,

And year by year did come

And every year returned

To celebrate ye mournful death

To celebrate your mournful death

And burial of Tom Thumb.

Whose fame still lives in England here,

Whose fame still lives on in England here,

Amongst the country sort;

Among the rural crowd;

Of whom our wives and children small

Of whom our wives and young children

Tell tales of pleasant sport.

Share stories of enjoyable activities.

* "I have an old edition of this author by me, the title of which is more sonorous and heroical than those of later date, which, for the better information of the reader, it may not be improper to insert in this place, 'Tom Thumb his Life and Death; wherein is declar'd his many marvellous Acts of Manhood, full of wonder and strange merriment.' Then he adds, 'Which little Knight liv'd in King Arthur's time, in the court of Great Britain.' Indeed, there are so many spurious editions of this piece upon one account or other, that I wou'd advise my readers to be very cautious in their choice."—A Comment upon the History of T. T. 1711. A "project for the reprinting of Tom Thumb, with marginal notes and cuts," is mentioned in the old play of The Projectours, 1665, p. 41.

* "I have an old edition of this author with me, and the title is more melodious and heroic than those published later. To better inform the reader, it might be good to include it here: 'Tom Thumb his Life and Death; where his many marvelous Acts of Manhood are revealed, full of wonder and strange merriment.' It then adds, 'This little Knight lived in King Arthur's time, at the court of Great Britain.' In fact, there are so many fake editions of this work for various reasons that I would advise my readers to be very careful when choosing."—A Comment upon the History of T. T. 1711. A "project for reprinting Tom Thumb, with marginal notes and illustrations," is mentioned in the old play The Projectours, 1665, p. 41.

[page 56]

LXII.

[The following lines, slightly altered, occur in a little black-letter book by W. Wagner, printed about the year 1561; entitled, 'A very mery and pythie commedie, called, the longer thou livest, the more foole thou art.' See also a whole song, ending with these lines, in Ritson's 'North Country Chorister,' 8vo, Durham, 1802, p. 1.]

[The following lines, slightly altered, appear in a small black-letter book by W. Wagner, printed around 1561; titled, 'A very merry and witty comedy, called, the longer you live, the more fool you are.' Also see a complete song, ending with these lines, in Ritson's 'North Country Chorister,' 8vo, Durham, 1802, p. 1.]

Bryan O'Lin, and his wife, and wife's mother,

Bryan O'Lin, his wife, and his mother-in-law,

They all went over a bridge together:

They all crossed a bridge together:

The bridge was broken, and they all fell in,

The bridge was broken, and they all fell in.

The deuce go with all! quoth Bryan O'Lin.

The devil take them all! said Bryan O'Lin.

LXIII.

Old Mother Goose, when

Old Mother Goose, when

She wanted to wander,

She wanted to explore,

Would ride through the air

Would fly through the air

On a very fine gander.

On a great look.

Mother Goose had a house,

Mother Goose had a home,

'Twas built in a wood,

It was built in a wood,

Where an owl at the door

Where an owl is at the door

For sentinel stood.

For the lookout stood.

This is her son Jack,

This is her son, Jack.

A plain-looking lad,

An average-looking guy,

He is not very good,

He's not that great.

Nor yet very bad.

Not too bad.

[page 57]

She sent him to market,

She sent him to the store,

A live goose he bought,

Here, mother, says he,

Here, mother, he says,

It will not go for nought.

It won't be in vain.

Jack's goose and her gander,

Grew very fond;

Got really attached;

They'd both eat together,

They would both eat together,

Or swim in one pond.

Or swim in a pond.

Jack found one morning,

Jack discovered one morning,

As I have been told,

As I've been told,

His goose had laid him

His goose laid him

An egg of pure gold.

A pure gold egg.

Jack rode to his mother,

Jack rode to his mom,

The news for to tell,

The news to tell,

She call'd him a good boy,

She called him a good boy,

And said it was well.

And said it was fine.

Jack sold his gold egg

Jack sold his gold egg.

To a rogue of a Jew,

To a dishonest Jewish individual,

Who cheated him out of

Who scammed him out of

The half of his due.

Half of what he owes.

Then Jack went a courting,

Then Jack started dating,

A lady so gay,

A woman so happy,

As fair as the lily,

As pure as the lily,

And sweet as the May.

And sweet as May.

[page 58]

The Jew and the Squire

Came behind his back,

Came up behind him,

And began to belabour

And started to harp on

The sides of poor Jack.

Poor Jack's situation.

The old Mother Goose,

Mother Goose,

That instant came in,

That moment arrived,

And turned her son Jack

And turned her son Jack.

Into fam'd Harlequin.

Into famous Harlequin.

She then with her wand,

She then with her magic wand,

Touch'd the lady so fine,

Touched the lady so fine,

And turn'd her at once

And turned her right away

Into sweet Columbine.

The gold egg into the sea

The golden egg into the sea

Was thrown then,—

Was thrown then, —

When Jack jump'd in,

When Jack jumped in,

And got the egg back again.

And got the egg back.

The Jew got the goose,

The Jewish person got the goose,

Which he vow'd he would kill,

Which he swore he would kill,

Resolving at once

Resolving immediately

His pockets to fill.

Fill his pockets.

Jack's mother came in,

Jack's mom came in,

And caught the goose soon,

And caught the goose quickly,

And mounting its back,

And getting on its back,

Flew up to the moon.

Went to the moon.

[page 59]

LXIV.

I'll tell you a story

I'll share a story

About Jack a Nory,—

About Jack and Nory,—

And now my story's begun:

And now my story starts:

I'll tell you another

I'll share another

About Jack his brother,—

About Jack, his brother,—

And now my story's done.

And now my story’s over.

LXV.

[The "foles of Gotham" are mentioned as early as the fifteenth century in the 'Townley Mysteries;' and, at the commencement of the sixteenth century, Dr. Andrew Borde made a collection of stories about them, not however, including the following, which rests on the authority of nursery tradition.]

[The "fools of Gotham" are mentioned as early as the fifteenth century in the 'Townley Mysteries;' and at the beginning of the sixteenth century, Dr. Andrew Borde compiled a collection of stories about them, although he did not include the following, which is based on nursery tradition.]

Three wise men of Gotham

Gotham's three wise men

Went to sea in a bowl:

And if the bowl had been stronger,

And if the bowl had been sturdier,

My song would have been longer.

My song could have been longer.

LXVI.

[The following two stanzas, although they belong to the same piece, are often found separated from each other.]

[The following two stanzas, while they are part of the same piece, are often found separated from one another.]

Robin and Richard were two pretty men;

Robin and Richard were two attractive guys;

They laid in bed till the clock struck ten;

They stayed in bed until the clock hit ten;

Then up starts Robin, and looks at the sky,

Then Robin gets up and looks at the sky,

Oh! brother Richard, the sun's very high:

Oh! Brother Richard, the sun is really high:

The bull's in the barn threshing the corn,

The bull's in the barn, threshing the corn,

The cock's on the dunghill blowing his horn,

The rooster's on the manure pile crowing his song,

The cat's at the fire frying of fish,

The cat's by the fire frying fish,

The dog's in the pantry breading his dish.

The dog's in the pantry mixing his food.

[page 60]

LXVII.

My lady Wind, my lady Wind,

Went round about the house to find

Went around the house to find

A chink to get her foot in:

A chance to get her foot in the door:

She tried the key-hole in the door,

She tried the keyhole in the door,

She tried the crevice in the floor,

She tried the crack in the floor,

And drove the chimney soot in.

And pushed the chimney soot in.

And then one night when it was dark,

She blew up such a tiny spark,

She ignited such a tiny spark,

That all the house was pothered:

That the whole house was in chaos:

From it she raised up such a flame,

From it she lit such a fire,

As flamed away to Belting Lane,

As I drove down to Belting Lane,

And White Cross folks were smothered.

And the White Cross people were overwhelmed.

And thus when once, my little dears,

And so, one time, my dear ones,

A whisper reaches itching ears,

A whisper reaches eager ears,

The same will come, you'll find:

The same will come, you'll see:

Take my advice, restrain the tongue,

Take my advice, hold back your words,

Remember what old nurse has sung

Remember what the old nurse sang

Of busy lady Wind!

Oh, busy lady Wind!

LXVIII.

Old Abram Brown is dead and gone,

Vintage Abram Brown is dead and gone,

You'll never see him more;

You'll never see him again;

He used to wear a long brown coat,

That button'd down before.

That buttoned down before.

[page 61]

LXIX.

A dog and a cock,

A dog and a rooster,

A journey once took,

A journey once taken,

They travell'd along till 'twas late;

They traveled along until it was late;

The dog he made free

The dog he freed

In the hollow of a tree,

And the cock on the boughs of it sate.

And the rooster perched on its branches.

The cock nothing knowing,

The rooster knows nothing,

In the morn fell a crowing,

In the morning, a crow was heard.

Upon which comes a fox to the tree;

Upon which a fox approaches the tree;

Says he, I declare,

He says, I declare,

Your voice is above,

Your voice is up there,

All the creatures I ever did see.

All the creatures I’ve ever seen.

Oh! would you come down

Oh! Could you come down?

I the fav'rite might own,

I might own the favorite,

Said the cock, there's a porter below;

Said the rooster, there's a messenger downstairs;

If you will go in,

If you're going in,

I promise I'll come down.

I promise I'll be there.

So he went—and was worried for it too.

So he went—and he was worried about it too.

LXX.

Little Tom Tittlemouse,

Little Tom Tittlemouse,

Lived in a bell-house;

Lived in a bell tower;

The bell-house broke,

The bell house is broken.

And Tom Tittlemouse woke.

And Tom Tittlemouse woke up.

[page 62]

LXXI.

Tommy kept a chandler's shop,

Tommy owned a candle shop,

Richard went to buy a mop,

Tommy gave him such a knock,

Tommy punched him so hard,

That sent him out of his chandler's shop,

That sent him out of his candle shop,

LXXII.

When I was a little girl, about seven years old,

When I was a little girl, around seven years old,

I hadn't got a petticoat, to cover me from the cold;

I didn't have a petticoat to keep me warm from the cold;

[page 63]

So I went into Darlington, that pretty little town,

So I went into Darlington, that charming little town,

And there I bought a petticoat, a cloak, and a gown.

And there I bought a slip, a coat, and a dress.

I went into the woods and built me a kirk,

I went into the woods and built myself a church,

And all the birds of the air, they helped me to work;

And all the birds in the sky, they helped me out.

The hawk with his long claws pulled down the stone,

The hawk with his sharp talons dragged down the stone,

The dove, with her rough bill, brought me them home;

The dove, with her rugged beak, brought them home to me;

The parrot was the clergyman, the peacock was the clerk,

The parrot was the pastor, the peacock was the secretary,

The bullfinch play'd the organ, and we made merry work.

The bullfinch played the organ, and we had a great time.

LXXIII.

Pemmy was a pretty girl,

Pemmy was an attractive girl,

But Fanny was a better;

But Fanny was better;

Pemmy looked like any churl,

Pemmy looked like any jerk,

When little Fanny let her.

When little Fanny allowed her.

Pemmy had a pretty nose,

Pemmy had a cute nose,

But Fanny had a better;

But Fanny had a better option;

Pemmy oft would come to blows,

Pemmy often got into brawls,

But Fanny would not let her.

But Fanny wouldn't allow her to.

[page 64]

Pemmy had a pretty doll,

Pemmy had a cute doll,

But Fanny had a better;

But Fanny had a better option;

Pemmy chatter'd like a poll,

Pemmy chattered like a parrot,

When little Fanny let her.

When little Fanny allowed her.

Pemmy had a pretty song,

Pemmy had a nice song,

But Fanny had a better;

But Fanny had a better option;

Pemmy would sing all day long,

But Fanny would not let her.

But Fanny wouldn’t let her.

Pemmy lov'd a pretty lad,

Pemmy loved a handsome guy,

And Fanny lov'd a better;

And Fanny loved someone better;

And Pemmy wanted for to wed,

And Pemmy wanted to get married,

But Fanny would not let her.

But Fanny wouldn't allow her to.

LXXIV.

[A tale for the 1st of March.]

Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief;

Taffy came to my house and stole a piece of beef:

Taffy came to my house and took a piece of beef:

I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was not at home;

I went to Taffy's house, but Taffy wasn't home;

Taffy came to my house and stole a marrow-bone.

Taffy came over to my house and took a marrow-bone.

[page 65]

I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was not in;

I went to Taffy's house, but Taffy wasn't there;

Taffy came to my house and stole a silver pin:

I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was in bed,

I went to Taffy's house, and Taffy was in bed,

I took up a poker and flung it at his head.

I grabbed a poker and threw it at his head.

LXXV.

[The tale of Jack Horner has long been appropriated to the nursery. The four lines which follow are the traditional ones, and they form part of 'The pleasant History of Jack Horner, containing his witty Tricks and pleasant Pranks, which he plaied from his Youth to his riper Years,' 12mo, a copy of which is in the Bodleian Library, and this extended story is in substance the same with 'The Fryer and the Boy,' 12mo, Lond. 1617, and both of them are taken from the more ancient story of 'Jack and his Step-dame,' which has been printed by Mr. Wright.]

[The story of Jack Horner has been a staple in children's literature for a long time. The four lines that follow are the traditional ones, and they are part of 'The Pleasant History of Jack Horner, containing his clever Tricks and enjoyable Pranks, which he played from his Youth to his Older Years,' 12mo, a copy of which is in the Bodleian Library. This longer narrative is basically the same as 'The Fryer and the Boy,' 12mo, Lond. 1617, and both are derived from the older tale of 'Jack and his Step-dame,' which has been printed by Mr. Wright.]

Little Jack Horner sat in the corner,

Small Jack Horner sat in the corner,

Eating a Christmas pie;

Eating a holiday pie;

He put in his thumb, and he took out a plum,

He stuck in his thumb, and he pulled out a plum,

And said, "What a good boy am I!"

And said, "What a good boy I am!"

LXXVI.

There was a king and he had three daughter,

There was a king and he had three daughters,

And they all lived in a basin of water;

And they all lived in a pool of water;

The basin bended,

The basin bent,

My story's ended.

My story is over.

If the basin had been stronger,

My story would have been longer.

My story could have been longer.

[page 66]

LXXVII.

The man in the moon,

The man on the moon,

Came tumbling down,

Came crashing down,

And ask'd his way to Norwich,

And asked for directions to Norwich,

He went by the south,

He went south,

And burnt his mouth

And burned his mouth

With supping cold pease-porridge.

With eating cold pea soup.

LXXVIII.

Our saucy boy Dick,

Our cheeky boy Dick,

Had a nice little stick

Cut from a hawthorn tree;

Cut from a hawthorn bush;

And with this pretty stick,

And with this cute stick,

He thought he could beat

He thought he could win

A boy much bigger than he.

A boy much larger than him.

But the boy turned round,

But the boy spun around,

And hit him a rebound,

And get him a rebound,

Which did so frighten poor Dick,

Which scared poor Dick,

That, without more delay,

That, without further delay,

He ran quite away,

He ran quite a distance,

And over a hedge he jumped quick.

And he quickly jumped over a hedge.

LXXIX.

Moss was a little man, and a little mare did buy,

Moss was a small man, and a small mare was bought,

For kicking and for sprawling none her could come nigh;

For kicking and sprawling, no one could compare to her;

[page 67]

She could trot, she could amble, and could canter here and there,

She could jog, she could stroll, and could gallop here and there,

But one night she strayed away—so Moss lost his mare.

But one night she wandered off—so Moss lost his horse.

Moss got up next morning to catch her fast asleep,

Moss woke up the next morning to find her fast asleep,

And round about the frosty fields so nimbly he did creep.

And he moved quickly around the frosty fields.

Dead in a ditch he found her, and glad to find her there,

Dead in a ditch, he found her, and he was relieved to find her there,

So I'll tell you by and bye, how Moss caught his mare.

So I'll tell you later how Moss caught his mare.

Rise! stupid, rise! he thus to her did say;

Rise! Stupid, rise! he said to her;

Arise, you beast, you drowsy beast, get up without delay,

Arise, you beast, you sleepy beast, get up immediately,

For I must ride you to the town, so don't lie sleeping there;

For I need to take you to town, so don't just lie there sleeping;

He put the halter round her neck—so Moss caught his mare.

He slipped the halter around her neck—so Moss caught his mare.

[page 68]

FOURTH CLASS—PROVERBS.

LXXX.

T. Swithin's day, if thou dost rain,

Swithin's Day, if it rains,

For forty days it will remain:

For forty days, it will stay:

St. Swithin's day, if thou be fair,

St. Swithin's day, if it's nice,

For forty days 'twill rain na mair.

For forty days, it won't rain anymore.

LXXXI.

To make your candles last for a',

To make your candles last longer,

You wives and maids give ear-o!

You wives and maids, listen up!

To put 'em out's the only way,

To put them out is the only way,

Says honest John Boldero.

[page 69]

LXXXII.

If wishes were horses,

Beggars would ride;

Beggars would travel;

If turnips were watches,

If turnips were clocks,

I would wear one by my side.

I would carry one with me.

LXXXIII.

[Hours of sleep.]

[Sleep duration.]

Nature requires five,

Nature needs five,

Custom gives seven!

Tradition gives seven!

Laziness takes nine,

Laziness takes nine.

And Wickedness eleven.

And Wickedness 11.

LXXXIV.

Three straws on a staff,

Three straws on a stick,

Would make a baby cry and laugh.

LXXXV.

See a pin and pick it up,

Check it out a pin and pick it up,

All the day you'll have good luck;

All day long, you're going to have good luck;

See a pin and let it lay,

See a pin and let it lie,

Bad luck you'll have all the day!

Bad luck is coming your way all day long!

LXXXVI.

Go to bed first, a golden purse;

Start to bed first, a golden purse;

Go to bed second, a golden pheasant;

Go to bed third, a golden bird!

Go to bed, third one, a golden bird!

[page 70]

LXXXVII.

When the wind is in the east,

When the wind is coming from the east,

'Tis neither good for man nor beast;

It's not good for anyone, human or animal;

When the wind is in the north,

When the wind is coming from the north,

The skilful fisher goes not forth;

The skilled fisherman does not go out;

When the wind is in the south,

When the wind is coming from the south,

It blows the bait in the fishes' mouth;

It blows the bait into the fish's mouth;

When the wind is in the west,

When the wind is coming from the west,

Then 'tis at the very best.

Then it's at its very best.

LXXXVIII.

Bounce Buckram, velvet's dear;

Bounce Buckram, velvet's pricey;

Christmas comes but once a year.

Christmas comes just once a year.

LXXXIX.

[One version of the following song, which I believe to be the genuine one, is written on the last leaf of MS. Harl. 6580, between the lines of a fragment of an old charter, originally used for binding the book, in a hand of the end of the seventeenth century, but unfortunately it is scarcely adapted for the "ears polite" of modern days.]

[One version of the following song, which I think is the real one, is written on the last leaf of MS. Harl. 6580, between the lines of a fragment of an old charter, originally used for binding the book, in a handwriting from the late seventeenth century, but unfortunately it’s hardly suitable for the "refined ears" of today.]

A man of words and not of deeds,

A guy who talks a lot but doesn’t take action,

Is like a garden full of weeds;

And when the weeds begin to grow,

And when the weeds start to grow,

It's like a garden full of snow;

It's like a garden covered in snow;

And when the snow begins to fall,

And when the snow starts to fall,

It's like a bird upon the wall;

It's like a bird on the wall;

And when the bird away does fly,

And when the bird flies away,

It's like an eagle in the sky;

[page 71]

And when the sky begins to roar,

And when the sky starts to rumble,

It's like a lion at the door;

And when the door begins to crack,

And when the door starts to open,

It's like a stick across your back;

It's like a stick on your back;

And when your back begins to smart,

And when your back starts to hurt,

It's like a penknife in your heart;

It's like a pocket knife in your heart;

And when your heart begins to bleed,

And when your heart starts to hurt,

You're dead, and dead, and dead, indeed.

You're dead, and dead, and dead, for sure.

XC.

A man of words and not of deeds,

A guy of talk and not of action,

Is like a garden full of weeds;

Is like a garden overrun with weeds;

For when the weeds begin to grow,

For when the weeds start to grow,

Then doth the garden overflow.

Then the garden overflows.

XCI.

If you sneeze on Monday, you sneeze for danger;

If you sneeze on Monday, it means trouble;

Sneeze on a Tuesday, kiss a stranger;

Sneeze on a Wednesday, sneeze for a letter;

Sneeze on a Thursday, something better;

Sneeze on a Thursday, something good will happen;

Sneeze on a Friday, sneeze for sorrow;

Sneeze on a Friday, sneeze for sadness;

Sneeze on a Saturday, see your sweetheart to-morrow.

Sneeze on a Saturday, see your sweetheart tomorrow.

XCII.

A pullet in the pen

A young hen in the pen

Is worth a hundred in the fen!

Is worth a hundred in the marsh!

[page 72]

XCIII.

He that would thrive

He who wants to succeed

Must rise at five;

Must wake up at five;

He that hath thriven

He who has succeeded

May lie till seven;

May stay in bed until seven;

And he that by the plough would thrive,

And the one who wants to succeed by farming,

Himself must either hold or drive.

He must either hold or drive.

XCIV.

[The following is quoted in Miege's 'Great French Dictionary,' fol. Lond. 1687, 2d part.]

A swarm of bees in May

A bunch of bees in May

Is worth a load of hay;

Is worth a bunch of hay;

A swarm of bees in June

Is worth a silver spoon;

A swarm of bees in July

Is not worth a fly.

Is not worth a dime.

XCV.

They that wash on Monday

They who wash on Monday

Have all the week to dry;

Have all week to dry;

They that wash on Tuesday

They who wash on Tuesday

Are not so much awry;

Aren't that far off;

They that wash on Wednesday

They who wash on Wednesday

Are not so much to blame;

Aren't really to blame;

They that wash on Thursday,

Thursday washers,

Wash for shame;

Wash in shame;

[page 73]

They that wash on Friday,

Those who wash on Friday,

Wash in need;

Wash needed;

And they that wash on Saturday,

And those who wash on Saturday,

Oh! they're sluts indeed.

Oh! they're promiscuous indeed.

XCVI.

Needles and pins, needles and pins,

Needles and pins, needles and pins,

When a man marries his trouble begins.

When a guy gets married, his troubles start.

XCVII.

[In Suffolk, children are frequently reminded of the decorum due to the Sabbath by the following lines.]

[In Suffolk, children are often reminded of the respect expected on the Sabbath by the following lines.]

Yeow mussent sing a' Sunday,

You mustn't sing on Sunday,

Becaze it is a sin,

Because it is a sin,

But yeow may sing a' Monday

But you may sing on Monday

Till Sunday cums agin.

Till Sunday comes again.

XCVIII.

A sunshiny shower,

A sunny shower,

Won't last half an hour.

Won't last 30 minutes.

XCIX.

As the days grow longer,

As the days get longer,

The storms grow stronger.

The storms are getting stronger.

C.

As the days lengthen,

As the days get longer,

So the storms strengthen.

The storms are getting stronger.

[page 74]

CI.

He that goes to see his wheat in May,

He who checks on his wheat in May,

Comes weeping away.

Leaves in tears.

CII.

The mackerel's cry,

The mackerel's call,

Is never long dry.

Never stays dry for long.

CIII.

In July,

In July,

Some reap rye;

Some harvest rye;

In August,

If one will not the other must.

If one won't, the other has to.

CIV.

[Proverbial many years ago, when the guinea in gold was of a higher value than its nominal representative in silver,]

[Proverbial many years ago, when the gold guinea was worth more than its stated value in silver,]

A guinea it would sink,

A guinea would sink,

And a pound it would float;

And it would float a pound;

Yet I'd rather have a guinea,

Than your one pound note.

Than your £1 note.

CV.

For every evil under the sun,

For every evil in the world,

There is a remedy, or there is none.

There is a solution, or there isn’t one.

If there be one, try and find it;

If there is one, try to find it;

If there be none, never mind it.

If there aren’t any, don’t worry about it.

[page 75]

CVI.

The art of good driving 's a paradox quite,

The art of good driving is quite a paradox,

Though custom has prov'd it so long;

Though tradition has shown it for so long;

If you go to the left, you're sure to go right,

If you go left, you'll definitely go right,

If you go to the right, you go wrong.

If you go to the right, you'll make a mistake.

CVII.

Friday night's dream

Friday night’s dream

On the Saturday told,

On the mentioned Saturday,

Is sure to come true,

Is bound to come true,

Be it never so old.

No matter how old.

CVIII.

When the sand doth feed the clay,

When the sand nourishes the clay,

England woe and well-a-day!

England's troubles and oh dear!

But when the clay doth feed the sand,

But when the clay feeds the sand,

Then it is well with Angle-land.

Then it is good with England.

CIX.

The fair maid who, the first of May,

The fair maid who, the first of May,

Goes to the fields at break of day,

Goes to the fields at dawn,

And washes in dew from the hawthorn tree

And washes in dew from the hawthorn tree.

Will ever after handsome be.

Will always be handsome.

[page 76]

FIFTH CLASS—SCHOLASTIC.

CX.

DILLER, a dollar,

DILLER, one dollar,

A ten o'clock scholar,

A 10 o'clock student,

What makes you come so soon?

What brings you here so early?

You used to come at ten o'clock,

You used to come at 10 o'clock,

But now you come at noon.

But now you arrive at noon.

CXI.

Tell tale, tit!

Tell a story, dude!

Your tongue shall be slit,

Your tongue will be cut,

And all the dogs in the town

And all the dogs in town

Shall have a little bit.

Will have a little bit.

[page 77]

CXII.

[The joke or the following consists in saying it so quick that it cannot be told whether it is English or gibberish. It is remarkable that the last two lines are quoted in MS. Sloan. 4, of the fifteenth century, as printed in the 'Reliq. Antiq.,' vol. i, p. 324.]

[The joke or the following consists in saying it so quickly that it’s hard to tell if it’s English or nonsense. It’s noteworthy that the last two lines are quoted in MS. Sloan. 4, of the fifteenth century, as printed in the 'Reliq. Antiq.,' vol. i, p. 324.]

In fir tar is,

In oak none is.

In oak, none exists.

In mud eel is,

In mud, there is eel.

In clay none is.

In clay, there is none.

Goat eat ivy,

Goats eat ivy.

Mare eat oats.

Mares eat oats.

CXIII.

[The dominical letters attached to the first days of the several months are remembered by the following lines.]

[The weekday letters assigned to the first days of each month are remembered by these lines.]

At Dover Dwells George Brown Esquire,

George Brown Esquire lives in Dover,

Good Christopher Finch, And David Friar.

Good Christopher Finch, and David Friar.

[An ancient and graver example, fulfilling the same purpose, runs as follows.]

[An older and more serious example, serving the same purpose, goes as follows.]

Astra Dabit Dominus, Gratisque Beabit Egenos,

Astra God gives freely to the poor,

Gratia Christicolæ Feret Aurea Dona Fideli.

Gratitude will bring golden gifts to the faithful followers of Christ.

CXIV.

Birch and green holly, boys,

Birch and green holly, guys,

Birch and green holly.

If you get beaten, boys,

If you get beat, guys,

'Twill be your own folly.

It'll be your own folly.

[page 78]

CXV.

When V and I together meet,

When V and I meet,

They make the number Six compleat.

They complete the sixth number.

When I with V doth meet once more,

When I see V again,

Then 'tis they Two can make but Four

Then it's those Two who can make just Four.

And when that V from I is gone,

Alas! poor I can make but One.

Alas! poor me, I can only make one.

CXVI.

Multiplication is vexation,

Multiplication is frustrating,

Division is as bad;

Division is harmful;

The Rule of Three doth puzzle me,

The Rule of Three puzzles me,

And Practice drives me mad.

And practice drives me crazy.

CXVII.

[The following memorial lines are by no means modern. They occur, with slight variations, in an old play, called 'The Returne from Parnassus,' 4to. Lond. 1606; and another version may be seen in Winter's 'Cambridge Almanac' for 1635. See the 'Rara Mathematica,' p. 119.]

Thirty days hath September,

30 days has September,

April, June, and November;

February has twenty-eight alone,

February has twenty-eight days only,

All the rest have thirty-one,

All the others have thirty-one,

Excepting leap-year, that's the time

Except for leap year, that's the time

When February's days are twenty-nine.

When February has 29 days.

[page 79]

CXVIII.

My story's ended,

My story's over,

My spoon is bended:

My spoon is bent:

If you don't like it,

Go to the next door,

Go to the next door.

And get it mended.

And get it repaired.

CXIX.

[On arriving at the end of a book, boys have a practice of reciting the following absurd lines, which form the word finis backwards and forwards, by the initials of the words,]—

[On finishing a book, boys have a tradition of reciting the following silly lines, which spell the word finis both forwards and backwards, using the initials of the words,]—

Father Iohnson Nicholas Iohnson's son—

Father John Johnson Nicholas Johnson's son—

Son Iohnson Nicholas Iohnson's Father.

Son John Johnson Nicholas Johnson's Dad.

[To get to father Johnson, therefore, was to reach the end of the book.]

[To get to Father Johnson, then, was to reach the end of the book.]

CXX.

The rose is red, the grass is green;

The rose is red, the grass is green;

And in this book my name is seen.

And in this book, my name appears.

CXXI.

Cross patch,

Cross patch,

Draw the latch,

Pull the latch,

Sit by the fire and spin;

Take a cup,

Grab a cup,

And drink it up,

And drink it all,

Then call your neighbours in.

Then invite your neighbors in.

[page 80]

CXXII.

Come when you're called,

Show up when you're called,

Do what you're bid,

Do what you're told,

Shut the door after you,

Close the door behind you.

Never be chid.

Never be scolded.

CXXIII.

Speak when you're spoken to,

Speak when spoken to,

Come when one call;

Come when called;

Shut the door after you,

Close the door behind you.

And turn to the wall!

And face the wall!

CXXIV.

I love my love with an A, because he's Agreeable.

I'm into my love with an A, because he's Agreeable.

I hate him because he's Avaricious.

I hate him because he's greedy.

He took me to the Sign of the Acorn,

And treated me with Apples.

And treated me with apples.

His name's Andrew,

And he lives at Arlington.

And he lives in Arlington.

CXXV.

[A laconic reply to a person who indulges much in supposition.]

[A brief response to someone who tends to speculate a lot.]

If ifs and ands,

If onlys and buts,

Were pots and pans,

Were cookware,

There would be no need for tinkers!

There wouldn't be a need for fixers!

[page 81]

CXXVI.

Mistress Mary, quite contrary,

Mary, quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

How's your garden growing?

With cockle-shells, and silver bells,

With cockle shells and silver bells,

And mussels all a row.

And mussels all in a row.

CXXVII.

Doctor Faustus was a good man,

Doctor Faustus was a good person,

He whipt his scholars now and then;

He occasionally punished his students;

When he whipp'd them he made them dance,

When he whipped them, he made them dance,

Out of Scotland into France,

From Scotland to France,

Out of France into Spain,

From France to Spain,

And then he whipp'd them back again!

And then he whipped them back again!

CXXVIII.

[A Greek bill of fare.]

A Greek menu.

Legomoton,

Legomoton

Acapon,

Alfagheuse,

Pasti venison.

Definitely venison.

CXXIX.

When I was a little boy, I had but little wit

When I was a little kid, I had very little intelligence.

It is some time ago, and I've no more yet;

It was a while ago, and I don't have any more yet;

Nor ever ever shall, until that I die,

Nor will I ever, until I die,

For the longer I live, the more fool am I.

For the longer I live, the more of a fool I am.

[page 82]

SIXTH CLASS—SONGS.

CXXX.

H, where are you going,

H, where are you headed,

My pretty maiden fair,

My beautiful fair maiden,

With your red rosy cheeks,

With your rosy red cheeks,

And your coal-black hair?

And your jet-black hair?

I'm going a-milking,

I'm going milking,

Kind sir, says she;

Excuse me, kind sir, she says;

And it's dabbling in the dew,

And it's playing in the dew,

Where you'll find me.

Where to find me.

May I go with you,

Can I go with you?

My pretty maiden fair, &c.

My beautiful lady, etc.

Oh, you may go with me,

Oh, you can come with me,

Kind sir, says she, &c.

Kind sir, she says, etc.

[page 83]

If I should chance to kiss you,

If I happen to kiss you,

My pretty maiden fair, &c.

My beautiful maiden, etc.

The wind may take it off again,

The wind might blow it away again,

Kind sir, says she, &c.

Kind sir, she says, etc.

And what is your father,

And what does your dad do?

My pretty maiden fair, &c.

My beautiful fair maiden, etc.

My father is a farmer,

My dad is a farmer.

Kind sir, says she, &c.

Kind sir, she says, etc.

And what is your mother,

And what does your mom do?

My pretty maiden fair, &c.

My beautiful maiden, etc.

My mother is a dairy-maid,

My mom is a dairy farmer,

Kind sir, says she, &c.

Kind sir, she says, etc.

CXXXI.

Polly put the kettle on,

Polly boiled the kettle,

Polly put the kettle on,

Polly turned on the kettle,

Polly put the kettle on,

Polly boiled the kettle,

And let's drink tea.

Let's have some tea.

Sukey take it off again,

Sukey, take it off again.

Sukey take it off again,

Sukey, take it off again.

Sukey take it off again,

Sukey, take it off again.

They're all gone away.

They're all gone.

[page 84]

CXXXII.

[This is the version generally given in nursery collections, but is somewhat different in the 'Pills to Purge Melancholy,' 1719, vol. iv, p. 148.]

[This is the version usually found in nursery collections, but it's slightly different in 'Pills to Purge Melancholy,' 1719, vol. iv, p. 148.]

One misty moisty morning

A foggy, dewy morning

When cloudy was the weather,

When the weather was cloudy,

There I met an old man

There I met an elderly man.

Clothed all in leather;

Dressed all in leather;

Clothed all in leather,

Dressed all in leather,

With cap under his chin,—

With the cap under his chin,—

How do you do, and how do you do,

How are you, and how are you,

And how do you do again!

And how are you doing again!

CXXXIII.

The fox and his wife they had a great strife,

The fox and his wife were having a big fight,

They never eat mustard in all their whole life;

They never eat mustard in their entire life;

They eat their meat without fork or knife,

They eat their meat without a fork or knife,

And loved to be picking a bone, e-ho!

And loved to be picking a fight, whoa!

The fox jumped up on a moonlight night;

The fox leaped up on a moonlit night;

The stars they were shining, and all things bright;

The stars were shining, and everything was bright;

Oh, ho! said the fox, it's a very fine night

Oh, wow! said the fox, it's a really nice night.

For me to go through the town, e-ho!

For me to walk through the town, hey!

The fox when he came to yonder stile,

The fox, when he got to that gate,

He lifted his lugs and he listened a while!

He raised his ears and listened for a bit!

Oh, ho! said the fox, it's but a short mile

Oh, hey! said the fox, it's just a short mile

From this unto yonder wee town, e-ho!

From here to that little town over there, hey!

[page 85]

The fox when he came to the farmer's gate,

The fox, when he arrived at the farmer's gate,

Who should he see but the farmer's drake;

Who should he run into but the farmer's drake;

I love you well for your master's sake,

I love you a lot because of your master.

And long to be picking your bone, e-ho!

And I really want to be getting my hands on what you have, oh!

The gray goose she ran round the hay-stack,

The gray goose she ran around the haystack,

Oh, ho! said the fox, you are very fat;

Oh, wow! said the fox, you are really chubby;

You'll grease my beard and ride on my back

You'll oil my beard and ride on my back.

From this into yonder wee town, e-ho!

From here to that little town over there, hey!

Old Gammer Hipple-hopple hopped out of bed,

She opened the casement, and popped out her head;

She opened the window and stuck her head out;

Oh! husband, oh! husband, the gray goose is dead,

And the fox is gone through the town, oh!

And the fox has left the town, oh!

Then the old man got up in his red cap,

And swore he would catch the fox in a trap;

And promised he would catch the fox in a trap;

But the fox was too cunning, and gave him the slip,

But the fox was too clever and managed to escape.

And ran thro' the town, the town, oh!

And ran through the town, the town, oh!

When he got to the top of the hill,

When he reached the top of the hill,

He blew his trumpet both loud and shrill,

He played his trumpet loudly and sharply,

For joy that he was safe

For the joy of knowing he was safe

Thro' the town, oh!

Through the town, oh!

[page 86]

When the fox came back to his den,

When the fox returned to his den,

He had young ones both nine and ten,

He had kids who were both nine and ten,

"You're welcome home, daddy, you may go again,

"You're welcome home, Dad, you can go again."

If you bring us such nice meat

If you bring us such good meat

From the town, oh!"

"From the town, oh!"

CXXXIV.

Little Tom Dogget,

What dost thou mean,

What do you mean,

To kill thy poor Colly

To kill your poor Colly

Now she's so lean?

Now she's so thin?

Sing, oh poor Colly,

Sing, oh sad Colly,

Colly, my cow,

For Colly will give me

No more milk now.

No milk left now.

I had better have kept her,

I should have held on to her,

'Till fatter she had been,

'Til she got fatter,

For now, I confess,

For now, I admit,

She's a little too lean.

She's a bit too thin.

Sing, oh poor Colly, &c.

Sing, oh poor Colly, etc.

First in comes the tanner

First, the tanner arrives.

With his sword by his side,

With his sword at his side,

And he bids me five shillings

And he offers me five shillings.

For my poor cow's hide.

For my poor cowhide.

Sing, oh poor Colly, &c.

Sing, oh poor Colly.

[page 87]

Then in comes the tallow-chandler,

Then in comes the candle maker,

Whose brains were but shallow,

Whose brains were just shallow,

And he bids me two-and-sixpence

And he offers me two pounds and six pence

For my cow's tallow.

For my cow's fat.

Sing, oh poor Colly, &c.

Sing, oh poor Colly, etc.

Then in comes the huntsman

Then the huntsman arrives

So early in the morn,

So early in the morning,

He bids me a penny

He offers me a penny

For my cow's horn.

Sing, oh poor Colly, &c.

Sing, oh poor Colly, etc.

Then in comes the tripe-woman,

Then in comes the gross woman,

So fine and so neat,

So cool and so tidy,

She bids me three half-pence

She offers me three pence

For my cow's feet.

For my cow's hooves.

Sing, oh poor Colly, &c.

Sing, oh poor Colly, etc.

Then in comes the butcher,

Then the butcher walks in,

That nimble-tongu'd youth,

That smooth-talking youth,

Who said she was carrion,

Who said she was dead,

But he spoke not the truth.

But he didn't speak the truth.

Sing, oh poor Colly, &c.

Sing, oh poor Colly, etc.

The skin of my cowly

The skin of my cow

Was softer than silk,

Softer than silk,

And three times a-day

And three times a day

My poor cow would give milk.

My poor cow would produce milk.

Sing, oh poor Colly, &c.

Sing, oh poor Colly, etc.

[page 88]

She every year

She annually

A fine calf did me bring,

A nice calf was brought to me,

Which fetcht me a pound,

Which gets me a pound,

For it came in the spring.

For it happened in the spring.

Sing, oh poor Colly, &c.

Sing, oh poor Colly, etc.

But now I have kill'd her,

But now I’ve killed her.

I can't her recall;

I can't recall her;

I will sell my poor Colly,

Hide, horns, and all.

Hide, horns, and everything.

Sing, oh poor Colly, &c.

Sing, oh poor Colly, etc.

The butcher shall have her,

The butcher will have her,

Though he gives but a pound,

Though he gives only a pound,

And he knows in his heart

And he knows inside

That my Colly was sound.

That my dog was healthy.

Sing, oh poor Colly, &c.

Sing, oh poor Colly, etc.

And when he has bought her

And when he has purchased her

Let him sell all together,

Let him sell everything together,

The flesh for to eat,

The meat to eat,

And the hide for leather.

Sing, oh poor Colly, &c.*

Sing, oh poor Colly, etc.*

* A different version of the above, commencing, My Billy Aroms, is current in the nurseries of Cornwall. One verse runs as follows:

* A different version of the above, starting with, My Billy Aroms, is popular in the nurseries of Cornwall. One verse goes like this:

In comes the horner,

Here comes the horn player,

Who roguery scorns,

Who scorns trickery,

And gives me three farthings

And gives me three cents

For poor cowly's horns.

For poor cow's horns.

This is better than our reading, and it concludes thus:

This is better than what we read, and it ends like this:

There's an end to my cowly,

Now she's dead and gone;

Now she's gone;

For the loss of my cowly,

For the loss of my cow,

I sob and I mourn.

I cry and I grieve.

[page 89]

CXXXV.

[A north-country song.]

[A northern song.]

Says t'auld man tit oak tree,

Says the old man to the oak tree,

Young and lusty was I when I kenn'd thee;

Young and eager was I when I knew you;

I was young and lusty, I was fair and clear,

I was young and energetic, I was attractive and bright,

Young and lusty was I mony a lang year;

Young and full of desire was I many a long year;

But sair fail'd am I, sair fail'd now,

But I have failed miserably, I have failed now,

Sair fail'd am I sen I kenn'd thou.

Sair failed am I since I knew you.

CXXXVI.

You shall have an apple,

You will have an apple,

You shall have a plum,

You can have a plum,

You shall have a rattle-basket,

You’ll get a rattle basket,

When your dad comes home.

When your dad gets home.

CXXXVII.

Up at Piccadilly oh!

Up at Piccadilly, wow!

The coachman takes his stand,

The driver takes his stand,

And when he meets a pretty girl,

And when he meets a cute girl,

He takes her by the hand;

He holds her hand;

Whip away for ever oh!

Whip away forever, oh!

Drive away so clever oh!

Drive away, so clever!

All the way to Bristol oh!

All the way to Bristol, oh!

He drives her four-in-hand.

He drives her carriage.

[page 90]

CXXXVIII.

[The first line of this nursery rhyme is quoted in Beaumont and Fletcher's Bonduca, Act v, sc. 2. It is probable also that Sir Toby alludes to this song in Twelfth Night, Act. ii, sc. 2, when he says, "Come on; there is sixpence for you; let's have a song." In Epulario, or the Italian banquet, 1589, is a receipt "to make pies so that the birds may be alive in them and flie out when it is cut up," a mere device, live birds being introduced after the pie is made. This may be the original subject of the following song.]

[The first line of this nursery rhyme is quoted in Beaumont and Fletcher's Bonduca, Act v, sc. 2. It’s also likely that Sir Toby references this song in Twelfth Night, Act ii, sc. 2, when he says, "Come on; there is sixpence for you; let's have a song." In Epulario, or the Italian banquet, 1589, there’s a recipe "to make pies so that the birds may be alive in them and fly out when it’s cut open," which is just a trick, with live birds being placed inside after the pie is made. This might be the original theme of the following song.]

Sing a song of sixpence,

Sing a song of sixpence,

A bag full of rye;

A bag of rye;

Four and twenty blackbirds

Twenty-four blackbirds

Baked in a pie;

When the pie was open'd,

When the pie was opened,

The birds began to sing;

The birds started singing;

Was not that a dainty dish,

Wasn't that a tasty dish?

To set before the king?

To present to the king?

[page 91]

The king was in his counting-house

The king was in his counting house

Counting out his money;

Counting his cash;

The queen was in the parlour

The queen was in the living room.

Eating bread and honey;

The maid was in the garden

The maid was in the garden.

Hanging out the clothes,

Hanging out the laundry,

There came a little blackbird,

A little blackbird arrived,

And snapt off her nose.

And snapped off her nose.

Jenny was so mad,

Jenny was really angry,

She didn't know what to do;

She put her finger in her ear,

And crackt it right in two.

And broke it right in half.

CXXXIX.

Lend me thy mare to ride a mile?

Can you lend me your mare to ride for a mile?

She is lamed, leaping over a stile.

She is injured, jumping over a fence.

Alack! and I must keep the fair!

Alas! I have to maintain the fair!

I'll give thee money for thy mare.

I'll give you money for your mare.

Oh, oh! say you so?

Oh, really? Is that so?

Money will make the mare to go!

Money makes things happen!

CXL.

About the bush, Willy,

About the bee-hive,

About the beehive,

About the bush, Willy,

Beating around the bush, Willy,

I'll meet thee alive.

I'll meet you alive.

[page 92]

Then to my ten shillings,

Then to my ten bucks,

Add you but a groat,

I'll go to Newcastle,

I'm heading to Newcastle.

And buy a new coat.

And get a new jacket.

Five and five shillings,

Five and a crown;

Five and a quarter;

Five and five shillings,

Five shillings and five pence,

Will buy a new gown.

Will buy a new dress.

Five and five shillings,

Five and a groat;

Five and a penny;

Five and five shillings,

Five shillings,

Will buy a new coat.

Buying a new coat.

CXLI.

A pretty little girl in a round-eared cap

A cute little girl in a round-eared cap

I met in the streets t'other day;

I ran into someone on the streets the other day;

She gave me such a thump,

She hit me really hard,

That my heart it went bump;

That my heart raced;

I thought I should have fainted away!

I felt like I was going to pass out!

I thought I should have fainted away!

I thought I was going to pass out!

CXLII.

My father he died, but I can't tell you how,

My father died, but I can't say how,

He left me six horses to drive in my plough:

He left me six horses to use for plowing my field:

With my wing wang waddle oh,

Jack sing saddle oh,

Jack, sing saddle, oh.

Blowsey boys bubble oh,

Under the broom.

[page 93]

I sold my six horses and I bought me a cow;

I sold my six horses and bought a cow.

I'd fain have made a fortune but did not know how:

I would have loved to make a fortune but didn’t know how:

With my, &c.

With my, etc.

I sold my cow, and I bought me a calf;

I sold my cow and bought a calf.

I'd fain have made a fortune, but lost the best half:

I'd really like to have made a fortune, but I've lost the best part:

With my, &c.

With my, etc.

I sold my calf, and I bought me a cat;

I sold my calf, and I bought a cat.

A pretty thing she was, in my chimney corner sat:

A lovely thing she was, sitting in my fireplace corner:

With my, &c.

With my, etc.

I sold my cat, and bought me a mouse;

I sold my cat and bought myself a mouse;

He carried fire in his tail, and burnt down my house:

He had fire in his tail and burned down my house:

With my, &c.

With my, etc.

CXLIII.

Little Bo-peep has lost her sheep,

Little Bo-peep has lost her sheep,

And can't tell where to find them;

And can't figure out where to look for them;

Leave them alone, and they'll come home,

Leave them alone, and they'll return home,

And bring their tails behind them.

And bring their tails with them.

Little Bo-peep fell fast asleep,

Little Bo-peep fell asleep,

And dreamt she heard them bleating;

And imagined she heard them bleating;

But when she awoke, she found it a joke,

But when she woke up, she realized it was a joke,

For they still were all fleeting.

For they were all still temporary.

[page 94]

Then up she took her little crook,

Then she picked up her little crook,

Determin'd for to find them;

Determined to find them;

She found them indeed, but it made her heart bleed,

She did find them, but it broke her heart,

For they'd left all their tails behind 'em.

For they had left all their tails behind them.

CXLIV.

Jeanie come tie my,

Jeanie, come tie my shoes.

Jeanie come tie my,

Jeanie, come tie my hair.

Jeanie come tie my bonnie cravat;

Jeanie, come tie my pretty scarf;

I've tied it behind,

I've tied it at the back,

I've tied it before,

I've done it before,

And I've tied it so often, I'll tie it no more.

And I've tied it so many times, I won't tie it again.

CXLV.

Trip upon trenchers, and dance upon dishes,

Journey on platters, and dance on plates,

My mother sent me for some barm, some barm;

My mom sent me to get some yeast, some yeast;

She bid me tread lightly, and come again quickly,

She asked me to step carefully and come back soon,

For fear the young men should do me some harm.

For fear that the young men might hurt me.

Yet didn't you see, yet didn't you see,

What naughty tricks they put upon me:

What mischievous tricks they played on me:

[page 95]

They broke my pitcher,

They broke my pitcher.

And spilt the water,

And spilled the water,

And huff'd my mother,

And my mother huffed,

And chid her daughter,

And scolded her daughter,

And kiss'd my sister instead of me.

And kissed my sister instead of me.

CXLVI.

[From 'Histrio-mastix, or, the Player Whipt,' 4to, Lond. 1610. Mr. Rimbault tells me this is common in Yorkshire.]

Some up, and some down,

Some up, some down,

There's players in the town,

There are players in town,

You wot well who they be;

You know who they are.

The sun doth arise,

The sun rises,

To three companies,

To three businesses,

One, two, three, four, make wee!

One, two, three, four, make a little one!

Besides we that travel,

Besides those of us that travel,

With pumps full of gravel,

With gravel-filled pumps,

Made all of such running leather:

Made all of that running leather:

That once in a week,

Once a week,

New masters we seek,

We seek new masters,

And never can hold together.

And can never stay together.

CXLVII.

Johnny shall have a new bonnet,

Johnny will get a new hat,

And Johnny shall go to the fair,

And Johnny will go to the fair,

And Johnny shall have a blue ribbon

And Johnny will get a blue ribbon.

To tie up his bonny brown hair.

To tie up his pretty brown hair.

[page 96]

And why may not I love Johnny?

And why shouldn't I love Johnny?

And why may not Johnny love me?

And why wouldn’t Johnny love me?

And why may not I love Johnny

And why shouldn't I love Johnny?

As well as another body?

Is there another body?

And here's a leg for a stocking,

And here’s a leg for a stocking,

And here is a leg for a shoe,

And here is a part of a shoe,

And he has a kiss for his daddy,

And he gives his dad a kiss,

And two for his mammy, I trow.

And two for his mom, I guess.

And why may not I love Johnny?

And why shouldn't I love Johnny?

And why may not Johnny love me?

And why wouldn’t Johnny love me?

And why may not I love Johnny,

And why can't I love Johnny,

As well as another body?

Also another body?

CXLVIII.

As I was walking o'er little Moorfields,

As I was walking over Little Moorfields,

I saw St. Paul's a running on wheels,

I saw St. Paul's moving on wheels,

With a fee, fo, fum.

Fee, fi, fo, fum.

Then for further frolics I'll go to France.

Then for more fun, I'll head to France.

While Jack shall sing and his wife shall dance,

While Jack sings and his wife dances,

With a fee, fo fum.

With a fee, for fun.

CXLIX.

The north wind doth blow,

The north wind blows,

And we shall have snow,

And we will have snow,

And what will poor Robin do then?

Poor thing!

[page 97]

He'll sit in a barn,

He'll sit in a barn.

And to keep himself warm,

And to stay warm,

Will hide his head under his wing.

Poor thing!

CL.

[From W. Wager's play, called 'The longer thou livest, the more foole thou art,' 4to, Lond.]

[From W. Wager's play, called 'The longer you live, the more foolish you are,' 4to, Lond.]

The white dove sat on the castle wall,

The white dove perched on the castle wall,

I bend my bow and shoot her I shall;

I will draw my bow and shoot her.

I put her in my glove both feathers and all;

I put her in my glove, feathers and everything;

I laid my bridle upon the shelf,

I placed my bridle on the shelf,

If you will any more, sing it yourself.

If you want it sung any more, do it yourself.

CLI.

Elsie Marley is grown so fine,

Elsie Marley is doing great,

She won't get up to serve the swine,

She won't get up to serve the pigs,

But lies in bed till eight or nine,

But stays in bed until eight or nine,

And surely she does take her time.

And she definitely takes her time.

And do you ken Elsie Marley, honey?

And do you know Elsie Marley, sweetie?

The wife who sells the barley, honey;

She won't get up to serve her swine,

She won't get up to serve her pigs,

And do you ken Elsie Marley, honey?

And do you know Elsie Marley, honey?

[Elsie Marley is said to have been a merry alewife who lived near Chester, and the remainder of this song relating to her will be found in the 'Chester Garland,' 12mo, n.d. The first four lines have become favourites in the nursery.]

[Elsie Marley is said to have been a cheerful alewife who lived near Chester, and you can find the rest of this song about her in the 'Chester Garland,' 12mo, n.d. The first four lines have become popular in the nursery.]

[page 98]

CLII.

London bridge is broken down,

London Bridge is out.

Dance o'er my lady lee;

Dance over my lady's lea;

London bridge is broken down,

London Bridge is broken down,

With a gay lady.

With a woman.

How shall we build it up again?

How are we going to rebuild it?

Dance o'er my lady lee;

Dance over my lady's lake;

How shall we build it up again?

How are we going to rebuild it?

With a gay lady.

With a queer woman.

Silver and gold will be stole away,

Silver and gold will be stolen away,

Dance o'er my lady lee;

Dance over my lady's lake;

Silver and gold will be stole away,

Silver and gold will be taken away,

With a gay lady.

With a lesbian.

Build it up again with iron and steel,

Dance o'er my lady lee;

Dance over my lady sea;

Build it up with iron and steel,

With a gay lady.

With a woman.

Iron and steel will bend and bow,

Iron and steel can be shaped and twisted,

Dance o'er my lady lee;

Dance over my lady lea;

Iron and steel will bend and bow,

Iron and steel can be bent and shaped,

With a gay lady.

With a queer woman.

Build it up with wood and clay,

Dance o'er my lady lee;

Dance over my lady lea;

Build it up with wood and clay,

With a gay lady.

With a queer woman.

[page 99]

Wood and clay will wash away,

Dance o'er my lady lee;

Dance over my lady's lake;

Wood and clay will wash away,

With a gay lady.

With a queer woman.

Build it up with stone so strong,

Build it up with strong stone,

Dance o'er my lady lee;

Dance over my lady's lake;

Huzza! 'twill last for ages long,

Hooray! It will last for a very long time,

With a gay lady.

With a queer woman.

CLIII.

Old Father of the Pye,

Old Father of the Pie,

I cannot sing, my lips are dry;

I can't sing, my lips are dry;

But when my lips are very well wet,

But when my lips are really wet,

Then I can sing with the Heigh go Bet!

[This appears to be an old hunting song. Go bet is a very ancient sporting phrase, equivalent to go along. It occurs in Chaucer, Leg. Dido, 288.]

[This looks like an old hunting song. Go bet is a very old sporting phrase, meaning the same as go along. It appears in Chaucer, Leg. Dido, 288.]

CLIV.

[Part of this is in a song called 'Jockey's Lamentation,' in the 'Pills to Purge Melancholy,' 1719, vol. v, p. 317.]

Tom he was a piper's son,

Tom was a piper's son,

He learn'd to play when he was young,

He learned to play when he was young,

But all the tunes that he could play,

But all the songs he could play,

Was, "Over the hills and far away;"

Over the hills, and a great way off,

Over the hills, and a long way off,

And the wind will blow my top-knot off.

And the wind will blow my hairstyle away.

[page 100]

Now Tom with his pipe made such a noise,

Now Tom, with his pipe, made such a noise,

That he pleas'd both the girls and boys,

That he pleased both the girls and boys,

And they stopp'd to hear him play,

And they stopped to listen to him play,

"Over the hills and far away."

Tom with his pipe did play with such skill,

Tom played with his pipe with such skill,

That those who heard him could never keep still;

That those who heard him could never stay quiet;

Whenever they heard they began for to dance,

Whenever they heard, they started to dance,

Even pigs on their hind legs would after him prance.

Even pigs on their hind legs would dance after him.

As Dolly was milking her cow one day,

Tom took out his pipe and began for to play;

Tom took out his pipe and started to play;

So Doll and the cow danced "the Cheshire round,"

Till the pail was broke, and the milk ran on the ground.

Till the bucket broke, and the milk spilled on the ground.

He met old dame Trot with a basket of eggs,

He ran into old lady Trot with a basket of eggs,

He used his pipe, and she used her legs;

She danced about till the eggs were all broke,

She danced around until all the eggs were broken,

She began for to fret, but he laughed at the joke.

She started to worry, but he laughed at the joke.

[page 101]

He saw a cross fellow was beating an ass,

He saw a rude guy was beating a donkey,

Heavy laden with pots, pans, dishes, and glass;

Heavy with pots, pans, dishes, and glass;

He took out his pipe and played them a tune,

He pulled out his pipe and played them a song,

And the jackass's load was lightened full soon.

And the donkey's load was lightened pretty quickly.

CLV.

Jacky, come give me thy fiddle,

Jacky, come give me your fiddle,

If ever thou mean to thrive:

If you ever want to succeed:

Nay; I'll not give my fiddle

Naw; I'm not giving up my fiddle.

To any man alive.

To any living man.

[page 102]

If I should give my fiddle,

If I were to give up my fiddle,

They'll think that I'm gone mad;

They'll think I've lost it;

For many a joyful day

For many happy days

My fiddle and I have had.

CLVI.

[The following lines are part of an old song, the whole of which may be found in 'Deuteromelia,' 1609, and also in MS. Additional, 5336, fol. 5.]

Of all the gay birds that e'er I did see,

Of all the colorful birds I've ever seen,

The owl is the fairest by far to me;

The owl is the most beautiful to me by far;

For all the day long she sits on a tree,

For the whole day, she sits in a tree,

And when the night comes away flies she.

And when night falls, she takes off.

CLVII.

I love sixpence, pretty little sixpence,

I love sixpence, cute little sixpence,

I love sixpence better than my life;

I love sixpence more than my life;

I spent a penny of it, I spent another,

I spent a dime of it, I spent another,

And took fourpence home to my wife.

And brought home four pence to my wife.

Oh, my little fourpence, pretty little fourpence,

Oh, my little fourpence, lovely little fourpence,

I love fourpence better than my life;

I love fourpence more than my life;

I spent a penny of it, I spent another,

I spent one cent of it, I spent another,

And I took twopence home to my wife.

And I took two pence home to my wife.

[page 103]

Oh, my little twopence, my pretty little twopence,

Oh, my little two cents, my pretty little two cents,

I love twopence better than my life;

I love two pence more than my life;

I spent a penny of it, I spent another,

I spent a dime of it, I spent another,

And I took nothing home to my wife.

And I didn't bring anything home to my wife.

Oh, my little nothing, my pretty little nothing,

Oh, my sweet little nothing, my cute little nothing,

What will nothing buy for my wife?

What will nothing get for my wife?

I have nothing, I spend nothing,

I love nothing better than my wife.

I love my wife more than anything else.

CLVIII.

Merry are the bells, and merry would they ring,

Happy are the bells, and happy would they sound,

Merry was myself, and merry could I sing;

Merry was me, and I could sing happily;

With a merry ding-dong, happy, gay, and free,

With a cheerful ding-dong, happy, joyful, and carefree,

And a merry sing-song, happy let us be!

And let’s be cheerful and sing happily!

Waddle goes your gait, and hollow are your hose,

Waddle goes your walk, and your pants are baggy,

Noddle goes your pate, and purple is your nose;

Nod your head and your nose is purple;

Merry is your sing-song, happy, gay, and free,

Merry is your cheerful, joyful, carefree, and free-spirited,

With a merry ding-dong, happy let us be!

With a cheerful ring, let's be happy!

[page 104]

Merry have we met, and merry have we been,

Merry let us part, and merry meet again;

Merry, let’s say goodbye for now, and I look forward to seeing you again soon;

With our merry sing-song, happy, gay, and free,

With our cheerful singing, happy, joyful, and carefree,

And a merry ding-dong, happy let us be!

And a joyful ring, let’s be happy!

CLIX.

My maid Mary

My housekeeper Mary

She minds her dairy,

She takes care of her dairy,

While I go a hoing and mowing each morn,

While I go out cutting grass and working in the fields each morning,

Merrily run the reel

Joyfully spin the reel

And the little spinning wheel

And the small spinning wheel

Whilst I am singing and mowing my corn.

While I am singing and cutting my corn.

CLX.

Hot-cross Buns!

Hot cross buns!

Hot-cross Buns!

Hot Cross Buns!

One a penny, two a penny

One for a penny, two for a penny

Hot-cross Buns!

Hot Cross Buns!

Hot-cross Buns!

Hot cross buns!

Hot-cross Buns!

Hot Cross Buns!

If ye have no daughters,

If you have no daughters,

Give them to your sons.

Give them to your kids.

[page 105]

CLXI.

Wooley Foster has gone to sea,

Wooley Foster has set sail,

With silver buckles at his knee,

With silver buckles on his knee,

When he comes back he'll marry me,—

When he comes back, he’ll marry me—

Bonny Wooley Foster!

Bonnie Wooley Foster!

Wooley Foster has a cow,

Wooley Foster has a cow.

Black and white about the mow,

Open the gates and let her through,

Open the gates and let her in,

Wooley Foster's ain cow!

Wooley Foster's own cow!

Wooley Foster has a hen,

Wooley Foster has a chicken,

Cockle button, cockle ben,

She lay eggs for gentlemen,

She lays eggs for gentlemen,

But none for Wooley Foster!

CLXII.

[The following catch is found in Ben Jonson's 'Masque of Oberon,' and is a most common nursery song at the present day.]

[The following catch is found in Ben Jonson's 'Masque of Oberon,' and is a very popular nursery song today.]

Buz, quoth the blue fly,

Buz, said the blue fly,

Hum, quoth the bee,

Hmm, said the bee,

Buz and hum they cry,

Buz and hum they shout,

And so do we:

And so do we.

In his ear, in his nose,

Thus, do you see?

So, do you see?

He ate the dormouse,

He ate the dormouse.

Else it was he.

Otherwise, it was him.

[page 106]

CLXIII.

As I was going up the hill,

As I was hiking up the hill,

I met with Jack the piper,

And all the tunes that he could play

And all the songs he could play

Was "Tie up your petticoats tighter."

Was "Tie your petticoats up tighter."

I tied them once, I tied them twice,

I tied them three times over;

I tied them three times.

And all the songs that he could sing

And all the songs he could sing

Was "Carry me safe to Dover."

CLXIV.

There were two birds sat on a stone,

There were two birds sitting on a stone,

Fa, la, la, la, lal, de;

One flew away, and then there was one,

One flew away, and then there was one.

Fa, la, la, la, lal, de;

The other flew after, and then there was none,

The other chased after, and then there was none,

Fa, la, la, la, lal, de;

And so the poor stone was left all alone,

Fa, la, la, la, lal, de!

CLXV.

How does my lady's garden grow?

How does my lady's garden grow?

With cockle shells, and silver bells,

With cockle shells and silver bells,

And pretty maids all of a row.

And pretty maids all in a row.

[page 107]

CLXVI.

There was a jolly miller

There was a cheerful miller

Lived on the river Dee:

Lived by the River Dee:

He worked and sung from morn till night,

He worked and sang from morning till night,

No lark so blithe as he,

No lark is as cheerful as he,

And this the burden of his song

And this is the message of his song

For ever used to be—

Forever used to be—

I jump mejerrime jee!

I jump mejerrime gee!

I care for nobody—no! not I,

I don’t care about anyone—no! Not me,

Since nobody cares for me.

Since no one cares about me.

CLXVII.

As I was going along, long, long,

A singing a comical song, song, song,

A singing a funny song, song, song,

The lane that I went was so long, long, long,

The lane I walked was really, really long.

And the song that I sung was as long, long, long,

And the song that I sang was really, really long,

And so I went singing along.

And so I kept singing along.

CLXVIII.

Where are you going, my pretty maid?

Where are you headed, my lovely girl?

I'm going a-milking, sir, she said.

I'm going to milk, sir, she said.

May I go with you, my pretty maid?

May I go with you, my lovely girl?

You're kindly welcome, sir, she said.

"You're very welcome, sir," she said.

What is your father, my pretty maid?

What does your dad do, my lovely girl?

My father's a farmer, sir, she said.

My dad's a farmer, sir, she said.

[page 108]

Say, will you marry me, my pretty maid?

Say, will you marry me, my lovely girl?

Yes, if you please, kind sir, she said.

Yes, if you don't mind, kind sir, she said.

Will you be constant, my pretty maid?

Will you be faithful, my lovely girl?

That I can't promise you, sir, she said.

Then I won't marry you, my pretty maid!

Then I won't marry you, my beautiful girl!

Nobody asked you, sir! she said.

CLXIX.

[Song on the bells of Derby on foot-ball morning, a custom now discontinued:]

[Song on the bells of Derby on football morning, a custom now discontinued:]

Pancakes and fritters,

Pancakes and fritters,

Say All Saints and St. Peters;

Say All Saints and St. Peter's;

When will the ball come,

When will the ball arrive,

Say the bells of St. Alkmun;

At two they will throw,

At two, they will throw.

Says Saint Werabo;

Says Saint Werabo:

O! very well,

Oh, very well,

Says little Michel.

Says young Michel.

CLXX.

I have been to market, my lady, my lady;

I’ve been to the market, my lady, my lady;

Then you've not been to the fair, says pussy, says pussy;

Then you haven't been to the fair, says kitty, says kitty;

I bought me a rabbit, my lady, my lady;

I got myself a rabbit, my lady, my lady;

Then you did not buy a hare, says pussy, says pussy;

Then you didn't buy a hare, says kitty, says kitty;

[page 109]

I roasted it, my lady, my lady;

Then you did not boil it, says pussy, says pussy;

Then you didn't boil it, says the cat, says the cat;

I eat it, my lady, my lady;

And I'll eat you, says pussy, says pussy.

And I'll eat you, says kitty, says kitty.

CLXXI.

My father left me three acres of land,

My dad left me three acres of land,

Sing ivy, sing ivy;

My father left me three acres of land,

My dad left me three acres of land,

Sing holly, go whistle and ivy!

I ploughed it with a ram's horn,

I plowed it with a ram's horn,

Sing ivy, sing ivy;

And sowed it all over with one pepper corn,

And scattered it everywhere with one peppercorn,

Sing holly, go whistle and ivy!

I harrowed it with a bramble bush,

I cleared it with a thorny bush,

Sing ivy, sing ivy;

And reaped it with my little penknife,

And harvested it with my small pocket knife,

Sing holly, go whistle and ivy!

I got the mice to carry it to the barn,

I had the mice take it to the barn,

Sing ivy, &c.

Sing ivy, etc.

And thrashed it with a goose's quill,

And beat it with a goose feather,

Sing holly, &c.

Sing holly, etc.

[page 110]

I got the cat to carry it to the mill,

I got the cat to take it to the mill,

Sing ivy, &c.

Sing ivy, etc.

The miller he swore he would have her paw,

The miller swore he would have her paw,

And the cat she swore she would scratch his face,

And the cat she promised she would scratch his face,

Sing holly, go whistle and ivy!

CLXXII.

[The original of the following is to be found in 'Deuteromelia, or the second part of Musicks Melodie,' 4to, Lond. 1609, where the music is also given.]

[The original of the following is in 'Deuteromelia, or the second part of Musicks Melodie,' 4to, Lond. 1609, where the music is also provided.]

Three blind mice, see how they run!

Three blind mice, look at them go!

They all ran after the farmer's wife,

They all chased after the farmer's wife,

Who cut off their tails with the carving-knife,

Who cut off their tails with the carving knife,

Did you ever see such fools in your life?

Did you ever see such idiots in your life?

Three blind mice.

CLXXIII.

[The music to the following song, with different words, is given in 'Melismata,' 4to, Lond. 1611. See also the 'Pills to Purge Melancholy,' 1719, vol. i, p. 14. The well-known song, 'A frog he would a wooing go,' appears to have been borrowed from this. See Dauney's 'Ancient Scottish Melodies,' 1838, p. 53. The story is of old date, and in 1580 there was licensed 'A most strange weddinge of the frogge and the mouse,' as appears from the books of the Stationers' Company, quoted in Warton's Hist. Engl, Poet., ed. 1840, vol. iii, p. 360.]

[The music for the following song, with different lyrics, is found in 'Melismata,' 4to, Lond. 1611. Also, check out 'Pills to Purge Melancholy,' 1719, vol. i, p. 14. The well-known song 'A frog he would a wooing go' seems to have been inspired by this. See Dauney's 'Ancient Scottish Melodies,' 1838, p. 53. The story goes back a long way, and in 1580 a license was granted for 'A most strange weddinge of the frogge and the mouse,' as noted in the records of the Stationers' Company, cited in Warton's Hist. Engl, Poet., ed. 1840, vol. iii, p. 360.]

There was a frog liv'd in a well,

There was a frog who lived in a well,

Kitty alone, Kitty alone;

Kitty by herself, Kitty by herself;

There was a frog liv'd in a well,

There was a frog that lived in a well,

Kitty alone, and I!

Just me and Kitty!

[page 111]

There was a frog liv'd in a well,

There was a frog that lived in a well,

And a farce* mouse in a mill, [*merry

And a funny mouse in a mill,

Cock me cary, Kitty alone,

Cock me carry, Kitty alone,

Kitty alone, and I.

Kitty and I alone.

This frog he would a wooing ride,

This frog he would go courting on,

Kitty alone, &c.

Kitty alone, etc.

This frog he would a wooing ride,

This frog he would ride to woo.

And on a snail he got astride,

And he climbed on a snail,

Cock me cary, &c.

Cock me carry, &c.

He rode till he came to my Lady Mouse hall,

He rode until he reached Lady Mouse's hall,

Kitty alone, &c.

Kitty alone, etc.

He rode till he came to my Lady Mouse hall,

He rode until he reached Lady Mouse's hall,

And there he did both knock and call,

And there he knocked and called,

Cock me cary, &c.

Cock me carry, &c.

Quoth he, Miss Mouse, I'm come to thee,

Quoth he, Miss Mouse, I'm here for you,

Kitty alone, &c.

Kitty alone, etc.

Quoth he, Miss Mouse, I'm come to thee,

Quoth he, Miss Mouse, I'm here for you,

To see if thou canst fancy me,

To see if you can imagine me,

Cock me cary, &c.

Cock me carry, etc.

Quoth she, answer I'll give you none,

Quoth she, I won’t give you an answer.

Kitty alone, &c.

Kitty alone, etc.

Quoth she, answer I'll give you none,

Quoth she, I won't give you any answer,

Until my uncle Rat come home,

Until my uncle Rat comes home,

Cock me cary, &c.

Cock me carry, etc.

[page 112]

And when her uncle Rat came home,

And when her Uncle Rat came home,

Kitty alone, &c.

Kitty alone, etc.

And when her uncle Rat came home,

And when her uncle Rat got home,

Who's been here since I've been gone?

Who's been here while I was away?

Cock me cary, &c.

Cock me carry, etc.

Sir, there's been a worthy gentleman,

Sir, there's been a respectable man,

Kitty alone, &c.

Kitty alone, etc.

Sir, there's been a worthy gentleman,

Sir, there’s been a respectable gentleman,

That's been here since you've been gone,

That's been here since you left.

Cock me cary, &c.

Cock me carry, &c.

The frog he came whistling through the brook,

The frog came whistling through the stream,

Kitty alone, &c.

Kitty alone, etc.

The frog he came whistling through the brook,

The frog came whistling through the stream,

And there he met with a dainty duck,

And there he met a lovely duck,

Cock me cary, &c.

Cock me carry, etc.

This duck she swallow'd him up with a pluck,

This duck swallowed him up in one go,

Kitty alone, Kitty alone;

Kitty by herself, Kitty alone;

This duck she swallow'd him up with a pluck,

This duck swallowed him whole without hesitation,

So there's an end of my history book.

So that's the end of my history book.

Cock me cary, Kitty alone,

Cock me carry, Kitty alone,

Kitty alone and I.

Kitty and I alone.

[page 113]

CLXXIV.

There was a man in our toone, in our toone, in our toone,

There was a man in our town, in our town, in our town,

There was a man in our toone, and his name was Billy Pod;

There was a guy in our town, and his name was Billy Pod;

And he played upon an old razor, an old razor, an old razor,

And he played on an old razor, an old razor, an old razor,

And he played upon an old razor, with my fiddle fiddle fe fum fo.

And he played on an old razor, with my fiddle fiddle fe fum fo.

And his hat it was made of the good roast beef, the good roast beef, the good roast beef,

And his hat was made of the delicious roast beef, the delicious roast beef, the delicious roast beef,

And his hat it was made of the good roast beef, and his name was Billy Pod;

And his hat was made of delicious roast beef, and his name was Billy Pod;

And he played upon an old razor, &c.

And he played on an old razor, etc.

And his coat it was made of the good fat tripe, the good fat tripe, the good fat tripe,

And his coat was made of the good, fatty tripe, the good, fatty tripe, the good, fatty tripe,

And his coat it was made of the good fat tripe, and his name was Billy Pod;

And his coat was made of nice, soft tripe, and his name was Billy Pod;

And he played upon an old razor, &c.

And he played on an old razor, etc.

And his breeks were made of the bawbie baps, the bawbie baps, the bawbie baps,

And his pants were made of the bawbie baps, the bawbie baps, the bawbie baps,

And his breeks were made of the bawbie baps, and his name was Billy Pod;

And his pants were made of the cheap fabric, and his name was Billy Pod;

And he played upon an old razor, &c.

And he played on an old razor, etc.

[page 114]

And there was a man in tither toone, in tither toone, in tither toone,

And there was a man in that place, in that place, in that place,

And there was a man in tither toone, and his name was Edrin Drum;

And there was a man named Edrin Drum there;

And he played upon an old laadle, an old laadle, an old laadle,

And he played on an old ladle, an old ladle, an old ladle,

And he played upon an old laadle, with my fiddle fiddle fe fum fo.

And he played on an old ladle, with my fiddle fiddle fe fum fo.

And he eat up all the good roast beef, the good roast beef, &c. &c.

And he ate all the delicious roast beef, the delicious roast beef, etc. etc.

And he eat up all the good fat tripe, the good fat tripe, &c. &c.

And he ate all the good fatty tripe, the good fatty tripe, etc. etc.

And he eat up all the bawbie baps, &c. and his name was Edrin Drum.

And he ate all the bawbie baps, etc., and his name was Edrin Drum.

CLXXV.

John Cook had a little grey mare; he, haw, hum!

John Cook had a small gray mare; he, haw, hum!

Her back stood up, and her bones they were bare; he, haw, hum!

Her back was straight, and her bones were exposed; he, haw, hum!

John Cook was riding up Shuter's bank; he, haw, hum!

And there his nag did kick and prank; he, haw, hum!

And there his horse kicked and played around; he, haw, hum!

[page 115]

John Cook was riding up Shuter's hill; he, haw, hum!

John Cook was riding up Shuter's Hill; he, haw, hum!

His mare fell down, and she made her will; he, haw, hum!

His horse fell down, and she made her will; he, um, hmm!

The bridle and saddle were laid on the shelf; he, haw, hum!

The bridle and saddle were set on the shelf; he, haw, hum!

If you want any more you may sing it yourself; he, haw, hum!

If you want more, you can sing it yourself; he, haw, hum!

CLXXVI.

A carrion crow sat on an oak,

A dead animal crow sat on an oak,

Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do,

Watching a tailor shape his cloak;

Watching a tailor craft his cloak;

Sing heigh ho, the carrion crow,

Sing heigh ho, the scavenger crow,

Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do.

Wife, bring me my old bent bow,

Wife, can you get me my old bent bow,

Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do,

That I may shoot yon carrion crow;

That I can shoot that dead crow;

Sing heigh ho, the carrion crow,

Sing heigh ho, the scavenger crow,

Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do.

The tailor he shot and missed his mark,

The tailor shot but missed his target,

Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do;

And shot his own sow quite through the heart;

And shot his own pig right through the heart;

Sing heigh ho, the carrion crow,

Sing heigh ho, the scavenger crow,

Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do.

[page 116]

Wife, bring brandy in a spoon;

Wife, bring a spoonful of brandy;

Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do,

For our old sow is in a swoon,

For our old pig is passed out,

Sing heigh ho, the carrion crow,

Sing heigh ho, the scavenger crow,

Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do.

CLXXVII.

[Another version from MS. Sloane, 1489, fol. 17, written in the time of Charles I.]

[Another version from MS. Sloane, 1489, fol. 17, written during the time of Charles I.]

Hic hoc, the carrion crow,

Hic this, the dead bird,

For I have shot something too low:

For I have aimed too low:

I have quite missed my mark,

I really missed my goal,

And shot the poor sow to the heart;

And shot the poor pig right in the heart;

Wife, bring treacle in a spoon,

Wife, bring some treacle on a spoon,

Or else the poor sow's heart will down.

Or else the poor pig's heart will break.

[page 117]

CLXXVIII.

[Song of a little boy while passing his hour of solitude in a corn-field.]

[Song of a little boy while spending his time alone in a cornfield.]

Awa' birds, away!

Awa' birds, go away!

Take a little, and leave a little,

And do not come again;

And don't come back again;

For if you do,

If you do,

I will shoot you through,

I'll shoot you through,

And there is an end of you.

And that's the end of you.

CLXXIX.

If I'd as much money as I could spend,

If I had as much money as I could spend,

I never would cry old chairs to mend;

I would never cry over old chairs to fix them;

Old chairs to mend, old chairs to mend;

Old chairs to fix, old chairs to fix;

I never would cry old chairs to mend.

I would never cry over old chairs to fix them.

If I'd as much money as I could tell,

If I had as much money as I could count,

I never would cry old clothes to sell;

I would never sell old clothes for a cry.

Old clothes to sell, old clothes to sell;

Old clothes for sale, old clothes for sale;

I never would cry old clothes to sell.

I would never sell old clothes for a cry.

CLXXX.

Whistle, daughter, whistle, whistle daughter dear;

Whistle, daughter, whistle, whistle dear daughter;

I cannot whistle, mammy, I cannot whistle clear.

I can’t whistle, mom, I can’t whistle well.

Whistle, daughter, whistle, whistle for a pound;

Whistle, daughter, whistle, whistle for a dollar;

I cannot whistle, mammy, I cannot make a sound.

I can’t whistle, mom, I can’t make any noise.

[page 118]

CLXXXI.

I'll sing you a song,

I’ll sing you a song,

Though not very long,

Yet I think it as pretty as any,

Yet I think it's as pretty as any.

Put your hand in your purse,

Put your hand in your bag,

You'll never be worse,

You'll never be less.

And give the poor singer a penny.

And give the struggling singer a penny.

CLXXXII.

Dame, get up and bake your pies,

Ma'am, get up and bake your pies,

Bake your pies, bake your pies;

Dame, get up and bake your pies,

Dame, get up and make your pies,

On Christmas-day in the morning.

On Christmas morning.

Dame, what makes your maidens lie,

Dame, what makes your girls lie,

Maidens lie, maidens lie;

Maidens deceive, maidens deceive;

Dame, what makes your maidens lie,

Dame, what makes your ladies lie,

On Christmas-day in the morning?

On Christmas morning?

Dame, what makes your ducks to die,

Dame, what causes your ducks to die,

Ducks to die, ducks to die;

Dame, what makes your ducks to die,

Dame, what causes your ducks to die,

On Christmas-day in the morning?

On Christmas morning?

Their wings are cut and they cannot fly,

Their wings are clipped, and they can't fly,

Cannot fly, cannot fly;

Can't fly, can't fly;

Their wings are cut and they cannot fly,

Their wings are clipped and they can't fly,

On Christmas-day in the morning.

On Christmas morning.

[page 119]

SEVENTH CLASS—RIDDLES.

CLXXXIII.

[Ann.]

HERE was a girl in our towne,

HERE was a girl in our town,

Silk an' satin was her gowne,

Silk and satin was her gown,

Silk an' satin, gold an' velvet,

Silk and satin, gold and velvet,

Guess her name, three times I've tell'd it.

Guess her name, I've told you three times.

CLXXXIV.

[A thorn.]

I went to the wood and got it,

I went to the woods and got it,

I sat me down and looked at it;

I sat down and looked at it;

The more I looked at it the less I liked it,

The more I stared at it, the less I liked it.

And I brought it home because I couldn't help it.

And I brought it home because I just couldn't resist.

[page 120]

CLXXXV.

[Sunshine.]

Hick-a-more, Hack-a-more,

On the king's kitchen-door;

At the king's kitchen door;

All the king's horses,

And all the king's men,

And all the king's crew,

Couldn't drive Hick-a-more, Hack-a-more,

Off the king's kitchen-door!

Off the king's kitchen door!

CLXXXVI.

[A pen.]

When I was taken from the fair body,

When I was taken from the beautiful body,

They then cut off my head,

They then chopped off my head,

And thus my shape was altered;

And so my form was changed;

It's I that make peace between king and king,

It's me who brings peace between kings.

And many a true lover glad:

And many true lovers are happy:

All this I do and ten times more,

All of this I do and then some,

And more I could do still,

And there’s even more that I could do,

But nothing can I do,

But there's nothing I can do,

Without my guider's will.

Without my guide's approval.

CLXXXVII.

[Snuff.]

As I look'd out o' my chamber window

As I looked out of my bedroom window

I heard something fall;

I heard something drop;

I sent my maid to pick it up,

I sent my housekeeper to grab it,

But she couldn't pick it all.

But she couldn't choose it all.

[page 121]

CLXXXVIII.

[A tobacco-pipe.]

[A smoking pipe.]

I went into my grandmother's garden,

I went into my grandma's garden,

And there I found a farthing.

And there I found a penny.

I went into my next door neighbour's,

I went into my next-door neighbor's,

There I bought a pipkin and a popkin—

There I bought a small pot and a little cake—

A slipkin and a slopkin,

A nailboard, a sailboard,

A nailboard, a windsurf board,

And all for a farthing.

And all for a penny.

CLXXXIX.

[Gloves.]

As I was going o'er London Bridge,

As I was walking over London Bridge,

I met a cart full of fingers and thumbs!

CXC.

Made in London,

Produced in London,

Sold at York,

Sold in York,

Stops a bottle

Stops a bottle topper

And is a cork.

CXCI.

Ten and ten and twice eleven,

10 and 10 and 22,

Take out six and put in seven;

Go to the green and fetch eighteen,

Go to the green and get eighteen,

And drop one a coming.

And drop one for coming.

[page 122]

CXCII.

[A walnut.]

As soft as silk, as white as milk,

As bitter as gall, a thick wall,

As bitter as bile, a thick wall,

And a green coat covers me all.

And a green coat covers me completely.

CXCIII.

[A swarm of bees.]

A bunch of bees.

As I was going o'er Tipple Tine,

As I was going over Tipple Tine,

I met a flock of bonny swine;

I came across a group of pretty pigs;

Some green-lapp'd,

Some green-lapopped,

Some green-back'd;

Some greenbacked;

They were the very bonniest swine

They were the cutest pigs.

That e'er went over Tipple Tine.

That ever went over Tipple Tine.

CXCIV.

[An egg.]

Humpty Dumpty lay in a beck,*

Humpty Dumpty lay in a stream,*

With all his sinews round his neck;

With all his muscles around his neck;

Forty doctors and forty wrights

Forty doctors and forty craftsmen

Couldn't put Humpty Dumpty to rights!

Couldn't put Humpty Dumpty back together!

* A brook.

A stream.

[page 123]

CXCV.

[A storm of wind.]

A windstorm.

Arthur O'Bower has broken his band,

Arthur O'Bower has disbanded his group,

He comes roaring up the land;—

He comes rushing up the land;—

The King of Scots, with all his power,

The King of Scotland, with all his power,

Cannot turn Arthur of the Bower!

CXCVI.

[Tobacco.]

Make three-fourths of a cross,

Create three-quarters of a cross,

And a circle complete;

And a circle is complete;

And let two semicircles

And let two half-circles

On a perpendicular meet;

At a right-angle meeting;

Next add a triangle

Next, add a triangle.

That stands on two feet;

That stands on two legs;

Next two semicircles,

Next two half-circles,

And a circle complete.

And a circle is complete.

CXCVII.

There was a king met a king

There was a king who met another king

In a narrow lane,

On a narrow street,

Says this king to that king,

"Where have you been?"

[page 124]

"Oh! I've been a hunting

"Oh! I've been hunting"

With my dog and my doe."

With my dog and my female deer.

"Pray lend him to me,

"Please let me have him,"

That I may do so."

That I might do this."

"There's the dog take the dog."

"There's the dog, take the dog."

"What's the dog's name?"

"What’s the dog's name?"

"I've told you already."

"I've already told you."

"Pray tell me again."

"Please tell me again."

CXCVIII.

[A plum-pudding.]

A Thanksgiving dessert.

Flour of England, fruit of Spain,

Flour from England, fruit from Spain,

Met together in a shower of rain;

Met in a downpour;

Put in a bag tied round with a string,

Put in a bag tied with a string,

If you'll tell me this riddle, I'll give you a ring.

If you tell me this riddle, I'll give you a ring.

CXCIX.

Every lady in this land

Every woman in this land

Has twenty nails upon each hand,

Has twenty nails on each hand,

Five and twenty hands and feet,

All this is true without deceit.

All of this is completely true without any lies.

CC.

Twelve pears hanging high,

12 pears hanging high,

Twelve knights riding by;

Twelve knights riding past;

Each knight took a pear,

Each knight took a pear.

And yet left eleven there!

[page 125]

CCI.

[A star.]

A star.

I have a little sister, they call her peep, peep;

I have a little sister, they call her peep, peep;

She wades the waters deep, deep, deep;

She wades through the water, deep, deep, deep;

She climbs the mountains high, high, high;

She climbs the mountains steep, steep, steep;

Poor little creature she has but one eye.

Poor little creature, she only has one eye.

CCII.

[A needle and thread.]

Old mother Twitchett had but one eye,

Vintage mother Twitchett had only one eye,

And a long tail which she let fly;

And a long tail that she let wave;

And every time she went over a gap,

And every time she crossed a gap,

She left a bit of her tail in a trap.

She left part of her tail in a trap.

CCIII.

[An egg.]

In marble walls as white as milk,

Lined with a skin as soft as silk;

Lined with skin as soft as silk;

Within a fountain crystal clear,

In a crystal clear fountain,

A golden apple doth appear.

A golden apple appears.

No doors there are to this strong-hold.

No doors lead to this stronghold.

Yet things break in and steal the gold.

Yet things break in and take the gold.

[page 126]

CCIV.

[A horse-shoer.]

[A farrier.]

What shoe-maker makes shoes without leather,

What shoemaker makes non-leather shoes,

With all the four elements put together?

All four elements combined?

Fire and water, earth and air;

Ev'ry customer has two pair.

Every customer has two pairs.

CCV.

[Currants.]

Higgledy piggledy

All mixed up

Here we lie,

Here we are,

Pick'd and pluck'd,

Picked and plucked

And put in a pie.

And make a pie.

My first is snapping, snarling, growling,

My second's industrious, romping, and prowling.

My second is hardworking, playful, and curious.

Higgledy piggledy

Haphazard

Here we lie,

Here we are,

Pick'd and pluck'd,

Picked and plucked,

And put in a pie.

And add it to a pie.

CCVI.

Thomas a Tattamus took two Ts,

Thomas a Tattamus took 2 Ts,

To tie two tups to two tall trees,

To tie two rams to two tall trees,

To frighten the terrible Thomas a Tattamus!

To scare the awful Thomas a Tattamus!

Tell me how many Ts there are in all THAT.

Tell me how many Ts there are in total THAT.

[page 127]

CCVII.

[The man had one eye, and the tree two apples upon it.]

[The man had one eye, and the tree had two apples on it.]

There was a man who had no eyes,

There was a man who was blind,

He went abroad to view the skies;

He traveled overseas to see the skies;

He saw a tree with apples on it,

He took no apples off, yet left no apples on it.

He didn't take any apples off, but he didn't leave any on it either.

CCVIII.

[Cleopatra.]

The moon nine days old,

The moon is nine days old.

The next sign to cancer;

The next sign of cancer;

Pat rat without a tail;—

Rat without a tail;—

And now, sir, for your answer,

And now, sir, here's your answer,

CCIX.

[A candle.]

Little Nancy Etticoat,

Little Nancy Etticoat,

In a white petticoat,

In a white slip,

And a red nose;

The longer she stands,

The longer she stays,

The shorter she grows.

The shorter she gets.

[page 128]

CCX.

[Pair of tongs.]

Long legs, crooked thighs,

Long legs, uneven thighs,

Little head and no eyes.

Small head and no eyes.

CCXI.

[From MS. Sloane, 1489, fol. 16, written in the time of Charles I.]

There were three sisters in a hall,

There were three sisters in a hall,

There came a knight amongst them all;

There was a knight among them all;

Good morrow, aunt, to the one,

Good morning, aunt, to the one,

Good morrow, aunt, to the other,

Good morning, aunt, to the other,

Good morrow, gentlewoman, to the third,

Good morning, lady, to the third,

If you were my aunt,

As the other two be,

As the other two are,

I would say good morrow,

I would say good morning,

Then, aunts, all three.

Then, all three aunts.

CCXII.

[Isabel.]

Congeal'd water and Cain's brother,

Frozen water and Cain's brother,

That was my lover's name, and no other.

That was the name of my lover, and no one else's.

CCXIII.

[Teeth and Gums.]

Thirty white horses upon a red hill,

30 white horses on a red hill,

Now they tramp, now they champ, now they stand still.

Now they walk heavily, now they chew, now they stop moving.

[page 129]

CCXIV.

[Coals.]

[Charcoal.]

Black we are, but much admired;

We are Black, but highly admired;

Men seek for us till they are tired.

Men search for us until they get exhausted.

We tire the horse, but comfort man

We exhaust the horse, but soothe the man.

Tell me this riddle if you can.

CCXV.

[A Star.]

Higher than a house, higher than a tree;

Higher than a house, taller than a tree;

Oh, whatever can that be?

Oh, what could that be?

CCXVI.

[An Egg.]

Humpty dumpty sate on a wall,

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,

Humpty dumpty had a great fall;

Humpty Dumpty had a big fall;

Three score men and three score more

Cannot place Humpty Dumpty as he was before.

Cannot place Humpty Dumpty back as he was before.

CCXVII.

[The allusion to Oliver Cromwell satisfactorily fixes the date of the riddle to belong to the seventeenth century. The answer is, a rainbow.]

[The reference to Oliver Cromwell clearly dates the riddle to the seventeenth century. The answer is a rainbow.]

Purple, yellow, red, and green,

Purple, yellow, red, and green,

The king cannot reach it nor the queen;

The king and queen can't reach it;

Nor can old Noll, whose power's so great:

Nor can old Noll, whose power is so great:

Tell me this riddle while I count eight.

Tell me this riddle while I count to eight.

[page 130]

CCXVIII.

Pease-porridge hot, pease-porridge cold,

Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold,

Pease-porridge in the pot, nine days old.

Pease porridge in the pot, nine days old.

Spell me that without a P,

And a clever scholar you will be.

And you'll be a smart scholar.

CCXIX.

As I was going o'er Westminster bridge,

As I crossed Westminster Bridge,

I met with a Westminster scholar;

I met with a scholar from Westminster;

He pulled off his cap an' drew off his glove,

He took off his cap and removed his glove,

And wished me a very good morrow.

And wished me a really good morning.

What is his name?

What's his name?

CCXX.

[A Chimney.]

Black within, and red without;

Black inside, red outside;

Four corners round about.

Four corners all around.

CCXXI.

There was a man rode through our town,

There was a man who rode through our town,

Gray Grizzle was his name;

His saddle-bow was gilt with gold,

His saddle-bow was covered in gold,

Three times I've named his name.

Three times I've said his name.

[page 131]

CCXXII.

[A Hedgehog.]

As I went over Lincoln bridge

As I crossed Lincoln bridge

I met mister Rusticap;

I met Mr. Rusticap;

Pins and needles on his back,

A going to Thorney fair.

Going to Thorney fair.

CCXXIII.

[One leg is a leg of mutton; two legs, a man; three legs, a stool; four legs, a dog.]

[One leg is a leg of lamb; two legs, a man; three legs, a stool; four legs, a dog.]

Two legs sat upon three legs,

Two legs sat on three legs,

With one leg in his lap;

In comes four legs,

Here comes the four legs,

And runs away with one leg.

And runs away on one leg.

Up jumps two legs,

Catches up three legs,

Catches up three flights,

Throws it after four legs,

And makes him bring back one leg.

CCXXIV.

[A Bed.]

Formed long ago, yet made to-day,

Created long ago, yet made today,

Employed while others sleep;

Working while others sleep;

What few would like to give away,

What few are willing to share,

Nor any wish to keep.

Nor any desire to stay.

[page 132]

CCXXV.

[A Cinder-sifter.]

[Cinder sifter.]

A riddle, a riddle, as I suppose,

A riddle, a riddle, as I guess,

A hundred eyes, and never a nose.

A hundred eyes, but not a single nose.

CCXXVI.

[A Well.]

As round as an apple, as deep as a cup,

And all the king's horses can't pull it up.

And all the king's horses can't lift it up.

CCXXVII.

[A Cherry.]

As I went through the garden gap,

As I walked through the garden gap,

Who should I meet but Dick Red-cap!

Who should I run into but Dick Red-cap!

A stick in his hand, a stone in his throat,

If you'll tell me this riddle, I'll give you a groat.

If you tell me this riddle, I'll give you a coin.

CCXXVIII.

Elizabeth, Elspeth, Betsy and Bess,

Elizabeth, Elspeth, Betsy, and Bess,

They all went together to seek a bird's nest.

They all went together to find a bird's nest.

They found a bird's nest with five eggs in,

They found a bird's nest with five eggs inside.

They all took one, and left four in.

They all took one and left four behind.

[page 133]

CCXXIX.

As I was going to St. Ives,

As I was on my way to St. Ives,

I met a man with seven wives,

I met a guy with seven wives,

Every wife had seven sacks,

Every sack had seven cats,

Every bag had seven cats,

Every cat had seven kits:

Every cat had seven kittens:

Kits, cats, sacks, and wives,

Kits, cats, bags, and wives,

How many were there going to St. Ives?

How many were there on the way to St. Ives?

CCXXX.

[The Holly Tree.]

Highty, tighty, paradighty clothed in green,

High five, tighty, paradighty dressed in green,

The king could not read it, no more could the queen;

The king couldn't read it, and neither could the queen;

They sent for a wise man out of the East,

They called for a wise man from the East,

Who said it had horns, but was not a beast!

Who said it had horns but wasn't a beast?

CCXXXI.

See, see! what shall I see?

Check it out, look! What am I supposed to see?

A horse's head where his tail should be.

A horse's head where its tail should be.

CCXXXII.

[A fire-brand with sparks on it.]

[A firebrand with sparks on it.]

As I was going o'er London Bridge,

While I was crossing London Bridge,

And peep'd through a nick,

And peeked through a crack,

I saw four and twenty ladies

I saw 24 ladies

Riding on a stick!

Riding a stick!

[page 134]

CCXXXIII.

[An Icicle.]

Lives in winter,

Lives in the winter,

Dies in summer,

Dies in summer.

And grows with its root upwards!

And grows with its roots pointing up!

CCXXXIV.

When I went up sandy hill,

When I climbed sandy hill,

I met a sandy boy;

I met a beach boy;

I cut his throat, I sucked his blood,

I slashed his throat, I drank his blood,

And left his skin a hanging-o.

And left his skin behind.

CCXXXV.

I had a little castle upon the sea-side,

I have a small castle by the seaside,

One half was water, the other was land;

I open'd my little castle door, and guess what I found;

I opened my little castle door, and guess what I found;

I found a fair lady with a cup in her hand.

I saw a beautiful woman holding a cup.

The cup was gold, filled with wine;

Drink, fair lady, and thou shalt be mine!

Drink, beautiful lady, and you'll be mine!

CCXXXVI.

Old father Graybeard,

Old man Graybeard,

Without tooth or tongue;

Without teeth or tongue;

If you'll give me your finger,

If you give me your finger,

I'll give you my thumb.

I'll give you a thumbs up.

[page 135]

EIGHTH CLASS—CHARMS.

CCXXXVII.

USHY cow bonny, let down thy milk,

USHY cow bonny, please give your milk,

And I will give thee a gown of silk;

And I will give you a silk gown;

A gown of silk and a silver tee,

A silk gown and a silver t-shirt,

If thou wilt let down thy milk to me.

If you will lower your milk to me.

CCXXXVIII.

[Said to pips placed in the fire; a species of divination practised by children.]

[Said to pips placed in the fire; a type of fortune-telling done by kids.]

If you love me, pop and fly;

If you love me, take a chance and soar;

If you hate me, lay and die.

If you hate me, go ahead and die.

[page 136]

CCXXXIX.

[The following, with a very slight variation, is found in Ben Jonson's 'Masque of Queen's,' and it is singular to account for its introduction into the modern nursery.]

[The following, with a very slight variation, is found in Ben Jonson's 'Masque of Queen's,' and it's interesting to consider how it ended up in today's nursery.]

I went to the toad that lies under the wall,

I went to the toad that sits under the wall,

I charmed him out, and he came at my call;

I charmed him out, and he came when I called;

I scratch'd out the eyes of the owl before,

I scratched out the eyes of the owl before,

I tore the bat's wing, what would you have more.

I ripped the bat's wing, what else would you want?

CCXL.

[A charm somewhat similar to the following may be seen in the 'Townley Mysteries,' p. 91. See a paper in the 'Archæologia,' vol. xxvii, p. 253, by the Rev. Lancelot Sharpe, M.A. See also MS. Lansd. 231, fol. 114, and Ady's 'Candle in the Dark,' 4to, London, 1650, p. 58.]

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,

Guard the bed that I lay on!

Guard the bed I’m lying on!

Four corners to my bed,

Four corners of my bed,

Four angels round my head;

Four angels around my head;

One to watch, one to pray,

One to keep an eye on, one to pray for,

And two to bear my soul away!

And two to take my soul away!

CCXLI.

[Ady, in his 'Candle in the Dark,' 4to, Lond. 1656, p. 59, says that this was a charm to make butter come from the churn. It was to be said thrice.]

[Ady, in his 'Candle in the Dark,' 4to, Lond. 1656, p. 59, says that this was a charm to make butter come from the churn. It was to be said three times.]

Come, butter, come,

Come on, butter, come,

Come, butter, come!

Peter stands at the gate,

Peter is at the gate,

Waiting for a butter'd cake;

Waiting for a butter cake;

Come, butter, come!

[page 137]

CCXLII.

[From Dr. Wallis's "Grammatica Linguæ Anglicanæ," 12mo, Oxon. 1674, p. 164. This and the nine following are said to be certain cures for the hiccup if repeated in one breath.]

[From Dr. Wallis's "Grammatica Linguæ Anglicanæ," 12mo, Oxon. 1674, p. 164. This and the nine following are said to be effective remedies for hiccups if said in one breath.]

When a Twister a twisting, will twist him a twist;

When a Twister is twisting, it will twist him a twist;

For the twisting of his twist, he three times doth intwist;

For the twisting of his twist, he twists it three times;

But if one of the twines of the twist do untwist,

But if one of the strands of the twist unravels,

The twine that untwisteth, untwisteth the twist.

The twine that unwinds, unwinds the twist.

Untwirling the twine that untwisteth between,

Untangling the separating twine,

He twirls, with the twister, the two in a twine:

He spins, with the whirlwind, the two in a tangle:

Then twice having twisted the twines of the twine

Then twice having twisted the strands of the twine

He twisteth the twine he had twined in twain.

He twists the twine he had braided in two.

The twain that, in twining, before in the twine,

The two that, when intertwined, were once in the twist,

As twines were intwisted; he now doth untwine:

As the strands were twisted together; he is now unraveling them:

'Twixt the twain inter-twisting a twine more between,

'Twixt the two intertwining a string more in between,

He, twirling his twister, makes a twist of the twine.

He, spinning his twister, makes a twist of the string.

[page 138]

CCXLIII.

A Thatcher of Thatchwood went to Thatchet a thatching;

A Thatcher from Thatchwood went to Thatchet to do some thatching;

Did a thatcher of Thatchwood go to Thatchet a thatching?

Did a thatcher from Thatchwood go to Thatchet to do some thatching?

If a thatcher of Thatchwood went to Thatchet a thatching,

If a thatcher from Thatchwood went to Thatchet to thatch,

Where's the thatching the thatcher of Thatchwood has thatch'd?

Where's the thatch that the thatcher of Thatchwood has thatched?

CCXLIV.

[Sometimes 'off a pewter plate' is added at the end of each line.]

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper;

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers;

A peck of pickled pepper Peter Piper picked;

A bunch of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked;

If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper,

If Peter Piper picked a large amount of pickled pepper,

Where's the peck of pickled pepper Peter Piper picked?

Where's the bunch of pickled peppers that Peter Piper picked?

CCXLV.

My father he left me, just as he was able,

Me father left me, just as soon as he could,

One bowl, one bottle, one lable,

One bowl, one bottle, one label,

Two bowls, two bottles, two lables,

Two bowls, two bottles, two labels,

Three, &c. [And so on ad. lib. in one breath.]

Three, etc. [And so on at will in one breath.]

[page 139]

CCXLVI.

Robert Rowley rolled a round roll round,

Robert Rowley rolled a round roll around,

A round roll Robert Rowley rolled round;

A round roll that Robert Rowley rolled around;

Where rolled the round roll Robert Rowley rolled round?

Where did the round roll that Robert Rowley rolled roll?

CCXLVII.

My grandmother sent me a new-fashioned three cornered cambric country cut handkerchief. Not an old-fashioned three cornered cambric country cut handkerchief, but a new-fashioned three cornered cambric country cut handkerchief.

My grandmother sent me a modern three-cornered cambric handkerchief. Not an old-fashioned three-cornered cambric handkerchief, but a contemporary three-cornered cambric handkerchief.

CCXLVIII.

Three crooked cripples went through Cripplegate, and through Cripplegate went three crooked cripples.

Three bent cripples walked through Cripplegate, and three bent cripples passed through Cripplegate.

CCXLIX.

Swan swam over the sea—

Swan swam across the sea—

Swim, swan, swim;

Swan swam back again,

Swan swam back again.

Well swam swan,

Well swam, swan.

[page 140]

CCL.

Hickup, hickup, go away!

Hiccup, hiccup, go away!

Come again another day;

Come back another day;

Hickup, hickup, when I bake,

Hiccup, hiccup, when I bake,

I'll give to you a butter-cake.

I'll give you a butter cake.

CCLI.

Hickup, snicup,

Hiccup, sniccup,

Rise up, right up!

Get up, right now!

Three drops in the cup

Are good for the hiccup.

Are great for hiccups.

[page 141]

NINTH CLASS—GAFFERS AND GAMMERS.

CCLII.

HERE was an old woman, as I've heard tell,

HERE was an old woman, as I've heard.

She went to market her eggs for to sell;

She went to the market to sell her eggs;

She went to market all on a market-day,

She went to the market on market day,

And she fell asleep on the king's highway.

And she fell asleep on the king's road.

There came by a pedlar whose name was Stout,

There came a traveling salesman named Stout,

He cut her petticoats all round about;

He cut her petticoats all the way around;

He cut her petticoats up to the knees,

Which made the old woman to shiver and freeze.

Which made the old woman shiver and freeze.

[page 142]

When this little woman first did wake,

When this little woman first woke,

She began to shiver and she began to shake,

She started to shiver and shake,

She began to wonder and she began to cry,

She started to wonder and she started to cry,

"Oh! deary, deary me, this is none of I!

"Oh! dear me, this is not me at all!"

"But if it be I, as I do hope it be,

"But if it's me, as I really hope it is,

I've a little dog at home, and he'll know me;

I've got a little dog at home, and he knows me;

If it be I, he'll wag his little tail,

If it's me, he'll wag his little tail,

And if it be not I, he'll loudly bark and wail."

And if it's not me, he'll bark and cry loudly.

Home went the little woman all in the dark,

Up got the little dog, and he began to bark;

Up got the little dog, and he started barking;

He began to bark, so she began to cry,

He started barking, so she started crying,

"Oh! deary, deary me, this is none of I!"

"Oh! dear me, this is none of my business!"

CCLIII.

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe,

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe,

She had so many children she didn't know what to do;

She had so many kids she didn't know what to do;

She gave them some broth without any bread,

She served them some broth without any bread,

She whipped them all well and put them to bed.

She gave them all a good spanking and put them to bed.

[page 143]

CCLIV.

Old woman, old woman, shall we go a shearing?

Vintage woman, old woman, shall we go get a haircut?

Speak a little louder, sir, I am very thick of hearing.

Speak a little louder, sir; I have a hard time hearing.

Old woman, old woman, shall I love you dearly?

Old woman, old woman, should I love you dearly?

Thank you, kind sir, I hear you very clearly.

Thank you, kind sir, I hear you loud and clear.

CCLV.

There was an old woman sat spinning,

There was an old woman sitting and spinning,

And that's the first beginning;

And that's the first start;

She had a calf,

She had a baby cow,

And that's half;

And that's fifty percent;

She took it by the tail,

She grabbed it by the tail,

And threw it over the wall,

And tossed it over the wall,

And that's all.

And that's it.

CCLVI.

There was an old woman, her name it was Peg;

There was an old woman, her name was Peg;

Her head was of wood, and she wore a cork-leg.

Her head was made of wood, and she wore a cork leg.

The neighbours all pitch'd her into the water,

The neighbors all threw her into the water,

Her leg was drown'd first, and her head follow'd a'ter.

Her leg went under first, and her head followed after.

[page 144]

CCLVII.

A little old man and I fell out;

A bit old man and I had a disagreement;

How shall we bring this matter about?

How should we get this done?

Bring it about as well as you can,

Bring it about as best as you can,

Get you gone, you little old man!

Go away, you old man!

CCLVIII.

There was an old woman,

There was an old lady,

And she sold puddings and pies;

She went to the mill,

She went to the factory,

And the dust flew in her eyes:

And the dust got in her eyes:

Hot pies and cold pies to sell!

Hot pies and cold pies for sale!

Wherever she goes,—

Wherever she goes, —

You may follow her by the smell.

You can track her by the scent.

CCLIX.

Old Mother Niddity Nod swore by the pudding-bag,

Vintage Mother Niddity Nod swore by the pudding bag,

She would go to Stoken Church fair;

She would go to the Stoken Church fair;

And then old Father Peter said he would meet her

And then old Father Peter said he would meet her.

Before she got half-way there.

Before she got halfway there.

CCLX.

There was an old woman

There was an old lady

Lived under a hill;

Lived beneath a hill;

And if she's not gone,

And if she hasn’t left,

She lives there still.

She still lives there.

[page 145]

CCLXI.

There was an old woman toss'd up in a basket

There was an old woman thrown into a basket

Nineteen times as high as the moon;

Nineteen times higher than the moon;

Where she was going I couldn't but ask it,

Where she was headed, I couldn't help but ask.

For in her hand she carried a broom.

For she was holding a broom in her hand.

Old woman, old woman, old woman, quoth I,

Old woman, old woman, old woman, I said,

O whither, O whither, O whither, so high?

O where, O where, O where, so high?

To brush the cobwebs off the sky!

To clear the cobwebs away from the sky!

Shall I go with thee? Aye, by and by.

Should I go with you? Yes, soon.

CCLXII.

There was an old man who liv'd in Middle Row,

There was an old man who lived on Middle Row,

He had five hens and a name for them, oh!

He had five hens and names for them, wow!

Bill and Ned and Battock,

Bill, Ned, and Battock,

Cut-her-foot and Pattock,

Cut her foot and Pattock,

Chuck, my lady Prattock,

Go to thy nest and lay.

Go to your nest and lay.

CCLXIII.

There was an old woman of Leeds

There was an old woman from Leeds

Who spent all her time in good deeds;

Who spent all her time doing good things;

She worked for the poor

She worked for the needy

Till her fingers were sore,

Until her fingers were sore,

This pious old woman of Leeds!

This devout old woman from Leeds!

[page 146]

CCLXIV.

Old Betty Blue

Betty Blue

Lost a holiday shoe,

Lost a shoe on vacation,

What can old Betty do?

What can Betty do?

Give her another

Get her another

To match the other,

To match the other one,

And then she may swagger in two.

And then she might strut in two.

CCLXV.

Old mother Hubbard

Old Mother Hubbard

Went to the cupboard,

Checked the cupboard,

To get her poor dog a bone;

But when she came there

But when she arrived there

The cupboard was bare,

The cupboard was empty.

And so the poor dog had none.

And so the poor dog had nothing.

She went to the baker's

She went to the bakery.

To buy him some bread,

To get him some bread,

But when she came back

But when she returned

The poor dog was dead.

The poor dog had died.

She went to the joiner's

She went to the carpenter's.

To buy him a coffin,

To get him a coffin,

But when she came back

But when she returned

The poor dog was laughing.*

The sad dog was laughing.*

[page 147]

She took a clean dish

She grabbed a clean plate.

To get him some tripe,

To get him some beef stomach,

But when she came back

But when she returned

He was smoking his pipe.

He was smoking his vape.

She went to the fishmonger's

She went to the fish market.

To buy him some fish,

To get him some fish,

And when she came back

And when she returned

He was licking the dish.

He was licking the plate.

She went to the ale-house

She went to the pub.

To get him some beer,

To buy him some beer,

But when she came back

But when she returned

The dog sat in a chair.

[page 148]

She went to the tavern

She went to the bar

For white wine and red,

For white and red wine,

But when she came back

But when she returned

The dog stood on his head.

The dog was standing on his head.

She went to the hatter's

She went to the hat shop.

To buy him a hat,

To get him a hat,

But when she came back

But when she returned

He was feeding the cat.

She went to the barber's

She went to the barber.

To buy him a wig,

To get him a wig,

But when she came back

But when she returned

He was dancing a jig.

He was doing a jig.

She went to the fruiterer's

She went to the fruit store.

To buy him some fruit,

To get him some fruit,

But when she came back

But when she returned

He was playing the flute.

She went to the tailor's

She went to the tailor.

To buy him a coat,

To get him a coat,

But when she came back

But when she returned

He was riding a goat.

She went to the cobbler's

She went to the shoemaker's

To buy him some shoes,

To get him some shoes,

But when she came back

But when she returned

He was reading the news.

He was checking the news.

[page 149]

She went to the sempstress

She went to the tailor

To buy him some linen,

To buy him some sheets,

But when she came back

But when she returned

The dog was spinning.

The dog was twirling.

She went to the hosier's

She went to the hosiery store

To buy him some hose,

To get him some pants,

But when she came back

But when she returned

He was dress'd in his clothes.

He was dressed in his clothes.

The dame made a curtsey,

The woman curtsied,

The dog made a bow;

The dog took a bow;

The dame said, your servant,

The lady said, your servant,

The dog said, bow, wow.

The dog said, bark, wow.

* Probably loffing or loffin', to complete the rhyme. So in Shakspeare's 'Mids. Night's Dream,' act ii, sc. 1:

* Probably loffing or loffin', to complete the rhyme. So in Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' act ii, sc. 1:

"And then the whole quire hold their hips, and loffe."

"And then the whole choir holds their hips and laughs."

CCLXVI.

[The first two lines of the following are the same with those of a song in D'Urfey's 'Pills to Purge Melancholy,' vol. v, p. 13.]

[The first two lines of the following are the same as those of a song in D'Urfey's 'Pills to Purge Melancholy,' vol. v, p. 13.]

There was an old woman

There was an elderly woman

Lived under a hill,

She put a mouse in a bag,

And sent it to mill;

And sent it to the mill;

The miller declar'd

The miller declared

By the point of his knife,

By the edge of his knife,

He never took toll

He never paid tolls.

Of a mouse in his life.

[page 150]

CCLXVII.

[The following is part of a comic song called 'Success to the Whistle and Wig,' intended to be sung in rotation by the members of a club.]

[The following is part of a comic song called 'Success to the Whistle and Wig,' meant to be sung in turns by the members of a club.]

There was an old woman had three sons,

There was an old woman who had three sons,

Jerry, and James, and John:

Jerry, James, and John:

Jerry was hung, James was drowned,

Jerry was hanged, James was drowned,

John was lost and never was found,

John was lost and was never found,

And there was an end of the three sons,

And that was the end of the three sons,

Jerry, and James, and John!

Jerry, James, and John!

CCLXVIII.

[The tale on which the following story is founded is found in a MS. of the fifteenth century, preserved in the Chetham Library at Manchester.]

[The story that the following tale is based on is found in a manuscript from the fifteenth century, kept in the Chetham Library in Manchester.]

There was an old man, who lived in a wood,

There was an old man who lived in a woods,

As you may plainly see;

As you can clearly see;

He said he could do as much work in a day,

He said he could get just as much done in a day,

As his wife could do in three.

With all my heart, the old woman said,

If that you will allow,

If you allow,

To-morrow you'll stay at home in my stead,

Tomorrow you'll stay home in my place,

And I'll go drive the plough:

And I'll go drive the plow:

But you must milk the Tidy cow,

But you have to milk the Tidy cow,

For fear that she go dry;

For fear that she becomes dry;

And you must feed the little pigs

And you have to feed the little pigs.

That are within the sty;

That are inside the pen;

And you must mind the speckled hen,

And you need to pay attention to the speckled hen,

For fear she lay away;

For fear she stayed awake;

And you must reel the spool of yarn

And you need to unwind the spool of yarn.

That I spun yesterday.

That I made yesterday.

[page 151]

The old woman took a staff in her hand,

The old woman picked up a staff in her hand,

And went to drive the plough:

And went to drive the plow:

The old man took a pail in his hand,

The old man grabbed a bucket in his hand,

And went to milk the cow;

But Tidy hinched, and Tidy flinched,

But Tidy bent down, and Tidy recoiled,

And Tidy broke his nose,

And Tidy broke his nose.

And Tidy gave him such a blow,

And Tidy hit him so hard,

That the blood ran down to his toes.

High! Tidy! ho! Tidy! high!

Tidy! do stand still;

Stay still!

If ever I milk you, Tidy, again,

If I ever milk you again, Tidy,

'Twill be sore against my will!

It will be really against my will!

He went to feed the little pigs,

He went to feed the piglets,

That were within the sty;

That were in the pigpen;

He hit his head against the beam,

He bumped his head against the beam,

And he made the blood to fly.

And he made the blood fly.

He went to mind the speckled hen,

He went to take care of the speckled hen,

For fear she'd lay astray,

For fear she'd go off course,

And he forgot the spool of yarn

And he forgot the spool of yarn.

His wife spun yesterday.

His wife danced yesterday.

So he swore by the sun, the moon, and the stars,

And the green leaves on the tree,

If his wife didn't do a day's work in her life,

If his wife never worked a day in her life,

She should ne'er be ruled by he.

She should never be controlled by him.

[page 152]

CCLXIX.

There was an old man of Tobago,

There was an old man from Tobago,

Who lived on rice, gruel, and sago;

Who lived on rice, porridge, and sago;

Till, much to his bliss,

Until, much to his joy,

His physician said this—

His doctor said this—

"To a leg, sir, of mutton you may go."

"Go ahead and have a leg of mutton, sir."

CCLXX.

Oh, dear, what can the matter be?

Oh, my goodness, what could be wrong?

Two old women got up in an apple tree;

Two old women climbed up into an apple tree;

One came down,

One descended,

And the other staid till Saturday.

And the other waited until Saturday.

CCLXXI.

There was an old man,

There was an elderly man,

And he had a calf,

And he had a baby cow,

And that's half;

And that's fifty percent;

He took him out of the stall,

He took him out of the stable,

And put him on the wall;

And place him on the wall;

And that's all.

And that's everything.

CCLXXII.

Father Short came down the lane,

Father Short walked down the lane,

Oh! I'm obliged to hammer and smite

Oh! I have to hit and strike

From four in the morning till eight at night,

From 4 AM until 8 PM,

For a bad master, and a worse dame.

For a terrible master, and an even worse mistress.

[page 153]

CCLXXIII.

There was an old woman called Nothing-at-all,

There was an old woman named Nothing-at-all,

Who rejoiced in a dwelling exceedingly small:

Who was happy in a very small home:

A man stretched his mouth to its utmost extent,

A man opened his mouth as wide as he could,

And down at one gulp house and old woman went.

And down went the old woman and the house in one gulp.

CCLXXIV.

There was an old woman of Norwich,

There was an old woman of Norwich,

Who lived upon nothing but porridge;

Who lived on nothing but porridge;

Parading the town,

Marching through town,

She turned cloak into gown,

She turned a cloak into a gown,

This thrifty old woman of Norwich.

This frugal old woman from Norwich.

CCLXXV.

A little old man of Derby,

An old man from Derby,

How do you think he served me?

How do you think he treated me?

He took away my bread and cheese,

He took my bread and cheese.

And that is how he served me.

And that's how he helped me.

CCLXXVI.

There was an old woman in Surrey,

There was an old woman in Surrey,

Who, was morn, noon, and night in a hurry;

Who was always in a rush, morning, noon, and night;

Call'd her husband a fool,

Called her husband a fool,

Drove the children to school,

Took the kids to school.

The worrying old woman of Surrey.

The anxious old woman from Surrey.

[page 154]

TENTH CLASS—GAMES.

CCLXXVII.

[Rhymes used by children to decide who is to begin a game.]

[Rhymes used by kids to decide who goes first in a game.]

NE-ERY, two-ery,

Ziccary zan;

Hollow bone, crack a bone,

Hollow bone, break a bone,

Ninery, ten:

Ninety, ten:

Spittery spot,

Spitty area,

It must be done;

It has to be done;

Twiddleum twaddleum,

Twenty-one.

21.

[page 155]

Hink spink, the puddings stink,

Hink spink, the puddings smell,

The fat begins to fry,

The fat starts to fry,

Nobody at home, but jumping Joan,

Father, mother, and I.

Mom, Dad, and me.

Stick, stock, stone dead,

Stuck, completely dead.

Blind man can't see,

Blind person can't see,

Every knave will have a slave,

Every villain will have a servant,

You or I must be he.

You or I have to be him.

CCLXXVIII.

[A game of the Fox. In a children's game, where all the little actors are seated in a circle, the following stanza is used as question and answer.]

[A game of the Fox. In a children's game, where all the kids are seated in a circle, the following stanza is used as a question and answer.]

Who goes round my house this night?

Who is wandering around my house tonight?

None but cruel Tom!

Only cruel Tom!

Who steals all the sheep at night?

Who is stealing all the sheep at night?

None but this poor one.

None but this poor soul.

CCLXXIX.

Dance, Thumbkin, dance,

[Keep the thumb in motion.

Keep your thumb moving.

Dance, ye merrymen, every one:

Dance, you merry folks, everyone:

[All the fingers in motion.

All fingers in motion.

For Thumbkin, he can dance alone,

For Thumbkin, he can dance by himself,

[The thumb only moving.

The thumb just moving

Thumbkin, he can dance alone,

Thumbkin can dance solo,

[Ditto.

Ditto.

Dance, Foreman, dance,

Dance, Foreman, dance.

[The first finger moving.

The index finger moving.

[page 156]

Dance, ye merrymen, every one;

Dance, you merry people, everyone;

[The whole moving.

The whole move.

But Foreman, he can dance alone,

But Foreman can dance by himself,

Foreman, he can dance alone.

Foreman, he can dance solo.

[and So on With the Others—naming the 2d Finger Longman—the 3d Finger Ringman—and the 4th Finger Littleman. Littleman Cannot Dance Alone.]

[and So on With the Others—naming the 2nd Finger Longman—the 3rd Finger Ringman—and the 4th Finger Littleman. Littleman Cannot Dance Alone.]

CCLXXX.

[The following is used by schoolboys, when two are starting to run a race.]

[The following is used by schoolboys when two are about to start a race.]

One to make ready,

One to prepare,

And two to prepare;

And two to get ready;

Good luck to the rider,

Good luck to the rider.

And away goes the mare.

And off goes the mare.

CCLXXXI.

[At the conclusion, the captive is privately asked if he will have oranges or lemons (the two leaders of the arch having previously agreed which designation shall belong to each), and he goes behind the one he may chance to name. When all are thus divided into two parties, they conclude the game by trying to pull each other beyond a certain line.]

[At the end, the captive is privately asked if he wants oranges or lemons (the two leaders of the arch having already agreed which goes to whom), and he goes behind the one he chooses. When everyone is split into two teams, they finish the game by trying to pull each other past a certain line.]

Gay go up and gay go down,

Joyful go up and happy go down,

To ring the bells of London town.

To ring the bells of London city.

Bull's eyes and targets,

Bullseyes and targets,

Say the bells of St. Marg'ret's.

Say the bells of St. Margaret's.

Brickbats and tiles,

Criticism and praise,

Say the bells of St. Giles'.

Halfpence and farthings,

Halfpennies and quarter pennies,

Say the bells of St. Martin's.

Oranges and lemons,

Say the bells of St. Clement's.

[page 157]

Pancakes and fritters,

Say the bells of St. Peter's.

Two sticks and an apple,

Say the bells at Whitechapel.

Hear the bells at Whitechapel.

Old Father Baldpate,

Old Man Baldpate,

Say the slow bells at Aldgate.

You owe me ten shillings,

You owe me ten bucks.

Say the bells at St. Helen's.

Pokers and tongs,

Pliers and tongs,

Say the bells at St. John's.

Kettles and pans,

Cookware,

Say the bells at St. Ann's.

When will you pay me?

Say the bells at Old Bailey.

When I grow rich,

When I get rich,

Say the bells at Shoreditch.

Ring the bells in Shoreditch.

Pray when will that be?

When will that be?

Say the bells of Stepney.

Ring the bells of Stepney.

I am sure I don't know,

I honestly don't know.

Says the great bell at Bow.

Says the big bell at Bow.

Here comes a candle to light you to bed,

Here comes a candle to guide you to bed,

And here comes a chopper to chop off your head.

And here comes a helicopter to chop off your head.

[page 158]

CCLXXXII.

[One child holds a wand to the face of another, repeating these lines, and making grimaces, to cause the latter to laugh, and so to the others; those who laugh paying a forfeit.]

[One child holds a wand to another child's face, repeating these lines and making funny faces to make the other laugh, which then causes the others to laugh too; those who laugh face a penalty.]

Buff says Buff to all his men,

Buff informs his team,

And I say Buff to you again;

And I say Buff to you once more;

Buff neither laughs nor smiles,

Buff neither laughs nor smiles.

But carries his face

But shows his face

With a very good grace,

With great respect,

And passes the stick to the very next place!

And hands the stick to the very next spot!

CCLXXXIII.

[Game with the hands.]

[Hand game.]

Pease-pudding hot,

Pease pudding hot,

Pease-pudding cold,

Pease pudding cold,

Pease-pudding in the pot,

Pease pudding in the pot,

Nine days old.

9 days old.

Some like it hot,

Some prefer it spicy,

Some like it cold,

Some prefer it cold,

Some like it in the pot,

Some prefer it in the pot,

Nine days old.

CCLXXXIV.

Awake, arise, pull out your eyes,

Wake up, get up, open your eyes,

And hear what time of day;

And hear what time it is;

And when you have done, pull out your tongue,

And when you're done, stick out your tongue,

And see what you can say.

And see what you can express.

[page 159]

CCLXXXV.

GAME OF THE GIPSY.

[One child is selected for Gipsy, one for Mother, and one for Daughter Sue. The Mother says,—

[One child is chosen for Gipsy, one for Mother, and one for Daughter Sue. The Mother says,—

I charge my daughters every one

I charge my daughters each time

To keep good house while I am gone.

To keep the house in order while I'm away.

You and you (points) but specially you,

You and you (points) but especially you,

[Or sometimes, but specially Sue.]

[Or sometimes, but especially Sue.]

Or else I'll beat you black and blue.

Or else I'll beat you up.

[During the Mother's absence, the Gipsy comes in, entices a child away, and hides her. This process is repeated till all the children are hidden, when the Mother has to find them.]

[During the Mother's absence, the Gypsy comes in, lures a child away, and hides her. This happens repeatedly until all the children are hidden, and then the Mother has to find them.]

CCLXXXVI.

[This game begins thus: Take this—What's this?—A gaping, wide-mouthed, waddling frog, &c.]

[This game starts like this: Take this—What's this?—A big, open-mouthed, waddling frog, etc.]

Twelve huntsmen with horns and hounds,

Twelve hunters with horns and dogs,

Hunting over other men's grounds!

Hunting on other people's land!

Eleven ships sailing o'er the main,

Eleven ships sailing over the ocean,

Some bound for France and some for Spain:

Some headed for France and some for Spain:

I wish them all safe home again:

I wish them all a safe journey home again:

Ten comets in the sky,

Some low and some high;

Nine peacocks in the air,

Nine peacocks in the sky,

I wonder how they all came there,

I wonder how they all got here,

I do not know and I do not care;

I don't know and I don't care;

Eight joiners in joiner's hall,

Eight carpenters in the workshop,

Working with the tools and all;

Working with the tools and everything;

[page 160]

Seven lobsters in a dish,

Seven lobsters on a plate,

As fresh as any heart could wish;

As fresh as anyone's heart could desire;

Six beetles against the wall,

Six beetles on the wall,

Close by an old woman's apple stall;

Close by an old woman's apple stand;

Five puppies of our dog Ball,

Five puppies from our dog Ball,

Who daily for their breakfast call;

Who calls for their breakfast every day;

Four horses stuck in a bog,

Four horses trapped in a swamp,

Three monkeys tied to a clog;

Three monkeys tied to a shoe;

Two pudding-ends would choke a dog.

Two pudding ends would choke a dog.

With a gaping, wide-mouthed, waddling frog.

With a big, open-mouthed, waddling frog.

CCLXXXVII.

[A string of children, hand in hand, stand in a row. A child (A) stands in front of them, as leader; two other children (B and C) form an arch, each holding both the hands of the other.]

[A line of children, holding hands, stands together. One child (A) stands in front as the leader; two other children (B and C) create an arch, each holding the hands of the other.]

a. Draw a pail of water,

Draw a bucket of water,

For my lady's daughter;

For my lady's kid;

My father's a king, and my mother's a queen,

My dad's a king, and my mom's a queen,

My two little sisters are dress'd in green,

My two little sisters are dressed in green,

Stamping grass and parsley,

Stamping on grass and parsley,

Marigold leaves and daisies.

b. One rush, two rush,

One rush, two rush,

Pray thee, fine lady, come under my bush.

Please, lovely lady, come stand under my bush.

[A passes by under the arch, followed by the whole string of children, the last of whom is taken captive by B and C. The verses are repeated, until all are taken.]

[A passes under the arch, followed by a line of children, the last of whom is captured by B and C. The verses are repeated until everyone is caught.]

[page 161]

CCLXXXVIII.

[The following seems to belong to the last game; but it is usually found by itself in the small books of children's rhymes.]

[The following seems to be from the last game; but it's usually found on its own in the little books of children's rhymes.]

Sieve my lady's oatmeal,

Strain my lady's oatmeal,

Grind my lady's flour,

Mill my lady's flour,

Put it in a chesnut,

Put it in a chestnut.

Let it stand an hour;

Let it sit for an hour;

One may rush, two may rush,

One might hurry, two might hurry,

Come, my girls, walk under the bush.

Come on, my girls, let's walk under the bush.

CCLXXXIX.

Queen Anne, queen Anne, you sit in the sun,

Queen Anne, Queen Anne, you sit in the sun,

As fair as a lily, as white as a wand.

As beautiful as a lily, as white as a stick.

I send you three letters, and pray read one,

I’m sending you three letters, and I hope you’ll read one.

You must read one, if you can't read all,

You should read at least one, even if you can't read them all.

So pray, Miss or Master, throw up the ball.

So please, Miss or Mister, toss the ball.

CCXC.

There were three jovial Welshmen,

There were three cheerful Welshmen,

As I have heard them say,

As I've heard people say,

And they would go a-hunting

And they would go hunting

Upon St. David's day.

On St. David's Day.

All the day they hunted,

They hunted all day long.

And nothing could they find

And they couldn't find anything

But a ship a-sailing,

But a ship is sailing,

A-sailing with the wind.

Sailing with the wind.

[page 162]

One said it was a ship,

The other he said, nay;

The other, he said, no;

The third said it was a house,

The third one said it was a house,

With the chimney blown away.

Chimney's been blown off.

And all the night they hunted,

And they hunted all night.

And nothing could they find

And they couldn't find anything.

But the moon a-gliding,

But the moon gliding,

A-gliding with the wind.

Gliding with the wind.

One said it was the moon,

The other he said, nay;

The other said, no;

The third said it was a cheese,

The third one said it was cheese,

And half o't cut away.

And half of it cut away.

And all the day they hunted,

And they hunted all day long,

And nothing could they find

And they couldn’t find anything

But a hedgehog in a bramble bush,

But a hedgehog in a thorn bush,

And that they left behind.

And that's what they left behind.

The first said it was a hedgehog,

The first one said it was a hedgehog,

The second he said, nay;

The moment he said no;

The third it was a pincushion,

The third one was a pincushion,

And the pins stuck in wrong way.

And the pins were stuck in the wrong way.

And all the night they hunted,

And they hunted all night.

And nothing could they find

And they couldn’t find anything.

But a hare in a turnip field,

And that they left behind.

And what they left behind.

[page 163]

The first said it was a hare,

The first one said it was a hare,

The second he said, nay;

The moment he said no;

The third said it was a calf,

The third one said it was a calf,

And the cow had run away.

And all the day they hunted,

And they searched all day,

And nothing could they find

And they couldn't find anything

But an owl in a holly tree,

And that they left behind.

One said it was an owl,

The other he said, nay;

The other he said, no;

The third said 'twas an old man,

The third said it was an old man,

And his beard growing grey.

And his beard turning grey.

CCXCI.

Is John Smith within?—

Is John Smith in?—

Yes, that he is.

Yes, he is.

Can he set a shoe?—

Can he fix a shoe?—

Ay, marry, two,

Sure, two,

Here a nail, there a nail,

Tick, tack, too.

Tick, tock, too.

CCXCII.

Margery Mutton-pie, and Johnny Bopeep,

Margery Mutton Pie and Johnny Bo Peep,

They met together in Grace-church Street;

They met up on Grace Church Street;

In and out, in and out, over the way,

In and out, in and out, over there,

Oh! says Johnny, 'tis chop-nose day.

Oh! says Johnny, it's chop-nose day.

[page 164]

CCXCIII.

Intery, mintery, cutery-corn,

Intery, mintery, cutery-corn,

Apple seed and apple thorn;

Wine, brier, limber-lock,

Wine, thorny vine, flexible joint,

Five geese in a flock,

Five geese in a group,

Sit and sing by a spring,

Sit and sing by a stream,

O-u-t, and in again.

Out, and in again.

CCXCIV.

[The game of water-skimming is of high antiquity, being mentioned by Julius Pollux, and also by Eustathius, in his commentary upon Homer. Brand quotes a curious passage from Minucius Felix; but all antiquaries seem to have overlooked the very curious notice in Higgins' adaptation of Junius's 'Nomenclator,' 8vo, London, 1585, p. 299, where it is called "a duck and a drake, and a halfe-penie cake." Thus it is probable that lines like the following were employed in this game as early as 1585; and it may be that the last line has recently furnished a hint to Mathews in his amusing song in 'Patter v. Clatter.']

[The game of water-skimming is very old, mentioned by Julius Pollux and also by Eustathius in his commentary on Homer. Brand cites an interesting passage from Minucius Felix; however, all historians seem to have missed a fascinating note in Higgins' adaptation of Junius's 'Nomenclator,' 8vo, London, 1585, p. 299, where it is referred to as "a duck and a drake, and a half-penny cake." So, it’s likely that lines like the following were used in this game as early as 1585; and it could be that the last line has recently inspired Mathews in his funny song in 'Patter v. Clatter.']

A duck and a drake,

A female duck and a male duck,

A nice barley-cake,

A delicious barley cake,

With a penny to pay the old baker;

A hop and a scotch,

Is another notch,

Is another level,

Slitherum, slatherum, take her.

Slitherum, slatherum, get her.

CCXCV.

See, Saw, Margery Daw,

See, Saw, Margery Daw,

Sold her bed and lay upon straw;

Sold her bed and laid down on straw;

Was not she a dirty slut,

Wasn't she a total slut,

To sell her bed and lie in the dirt!

To sell her bed and sleep on the ground!

[page 165]

CCXCVI.

See, saw, Margery Daw,

See, saw, Margery Daw,

Little Jackey shall have a new master;

Little Jackey will have a new master;

Little Jackey shall have but a penny a day,

Little Jackey will only get a penny a day,

Because he can't work any faster.

CCXCVII.

1. I am a gold lock.

I'm a gold lock.

2. I am a gold key.

I am a gold key.

1. I am a silver lock.

I have a silver lock.

2. I am a silver key.

I am a silver key.

1. I am a brass lock.

I am a brass lock.

2. I am a brass key.

I’m a brass key.

1. I am a lead lock.

I am a lead lock.

2. I am a lead key.

I am a lead key.

1. I am a monk lock.

I am a monk lock.

2. I am a monk key!

I am a monkey!

CCXCVIII.

Ride a cock-horse to Banbury-cross,

Ride a horse to Banbury Cross,

To buy little Johnny a galloping-horse;

To buy little Johnny a rocking horse;

It trots behind, and it ambles before,

It trots behind, and it walks slowly ahead,

And Johnny shall ride till he can ride no more.

And Johnny will ride until he can't ride anymore.

[page 166]

CCXCIX.

Ride a cock-horse to Banbury-cross,

Ride a hobby horse to Banbury Cross,

To see what Tommy can buy;

To see what Tommy can get;

A penny white loaf, a penny white cake,

And a twopenny apple-pie.

And a cheap apple pie.

CCC.

Jack be nimble,

Jack, be quick,

And Jack be quick:

And Jack hurry up:

And Jack jump over

And Jack jumped over

The candle-stick.

The candlestick.

CCCI.

[This should be accompanied by a kind of pantomimic dance, in which the motions of the body and arms express the process of weaving; the motion of the shuttle, &c.]

[This should be accompanied by a kind of miming dance, where the movements of the body and arms illustrate the process of weaving; the motion of the shuttle, etc.]

Weave the diaper tick-a-tick tick,

Weave the diaper tick-tock,

Weave the diaper tick—

Come this way, come that

Follow this way, follow that

As close as a mat,

As close as a rug,

Athwart and across, up and down, round about,

And forwards, and backwards, and inside, and out;

And forward, and backward, and inside, and outside;

Weave the diaper thick-a-thick thick,

Weave the diaper thickly,

Weave the diaper thick!

Make the diaper thick!

[page 167]

CCCII.

[Used in Somersetshire in counting out the game of pee-wip or pee wit.]

[Used in Somersetshire to count out the game of pee-wip or pee wit.]

One-ery, two-ery, hickary, hum,

One-ery, two-ery, hickory, hum,

Fillison, follison, Nicholson, John,

Quever, quauver, Irish Mary,

Irish Mary

Stenkarum, stankarum, buck!

Stinky, stinky, yuck!

CCCIII.

Whoop, whoop, and hollow,

Whoop, whoop, and hollow,

Good dogs won't follow,

Good dogs don't follow,

Without the hare cries "pee wit."

Without the hare, it cries, "pee wit."

CCCIV.

Tom Brown's two little Indian boys,

Tom Brown's two young Indian boys,

One ran away,

One escaped,

The other wouldn't stay,—

The other wouldn't stick around,—

Tom Brown's two little Indian boys.

Tom Brown's two young Indian friends.

CCCV.

There were two blackbirds,

There were two blackbirds,

Sitting on a hill,

Chilling on a hill,

The one nam'd Jack,

The one named Jack,

The other nam'd Jill;

The other named Jill;

Fly away Jack!

Fly away, Jack!

Fly away Jill!

Fly away, Jill!

Come again Jack!

Come back, Jack!

Come again Jill!

Come back, Jill!

[page 168]

CCCVI.

Tip, top, tower,

Tip, top, tower,

Tumble down in an hour.

Fall down in an hour.

CCCVII.

1. I went up one pair of stairs.

1. I went up a flight of stairs.

2. Just like me.

Just like me.

1. I went up two pair of stairs.

1. I went up two flights of stairs.

2. Just like me.

Just like me.

1. I went into a room.

I entered a room.

2. Just like me.

Just like me.

1. I looked out of a window.

I looked out the window.

2. Just like me.

Just like me.

1. And there I saw a monkey.

2. Just like me.

Same as me.

CCCVIII.

Number number nine, this hoop's mine;

Number number ten, take it back again.

Number number ten, bring it back again.

CCCIX.

Here goes my lord

Here comes my lord

A trot, a trot, a trot, a trot,

Here goes my lady

Here you go, my lady.

A canter, a canter, a canter, a canter!

[page 169]

Here goes my young master

Here goes, my young master.

Jockey-hitch, Jockey-hitch, Jockey-hitch, Jockey-hitch:

Jockey hitch, Jockey hitch, Jockey hitch, Jockey hitch:

Here goes my young miss,

Here comes my young lady,

An amble, an amble, an amble, an amble!

The footman lays behind to tipple ale and wine,

The footman hangs back to sip ale and wine,

And goes gallop, a gallop, a gallop, to make up his time.

And he gallops, gallops, gallops, to catch up on his time.

CCCX.

[This is acted by two or more girls, who walk or dance up and down, turning, when they say, "turn, cheeses, turn." The "green cheeses," as I am informed, are made with sage and potatoe-tops. Two girls are said to be "cheese and cheese."]

[This is performed by two or more girls, who walk or dance back and forth, turning when they say, "turn, cheeses, turn." The "green cheeses," as I've been told, are made with sage and potato tops. Two girls are referred to as "cheese and cheese."]

Green cheese, yellow laces,

Green cheese, yellow shoelaces,

Up and down the market-places,

Across the marketplaces,

Turn, cheeses, turn!

CCCXI.

To market ride the gentlemen,

To market, ride with the gentlemen,

So do we, so do we;

Then comes the country clown,

Then comes the rural clown,

Hobbledy gee, Hobbledy gee;

Hobble-dee gee, hobble-dee gee;

First go the ladies, nim, nim, nim;

Next come the gentlemen, trim, trim, trim;

Next come the gentlemen, sharp, sharp, sharp;

Then comes the country clowns, gallop-a-trot.

Then come the country clowns, trotting along.

[page 170]

CCCXII.

Ride a cock-horse to Coventry-cross;

Ride a hobby horse to Coventry-cross;

To see what Emma can buy;

To see what Emma can get;

A penny white cake I'll buy for her sake,

A white cake for a penny, I'll buy it for her.

And a twopenny tart or a pie.

And a two-penny tart or a pie.

CCCXIII.

Ride a cock-horse to Banbury-cross,

Ride a hobby horse to Banbury Cross,

To see an old lady upon a white horse,

To see an old woman on a white horse,

Rings on her fingers, and bells on her toes,

And so she makes music wherever she goes.

And so she creates music wherever she goes.

CCCXIV.

[Song set to five toes.]

1. Let us go to the wood, says this pig;

1. Let’s go to the woods, says this pig;

2. What to do there? says that pig;

2. What should we do there? says that pig;

3. To look for my mother, says this pig;

3. To search for my mom, says this pig;

4. What to do with her? says that pig;

4. What should we do with her? says that pig;

5. Kiss her to death, says this pig.

5. Kiss her until she can't breathe, says this pig.

CCCXV.

[A number of boys and girls stand round one in the middle, who repeats the following lines, counting the children until one is counted out by the end of the verses.]

[A group of boys and girls stands around one person in the center, who repeats the following lines, counting the children until one is out by the end of the verses.]

Ring me (1), ring me (2), ring me rary (3),

Call me (1), call me (2), call me rary (3),

As I go round (4), ring by ring (5),

As I go around (4), layer by layer (5),

A virgin (6) goes a maying (7),

A single woman goes out to enjoy the spring.

Here's a flower (8), and there's a flower (9),

[page 171]

Growing in my lady's garden (10),

If you set your foot awry (11),

If you step out of line (11),

Gentle John will make you cry (12),

If you set your foot amiss (13),

If you step out of line (13),

Gentle John (14) will give you a kiss.

[The child upon whom (14) falls is then taken out, and forced to select one of the other sex. The middle child then proceeds.]

[The child who is chosen (14) is then taken out and required to pick one from the opposite sex. The middle child then continues.]

This [lady or gentleman] is none of ours,

This person is not one of ours,

Has put [him or her] self in [the selected child's] power,

Has put themselves in the selected child's power,

So clap all hands, and ring all bells, and make the wedding o'er.

So clap your hands, ring the bells, and celebrate the wedding.

[All clap hands.]

All clap.

[If the child taken by lot joins in the clapping, the selected child is rejected, and I believe takes the middle place. Otherwise, I think, there is a salute.]

[If the child chosen by chance joins in clapping, the selected child is rejected and, I believe, takes the middle position. Otherwise, I think, there is a salute.]

CCCXVI.

[Another game, played exclusively by boys. Two, who are fixed upon for the purpose, leave the group, and privately arrange that the pass-word shall be some implement of a particular trade. The trade is announced in the dialogue, and then the fun is, that the unfortunate wight who guesses the "tool" is beaten with the caps of his fellows till he reaches a fixed goal, after which he goes out in turn.]

[Another game, played only by boys. Two of them, chosen for this purpose, step away from the group and privately decide that the password will be a tool from a specific trade. The trade is revealed during the conversation, and then the fun begins when the poor person who guesses the "tool" gets hit with the caps of the others until he reaches a designated goal, after which he takes his turn out.]

"Two broken tradesmen,

"Two" struggling tradespeople,

Newly come over,

Just arrived,

The one from France and Scotland,

The other from Dover."

The other one from Dover.

"What's your trade?"

"What do you do?"

[Carpenters, nailors, smiths, tinkers, or any other is answered, and on guessing the instrument "plane him, hammer him, rasp him, or solder him," is called out respectively during the period of punishment.]

[Carpenters, nailers, blacksmiths, tinkers, or anyone else is answered, and upon guessing the tool "plane him, hammer him, rasp him, or solder him," is called out accordingly during the period of punishment.]

[page 172]

CCCXVII.

Clap hands, clap hands,

Clap your hands, clap your hands,

Hie Tommy Randy,

Hey Tommy Randy,

Did you see my good man?

They call him Cock-a-bandy.

Silken Stockings on his legs,

Silk stockings on his legs,

Silver buckles glancin',

Silver buckles shining,

A sky-blue bonnet on his head,

A light blue hat on his head,

And oh, but he is handsome.

And wow, he is so good-looking.

CCCXVIII.

[A song set to five fingers.]

1. This pig went to market;

This pig went to market;

2. This pig staid at home;

This pig stayed home;

3. This pig had a bit of meat;

This pig had some meat;

4. And this pig had none;

And this pig had none.

5. This pig said, Wee, wee, wee! I can't find my way home.

5. This pig said, “Wee, wee, wee! I can’t find my way home.”

CCCXIX.

[Children hunting bats.]

[Kids catching bats.]

Bat, bat, (clap hands,)

Come under my hat,

Come under my hat.

And I'll give you a slice of bacon;

And I'll give you a piece of bacon;

And when I bake,

And when I cook,

I'll give you a cake,

I'll give you a cake.

If I am not mistaken.

If I'm not mistaken.

[page 173]

CCCXX.

[A game at ball.]

A ball game.

Cuckoo, cherry tree,

Cuckoo, cherry blossom,

Catch a bird, and give it to me;

Catch a bird and give it to me;

Let the tree be high or low,

Let the tree be tall or short,

Let it hail, rain, or snow.

CCCXXI.

[Two of the strongest children are selected, a and b; a stands within a ring of the children, b being outside.]

[Two of the strongest kids are chosen, a and b; a stands inside a circle of kids, while b is outside.]

a. Who is going round my sheepfold?

a. Who is circling my sheep pen?

b. Only poor old Jacky Lingo.

Only poor Jacky Lingo.

a. Don't steal any of my black sheep.

a. Don't take any of my black sheep.

b. No, no more I will, only by one,

b. No, I won't do that anymore, just one time only,

Up, says Jacky Lingo. (Strikes one.)

[The child struck leaves the ring, and takes hold of b behind; b in the same manner takes the other children, one by one, gradually increasing his tail on each repetition of the verses, until he has got the whole; a then tries to get them back; b runs away with them; they try to shelter themselves behind b; a drags them off, one by one, setting them against a wall, until he has recovered all. A regular tearing game, as children say.]

[The child hits the leaves and grabs b from behind; b does the same with the other kids, one by one, gradually adding to his group with each round of the verses, until he has everyone; a then tries to get them back; b runs off with them; they attempt to hide behind b; a pulls them away, one by one, positioning them against a wall, until he has retrieved them all. A typical energetic game, as the kids would say.]

CCCXXII.

Highty cock O!

Highty cock, yo!

To London we go,

Off to London we go,

To York we ride;

We're riding to York;

And Edward has pussy-cat tied to his side;

And Edward has a kitten tied to his side;

He shall have little dog tied to the other,

He will have a small dog tied to the other one,

And then he goes trid trod to see his grandmother.

And then he goes to see his grandmother.

[page 174]

CCCXXIII.

This is the key of the kingdom.

This is the key to the kingdom.

In that kingdom there is a city.

In that kingdom, there's a city.

In that city there is a town.

In that city, there's a town.

In that town there is a street.

In that town, there's a street.

In that street there is a lane.

In that street, there's a lane.

In that lane there is a yard.

In that lane, there's a yard.

In that yard there is a house.

In that yard, there's a house.

In that house there is a room.

In that house, there's a room.

In that room there is a bed.

In that room, there’s a bed.

On that bed there is a basket.

On that bed, there's a basket.

In that basket there are some flowers.

In that basket, there are some flowers.

Flowers in the basket, basket in the bed, bed in the room, &c. &c.

Flowers in the basket, basket on the bed, bed in the room, etc. etc.

CCCXXIV.

[Children stand round, and are counted one by one, by means of this rhyme. The child upon whom the last number falls is out, for "Hide or Seek," or any other game where a victim is required. A cock and bull story of this kind is related of the historian Josephus. There are other versions of this, and one may be seen in 'Blackwood's Magazine' for August, 1821, p. 36.]

[Children gather around and are counted one by one using this rhyme. The child who is last counted is out, for "Hide or Seek," or any other game that needs a chosen player. A tall tale like this is attributed to the historian Josephus. There are other versions of this, including one found in 'Blackwood's Magazine' for August, 1821, p. 36.]

Hickory (1), Dickory (2), Dock (3),

Hickory, Dickory, Dock

The mouse ran up the clock (4),

The clock struck one (5),

The clock struck 1.

The mouse was gone (6);

The mouse is gone.

O (7), u (8), t (9), spells OUT!

[page 175]

CCCXXV.

One old Oxford ox opening oysters;

One old Oxford ox shucking oysters;

Two tee-totums totally tired of trying to trot to Tadbury;

Two spinning tops completely fed up with trying to get to Tadbury;

Three tall tigers tippling tenpenny tea;

Three tall tigers sipping tenpenny tea;

Four fat friars fanning fainting flies;

Four chubby friars waving away fainting flies;

Five frippy Frenchmen foolishly fishing for flies;

Five flashy Frenchmen foolishly fishing for flies;

Six sportsmen shooting snipes;

Six athletes shooting snipes;

Seven Severn salmons swallowing shrimps;

Seven Severn salmon swallowing shrimp;

Eight Englishmen eagerly examining Europe;

Eight Englishmen exploring Europe;

Nine nimble noblemen nibbling nonpareils;

Nine quick noblemen eating nonpareils;

Ten tinkers tinkling upon ten tin tinderboxes with ten tenpenny tacks;

Ten tinkers tinkling on ten tin tinderboxes with ten tenpenny tacks;

Eleven elephants elegantly equipt;

Eleven elephants elegantly equipped;

Twelve typographical topographers typically translating types.

Twelve typographical designers usually converting typefaces.

CCCXXVI.

[The following lines are sung by children when starting for a race.]

[The following lines are sung by kids when getting ready for a race.]

Good horses, bad horses,

Good horses, bad horses,

What is the time of day?

What time is it now?

Three o'clock, four o'clock,

3 PM, 4 PM,

Now fare you away.

Now take care.

[a id="page176">[page 176]

CCCXXVII.

See-saw, jack a daw,

Seesaw, jack a daw,

What is a craw to do wi' her?

What is she supposed to do with her?

She has not a stocking to put on her,

She doesn’t have any stockings to wear,

And the craw has not one for to gi' her.

And the crow has nothing to give her.

CCCXXVIII.

[The following is a game played as follows: A string of boys and girls, each holding by his predecessor's skirts, approaches two others, who with joined and elevated hands form a double arch. After the dialogue, the line passes through, and the last is caught by a sudden lowering of the arms—if possible.]

[The following is a game played like this: A line of boys and girls, each holding onto the clothes of the person in front, approaches two others, who with their hands joined and raised create a double arch. After the exchange, the line goes through, and the last person is caught when the arms are suddenly lowered—if possible.]

How many miles is it to Babylon?—

How many miles is it to Babylon?—

Threescore miles and ten.

Seventy miles.

Can I get there by candle-light?—

Can I get there by candlelight?—

Yes, and back again!

If your heels are nimble and light,

If your heels are quick and light,

You may get there by candle-light.

You can get there by candlelight.

CCCXXIX.

Clap hands, clap hands!

Clap your hands, clap your hands!

Till father comes home;

Until dad gets home;

For father's got money,

Dad's got money,

But mother's got none.

But mom's got none.

Clap hands, &c.

Clap hands, etc.

Till father, &c.

Till father, etc.

[page 177]

CCCXXX.

See-saw sacradown,

See-saw coming down,

Which is the way to London town?

Which way leads to London town?

One foot up, and the other down,

One foot up and the other down,

And that is the way to London town.

And that's how to get to London.

CCCXXXI.

Here stands a post,

Here stands a post,

Who put it there?

A better man than you;

A better man than you.

Touch it if you dare!

CCCXXXII.

[A stands with a row of girls (her daughters) behind her; B, a suitor, advances.]

[A stands with a line of girls (her daughters) behind her; B, a suitor, approaches.]

b. Trip trap over the grass: If you please will you let one of your [eldest] daughters come,

b. Travel trap over the grass: If you don’t mind, could you send one of your oldest daughters over?

Come and dance with me?

Wanna dance with me?

I will give you pots and pans, I will give you brass,

I’ll give you pots and pans, I’ll give you brass,

I will give you anything for a pretty lass.

I’ll do anything for a pretty girl.

a. says, "No."

says, "No."

b. I will give you gold and silver, I will give you pearl,

b. I will give you gold and silver; I will give you pearls,

I will give you anything for a pretty girl.

I would give anything for a pretty girl.

a. Take one, take one, the fairest you may see.

. Choose one, choose one, the prettiest you can find.

[page 178]

b. The fairest one that I can see

b. The most beautiful one that I can see

Is pretty Nancy,—come to me.

Is pretty Nancy—come here.

[B carries one off, and says:]

[B takes one away and says:]

You shall have a duck, my dear,

You will have a duck, my dear,

And you shall have a drake,

And you will have a male duck,

And you shall have a young man apprentice for your sake.

And you'll have a young man as your apprentice.

[Children say:]

[Kids say:]

If this young man should happen to die,

If this young man were to die,

And leave this poor woman a widow,

And leave this poor woman without a husband,

The bells shall all ring, and the birds shall all sing,

The bells will ring, and the birds will sing,

And we'll all clap hands together.

And we'll all clap our hands together.

[So it is repeated until the whole are taken.]

CCCXXXIII.

[The "Three Knights of Spain" is a game played in nearly the same manner as the preceding. The dramatis personæ form themselves in two parties, one representing a courtly dame and her daughters, the other the suitors of the daughters. The last party, moving backwards and forwards, with their arms entwined, approach and recede from the mother party, which is stationary, singing to a very sweet air. See Chambers' 'Popular Rhymes,' p. 66.]

[The "Three Knights of Spain" is a game played almost exactly like the previous one. The dramatis personæ divide into two groups: one represents a noble lady and her daughters, while the other represents the daughters' suitors. The suitors move back and forth with their arms intertwined, approaching and then pulling away from the stationary mother party, singing to a very sweet tune. See Chambers' 'Popular Rhymes,' p. 66.]

Suitors.

We are three brethren out of Spain,

We are three brothers from Spain,

Come to court your daughter Jane.

Come to court my daughter Jane.

Mother.

My daughter Jane she is too young,

My daughter Jane is too young,

And has not learned her mother tongue.

And hasn't learned her native language.

[page 179]

Suitors.

Be she young, or be she old,

Whether young or old,

For her beauty she must be sold.

For her beauty, she has to be sold.

So fare you well, my lady gay,

So long, my cheerful lady,

We'll call again another day.

We'll call again another time.

Mother.

Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight,

Turn back, turn back, you arrogant knight,

And rub thy spurs till they be bright.

And polish your spurs until they shine.

Suitors.

Of my spurs take you no thought,

Of my spurs, don't worry about them,

For in this town they were not bought,

For in this town, they weren't bought,

So fare you well, my lady gay,

So take care, my cheerful lady,

We'll call again another day.

We'll call again another time.

Mother.

Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight,

Turn back, turn back, you mocking knight,

And take the fairest in your sight.

And choose the one you find most attractive.

Suitor.

The fairest maid that I can see,

The most beautiful girl I've ever seen,

Is pretty Nancy,—come to me.

Is pretty Nancy—come to me.

Here comes your daughter safe and sound,

Here comes your daughter, safe and sound.

Every pocket with a thousand pound;

Every pocket with a thousand pounds;

Every finger with a gay gold ring;

Every finger with a cheerful gold ring;

Please to take your daughter in.

Please take care of your daughter.

[page 180]

CCCXXXIV.

[A game on the slate.]

[A game on the schedule.]

Eggs, butter, bread,

Eggs, butter, bread,

Stick, stock, stone dead!

Stick, stock, stone cold dead!

Stick him up, stick him down,

Stick him in the old man's crown!

CCCXXXV.

[In the following childish amusement, one extends his arm, and the other in illustration of the narrative, strikes him gently with the side of his hand at the shoulder and wrist; and then at the word "middle," with considerable force, on the flexor muscles at the elbow-joint.]

[In this playful activity, one person extends their arm, and the other, to illustrate the story, taps them lightly on the shoulder and wrist with the side of their hand; and then at the word "middle," with a fair amount of force, on the muscles in the elbow joint.]

My father was a Frenchman,

My dad was French,

He bought for me a fiddle,

He got me a violin.

He cut me here, he cut me here,

He cut me right in the middle.

He interrupted me right in the middle.

CCCXXXVI.

[Patting the foot on the five toes.]

Shoe the colt, shoe!

Shoe the colt, shoe!

Shoe the wild mare;

Shoe the wild horse;

Put a sack on her back,

Put a bag on her back,

See if she'll bear.

See if she'll take it.

If she'll bear,

If she’ll cope,

We'll give her some grains;

We'll give her some snacks;

If she won't bear,

If she won't have kids,

We'll dash out her brains!

We'll blow her brains out!

[page 181]

CCCXXXVII.

[Game on a child's features.]

[Game on a child's face.]

Here sits the Lord Mayor . . forehead.

Here sit his two men . . . eyes.

Here sit his two guys… eyes.

Here sits the cock . . . . right cheek.

Here sits the hen . . . . left cheek.

Here sit the little chickens . . tip of nose.

Here they run in . . . . mouth.

Chinchopper, chinchopper,

Chop chop, chop chop,

Chinchopper, chin! . . . chuck the chin.

Chinchopper, chin! . . . throw the chin.

[page 182]

CCCXXXVIII.

[A play with the face. The child exclaims:]

Ring the bell! . . . giving a lock of its hair a pull.

Call the bell! . . . giving a lock of its hair a tug.

Knock at the door! . tapping its forehead.

Knock on the door! . tapping its forehead.

Draw the latch! . . pulling up its nose.

Draw the latch! . . lifting its nose.

And walk in! . . . opening its mouth and putting in its finger.

CCCXXXIX.

[An exercise during which the fingers of the child are enumerated.]

[An exercise where the child's fingers are counted.]

Thumbikin, Thumbikin, broke the barn,

Thumbikin, Thumbikin, damaged the barn,

Pinnikin, Pinnikin, stole the corn.

Pinnikin, Pinnikin, took the corn.

Long back'd Gray

Old Gray

Carried it away.

Took it away.

Old Mid-man sat and saw,

Old Mid-man sat and watched,

But Peesy-weesy paid for a'.

But Peesy-weesy paid for everything.

CCCXL.

This pig went to market,

This pig went to market,

Squeak mouse, mouse, mousey;

Shoe, shoe, shoe the wild colt,

And here's my own doll, Dowsy.

And here’s my own doll, Dowsy.

[page 183]

CCCXLI.

[From Yorkshire. A game to alarm children.]

[From Yorkshire. A game to scare kids.]

Flowers, flowers, high-do!

Flowers, flowers, yay!

Sheeny, greeny, rino!—

Shiny, green, rhino!—

Sheeny greeny,

Shiny green,

Sheeny greeny,

Shiny green,

Rum tum fra!

CCCXLII.

1. This pig went to the barn.

This pig went to the barn.

2. This eat all the corn.

Eat all the corn.

3. This said he would tell.

3. He said he would share.

4. This said he wasn't well.

4. He said he wasn't well.

5. This went week, week, week, over the door sill.

5. This went on for weeks, over the threshold.

CCCXLIII.

[The two following are fragments of a game called "The Lady of the Land," a complete version of which has not fallen in my way.]

[The two following are fragments of a game called "The Lady of the Land," a complete version of which I haven't come across.]

Here comes a poor woman from baby-land,

Here comes a struggling woman from the land of babyhood,

With three small children in her hand:

With three small children with her:

One can brew, the other can bake,

The other can make a pretty round cake.

The other can make a nice round cake.

One can sit in the garden and spin,

Another can make a fine bed for the king;

Another can create a nice bed for the king;

Pray ma'am will you take one in?

Pray, ma'am, will you take one in?

[page 184]

CCCXLIV.

I can make diet bread,

I can make healthy bread,

Thick and thin;

I can make diet bread,

I can make healthy bread.

Fit for the king.

Fit for a king.

CCCXLV.

Here we come a piping,

Here we come piping,

First in spring, and then in May;

The queen she sits upon the sand,

The queen sits on the sand,

Fair as a lily, white as a wand:

King John has sent you letters three,

King John has sent you three letters,

And begs you'll read them unto me.—

And I hope you'll read them to me.—

We can't read one without them all,

We can't read one without reading them all,

So pray, Miss Bridget, deliver the ball!

So please, Miss Bridget, throw the ball!

CCCXLVI.

The first day of Christmas,

The first day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

My soulmate sent me

A partridge in a pear tree.

The second day of Christmas,

The second day of Xmas,

My true love sent to me

My soulmate sent me

Two turtle doves and

A partridge in a pear tree.

[page 185]

The third day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

My soulmate sent me

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The fourth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

My true love sent me

Four colly birds,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The fifth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

My soulmate sent me

Five gold rings,

5 gold rings,

Four colly birds,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The sixth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

My true love sent me

Six geese a laying,

Six geese laying eggs,

Five gold rings,

Five gold rings

Four colly birds,

Four blackbirds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

[page 186]

The seventh day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

My one and only sent me

Seven swans a swimming,

Seven swans swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Six laying geese,

Five gold rings,

Five golden rings,

Four colly birds,

Four blackbirds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The eighth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

My soulmate sent me

Eight maids a milking,

Eight milkmaids,

Seven swans a swimming,

Seven swans swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Six geese laying eggs,

Five gold rings,

Five golden rings,

Four colly birds,

Four blackbirds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The ninth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

My true love sent me.

Nine drummers drumming,

Eight maids a milking,

Eight milkmaids,

Seven swans a swimming,

Seven swans swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Six geese laying,

Five gold rings,

5 gold rings,

[page 187]

Four colly birds,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The tenth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

My soulmate sent me

Ten pipers piping,

Ten pipers playing,

Nine drummers drumming,

Eight maids a milking,

Eight milkmaids,

Seven swans a swimming,

Seven swans swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Six geese laying,

Five gold rings,

5 gold rings,

Four colly birds,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The eleventh day of Christmas,

The 11th day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

My soulmate sent me

Eleven ladies dancing,

11 ladies dancing,

Ten pipers piping,

Ten pipers playing,

Nine drummers drumming,

Eight maids a milking,

Eight milkmaids,

Seven swans a swimming,

Seven swans swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Six geese laying eggs,

Five gold rings,

Four colly birds,

Four blackbirds,

[page 188]

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The twelfth day of Christmas,

The 12th day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

My true love texted me

Twelve lords a leaping,

Twelve lords leaping,

Eleven ladies dancing,

11 ladies dancing,

Ten pipers piping,

Ten pipers playing,

Nine drummers drumming,

Eight maids a milking,

Eight milkmaids,

Seven swans a swimming,

Seven swans swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Six geese laying eggs,

Five gold rings,

Four colly birds,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

[Each child in succession repeats the gifts of the day, and forfeits for each mistake. This accumulative process is a favorite with children: in early writers, such as Homer, the repetition of messages, &c. pleases on the same principle.]

Each child takes turns repeating the gifts of the day and loses points for each mistake. This build-up process is a favorite with kids: in early writers like Homer, the repetition of messages, etc., is enjoyable for the same reason.

CCCXLVII.

[A game on the fingers.]

A finger game.

Heetum peetum penny pie,

Heetum peetum penny pie,

Populorum gingum gie;

East, West, North, South,

East, West, North, South

Kirby, Kendal, Cock him out!

Kirby, Kendal, Kick him out!

[page 189]

CCCXLVIII.

[A game-rhyme.]

[A game rhyme.]

Trip and go, heave and hoe,

Trip and go, heave and hoe,

Up and down, to and fro;

Up and down, back and forth;

From the town to the grove

Two and two let us rove,

Two plus two, let's wander,

A-maying, a-playing;

Love hath no gainsaying;

Love has no argument;

So merrily trip and go,

So happily skip and go,

So merrily trip and go!

So happily skip and go!

CCCXLIX.

This is the way the ladies ride;

This is how the women ride;

Tri, tre, tre, tree,

Tri, tre, tre, tree!

This is the way the ladies ride,

This is how the ladies ride,

Tri, tre, tre, tre, tri-tre-tre-tree!

This is the way the gentlemen ride;

This is how the gentlemen ride;

Gallop-a-trot,

Trotting,

Gallop-a-trot!

Gallop along!

This is the way the gentlemen ride,

This is how the guys ride,

Gallop-a-gallop-a-trot!

Galloping and trotting!

This is the way the farmers ride;

This is how the farmers ride;

Hobbledy-hoy,

Awkward person,

Hobbledy-hoy!

Hobbledehoy!

This is the way the farmers ride,

This is how the farmers ride,

Hobbledy hobbledy-hoy!

[page 190]

CCCL.

There was a man, and his name was Dob,

There was a man, and his name was Dob,

And he had a wife, and her name was Mob,

And he had a dog, and he called it Cob,

And he had a dog, and he named it Cob,

And she had a cat, called Chitterabob.

And she had a cat named Chitterabob.

Cob, says Dob,

Cob, Dob says,

Chitterabob, says Mob,

Cob was Dob's dog,

Cob was Dob's pup,

Chitterabob Mob's cat.

CCCLI.

[Two children sit opposite to each other; the first turns her fingers one over the other, and says:]

[Two children sit across from each other; the first twirls her fingers, one over the other, and says:]

"May my geese fly over your barn?"

May can my geese fly over your barn?

[The other answers, Yes, if they'll do no harm. Upon which the first unpacks the fingers of her hand, and waving it over head, says:]

[The other answers, Yes, if they won't cause any harm. Then the first person opens her hand and waves it overhead, saying:]

"Fly over his barn and eat all his corn."

CCCLII.

Now we dance looby, looby, looby,

Now we dance silly, silly, silly,

Now we dance looby, looby, light,

Now we dance goofily, carefree, light,

Shake your right hand a little

Shake your right hand a bit.

And turn you round about.

And turn you around.

Now we dance looby, looby, looby,

Now we dance silly, silly, silly,

Shake your right hand a little,

Shake your right hand a bit,

Shake your left hand a little,

Shake your left hand a bit,

And turn you round about.

And turn you around.

[page 191]

Now we dance looby, looby, looby,

Shake your right hand a little,

Shake your right hand a bit,

Shake your left hand a little,

Shake your left hand a bit,

Shake your right foot a little,

Shake your right foot a bit,

And turn you round about.

And spin you around.

Now we dance looby, looby, looby,

Now we dance silly, silly, silly,

Shake your right hand a little,

Shake your right hand a bit,

Shake your left hand a little,

Shake your left hand a bit,

Shake your right foot a little,

Shake your right foot a bit,

Shake your left foot a little,

Shake your left foot a bit,

And turn you round about.

And turn you around.

Now we dance looby, looby, looby,

Now we dance silly, silly, silly,

Shake your right hand a little,

Shake your right hand a bit,

Shake your left hand a little,

Shake your left hand a bit,

Shake your right foot a little,

Shake your right foot a bit,

Shake your left foot a little,

Shake your left foot a bit,

Shake your head a little,

Shake your head slightly,

And turn you round about.

And turn you around.

[Children dance round first, then stop and shake the hand, &c. then turn slowly round, and then dance in a ring again.]

[Children dance around first, then stop and shake hands, etc., then turn slowly around, and then dance in a circle again.]

CCCLIII.

THE OLD DAME.

[One child, called the Old Dame, sits on the floor, and the rest, joining hands, form a circle round her, and dancing, sing the following lines:]

[One child, called the Old Dame, sits on the floor, and the rest, joining hands, form a circle around her, and dancing, sing the following lines:]

Children. To Beccles! to Beccles!

Kids. To Beccles! to Beccles!

To buy a bunch of nettles!

To buy a bundle of nettles!

Pray, old Dame, what's o'clock?

Hey, what time is it?

[page 192]

Dame. One, going for two.

Ma'am. One, going for two.

Children. To Beccles! to Beccles!

Kids. To Beccles! to Beccles!

To buy a bunch of nettles!

Pray, old Dame, what's o'clock?

Hey, old lady, what time is it?

Dame. Two, going for three.

Ma'am. Two, going for three.

[And so on till she reaches, "Eleven going for twelve." After this the following questions are asked, with the replies.—C. Where have you been? D. To the wood. C. What for? D. To pick up sticks. C. What for? D. To light my fire. C. What for? D. To boil my kettle. C. What for? D. To cook some of your chickens. The children then all run away as fast as they can, and the Old Dame tries to catch one of them. Whoever is caught is the next to personate the Dame.]

[And so on until she says, "Eleven going for twelve." After this, the following questions are asked, along with the answers.—C. Where have you been? D. To the woods. C. Why? D. To gather sticks. C. Why? D. To light my fire. C. Why? D. To boil my kettle. C. Why? D. To cook some of your chickens. The children then all run away as fast as they can, and the Old Dame tries to catch one of them. Whoever gets caught is the next to act as the Dame.]

CCCLIV.

DROP-GLOVE.

[Children stand round in a circle, leaving a space between each. One walks round the outside, and carries a glove in her hand, saying:]

[Children stand in a circle, leaving space between each of them. One person walks around the outside, holding a glove in her hand, saying:]

I've a glove in my hand,

I've got a glove in my hand,

Hittity Hot!

Hittity Fire!

Another in my other hand,

Hotter than that!

Hotter than this!

So I sow beans, and so they come up,

So I plant beans, and they grow,

Some in a mug, and some in a cup.

I sent a letter to my love,

I lost it, I lost it!

I found it, I found it!

It burns, it scalds.

It burns, it hurts.

[Repeating the last words very rapidly, till she drops the glove behind one of them, and whoever has the glove must overtake her, following her exactly in and out till she catches her. If the pursuer makes a mistake in the pursuit, she loses, and the game is over; otherwise she continues the game with the glove.]

[Repeating the last words very quickly until she drops the glove behind one of them, and whoever picks up the glove must chase her, following her closely in and out until she catches her. If the pursuer makes a mistake during the chase, she loses, and the game ends; otherwise, she continues the game with the glove.]

[page 193]

CCCLV.

[In the following, the various parts of the countenance are touched as the lines are repeated; and at the close the chin is struck playfully, that the tongue may be gently bitten.]

[In the following, the different parts of the face are addressed as the lines are repeated; and at the end, the chin is playfully tapped, allowing the tongue to be gently bitten.]

Eye winker,

wink emoji,

Tom Tinker,

Nose dropper.

Nasal dropper.

Mouth eater,

Mouth breather,

Chin chopper,

Chin strap,

Chin chopper.

Chin strap.

CCCLVI.

Thumb bold,

Thumb strong,

Thibity-thold,

Thibbity-thold,

Langman,

Lick pan,

Savor the pan.

Mama's little man.

Mom's little guy.

CCCLVII.

[A game of the fox.]

[Game of the fox.]

Fox a fox, a brummalary,

Fox a fox, a jokester,

How many miles to Lummaflary? Lummabary.

A. Eight and eight, and a hundred and eight.

A. Eight and eight, and one hundred eight.

How shall I get home to night?

How am I going to get home tonight?

A. Spin your legs, and run fast.

A. Move your legs and run quickly.

[page 194]

CCCLVIII.

[A Christmas custom in Lancashire. The boys dress themselves up with ribands, and perform various pantomimes, after which one of them, who has a blackened face, a rough skin coat, and a broom in his hand, sings as follows.]

[A Christmas custom in Lancashire. The boys dress up with ribbons and perform various pantomimes, after which one of them, with a blackened face, a rough skin coat, and a broom in hand, sings as follows.]

Here come I,

Here I come,

Little David Doubt;

If you don't give me money,

If you don’t give me money,

I'll sweep you all out.

I'm going to sweep you out.

Money I want,

I want money,

And money I crave;

And I crave money;

If you don't give me money,

I'll sweep you all to the grave!

I'll send you all to the grave!

[page 195]

CCCLIX.

[The following lines are said by the nurse when moving the child's foot up and down.]

[The following lines are said by the nurse while moving the child's foot up and down.]

The dog of the kill,*

The kill dog's

He went to the mill

He went to the factory.

To lick mill-dust:

To get dust from the mill:

The miller he came

The miller arrived

With a stick on his back,—

Home, dog, home!

Home, pup, home!

The foot behind,

The foot in the back,

The foot before:

The foot prior:

When he came to a stile,

When he reached a gate,

Thus he jumped o'er.

Thus he jumped over.

* That is, kiln.

* That's a kiln.

CCCLX.

[The following lines are repeated by the nurse when sliding her hand down the child's face.]

[The following lines are repeated by the nurse as she gently brushes her hand down the child's face.]

My mother and your mother

My mom and your mom

Went over the way;

Crossed the way;

Said my mother to your mother,

Said my mom to your mom,

It's chop-a-nose day!

It's nose-cutting day!

[page 196]

ELEVENTH CLASS—PARADOXES.

CCCLXI.

[The following is quoted in Parkin's reply to Dr. Stukeley's second number of 'Origines Roystonianæ,' 4to, London, 1748, p. vi.]

eter White will ne'er go right,

eter White will never go right,

Would you know the reason why?

Do you know why?

He follows his nose where'er he goes,

He follows his nose wherever he goes,

And that stands all awry.

And that looks all wrong.

CCCLXII.

O that I was where I would be,

Oh, how I wish I was where I want to be,

Then would I be where I am not!

Then I would be somewhere else!

But where I am must be,

But where I am has to be,

And where I would be I cannot.

And I can't say where I would be.

[page 197]

CCCLXIII.

[The following was sung to the tune of Chevy Chase. It was taken from a poetical tale in the 'Choyce Poems,' 12mo, London, 1662, the music to which may be seen in D'Urfey's 'Pills to Purge Melancholy,' 1719, vol. iv, p. 1.]

[The following was sung to the tune of Chevy Chase. It was taken from a poetic tale in the 'Choyce Poems,' 12mo, London, 1662, the music to which may be seen in D'Urfey's 'Pills to Purge Melancholy,' 1719, vol. iv, p. 1.]

Three children sliding on the ice

Three kids sliding on the ice

Upon a summer's day,

On a summer day,

As it fell out, they all fell in,

As it turned out, they all got involved,

The rest they ran away.

They ran away afterwards.

Now had these children been at home,

Now, if these kids had been at home,

Or sliding on dry ground,

Or sliding on dry pavement,

Ten thousand pounds to one penny,

Ten thousand pounds for one penny,

They had not all been drown'd.

They didn't all drown.

You parents all that children have,

You parents are all that children have,

And you that have got none,

And you who have no one,

If you would have them safe abroad,

If you want them to be safe abroad,

Pray keep them safe at home.

CCCLXIV.

There was a man of Newington,

There was a guy from Newington,

And he was wond'rous wise,

And he was very wise,

He jump'd into a quickset hedge,

He jumped into a thorny hedge,

And scratch'd out both his eyes:

And he scratched out both of his eyes:

But when he saw his eyes were out,

But when he saw his eyes were gone,

With all his might and main,

With all his might,

He jump'd into another hedge,

He jumped into another hedge,

And scratch'd 'em in again.

And scratched them in again.

[page 198]

CCCLXV.

Up stairs, down stairs, upon my lady's window,

Up stairs, down stairs, at my lady's window,

There I saw a cup of sack and a race of ginger;

There I saw a cup of sherry and some ginger.

Apples at the fire, and nuts to crack,

Apples by the fire, and nuts to crack,

A little boy in the cream-pot up to his neck.

A little boy with his neck deep in a cream pot.

CCCLXVI.

I would if I cou'd,

I would if I could,

If I cou'dn't, how cou'd I?

If I couldn't, how could I?

I cou'dn't, without I cou'd, cou'd I?

I couldn't, unless I could, could I?

Cou'd you, without you cou'd, cou'd ye?

Cou'd you, without you cou'd, cou'd you?

Cou'd ye, cou'd ye?

Could you, could you?

Cou'd you, without you cou'd, cou'd ye?

Cou'd you, without you cou'd, could you?

CCCLXVII.

If all the world was apple-pie,

If the whole world was apple pie,

And all the sea was ink,

And the entire sea was black as ink,

And all the trees were bread and cheese,

And all the trees were made of bread and cheese,

What should we have for drink?

What should we have to drink?

CCCLXVIII.

Tobacco wick! tobacco wick!

Tobacco wick! tobacco wick!

When you're well, 'twill make you sick:

When you're healthy, it will make you sick:

Tobacco wick! tobacco wick!

'Twill make you well when you are sick.

It will make you better when you're unwell.

[page 199]

CCCLXIX.

[The following occurs in a MS. of the seventeenth century, in the Sloane Collection, the reference to which I have mislaid.]

[The following occurs in a manuscript from the seventeenth century, in the Sloane Collection, which I have lost track of.]

The man in the wilderness asked me,

How many strawberries grew in the sea?

How many strawberries grew in the ocean?

I answered him, as I thought good,

I responded to him, as I thought was best,

As many as red herrings grew in the wood.

As many as red herrings grew in the woods.

CCCLXX.

[The conclusion of the following resembles a verse in the nursery history of Mother Hubbard.]

[The conclusion of the following is similar to a rhyme in the childhood tale of Mother Hubbard.]

There was an old woman, and what do you think?

There was an old woman, and what do you think?

She lived upon nothing but victuals and drink:

She lived on nothing but food and drink:

Victuals and drink were the chief of her diet;

Food and drinks were the mainstay of her diet;

This tiresome old woman could never be quiet.

This annoying old woman could never be quiet.

She went to the baker, to buy her some bread,

She went to the bakery to buy some bread.

And when she came home her old husband was dead;

And when she got home, her elderly husband was dead;

She went to the clerk to toll the bell,

She went to the clerk to ring the bell,

And when she came back her old husband was well.

And when she returned, her husband was better.

[page 200]

CCCLXXI.

Here am I, little jumping Joan;

Here I am, little jumping Joan;

When nobody's with me,

When I'm alone,

I'm always alone.

I'm always by myself.

CCCLXXII.

There was an old woman had nothing,

There was an old woman who had nothing,

And there came thieves to rob her;

And then some thieves showed up to rob her;

When she cried out she made no noise,

When she cried out, she made no sound,

But all the country heard her.

But everyone in the country heard her.

CCCLXXIII.

There was a little Guinea-pig,

There was a small guinea pig,

Who, being little, was not big;

Who, being small, was not large;

He always walked upon his feet,

He always walked on his feet,

And never fasted when he eat.

And never ate when he was fasting.

When from a place he ran away,

When he ran away from a place,

He never at that place did stay;

He never hung out there.

And while he ran, as I am told,

And while he was running, as I've been told,

He ne'er stood still for young or old.

He never stood still for anyone, young or old.

He often squeak'd and sometimes vi'lent,

He often squeaked and sometimes was violent,

And when he squeak'd he ne'er was silent;

And whenever he squeaked, he was never quiet;

Though ne'er instructed by a cat,

Though never taught by a cat,

He knew a mouse was not a rat.

He knew a mouse wasn’t a rat.

[page 201]

One day, as I am certified,

One day, as I confirm,

He took a whim and fairly died;

He took a chance and pretty much died;

And, as I'm told by men of sense,

And, as I've been told by sensible people,

He never has been living since.

He hasn’t been living since then.

CCCLXXIV.

[Mind your punctuation!]

I saw a peacock with a fiery tail,

I witnessed a peacock with a vibrant tail,

I saw a blazing comet drop down hail,

I saw a bright comet fall and bring hail,

I saw a cloud wrapped with ivy round,

I saw a cloud covered in ivy.

I saw an oak creep upon the ground,

I saw an oak grow low to the ground,

I saw a pismire swallow up a whale,

I saw an ant swallow a whale,

I saw the sea brimful of ale,

I saw the sea full of beer,

I saw a Venice glass full fifteen feet deep,

I saw a glass from Venice that was a full fifteen feet deep,

I saw a well full of men's tears that weep,

I saw a well filled with men's tears that cry,

I saw red eyes all of a flaming fire,

I saw red eyes like a blazing fire,

I saw a house bigger than the moon and higher,

I saw a house bigger than the moon and taller,

I saw the sun at twelve o'clock at night,

I saw the sun at midnight,

I saw the man that saw this wondrous sight.

I saw the guy who witnessed this amazing sight.

CCCLXXV.

My true love lives far from me,

Me true love lives far away from me,

Perrie, Merrie, Dixie, Dominie.

Many a rich present he sends to me,

Many a wealthy gift he sends to me,

Petrum, Partrum, Paradise, Temporie,

Petrum, Partrum, Paradise, Temporie

Perrie, Merrie, Dixie, Dominie.

[page 202]

He sent me a goose, without a bone;

He sent me a boneless goose;

He sent me a cherry, without a stone.

He sent me a cherry, with no pit.

Petrum, &c.

Petrum, etc.

He sent me a Bible, no man could read;

He sent me a Bible that no one could read;

He sent me a blanket, without a thread.

He sent me a blanket, with no thread.

Petrum, &c.

Petrum, etc.

How could there be a goose without a bone?

How could there be a cherry without a stone?

How could there be a cherry without a pit?

Petrum, &c.

Petrum, etc.

How could there be a Bible no man could read?

How could there be a Bible that no one could read?

How could there be a blanket without a thread?

How could there be a blanket without a single thread?

Petrum, &c.

Petrum, etc.

When the goose is in the egg-shell, there is no bone;

When the goose is in the eggshell, there are no bones;

When the cherry is in the blossom, there is no stone.

When the cherry tree is in bloom, there's no pit.

Petrum, &c.

Petrum, etc.

When ye Bible is in ye press no man it can read;

When the Bible is in print, no one can read it;

When ye wool is on ye sheep's back, there is no thread.

When the wool is on the sheep's back, there is no thread.

Petrum, &c.

Petrum, etc.

[page 203]

CCCLXXVI.

There was a man and he was mad,

There was a man, and he was angry,

And he jump'd into a pea-swad;*

And he jumped into a pea pod;*

The pea-swad was over-full,

The pea pod was overfull,

So he jump'd into a roaring bull;

So he jumped into a roaring bull;

The roaring bull was over-fat,

The fat bull was loud,

So he jump'd into a gentleman's hat;

So he jumped into a gentleman's hat;

The gentleman's hat was over-fine,

The man's hat was too fancy,

So he jump'd into a bottle of wine;

So he jumped into a bottle of wine;

The bottle of wine was over-dear,

The bottle of wine was overpriced,

So he jump'd into a bottle of beer;

So he jumped into a bottle of beer;

The bottle of beer was over-thick,

The bottle of beer was too thick,

So he jump'd into a club-stick;

So he jumped into a club stick;

The club-stick was over-narrow,

The club stick was too narrow,

So he jump'd into a wheel-barrow;

So he jumped into a wheelbarrow;

The wheel-barrow began to crack,

The wheelbarrow started to crack,

So he jump'd on to a hay-stack;

So he jumped onto a haystack;

The hay-stack began to blaze,

The haystack started to catch fire,

So he did nothing but cough and sneeze!

So he just kept coughing and sneezing!

* The pod or shell of a pea.

CCCLXXVII.

I saw a ship a-sailing,

I saw a sailing ship,

A-sailing on the sea;

Sailing on the sea;

And, oh! it was all laden

And, oh! it was all burdened

With pretty things for thee!

With nice things for you!

[page 204]

There were comfits in the cabin,

There were candies in the cabin,

And apples in the hold;

And apples in the storage;

The sails were made of silk,

And the masts were made of gold:

The four-and-twenty sailors,

The 24 sailors,

That stood between the decks,

That stood between the levels,

Were four-and-twenty white mice,

Were 24 white mice,

With chains about their necks.

With chains around their necks.

The captain was a duck,

The captain was a duck.

With a packet on his back;

With a backpack on his back;

And when the ship began to move,

And when the ship started to move,

The captain said, "Quack! quack!"

The captain said, "Quack! Quack!"

CCCLXXVIII.

Barney Bodkin broke his nose,

Barney Bodkin broke his nose,

Without feet we can't have toes;

Without feet, we can't have toes;

Crazy folks are always mad,

Crazy people are always angry.

Want of money makes us sad.

Lack of money makes us unhappy.

CCCLXXIX.

If a man who turnips cries

If a man who cries turnips

Cries not when his father dies,

It is a proof that he would rather

It is proof that he would rather

Have a turnip than his father.

[page 205]

TWELFTH CLASS—LULLABIES.

CCCLXXX.

ushy baby, my doll, I pray you don't cry,

ushy baby, my doll, I hope you don’t cry,

And I'll give you some bread and some milk by and bye;

And I'll give you some bread and milk later.

Or, perhaps you like custard, or may-be a tart,—

Or, maybe you like custard, or perhaps a tart,—

Then to either you're welcome, with all my whole heart.

Then you're both welcome, with all my heart.

[page 206]

CCCLXXXI.

Dance, little baby, dance up high,

Never mind, baby, mother is by;

Never mind, baby, mom is here;

Crow and caper, caper and crow,

Crow and dance, dance and crow,

There, little baby, there you go;

Up to the ceiling, down to the ground.

Backwards and forwards, round and round;

Back and forth, around and around;

Dance, little baby, and mother will sing,

Dance, little baby, and mom will sing,

With the merry coral, ding, ding, ding!

With the cheerful coral, ding, ding, ding!

CCCLXXXII.

[The following is quoted in Florio's 'New World of Words,' fol., London, 1611, p. 3.]

To market, to market,

To buy a plum bun:

To get a plum bun:

Home again, come again,

Home again, come back again,

Market is done.

Market is closed.

CCCLXXXIII.

Dance to your daddy,

Dance for your dad,

My little babby,

My little baby,

Dance to your daddy;

Dance for your dad;

My little lamb.

My tiny lamb.

You shall have a fishy,

You will have a fishy,

In a little dishy;

In a bit of gossip;

You shall have a fishy

You will have a fishy

When the boat comes in.

When the boat arrives.

[page 207]

CCCLXXXIV.

Tom shall have a new bonnet,

Tom will get a new hat,

With blue ribbands to tie on it,

With blue ribbons to tie on it,

With a hush-a-bye and a lull-a-baby,

With a gentle lullaby and soothing words,

Who so like to Tommy's daddy?

Who likes Tommy's dad?

CCCLXXXV.

Bye, baby bumpkin,

Bye, baby bumpkin,

Where's Tony Lumpkin?

Where's Tony Lumpkin at?

My lady's on her death-bed,

My lady's on her deathbed,

With eating half a pumpkin.

Eating half a pumpkin.

CCCLXXXVI.

[From 'The Pleasant Comœdie of Patient Grissell,' 1603.]

Hush, hush, hush, hush!

Hush, hush, hush, hush!

And I dance mine own child,

And I dance my own child,

And I dance mine own child,

And I dance my own child,

Hush, hush, hush, hush!

Hush, hush, hush!

CCCLXXXVII.

Hush thee, my babby,

Hush now, my baby,

Lie still with thy daddy,

Lie still with your daddy,

Thy mammy has gone to the mill,

Thy mom has gone to the mill,

To grind thee some wheat,

To grind some wheat for you,

To make thee some meat,

To make you some food,

And so, my dear babby, lie still.

And so, my dear baby, stay still.

[page 208]

CCCLXXXVIII.

Hey, my kitten, my kitten,

Hey, my cat, my cat,

And hey, my kitten, my deary!

And hey, my kitten, my dear!

Such a sweet pet as this

Such a sweet pet like this

Was neither far nor neary.

Was neither far nor near.

Here we go up, up, up,

And here we go down, down, downy;

And here we go down, down, down;

And here we go backwards and forwards,

And here we go back and forth,

And here we go round, round, roundy.

And here we go around, around, around.

CCCLXXXIX.

I won't be my father's Jack,

I won't be my dad's Jack,

I won't be my mother's Gill,

I won't be my mother's favorite.

I will be the fiddler's wife,

And have music when I will.

And I’ll listen to music whenever I want.

T'other little tune,

The other little tune,

T'other little tune,

The other little tune,

Pr'ythee, love, play me

Please, love, play for me

T'other little tune.

The other little tune.

CCCXC.

Danty baby diddy,

Danty baby diddy,

What can a mammy do wid'e,

What can a mom do with it,

But sit in a lap,

But sit on a lap,

And give 'un a pap?

And give them a drink?

Sing danty baby diddy.

Sing a sweet lullaby.

[page 209]

CCCXCI.

Rock-a-bye, baby, thy cradle is green;

Rock-a-bye, baby, your cradle is green;

Father's a nobleman, mother's a queen;

And Betty's a lady, and wears a gold ring;

And Betty's a lady, and she wears a gold ring;

And Johnny's a drummer, and drums for the king.

And Johnny plays the drums for the king.

CCCXCII.

Bye, O my baby!

Goodbye, O my baby!

When I was a lady,

When I was a woman,

O then my poor baby did'nt cry!

O then my poor baby didn't cry!

But my baby is weeping,

But my baby is crying,

For want of good keeping,

For lack of proper care,

Oh, I fear my poor baby will die!

Oh, I'm so worried my poor baby will die!

CCCXCIII.

Hush-a-bye, a ba lamb,

Hush-a-bye, a baby lamb,

Hush-a-bye a milk cow,

Hush-a-bye, milk cow,

You shall have a little stick

You will have a small stick.

To beat the naughty bow-wow.

To discipline the naughty dog.

CCCXCIV.

Hush-a-bye, baby, on the tree top,

Sleep tight, baby, on the tree top,

When the wind blows, the cradle will rock,

When the wind blows, the cradle will sway,

When the bough bends, the cradle will fall,

When the branch bends, the cradle will fall,

Down will come baby, bough, cradle, and all.

Down will come baby, branch, crib, and everything.

[page 210]

CCCXCV.

Ride, baby, ride,

Go, baby, go,

Pretty baby shall ride,

Cute baby will ride,

And have a little puppy-dog tied to her side,

And have a little puppy dog tied to her side,

And little pussy-cat tied to the other,

And the little kitten tied to the other,

And away she shall ride to see her grandmother,

And off she goes to visit her grandmother,

To see her grandmother,

To visit her grandmother,

To see her grandmother.

To visit her grandma.

CCCXCVI.

Bye, baby bunting,

Bye, baby bunting,

Daddy's gone a hunting,

Dad's gone hunting,

To get a little hare's skin

To get a small hare's skin

To wrap a baby bunting in.

To wrap a baby blanket in.

CCCXCVII.

Give me a blow, and I'll beat 'em,

Provide me a hit, and I'll take them down,

Why did they vex my baby?

Why did they upset my baby?

Kissy, kiss, kissy, my honey,

Kiss, kiss, my love,

And cuddle your nurse, my deary.

And snuggle with your nurse, my dear.

CCCXCVIII.

My dear cockadoodle, my jewel, my joy,

My dear rooster, my gem, my happiness,

My darling, my honey, my pretty sweet boy;

My darling, my love, my adorable sweet boy;

Before I do rock thee with soft lullaby,

Before I rock you to sleep with a gentle lullaby,

Give me thy dear lips to be kiss'd, kiss'd, kiss'd.

Give me your sweet lips to be kissed, kissed, kissed.

[page 211]

CCCXCIX.

[A favourite lullaby in the north of England fifty years ago, and perhaps still heard. The last word is pronounced bee.]

[A favorite lullaby in northern England fifty years ago, and maybe still heard today. The last word is pronounced bee.]

Hush-a-bye, lie still and sleep,

Hush-a-bye, lie still and sleep,

It grieves me sore to see thee weep,

It deeply saddens me to see you cry,

For when thou weep'st thou wearies me,

For when you cry, you wear me out,

Hush-a-bye, lie still and bye.

Hush now, lie still and sleep.

CCCC.

[From Yorkshire and Essex. A nursery-cry.—It is also sometimes sung in the streets by boys who have small figures of wool, wood, or gypsum, &c. of lambs to sell.]

[From Yorkshire and Essex. A]

Young Lambs to sell!

Young Lambs for sale!

Young Lambs to sell!

Baby lambs for sale!

If I'd as much money as I can tell,

If I had as much money as I can count,

I never would cry—Young Lambs to sell!

I would never cry—Young lambs for sale!

CCCCI.

[From Yorkshire. A nursery-cry.]

[From Yorkshire. A nursery rhyme.]

Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit-Pie!

Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit-Pie!

Come, my ladies, come and buy;

Come, ladies, come and shop;

Else your babies they will cry.

Otherwise your babies will cry.

CCCCII.

To market, to market,

To buy a plum cake;

To buy a fruitcake;

Home again, home again,

Home sweet home,

Ne'er a one baked;

Not a single one baked;

The baker is dead and all his men,

The baker is dead and all his guys,

And we must go to market again.

And we have to go to the market again.

[page 212]

CCCCIII.

Rock well my cradle,

Rock my cradle gently,

And "bee baa," my son;

And "bee baa," my kid;

You shall have a new gown,

You will have a new dress,

When ye lord comes home.

When your lord comes home.

Oh! still my child, Orange,

Oh! Stay calm, my child, Orange,

Still him with a bell;

I can't still him, ladie,

I can't calm him, lady.

Till you come down yoursell!

Until you come down yourself!

CCCCIV.

Where was a sugar and fretty?

Where was a sugar and fretty?

And where was jewel and spicy?

And where was the gem and the spice?

Hush-a-bye, babe in a cradle,

Hush now, baby in the crib,

And we'll go away in a tricy!

And we'll leave in a tricycle!

CCCCV.

I'll buy you a tartan bonnet,

I'll buy you a plaid hat,

And some feathers to put on it,

And some feathers to add to it,

Tartan trews and a phillibeg,

Tartan trousers and a kilt,

Because you are so like your daddy.

Because you are so much like your dad.

[page 213]

THIRTEENTH CLASS—JINGLES.

CCCCVI.

[The first line of the following is the burden of a song in the 'Tempest,' act i, sc. 2. and also of one in the 'Merchant of Venice, act iii, sc. 2.]

ing dong bell,

ding dong bell,

Pussy's in the well!

Cat's in the well!

Who put her in?—

Who put her inside?—

Little Tommy Lin.

Tommy Lin.

Who pulled her out?—

Who rescued her?—

Dog with long snout.

Dog with a long snout.

What a naughty boy was that

What a mischievous boy he was!

To drown poor pussy-cat,

To drown the poor cat,

Who never did any harm,

Who never harmed anyone,

But kill'd the mice in his father's barn.

But killed the mice in his dad's barn.

[page 214]

CCCCVII.

Hey ding a ding, what shall I sing?

Hey ding a ding, what should I sing?

How many holes in a skimmer?

How many holes are there in a skimmer?

Four and twenty,—my stomach is empty;

Pray, mamma, give me some dinner.

Pray, mom, can I have some dinner?

CCCCVIII.

Cock a doodle doo!

Rooster says it's morning!

My dame has lost her shoe;

My lady has lost her shoe;

My master's lost his fiddling stick,

My boss lost his fiddle bow,

And don't know what to do.

And I don't know what to do.

Cock a doodle doo!

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

What is my dame to do?

What is my lady supposed to do?

Till master finds his fiddling stick,

Till the master finds his fiddle stick,

She'll dance without her shoe.

Cock a doodle doo!

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

My dame has lost her shoe,

My lady has lost her shoe,

And master's found his fiddling stick,

And the master found his fiddle stick,

Sing doodle doodle doo!

Sing doodle doo!

Cock a doodle doo!

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

My dame will dance with you,

My lady will dance with you,

While master fiddles his fiddling stick.

While the master plays his fiddle.

For dame and doodle doo.

For lady and doodle doo.

[page 215]

Cock a doodle doo!

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Dame has lost her shoe;

Dame lost her shoe;

Gone to bed and scratch'd her head,

Gone to bed and scratched her head,

And can't tell what to do.

And can’t figure out what to do.

CCCCIX.

Diddledy, diddledy, dumpty;

Diddledy, diddledy, dumpty;

The cat ran up the plum-tree.

The cat climbed the plum tree.

I'll lay you a crown

I'll give you a crown

I'll fetch you down;

I'll get you down;

So diddledy, diddledy, dumpty.

So diddly, diddly, dumpty.

CCCCX.

Little Tee Wee,

He went to sea

He went sailing.

In an open boat;

In a small boat;

And while afloat

While on the water

The little boat bended,

The small boat tilted,

And my story's ended.

And my story is over.

CCCCXI.

Sing, sing, what shall I sing?

Sing, sing, what should I sing?

The cat has eat the pudding-string;

The cat has eaten the pudding string;

Do, do, what shall I do?

Do, do, what should I do?

The cat has bit it quite in two.

The cat has completely bitten it in half.

[page 216]

CCCCXII.

[I do not know whether the following may have reference to the game of handy-dandy, mentioned in 'King Lear,' act iv, sc. 6, and in Florio's 'New World of Words,' 1611, p. 57.]

[I do not know whether the following may refer to the game of handy-dandy, mentioned in 'King Lear,' act iv, sc. 6, and in Florio's 'New World of Words,' 1611, p. 57.]

Handy Spandy, Jack-a-dandy,

Handy Spandy, Jack-a-dandy,

Loved plum-cake and sugar-candy;

Loved fruitcake and candy;

He bought some at a grocer's shop,

He bought some at a grocery store,

And out he came, hop, hop, hop.

And out he came, hopping along.

CCCCXIII.

Tiddle liddle lightum,

Tiddle little lightum,

Pitch and tar;

Tiddle liddle lightum,

Tiddle liddle light 'em,

What's that for?

CCCCXIV.

Sing jigmijole, the pudding-bowl,

Sing jigmijole, the bowl of pudding,

The table and the frame;

My master he did cudgel me

My master hit me with a stick.

For speaking of my dame.

For talking about my lady.

CCCCXV.

Deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son John

Deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son John

Went to bed with his trowsers on;

Went to bed with his pants on;

One shoe off, the other shoe on,

Deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son John.

[page 217]

CCCCXVI.

Dibbity, dibbity, dibbity, doe.

Dibbity, dibbity, dibbity, doe.

Give me a pancake

Give me a pancake.

And I'll go.

I'm in.

Dibbity, dibbity, dibbity, ditter,

Please to give me

Please give me

A bit of a fritter.

A little distracting.

CCCCXVII.

Feedum, fiddledum fee,

The cat's got into the tree.

The cat has gotten into the tree.

Pussy, come down,

Puss, come down,

Or I'll crack your crown,

Or I'll break your crown,

And toss you into the sea.

And throw you into the sea.

CCCCXVIII.

Little Jack a Dandy

Little Jack is a Dandy

Wanted sugar-candy,

Wanted candy,

And fairly for it cried;

And fairly cried for it;

But little Billy Cook

But young Billy Cook

Who always reads his book,

Shall have a horse to ride.

CCCCXIX.

Hyder iddle diddle dell,

Hyder iddle diddle dell,

A yard of pudding's not an ell;

A yard of pudding isn't an ell;

Not forgetting tweedle-dye,

A tailor's goose will never fly.

[page 218]

CCCCXX.

Gilly Silly Jarter,

Gilly Silly Jarter,

Who has lost a garter?

Who lost a garter?

In a shower of rain,

In a downpour,

The miller found it,

The miller discovered it,

The miller ground it,

The miller milled it,

And the miller gave it to Silly again.

CCCCXXI.

Hub a dub dub,

Hub a dub dub,

Three men in a tub;

Three guys in a tub;

And who do you think they be?

And who do you think they are?

The butcher, the baker,

The candlestick-maker;

The candle maker;

Turn 'em out, knaves all three!

Turn them out, all three of you!

CCCCXXII.

Hey diddle, dinketty, poppety, pet,

Hey diddle, dinketty, poppety, pet,

The merchants of London they wear scarlet;

The merchants of London wear scarlet;

Silk in the collar, and gold in the hem,

Silk in the collar and gold in the hem,

So merrily march the merchantmen.

So joyfully march the merchants.

CCCCXXIII.

Fiddle-de-dee, fiddle-de-dee,

Fiddle-de-dee, fiddle-de-dee,

The fly shall marry the humble-bee.

The fly will marry the humble bee.

They went to the church, and married was she,

They went to the church, and she got married,

The fly has married the humble-bee.

The fly has married the bumblebee.

[page 219]

CCCCXXIV.

Hey, dorolot, dorolot!

Hey, dorolay, dorolay!

Hey, my bonny boat, bonny boat,

Hey, my beautiful boat, beautiful boat,

Hey, drag away, drag away!

Hey, pull it away, pull it away!

CCCCXXV.

A cat came fiddling out of a barn,

A cat came wandering out of a barn,

With a pair of bag-pipes under her arm;

With a set of bagpipes under her arm;

She could sing nothing but fiddle cum fee,

She could only sing fiddle cum fee,

The mouse has married the humble-bee;

The mouse has married the honeybee;

Pipe, cat,—dance, mouse,

Pipe, cat—dance, mouse

We'll have a wedding at our good house.

We'll have a wedding at our nice home.

CCCCXXVI.

Hey! diddle, diddle,

Hey! diddle, diddle,

The cat and the fiddle,

The cat and the violin,

The cow jumped over the moon;

The little dog laugh'd

The little dog laughed

To see the sport,

To watch the game,

While the dish ran after the spoon.

While the dish chased after the spoon.

CCCCXXVII.

Doodledy, doodledy, doodledy, dan,

Doodledy, doodledy, doodledy, dan,

I'll have a piper to be my good man;

I'll have a piper to be my best man;

And if I get less meat, I shall get game,

And if I get less meat, I’ll get some game,

Doodledy, doodledy, doodledy, dan.

[page 220]

CCCCXXVIII.

Tweedle-dum and tweedle-dee

Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee

Resolved to have a battle,

Ready for a fight,

For tweedle-dum said tweedle-dee

Had spoiled his nice new rattle.

Had ruined his nice new rattle.

Just then flew by a monstrous crow,

Just then, a huge crow flew by,

As big as a tar-barrel,

As big as a barrel,

Which frightened both the heroes so,

Which scared both the heroes so,

They quite forgot their quarrel.

They completely forgot their fight.

CCCCXXIX.

Come dance a jig

To my Granny's pig,

To my grandma's pig,

With a raudy, rowdy, dowdy;

With a loud, wild, shabby;

Come dance a jig

To my Granny's pig,

To my Grandma's pig,

And pussy-cat shall crowdy.

And the kitty shall play.

CCCCXXX.

Pussicat, wussicat, with a white foot,

Pussycat, wussicat, with a white foot,

When is your wedding? for I'll come to't.

When is your wedding? I’ll be there.

The beer's to brew, the bread's to bake,

The beer's brewing, the bread's baking,

Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, don't be too late.

Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, don’t take too long.

[page 221]

CCCCXXXI.

Ding, dong, darrow,

Ding, dong, darrow,

The cat and the sparrow;

The cat and the bird;

The little dog has burnt his tail,

The little dog burned his tail,

And he shall be hang'd to-morrow.

And he will be hanged tomorrow.

CCCCXXXII.

Little Dicky Dilver

Had a wife of silver,

Had a silver wife,

He took a stick and broke her back,

He picked up a stick and broke her back,

And sold her to the miller;

The miller would'nt have her,

The miller wouldn't have her,

So he threw her in the river.

So he tossed her into the river.

CCCCXXXIII.

To market, to market, to buy a fat pig,

Home again, home again, dancing a jig;

Home again, home again, dancing with joy;

Ride to the market to buy a fat hog,

Ride to the market to buy a plump pig,

Home again, home again, jiggety-jog.

CCCCXXXIV.

Doodle, doodle, doo,

Doodle, doodle, doo,

The princess lost her shoe;

The princess lost her shoe.

Her highness hopp'd,

Her Highness hopped,

The fidler stopped,

The fiddler stopped.

Not knowing what to do.

Unsure of what to do.

[page 222]

CCCCXXXV.

Rompty-iddity, row, row, row,

Rompty-iddity, paddle, paddle, paddle,

If I had a good supper, I could eat it now.

If I had a nice dinner, I could eat it now.

CCCCXXXVI.

[Magotty-pie is given in MS. Lands. 1033, fol. 2, as a Wiltshire word for a magpie. See also 'Macbeth,' act iii, sc. 4. The same term occurs in the dictionaries of Hollyband, Cotgrave, and Minsheu.]

[Magotty-pie is listed in MS. Lands. 1033, fol. 2, as a Wiltshire word for a magpie. See also 'Macbeth,' act iii, sc. 4. The same term appears in the dictionaries of Hollyband, Cotgrave, and Minsheu.]

Round about, round about,

Round and round,

Magotty-pie,

Magpie,

My father loves good ale,

My dad loves good beer,

And so do I.

Same here.

CCCCXXXVII.

High, ding, cockatoo-moody,

High, ding, cockatoo-moody,

Make a bed in a barn, I will come to thee;

Make a bed in the barn, and I will come to you;

High, ding, straps of leather,

High, dinged, leather straps,

Two little puppy-dogs tied together;

Two little puppies tied together;

One by the head, and one by the tail,

One by the head and one by the tail,

And over the water these puppy-dogs sail.

And over the water, these little dogs sail.

CCCCXXXVIII.

[Our collection of nursery songs may appropriately be concluded with the Quaker's commentary on one of the greatest favourites—Hey! diddle, diddle. We have endeavoured, as far as practicable, to remove every line from the present edition that could offend the most fastidious ear; but the following annotations on a song we cannot be induced to omit, would appear to suggest that our endeavours are scarcely likely to be attended with success.]

[Our collection of nursery songs can fittingly end with the Quaker's commentary on one of the biggest favorites — Hey! diddle, diddle. We’ve tried our best to eliminate every line from this edition that might offend even the most sensitive listener; however, the following notes on a song we can’t bring ourselves to exclude suggest that our efforts are scarcely likely to succeed.]

"Hey! diddle, diddle,

The cat and the fiddle"—

The cat and the fiddle—

Yes, thee may say that, for that is nonsense.

Yes, you can say that. because that is nonsense.

[a id="page223">[page 223]

"The cow jumped over the moon"—

Oh no! Mary, thee musn't say that, for that is a falsehood; thee knows a cow could never jump over the moon; but a cow may jump under it; so thee ought to say—"The cow jumped under the moon." Yes,—

Oh no! Mary, you mustn't say that, because it's not true; you know a cow could never jump over the moon; but a cow might jump under it; so you should say—"The cow jumped under the moon." Yes,—

"The cow jumped under the moon;

The cow jumped under the moon;

The little dog laughed"—

The small dog laughed—

Oh Mary, stop. How can a little dog laugh? thee knows a little dog can't laugh. Thee ought to say—"The little dog barked—to see the sport,"

Oh Mary, just stop. How can a small dog laugh? You know a small dog can't laugh. You should say—"The little dog barked—to see the fun,"

"And the dish ran after the spoon"—

"And the dish chased after the spoon"—

Stop, Mary, stop. A dish could never run after a spoon; thee ought to know that. Thee had better say—"And the cat ran after the spoon." So,—

Stop, Mary, stop. A dish could never chase after a spoon; you should know that. You'd better say—"And the cat ran after the spoon." So,—

"Hey! diddle, diddle,

"Hey, diddle, diddle,"

The cat and the fiddle,

The cow jump'd under the moon;

The cow jumped over the moon;

The little dog bark'd,

The little dog barked,

To see the sport,

To watch the sport,

And the cat ran after the spoon!"

And the cat chased the spoon!

[page 224]

FOURTEENTH CLASS.

LOVE AND MATRIMONY.

CCCCXXXIX.

s I was going up Pippen-hill,

Pippen-hill was dirty,

Pippen-Hill was messy,

There I met a pretty miss,

There I met a pretty girl,

And she dropt me a curtsey.

And she gave me a quick curtsy.

Little miss, pretty miss,

Miss Pretty

Blessings light upon you!

Blessings on you!

If I had half-a-crown a day,

If I had 12.5 pence a day,

I'd spend it all on you.

[page 225]

CCCCXL.

Brave news is come to town,

Brave news has arrived in town,

Brave news is carried;

Brave news is shared;

Brave news is come to town,

Brave news has come to town,

Jemmy Dawson's married.

Jemmy Dawson is married.

CCCCXLI.

Willy, Willy Wilkin,

Kissed the maids a-milking,

Kissed the milkmaids,

Fa, la, la!

And with his merry daffing,

And with his cheerful joking,

He set them all a laughing.

He had them all laughing.

Ha, ha, ha!

CCCCXLII.

It's once I courted as pretty a lass,

It's once I dated a really beautiful girl,

As ever your eyes did see;

As always, you saw;

But now she's come to such a pass,

But now she's reached such a point,

She never will do for me.

She will never work for me.

She invited me to her own house,

She invited me over to her house,

Where oft I'd been before,

Where I've often been before,

And she tumbled me into the hog-tub,

And she threw me into the pig trough,

And I'll never go there any more.

And I won't be going back there anymore.

[page 226]

CCCCXLIII.

Sylvia, sweet as morning air,

Sylvia, sweet as morning air,

Do not drive me to despair:

Do not push me to the point of hopelessness:

Long have I sighed in vain,

Long have I sighed without any results,

Now I am come again,

Now I'm back again,

Will you be mine or no, no-a-no,—

Will you be mine or not, no, no-a-no,—

Will you be mine or no?

Will you be mine or not?

Simon pray leave off your suit,

Simon, please stop chasing.

For of your courting you'll reap no fruit,

For your dating won't lead to any results,

I would rather give a crown

Than be married to a clown;

Than be married to a fool;

Go for a booby, go, no-a-no,—

Go for a girl, go, no-no,—

Go, for a booby, go.

Go, for a bird, go.

CCCCXLIV.

What care I how black I be,

What do I care how dark I am,

Twenty pounds will marry me;

Twenty pounds will get me married;

If twenty won't, forty shall,

If twenty won't, then forty will.

I am my mother's bouncing girl!

I am my mom's cheerful girl!

CCCCXLV.

"Where have you been all the day,

"Where have you been all day,"

My boy Willy?"

My son Willy?

"I've been all the day,

"I've been here all day,"

Courting of a lady gay:

Dating a cheerful lady:

But oh! she's too young

To be taken from her mammy."

To be taken from her mom.

[page 227]

"What work can she do,

"What work can she do?"

My boy Willy?

My guy Willy?

Can she bake and can she brew,

My boy Willy?"

My dude Willy?

"She can brew and she can bake,

"She can make drinks and she can bake,

And she can make our wedding cake:

But oh! she's too young

To be taken from her mammy."

To be taken away from her mom.

"What age may she be? What age may she be?

What age could she be? What age could she be?

My boy Willy?"

My son Willy?

"Twice two, twice seven,

"Two times two, two times seven,"

Twice ten twice eleven:

20 times 11:

But oh! she's too young

But oh! she's too young.

To be taken from her mammy."

To be separated from her mom.

CCCCXLVI.

[This is part of a little work called 'Authentic Memoirs of the little Man and the little Maid, with some interesting particulars of their lives,' which I suspect is more modern than the following. Walpole printed a small broadside containing a different version.]

[This is part of a little work called 'Authentic Memoirs of the little Man and the little Maid, with some interesting details about their lives,' which I think is more contemporary than the following. Walpole printed a small poster featuring a different version.]

There was a little man,

There was a small man,

And he woo'd a little maid,

And he courted a young girl,

And he said, "little maid, will you wed, wed, wed?

And he said, "Hey, girl, will you marry me?"

I have little more to say,

I don't have much more to add,

Than will you, yea or nay,

Than will you, yes or no,

For least said is soonest mended-ded, ded, ded."

For the less said, the quicker it's fixed.

[page 228]

The little maid replied,

The young maid replied,

Some say a little sighed,

"But what shall we have for to eat, eat, eat?

"But what are we going to eat, eat, eat?"

Will the love that you're so rich in

Will the love that you have plenty of

Make a fire in the kitchen?

Or the little god of Love turn the spit, spit, spit?"

Or does the little god of Love keep turning the spit, spit, spit?

CCCCXLVII.

There was a little boy and a little girl

There was a young boy and a young girl

Lived in an alley;

Says the little boy to the little girl,

"Shall I, oh! shall I?"

"Should I, oh! should I?"

Says the little girl to the little boy,

"What shall we do?"

"What should we do?"

Says the little boy to the little girl,

"I will kiss you."

"I'll kiss you."

CCCCXLVIII.

A cow and a calf,

A cow and her calf,

An ox and a half,

Forty good shillings and three;

Forty-three shillings;

Is that not enough tocher

Is that not enough to cash?

For a shoe-maker's daughter,

For a cobbler's daughter,

A bonny lass with a black e'e?

A pretty girl with a black eye?

[page 229]

CCCCXLIX.

O the little rusty, dusty, rusty miller!

Oh the little rusty, dusty, rusty miller!

I'll not change my wife for either gold or siller.

I'll not change my wife for either gold or silver.

CCCCL.

As Tommy Snooks and Bessy Brooks

Were walking out one Sunday,

We were walking out one Sunday,

Says Tommy Snooks to Bessy Brooks,

"To-morrow will be Monday."

"Tomorrow will be Monday."

CCCCLI.

Little Jack Jingle,

Short Jack Jingle,

He used to live single:

He used to be single:

But when he got tired of this kind of life,

But when he got weary of this way of living,

He left off being single, and liv'd with his wife.

He stopped being single and lived with his wife.

CCCCLII.

When shall we be married,

When will we get married,

My dear Nicholas Wood?

Hey Nicholas Wood?

We will be married on Monday,

We’re getting married Monday,

And will not that be very good?

And won't that be awesome?

What, shall we be married no sooner?

What, are we not getting married soon?

Why sure the man's gone wood!*

Why, of course, the guy's lost it!*

[page 230]

What shall we have for our dinner,

What should we have for dinner,

My dear Nicholas Wood?

Hey Nicholas Wood?

We will have bacon and pudding,

We will have bacon and dessert,

And will not that be very good?

And won't that be really good?

What, shall we have nothing more?

What, are we not going to have anything else?

Why sure the man's gone wood!

Why, of course, the guy's gone crazy!

Who shall we have at our wedding,

Who should we invite to our wedding?

My dear Nicholas Wood?

Dear Nicholas Wood,

We will have mammy and daddy,

We will have mom and dad,

And will not that be very good?

And won't that be awesome?

What, shall we have nobody else?

What, are we not going to have anyone else?

Why sure the man's gone wood!

Why, of course, the guy’s lost his mind!

* Mad. This sense of the word has long been obsolete; and exhibits therefore, the antiquity of these lines.]

* Crazy. This meaning of the word has been outdated for a long time; and therefore shows the age of these lines.

CCCCLIII.

Tommy Trot, a man of law,

Tommy Trot, a lawyer,

Sold his bed and lay upon straw:

Sold his bed and lay on straw:

Sold the straw and slept on grass,

To buy his wife a looking-glass.

To buy his wife a mirror.

CCCCLIV.

We're all dry with drinking on't.

We're all out of drinks.

We're all dry with drinking on't;

We're all tired of drinking it;

The piper spoke to the fiddler's wife,

The piper talked to the fiddler's wife,

And I can't sleep for thinking on't.

And I can't sleep for thinking about it.

[page 231]

CCCCLV.

"John, come sell thy fiddle,

"John," come sell your fiddle,

And buy thy wife a gown."

And buy your wife a dress.

"No, I'll not sell my fiddle,

"No, I won't sell my fiddle,

For ne'er a wife in town."

For never a wife in town.

CCCCLVI.

Up hill and down dale;

Up hill and down valley;

Butter is made in every vale,

Butter is made in every valley,

And if that Nancy Cook

Is a good girl,

Is a good person,

She shall have a spouse,

She will have a partner,

And make butter anon,

And make butter soon,

Before her old grandmother

Before her grandmother

Grows a young man.

Grows into a young man.

CCCCLVII.

Jack in the pulpit, out and in;

Jack in the pulpit, coming and going;

Sold his wife for a minikin pin.

Sold his wife for a tiny pin.

CCCCLVIII.

Did you see my wife, did you see, did you see,

Did you see my wife, did you see, did you see,

Did you see my wife looking for me?

Did you see my wife searching for me?

She wears a straw bonnet, with white ribbands on it,

She wears a straw hat with white ribbons on it,

And dimity petticoats over her knee.

And sheer petticoats above her knee.

[page 232]

CCCCLIX.

Rosemary green,

Rosemary green,

And lavender blue,

Thyme and sweet marjoram,

Hyssop and rue.

CCCCLX.

"Little maid, pretty maid, whither goest thou?"

Little maid, pretty maid, where are you going?"

"Down in the forest to milk my cow."

"Down in the woods to milk my cow."

"Shall I go with thee?" "No, not now;

"Should I go with you?" "No, not right now;

When I send for thee, then come thou."

"When I call for you, then come."

CCCCLXI.

I am a pretty wench,

I am a pretty girl,

And I come a great way hence,

And I've come a long way from there,

And sweethearts I can get none:

And I can't get any sweethearts:

But every dirty sow,

But every dirty pig,

Can get sweethearts enow,

Can get sweethearts now,

And I, pretty wench, can get never a one.

And I, pretty girl, can’t get a single one.

CCCCLXII.

Birds of a feather flock together,

Birds of a feather stick together,

And so will pigs and swine;

And so will pigs and hogs;

Rats and mice will have their choice,

Rats and mice will have their pick,

And so will I have mine.

And so I will have mine.

[page 233]

CCCCLXIII.

[The practice of sowing hempseed on Allhallows Even is often alluded to by earlier writers, and Gay, in his 'Pastorals,' quotes part of the following lines as used on that occasion.]

[The practice of planting hempseed on Halloween is often mentioned by earlier writers, and Gay, in his 'Pastorals,' quotes part of the following lines used on that occasion.]

Hemp-seed I set,

Hemp seed I planted,

Hemp-seed I sow,

Sowing hemp seeds,

The young man that I love,

The guy I love,

Come after me and mow!

Come follow me and mow!

CCCCLXIV.

Jack Sprat could eat no fat,

Jack Sprat couldn't eat fat,

His wife could eat no lean;

His wife couldn't eat any lean meat;

And so, betwixt them both, you see,

And so, between them both, you see,

They lick'd the platter clean.

They licked the plate clean.

[page 234]

CCCCLXV.

Little Jack Dandy-prat was my first suitor;

Small Jack Dandy-prat was my first admirer;

He had a dish and a spoon, and he'd some pewter;

He had a dish and a spoon, and he had some pewter;

He'd linen and woollen, and woollen and linen,

He had linen and wool, and wool and linen,

A little pig in a string cost him five shilling.

A little pig on a string cost him five shillings.

CCCCLXVI.

THE KEYS OF CANTERBURY.

Oh, madam, I will give you the keys of Canterbury,

Oh, ma'am, I will give you the keys to Canterbury,

To set all the bells ringing when we shall be merry,

To make sure we celebrate joyfully when the time comes,

If you will but walk abroad with me,

If you will just go outside with me,

If you will but walk with me.

If you would just walk with me.

Sir, I'll not accept of the keys of Canterbury,

Sir, I won't accept the keys to Canterbury,

To set all the bells ringing when we shall be merry;

To make sure all the bells ring when we're happy;

Neither will I walk abroad with thee,

Neither will I go out with you,

Neither will I talk with thee!

Neither will I talk to you!

Oh, madam, I will give you a fine carved comb,

Oh, ma'am, I will give you a beautifully carved comb,

To comb out your ringlets when I am from home,

To brush out your curls when I'm not home,

If you will but walk with me, &c.

If you would just walk with me, etc.

Sir, I'll not accept, &c.

Sir, I won't accept, etc.

[page 235]

Oh, madam, I will give you a pair of shoes of cork,*

Oh, ma'am, I'll give you a pair of cork shoes,*

One made in London, the other made in York,

If you will but walk with me, &c.

If you would just walk with me, etc.

Sir, I'll not accept, &c.

Sir, I won't accept, etc.

Madam, I will give you a sweet silver bell,†

To ring up your maidens when you are not well,

To call your friends when you're not feeling well,

If you will but walk with me, &c.

If you would just walk with me, etc.

Sir, I'll not accept, &c.

Sir, I won't accept, etc.

Oh, my man John, what can the matter be?

Oh, my man John, what could be the problem?

I love the lady and the lady loves not me!

I love the woman, but she doesn't love me back!

Neither will she walk abroad with me,

Neither will she go out with me,

Neither will she talk with me.

Neither will she speak with me.

Oh, master dear, do not despair,

Don’t worry, dear master.

The lady she shall be, shall be your only dear,

The lady you choose will be your only one.

And she will walk and talk with thee,

And she will walk and talk with you,

And she will walk with thee!

And she will walk with you!

[page 236]

Oh, madam, I will give you the keys of my chest,

Oh, ma'am, I'll give you the keys to my chest,

To count my gold and silver when I am gone to rest,

To count my gold and silver when I'm laid to rest,

If you will but walk abroad with me,

If you'll just walk outside with me,

If you will but talk with me.

If you would just talk to me.

Oh, sir, I will accept of the keys of your chest,

Oh, sir, I will take the keys to your chest,

To count your gold and silver when you are gone to rest,

To count your gold and silver when you’ve gone to rest,

And I will walk abroad with thee,

And I will go out with you,

And I will talk with thee!

And I'll chat with you!

* This proves the song was not later than the era of chopines, or high cork shoes.

* This shows that the song was from no later than the time of chopines, or high cork shoes.

† Another proof of antiquity. It must probably have been written before the invention of bell-pulls.

† Another piece of evidence from the past. It likely was written before bell-pulls were invented.

CCCCLXVII.

He. If you with me will go, my love,

He. If you will come with me, my love,

You shall see a pretty show, my love,

You’re going to see a beautiful performance, my love,

Let dame say what she will:

Let the lady say what she wants:

If you will have me, my love,

If you'll have me, my love,

I will have thee, my love,

I will have you, my love,

So let the milk-pail stand still.

So let the milk pail stay put.

She. Since you have said so, my love,

She. Since you’ve said that, my love,

Longer I will go, my love,

Let dame say what she will:

Let the lady say what she wants:

If you will have me, my love,

If you'll have me, my love,

I will have thee, my love,

I will have you, my love,

So let the milk-pail stand still.

So let the milk bucket sit still.

[page 237]

CCCCLXVIII.

On Saturday night,

Shall be all my care

Will be my main focus

To powder my locks

To powder my hair

And curl my hair.

And style my hair.

On Sunday morning

My love will come in,

My love will arrive,

When he will marry me

When is he going to marry me?

With a gold ring.

CCCCLXIX.

Master I have, and I am his man,

Master I serve, and I am his servant,

Gallop a dreary dun;

Ride a dull gray horse;

Master I have, and I am his man,

Master I have, and I am his guy,

And I'll get a wife as fast as I can;

And I'll find a wife as soon as I can;

With a heighly gaily gamberally,

With a highly cheerful attitude,

Higgledy piggledy, niggledy, niggledy,

Gallop a dreary dun.

Ride a dull brown horse.

CCCCLXX.

I doubt, I doubt my fire is out,

I’m not sure, I doubt my fire is gone,

My little wife isn't at home;

My wife isn't around;

I'll saddle my dog, and I'll bridle my cat,

I'll put a saddle on my dog and a bridle on my cat,

And I'll go fetch my little wife home.

And I'll go get my wife and bring her home.

[page 238]

Young Roger came tapping on Dolly's window

CCCCLXXI.

Young Roger came tapping at Dolly's window,

Youth Roger came knocking at Dolly's window,

Thumpaty, thumpaty, thump!

Thump, thump, thump!

He asked for admittance, she answered him "No!"

He asked to come in, and she replied, "No!"

Frumpaty, frumpaty, frump!

Frump, frump, frump!

"No, no, Roger, no! as you came you may go!"

"No, no, Roger, no! You can leave just as you arrived!"

Stumpaty, stumpaty, stump!

Stomp, stomp, stomp!

[page 239]

CCCCLXXII.

Thomas and Annis met in the dark.

Tom and Annis met in the dark.

"Good morning," said Thomas.

"Good morning," Thomas said.

"Good morning," said Annis.

"Good morning," Annis said.

And so they began to talk.

And so they began talking.

"I'll give you," says Thomas,

"I'll give you," says Tom,

"Give me," said Annis;

"Give me," Annis said;

"I prithee, love, tell me what?"

"I beg you, love, tell me what?"

"Some nuts," said Thomas.

"Some nuts," said Annis;

"Nuts are good to crack."

"I love you," said Thomas.

"I love you," Thomas said.

"Love me!" said Annis;

"Love me!" Annis said;

"I prithee love tell me where?"

"I beg you, love, tell me where?"

"In my heart," said Thomas.

"In my heart," Thomas said.

"In your heart!" said Annis;

"In your heart!" Annis said;

"How came you to love me there?"

"How did you come to love me there?"

"I'll marry you," said Thomas.

"I'll marry you," Thomas said.

"Marry me!" said Annis;

"Marry me!" Annis said;

"I prithee, love, tell me when?"

"I beg you, love, tell me when?"

"Next Sunday," said Thomas.

"Next Sunday," Thomas said.

"Next Sunday," said Annis;

"Next Sunday," Annis said;

"I wish next Sunday were come."

"I wish next Sunday would hurry up and get here."

[page 240]

CCCCLXXIII.

Saw ye aught of my love a coming from ye market!

Did you see any sign of my love coming from the market!

A peck of meal upon her back,

A bunch of food on her back,

A babby in her basket;

A baby in her basket;

Saw ye aught of my love a coming from the market?

Did you see my love coming back from the market?

CCCCLXXIV.

[This nursery song may probably commemorate a part of Tom Thumb's history, extant in a Little Danish work, treating of 'Swain Tomling, a man no bigger than a thumb, who would be married to a woman three ells and three quarters long.' See Mr. Thoms' Preface to 'Tom & Lincoln,' p. xi.]

[This nursery song likely celebrates a part of Tom Thumb's story, mentioned in a little Danish work about 'Swain Tomling, a man no taller than a thumb, who was going to marry a woman three ells and three quarters long.' See Mr. Thoms' Preface to 'Tom & Lincoln,' p. xi.]

I had a little husband,

I had a small husband,

No bigger than my thumb;

No larger than my thumb;

I put him in a pint pot,

I put him in a pint glass,

And there I bid him drum.

And there I asked him to play the drums.

I bought a little horse,

I got a pony,

That galloped up and down;

That ran up and down;

I bridled him, and saddled him,

I put a bridle on him and saddled him,

And sent him out of town.

I gave him some garters,

I gave him some garters.

To garter up his hose,

To gather up his socks,

And a little handkerchief,

And a small handkerchief,

To wipe his pretty nose.

To wipe his cute nose.

[page 241]

CCCCLXXV.

Can you make me a cambric shirt,

Can you make me a lightweight shirt,

Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme;

Without any seam or needlework?

Without any seams or stitching?

And you shall be a true lover of mine.

And you will be a true lover of mine.

Can you wash it in yonder well,

Can you wash it in that well,

Parsley, &c.

Parsley, etc.

Where never sprung water, nor rain ever fell?

Where has water never flowed, and where has it never rained?

And you, &c.

And you, etc.

Can you dry it on yonder thorn,

Can you dry it on that thorn,

Parsley, &c.

Parsley, etc.

Which never bore blossom since Adam was born?

Which has never borne flowers since Adam was born?

And you, &c.

And you, etc.

Now you have ask'd me questions three,

Now you’ve asked me three questions,

Parsley, &c.

Parsley, etc.

I hope you'll answer as many for me,

I hope you'll answer as many as you can for me,

And you, &c.

And you, etc.

Can you find me an acre of land,

Parsley, &c.

Parsley, etc.

Between the salt water and the sea sand?

Between the seawater and the beach sand?

And you, &c.

And you, etc.

[page 242]

Can you plough it with a ram's horn,

Can you plow it with a ram's horn,

Parsley, &c.

Parsley, etc.

And sow it all over with one pepper-corn?

And spread it all over with one peppercorn?

And you, &c.

And you, etc.

Can you reap it with a sickle of leather,

Can you harvest it with a leather sickle,

Parsley, &c.

Parsley, etc.

And bind it up with a peacock's feather?

And tie it up with a peacock feather?

And you, &c.

And you, etc.

When you have done and finish'd your work,

When you have completed your work,

Parsley, &c.

Parsley, etc.

Then come to me for your cambric shirt,

And you, &c.

And you, etc.

CCCCLXXVI.

Where have you been to-day, Billy, my son?

Where were you today, Billy, my son?

Where have you been to-day, my only man!

Where have you been today, my only guy!

I've been a-wooing, mother; make my bed soon,

I've been courting, Mom; make my bed soon,

For I'm sick at heart, and fain would lay down.

For I'm heartbroken, and I would really like to rest.

What have you ate to-day, Billy, my son?

What did you eat today, Billy, my son?

What have you ate to-day, my only man?

What have you eaten today, my dear?

I've ate an eel-pie, mother; make my bed soon,

I've eaten an eel pie, mom; please make my bed soon,

For I'm sick at heart, and shall die before noon!

For I'm heartbroken, and I'll be gone before noon!

[page 243]

CCCCLXXVII.

I married my wife by the light of the moon,

I got married my wife by the moonlight,

A tidy housewife, a tidy one;

A neat housewife, a neat one;

She never gets up until it is noon,

She never gets up until noon,

And I hope she'll prove a tidy one.

And I hope she'll turn out to be a neat one.

And when she gets up, she is slovenly laced,

And when she gets up, her laces are all messy,

A tidy, &c.

A neat, etc.

She takes up the poker to roll out the paste,

She picks up the poker to roll out the dough,

And I hope, &c.

And I hope, etc.

She churns her butter in a boot,

She makes her butter in a boot,

A tidy, &c.

A tidy, etc.

And instead of a churnstaff she puts in her foot,

And instead of using a churn staff, she puts her foot in.

And I hope, &c.

And I hope, etc.

She lays her cheese on the scullery shelf,

She places her cheese on the kitchen shelf,

A tidy, &c.

A tidy, etc.

And she never turns it till it turns itself.

And she never spins it until it spins by itself.

And I hope, &c.

And I hope, etc.

CCCCLXXVIII.

There was a little maid, and she was afraid,

There was a young maid, and she was scared,

That her sweetheart would come unto her;

That her sweetheart would come to her;

So she went to bed, and cover'd up her head

So she went to bed and pulled the covers over her head.

And fasten'd the door with a skewer.

And secured the door with a stick.

[page 244]

CCCCLXXIX.

"Madam, I am come to court you,

"Ma'am", I have come to ask for your love,

If your favour I can gain."

If I can earn your favor.

"Ah, Ah!" said she, "you are a bold fellow,

"Wow, wow!" she exclaimed, "you're quite the daring guy,

If I e'er see your face again!"

If I ever see your face again!

"Madam, I have rings and diamonds,

"Ma'am, I have rings and diamonds,

Madam, I have houses and land,

Madam, I own houses and land,

Madam, I have a world of treasure,

Madam, I have a wealth of treasures,

All shall be at your command."

All will be under your command.

"I care not for rings and diamonds,

"I don't care about rings and diamonds,

I care not for houses and lands,

I don’t care about houses and land,

I care not for a world of treasure,

I don't care about a world full of treasure,

So that I have but a handsome man."

So that I only have a handsome man.

"Madam, you think much of beauty,

"Ma'am, you care a lot about beauty,

Beauty hasteneth to decay,

Beauty quickly fades,

For the fairest of flowers that grow in summer

For the most beautiful flowers that bloom in summer

Will decay and fade away."

"Will decay and fade away."

CCCCLXXX.

Up street, and down street,

Up the street, and down the street,

Each window's made of glass;

Each window is made of glass;

If you go to Tommy Tickler's house,

If you go to Tommy Tickler's place,

You'll find a pretty lass.

You'll find a pretty girl.

[page 245]

CCCCLXXXI.

Oh! mother, I shall be married to Mr. Punchinello.

Oh! Mom, I’m going to marry Mr. Punchinello.

To Mr. Punch,

To Mr. Joe,

To Mr. Nell,

To Mr. Lo.

Mr. Punch, Mr. Joe,

Mr. Nell, Mr. Lo,

To Mr. Punchinello.

CCCCLXXXII.

Little John Jiggy Jag,

Little John Jiggy Jag,

He rode a penny nag,

He rode a cheap horse,

And went to Wigan to woo;

And went to Wigan to try to win someone over;

When he came to a beck,

When he arrived at a stream,

He fell and broke his neck,—

Johnny, how dost thou now?

Johnny, how are you now?

I made him a hat,

I made him a cap,

Of my coat-lap,

Of my coat's lapel,

And stockings of pearly blue.

And pearly blue stockings.

A hat and a feather,

To keep out cold weather;

To block cold weather;

So, Johnny, how dost thou now?

So, Johnny, how are you now?

[page 246]

CCCCLXXXIII.

[Cumberland courtship.]

[Cumberland dating.]

Bonny lass, canny lass, willta be mine?

Bonnie girl, clever girl, will you be mine?

Thou'se neither wesh dishes, nor sarrah (serve) the swine,

Thou dost neither wash dishes nor serve the swine,

Thou sall sit on a cushion, and sew up a seam,

You shall sit on a cushion and sew up a seam,

And thou sall eat strawberries, sugar, and cream!

And you shall eat strawberries, sugar, and cream!

CCCCLXXXIV.

Bessy Bell and Mary Gray,*

Bessy Bell and Mary Gray,*

They were two bonny lasses:

They were two pretty girls:

They built their house upon the lea,

They built their house on the slope,

And covered it with rashes.

Bessy kept the garden gate,

Bessy watched the garden gate,

And Mary kept the pantry:

And Mary managed the pantry:

Bessy always had to wait,

Bessy always had to wait.

While Mary lived in plenty.

While Mary lived abundantly.

* The common tradition respecting these celebrated beauties is as follows:—"In the year 1666, when the plague raged at Perth, these ladies retired into solitude, to avoid infection; built on a small streamlet, tributary to the Almond, in a sequestered corner called Burn-brae, a bower, and lived in it together, till a young man, whom they both tenderly loved, in his visits communicated to them the fatal contagion, of which they soon after died."]

* The popular story about these famous beauties is this: In 1666, when the plague hit Perth hard, these women secluded themselves to avoid getting sick. They built a small shelter by a little stream that flows into the Almond, in a quiet spot called Burn-brae, and lived there together until a young man, whom they both cared for deeply, brought the deadly disease during his visits, and they soon after died.

CCCCLXXXV.

Jack and Jill went up the hill,

To fetch a pail of water;

To get a bucket of water;

Jack fell down, and broke his crown,

Jack fell down and broke his crown,

And Jill came tumbling after.

And Jill fell down after.

[page 247]

CCCCLXXXVI.

Little Tom Dandy

Young Tom Dandy

Was my first suitor,

Was my first admirer,

He had a spoon and dish,

He had a spoon and a bowl,

And a little pewter.

And a little metal.

CCCCLXXXVII.

There was a little pretty lad,

There was a cute boy,

And he lived by himself,

And he lived alone,

And all the meat he got

He put upon a shelf.

He placed it on a shelf.

The rats and the mice

Rats and mice

Did lead him such a life,

That he went to Ireland

He went to Ireland.

To get himself a wife.

To find himself a wife.

The lanes they were so broad,

The streets were super wide,

And the fields they were so narrow,

And the fields were so narrow,

He couldn't get his wife home

He couldn't bring his wife home.

Without a wheelbarrow.

The wheelbarrow broke,

The wheelbarrow is broken,

My wife she got a kick,

My wife had a blast,

The deuce take the wheelbarrow,

Forget the wheelbarrow,

That spared my wife's neck.

That saved my wife's neck.

[page 248]

CCCCLXXXVIII.

Rowley Powley, pudding and pie,

Rowley Powley, dessert and pie,

Kissed the girls and made them cry;

When the girls begin to cry,

When the girls start to cry,

Rowley Powley runs away.

Rowley Powley escapes.

CCCCLXXXIX.

Margaret wrote a letter,

Margaret sent a letter,

Seal'd it with her finger,

Sealed it with her finger,

Threw it in the dam

Threw it in the pond

For the dusty miller.

For the dusty miller plant.

Dusty was his coat,

His coat was dusty,

Dusty was the siller,

Dusty was the seller,

Dusty was the kiss

Dusty was the vibe

I'd from the dusty miller.

I'd from the dusty mill.

If I had my pockets

If I had my pockets full

Full of gold and siller,

Full of gold and silver,

I would give it all

I'd give it all.

To my dusty miller.

Chorus. O the little, little,

Chorus. Oh the tiny, tiny,

Rusty, dusty, miller.

Rusty, dusty miller.

CCCCXC.

Love your own, kiss your own.

Love your own, hug your own.

Love your own mother, hinny,

Love your own mom, hinny,

For if she was dead and gone,

You'd ne'er get such another, hinny.

You'd never find another one like this, honey.

[a id="page249">[page 249]

CCCCXCI.

Here comes a lusty wooer,

Here comes a eager suitor,

My a dildin, my a daldin;

My dear, my love;

Here comes a lusty wooer,

Here comes a eager suitor,

Lily bright and shine a'.

Lily shines bright.

Pray, who do you woo,

Pray, who are you dating?

My a dildin, my a daldin?

My love, my dear?

Pray, who do you woo,

Who are you trying to impress?

Lily bright and shine a'?

Lily, bright and shining?

For your fairest daughter,

For your most beautiful daughter,

My a dildin, my a daldin;

For your fairest daughter,

For your most beautiful daughter,

Lily bright and shine a'.

Lily bright and shining.

Then there she is for you,

My a dildin, my a daldin;

My love, my honey;

Then there she is for you,

Lily bright and shine a'.

Lily shines bright.

CCCCXCII.

O rare Harry Parry,

O rare Harry Parry,

When will you marry?

When are you getting married?

When apples and pears are ripe.

I'll come to your wedding,

I'll attend your wedding,

Without any bidding,

Without bidding,

And dance and sing all the night.

And dance and sing all night long.

[page 250]

CCCCXCIII.

Blue eye beauty,

Beautiful blue eyes,

Grey eye greedy,

Greedy grey eye,

Black eye blackie,

Black eye, blackie,

Brown eye brownie.

Brown-eyed brownie.

CCCCXCIV.

Curly locks! curly locks! wilt thou be mine?

Curly hair! curly hair! will you be mine?

Thou shalt not wash dishes, nor yet feed the swine;

You will not wash dishes, nor feed the pigs;

But sit on a cushion and sow a fine seam,

But sit on a cushion and sew a neat seam,

And feed upon strawberries, sugar, and cream!

And enjoy strawberries, sugar, and cream!

[page 251]

FIFTEENTH CLASS.

NATURAL HISTORY.

CCCCXCV.

he cuckoo's a fine bird,

the cuckoo's a great bird,

He sings as he flies;

He sings while he flies;

He brings us good tidings,

He brings us good news,

He tells us no lies.

He speaks the truth.

He sucks little birds' eggs,

He eats baby birds' eggs,

To make his voice clear;

To make his voice loud;

And when he sings "cuckoo!"

And when he sings "cuckoo!”

The summer is near.

Summer is coming.

[page 252]

CCCCXCVI.

[A provincial version of the same.]

The cuckoo's a vine bird,

The cuckoo's a vine bird,

A zengs as a vlies;

A brengs us good tidins,

A brings us good news,

And tells us no lies;

And tells no lies;

A zucks th' smael birds' eggs,

A zucks the small birds' eggs,

To make his voice clear;

To make his voice sound clear;

And the mwore a cries "cuckoo!"

And the more a cries "cuckoo!"

The zummer draws near.

The summer is coming.

CCCCXCVII.

I had a little dog, and his name was Blue Bell,

I have a little dog, and his name was Blue Bell,

I gave him some work, and he did it very well;

I gave him some tasks, and he completed them really well;

I sent him up stairs to pick up a pin,

I sent him upstairs to grab a pin,

He stepped in the coal-scuttle up to the chin;

He stepped into the coal scuttle up to his chin;

I sent him to the garden to pick some sage,

I sent him to the garden to grab some sage,

He tumbled down and fell in a rage;

He fell down and got really angry;

I sent him to the cellar to draw a pot of beer,

I sent him to the basement to get a keg of beer,

He came up again and said there was none there.

He came back and said there was none there.

[page 253]

CCCCXCVIII.

The cat sat asleep by the side of the fire,

The cat was sleeping next to the fire,

The mistress snored loud as a pig:

The mistress snored loudly like a pig:

Jack took up his fiddle, by Jenny's desire,

Jack picked up his fiddle, just like Jenny wanted,

And struck up a bit of a jig.

And started dancing a little jig.

CCCCXCIX.

I had a little hobby-horse, and it was well shod,

I have a little hobby horse, and it was well shod,

It carried me to the mill-door, trod, trod, trod;

It took me to the mill door, step, step, step;

When I got there I gave a great shout,

When I arrived, I let out a loud shout,

Down came the hobby-horse, and I cried out.

Down came the hobby horse, and I shouted.

Fie upon the miller, he was a great beast,

Fie upon the miller, he was a big jerk,

He would not come to my house, I made a little feast,

He wouldn't come to my house, so I prepared a little feast,

I had but little, but I would give him some,

I didn't have much, but I would give him some.

For playing of his bag-pipes and beating his drum.

For playing his bagpipes and beating his drum.

D.

Pit, Pat, well-a-day,

Pit, Pat, oh wow,

Little Robin flew away;

Little Robin has flown away;

Where can little Robin be?

Where's little Robin?

Gone into the cherry tree.

Gone to the cherry tree.

[page 254]

DI.

Little Poll Parrot

Sat in his garret,

Sat in his attic,

Eating toast and tea;

Toast and tea;

A little brown mouse,

A small brown mouse,

Jumped into the house,

Ran into the house,

And stole it all away.

And took it all away.

DII.

[The snail scoops out hollows, little rotund chambers, in limestone, for its residence. This habit of the animal is so important in its effects, as to have attracted the attention of geologists, and Dr. Buckland alluded to it at the meeting of the British Association in 1841. See Chambers' 'Popular Rhymes,' p. 43. The following rhyme is a boy's invocation to the snail to come out of such holes.]

[The snail carves out small, round spaces in limestone for its home. This behavior is significant enough to catch the attention of geologists, and Dr. Buckland mentioned it at the British Association meeting in 1841. See Chambers' 'Popular Rhymes,' p. 43. The following rhyme is a boy's call for the snail to come out of its hiding spots.]

Snail, snail, come out of your hole,

Snail, snail, come out of your shell,

Or else I will beat you as black as a coal.

Or else I will beat you as black as coal.

DIII.

Sneel, snaul,

Sneel, snaul,

Robbers are coming to pull down your wall;

Robbers are coming to tear down your wall;

Sneel, snaul,

Put out your horn,

Blow your horn,

Robbers are coming to steal your corn,

Coming at four o'clock in the morn.

Coming at four in the morning.

DIV.

Burnie bee, burnie bee,

Burnie bee, Burnie bee,

Tell me when your wedding be?

Tell me when your wedding is going to be?

If it be to-morrow day,

If it's tomorrow,

Take your wings and fly away.

[page 255]

DV.

Some little mice sat in a barn to spin;

Some little mice sat in a barn to spin;

Pussy came by, and popped her head in;

Pussy stopped by and poked her head in;

"Shall I come in, and cut your threads off?"

"Should I come in and cut your threads?"

"Oh! no, kind sir, you will snap our heads off?"

"Oh no, kind sir, are you going to bite our heads off?"

DVI.

The sow came in with the saddle,

The sow came in with the saddle,

The little pig rock'd the cradle

The little pig rocked the cradle.

The dish jump'd over the table

The dish jumped over the table.

To see the pot with the ladle.

To see the pot with the spoon.

The broom behind the butt

Call'd the dish-clout a nasty slut:

Call the dishcloth a dirty slut:

Oh! Oh! says the gridiron, can't you agree?

Oh! Oh! says the grill, can't you agree?

I'm the head constable,—come along with me.

I'm the chief constable—come with me.

DVII.

"What do they call you?"

"What do they call you?"

"Patchy Dolly."

"Patchy Doll."

"Where were you born?"

"In the cow's horn."

"Where were you bred?"

"Where were you raised?"

"In the cow's head."

"In the cow's skull."

"Where will you die?"

"Where will you pass away?"

"In the cow's eye."

[page 256]

DVIII.

As I went over the water,

As I crossed the water,

The water went over me.

The water washed over me.

I saw two little blackbirds sitting on a tree:

I saw two small blackbirds perched on a tree:

The one called me a rascal,

The one called me a troublemaker,

The other called me a thief;

The other person called me a thief;

I took up my little black stick,

I picked up my small black stick,

And knocked out all their teeth.

DIX.

Four and twenty tailors went to kill a snail,

4 and twenty tailors set out to catch a snail,

The best man among them durst not touch her tail;

The best man among them didn't dare touch her tail;

She put out her horns like a little Kyloe cow,

She stuck out her horns like a small Kyloe cow,

Run, tailors, run, or she'll kill you all e'en now.

Run, tailors, run, or she'll kill you all right now.

DX.

[A Dorsetshire version.]

[A Dorset version.]

'Twas the twenty-ninth of May, 'twas a holiday,

It was the twenty-ninth of May, it was a holiday,

Four and twenty tailors set out to hunt a snail;

The snail put forth his horns, and roared like a bull,

The snail extended its antennae and bellowed like a bull,

Away ran the tailors, and catch the snail who wull.

Away ran the tailors, and catch the snail who will.

[page 257]

DXI.

Croak! said the Toad, I'm hungry, I think,

Croak! said the Toad, I'm feeling hungry, I guess,

To-day I've had nothing to eat or to drink,

I'll crawl to a garden and jump through the pales,

And there I'll dine nicely on slugs and on snails;

And there I'll enjoy a nice meal of slugs and snails;

Ho, ho! quoth the Frog, is that what you mean?

Ho, ho! said the Frog, is that what you mean?

Then I'll hop away to the next meadow stream,

Then I'll jump over to the next meadow stream,

There I will drink, and eat worms and slugs too,

And then I shall have a good dinner like you.

And then I’ll have a nice dinner just like you.

DXII.

Gray goose and gander,

Gray goose and gander,

Waft your wings together,

Flap your wings together,

And carry the good king's daughter

And take the good king's daughter

Over the one strand river.

Over the single strand river.

DXIII.

Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, where have you been?

Cat, kitty, where have you been?

I've been up to London to look at the queen.

I've been to London to see the queen.

Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, what did you there?

Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, what did you do there?

I frighten'd a little mouse under the chair.

I scared a little mouse under the chair.

[page 258]

DXIV.

I had a little dog, and they called him Buff;

I have a little dog, and they called him Buff;

I sent him to the shop for a hap'orth of snuff;

I sent him to the store for a halfpenny worth of snuff;

But he lost the bag, and spill'd the snuff,

But he lost the bag and spilled the snuff,

So take that cuff, and that's enough.

So take that cuff, and that's all you need.

DXV.

All of a row,

All in a row,

Bend the bow,

Draw the bow,

Shot at a pigeon,

Shot a pigeon,

And killed a crow.

DXVI.

The cock doth crow,

The rooster crows,

To let you know,

Just so you know,

If you be wise,

If you're wise,

'Tis time to rise.

It's time to get up.

DXVII.

There was an owl lived in an oak,

There was an owl that lived in an oak,

Wisky, wasky, weedle;

And every word he ever spoke

And every word he ever said

Was fiddle, faddle, feedle.

Was nonsense.

A gunner chanced to come that way,

A gunner happened to pass by that way,

Wisky, wasky, weedle;

Says he, "I'll shoot you, silly bird."

Fiddle, faddle, feedle.

[page 259]

DXVIII.

When the snow is on the ground,

When the snow is on the ground,

Little Robin Red-breast grieves;

Little Robin Red-breast is sad;

For no berries can be found,

And on the trees there are no leaves.

And the trees have no leaves.

The air is cold, the worms are hid,

The air is cold, the worms are hidden,

For this poor bird what can be done?

For this poor bird, what can we do?

We'll strew him here some crumbs of bread,

We'll scatter some crumbs of bread for him here,

And then he'll live till the snow is gone.

And then he'll live until the snow melts away.

DXIX.

A pie sate on a pear-tree,

A pie sat on a pear tree,

A pie sate on a pear-tree,

A pie sat on a pear tree,

A pie sate on a pear-tree,

A pie sat on a pear tree,

Heigh O, heigh O, heigh O!

Once so merrily hopp'd she,

She hopped happily once.

Twice so merrily hopp'd she,

She hopped twice as happily,

Thrice so merrily hopp'd she,

She hopped three times merrily,

Heigh O, heigh O, heigh O!

DXX.

[An ancient Suffolk song for a bad singer.]

[An old Suffolk song for a bad singer.]

There was an old crow

There was an old crow

Sat upon a clod:

Sat on a lump:

There's an end of my song,

There's an end to my song,

That's odd!

That's strange!

[page 260]

DXXI.

Cuckoo, Cuckoo,

Cuckoo, Cuckoo,

What do you do?

What are you up to?

In April

I open my bill;

I check my bill;

In May

I sing night and day;

I sing all the time;

In June

I change my tune;

I changed my mind;

In July

Away I fly;

I'm outta here;

In August

Away I must.

I have to go.

DXXII.

"Robert Barnes, fellow fine,

Robert Barnes, fellow fine,

Can you shoe this horse of mine?"

Can you put shoes on this horse of mine?

"Yes, good sir, that I can,

"Yes, good sir, I can do that,"

As well as any other man:

As well as any other guy:

There's a nail, and there's a prod,

There's a nail, and there's a push,

And now, good sir, your horse is shod."

And now, good sir, your horse has been shod.

DXXIII.

Catch him, crow! carry him, kite!

Get him, crow! carry him, kite!

Take him away till the apples are ripe;

Take him away until the apples are ripe;

When they are ripe and ready to fall,

When they are ripe and ready to drop,

Home comes [Johnny,] apples and all.

Home comes Johnny, apples and all.

[page 261]

DXXIV.

Dickery, dickery, dare,

Dickery, dickery, dare,

The pig flew up in the air;

The pig flew up into the air;

The man in brown soon brought him down,

The man in brown quickly took him down,

Dickery, dickery, dare.

DXXV.

Hickety, pickety, my black hen,

Hickety, pickety, my black hen,

She lays eggs for gentlemen;

She lays eggs for guys;

Gentlemen come every day

Guys come every day

To see what my black hen doth lay.

To see what my black hen lays.

DXXVI.

Pussy sat by the fire-side

Cat sat by the fire

In a basket full of coal-dust;

In a basket full of coal dust;

Bas-

ket,

Coal-

Coal

dust,

dust

In a basket full of coal-dust!

In a basket full of coal dust!

DXXVII.

Little Robin Red-breast

Little Robin Redbreast

Sat upon a rail:

Sat on a rail:

Niddle naddle went his head,

Wiggle waggle went his tail.

[page 262]

DXXVIII.

Little Robin Red-breast,

Sat upon a hirdle;

Sat on a hurdle;

With a pair of speckled legs,

With a pair of spotted legs,

And a green girdle.

And a green belt.

DXXIX.

Johnny Armstrong kill'd a calf,

Johnny Armstrong killed a calf,

Peter Henderson got the half;

Peter Henderson got the info;

Willy Wilkinson got the head,

Willy Wilkinson got the top,

Ring the bell, the calf is dead!

DXXX.

Hie hie, says Anthony,

Hey, says Anthony,

Puss in the pantry

Cat in the pantry

Gnawing, gnawing

A mutton mutton-bone;

A lamb bone;

See now she tumbles it,

Look, she’s tossing it now,

See now she mumbles it,

Now she mumbles it.

See how she tosses

Check out how she tosses

The mutton mutton-bone.

The lamb shank.

DXXXI.

A long-tail'd pig, or a short-tail'd pig,

A long-tail pig, or a short-tailed pig,

Or a pig without e'er a tail,

Or a pig without ever a tail,

A sow-pig, or a boar-pig,

A female pig or a male pig,

Or a pig with a curly tail.

[page 263]

DXXXII.

Once I saw a little bird,

I once saw a small bird,

Come hop, hop, hop;

Come jump, jump, jump;

So I cried, little bird,

Will you stop, stop, stop?

Will you just stop?

And was going to the window,

And was heading to the window,

To say how do you do?

To ask, how's it going?

But he shook his little tail,

But he wagged his little tail,

And far away he flew.

And he flew far away.

DXXXIII.

[The following stanza is of very considerable antiquity, and is common in Yorkshire. See Hunter's 'Hallamshire Glossary,' p. 56.]

[The following stanza is quite old and is commonly found in Yorkshire. See Hunter's 'Hallamshire Glossary,' p. 56.]

Lady-cow, lady-cow, fly thy way home,

Ladybug, ladybug, fly your way home,

Thy house is on fire, thy children all gone,

Your house is on fire, and your children are all gone,

All but one that ligs under a stone,

All but one that lies under a stone,

Fly thee home, lady-cow, ere it be gone.

Fly home, ladybug, before it’s too late.

DXXXIV.

Riddle me, riddle me, ree,

A hawk sate upon a tree;

A hawk sat on a tree;

And he says to himself, says he,

And he says to himself,

Oh dear! what a fine bird I be.

Oh dear! What a beautiful bird I am.

[page 264]

DXXXV.

[Bird boy's song.]

[Bird Boy's Song.]

Eat, Birds, eat, and make no waste,

I lie here and make no haste;

I lie here and take my time;

If my master chance to come,

If my master happens to come,

You must fly, and I must run.

You have to fly, and I have to run.

DXXXVI.

Pussy cat Mole,

Kitten cat Mole,

Jump'd over a coal,

Jumped over a coal,

And in her best petticoat burnt a great hole.

And in her favorite petticoat, there was a big burn hole.

Poor pussy's weeping, she'll have no more milk,

Poor kitty's crying, she won't have any more milk,

Until her best petticoat's mended with silk.

Until her best petticoat is mended with silk.

DXXXVII.

As I went to Bonner,

I met a pig

I met a pig.

Without a wig,

Without a hairpiece,

Upon my word and honour.

I swear on my honor.

DXXXVIII.

There was a little one-eyed gunner

There was a little cyclops gunner

Who kill'd all the birds that died last summer.

Who killed all the birds that died last summer?

[page 265]

DXXXIX.

There was a piper, he'd a cow,

There was a piper, he had a cow,

And he'd no hay to give her

And he had no hay to give her.

He took his pipes and played a tune,

He grabbed his pipes and played a song,

Consider, old cow, consider!

Think, old cow, think!

The cow considered very well,

The cow thought carefully,

For she gave the piper a penny,

That he might play the tune again,

That he could play the song again,

Of corn rigs are bonnie!

Corn rigs are beautiful!

DXL.

As titty mouse sat in the witty to spin,

As the little mouse sat in the cozy spot to spin,

Pussy came to her and bid her good ev'n,

Pussy came to her and said good evening,

"Oh, what are you doing, my little 'oman?"

"Oh, what are you doing, my little woman?"

"A spinning a doublet for my gude man."

"A spinning a doublet for my good man."

"Then shall I come to thee and wind up thy thread,"

"Then I will come to you and finish your thread,"

"Oh no, Mrs. Puss, you'll bite off my head."

"Oh no, Mrs. Puss, you're going to bite off my head."

DXLI.

Shoe the colt,

Shoe the horse,

Shoe the colt,

Shoe the horse,

Shoe the wild mare,

Shoe the wild horse,

Here a nail,

Here's a nail,

There a nail,

There's a nail,

Yet she goes bare.

Yet she goes without makeup.

[page 266]

DXLII.

Betty Pringle had a little pig,

Betty Pringle had a pet pig,

Not very little and not very big,

Not too small and not too big,

When he was alive he lived in clover,

When he was alive, he lived a life of luxury,

But now he's dead, and that's all over.

But now he's gone, and that's that.

So Billy Pringle he laid down and cried,

So Billy Pringle lay down and cried,

And Betty Pringle she laid down and died;

And Betty Pringle lay down and died;

So there was an end of one, two, and three:

So there was an end to one, two, and three:

Billy Pringle he,

Billy Pringle, he's

Betty Pringle she,

Betty Pringle, she's,

And the piggy wiggy.

And the piggy.

DXLIII.

Cock Robin got up early,

Cock Robin woke up early,

At the break of day,

At dawn,

And went to Jenny's window,

To sing a roundelay.

To sing a round.

He sang Cock Robin's love

He sang about Cock Robin's love

To the pretty Jenny Wren,

To the lovely Jenny Wren,

And when he got unto the end,

And when he reached the end,

Then he began again.

Then he started again.

DXLIV.

I had two pigeons bright and gay,

I have two cheerful and lively pigeons,

They flew from me the other day;

They flew away from me the other day;

What was the reason they did go?

What was the reason they went?

I cannot tell for I do not know.

I can’t say because I don’t know.

[page 267]

DXLV.

Jack Sprat's pig,

Jack Sprat's pig,

He was not very little,

He was not very small.

Nor yet very big;

Not very big yet;

He was not very lean,

He wasn't very lean,

He was not very fat;

He wasn't very fat;

He'll do well for a grunt,

He'll do great as a low-level worker,

Says little Jack Sprat.

Says young Jack Sprat.

DXLVI.

[The Proverb of Barnaby Bright is given by Ray and Brand as referring to St. Barnabas.]

[The Proverb of Barnaby Bright is described by Ray and Brand as relating to St. Barnabas.]

Barnaby Bright he was a sharp cur,

Barnaby Bright he was a clever dog,

He always would bark if a mouse did but stir;

He would always bark if a mouse just made a sound;

But now he's grown old, and can no longer bark,

But now he's old and can't bark anymore,

He's condemn'd by the parson to be hanged by the clerk.

He's being condemned by the pastor to be hanged by the clerk.

DXLVII.

Pussy cat eat the dumplings, the dumplings,

Cat eats the dumplings.

Pussy cat eat the dumplings.

Cat eats the dumplings.

Mamma stood by,

Mom stood by,

And cried, Oh, fie!

And cried, Oh, no!

Why did you eat the dumplings?

[page 268]

DXLVIII.

The robin and the wren,

The robin and the wren,

They fought upon the parrage pan;

They battled on the battlefield;

But ere the robin got a spoon,

But before the robin got a spoon,

The wren had eat the parrage down.

The wren had eaten the parrage down.

DXLIX.

Little Bob Robin,

Bob Robin

Where do you live?

Where do you reside?

Up in yonder wood, sir,

In that woods, sir,

On a hazel twig.

On a hazel branch.

DL.

The winds they did blow,

The winds blew,

The leaves they did wag;

The leaves swayed;

Along came a beggar boy,

A beggar boy appeared,

And put me in his bag.

He took me up to London,

He brought me to London,

A lady did me buy,

A woman bought something for me,

Put me in a silver cage,

And hung me up on high.

And hung me up high.

With apples by the fire,

With apples by the fireplace,

And nuts for to crack,

And nuts to crack,

Besides a little feather bed

Besides a small feather bed

To rest my little back.

To rest my back.

[page 269]

DLI.

I had a little cow, to save her,

I have a little cow, to save her,

I turned her into the meadow to graze her;

I led her into the meadow to graze;

There came a heavy storm of rain,

It was pouring rain,

And drove the little cow home again.

And took the little cow home again.

The church doors they stood open,

The church doors stood wide open,

And there the little cow was cropen:

And there was the little cow grazing:

The bell-ropes they were made of hay,

The bell ropes were made of hay,

And the little cow eat them all away:

And the little cow ate them all up:

The sexton came to toll the bell,

The caretaker came to ring the bell,

And pushed the little cow into the well!

And shoved the little cow into the well!

DLII.

In the month of February,

In February,

When green leaves begin to spring,

When green leaves start to grow,

Little lambs do skip like fairies,

Birds do couple, build, and sing.

Birds mate, build nests, and sing.

DLIII.

Pussy sits behind the fire,

Cat sits behind the fire,

How can she be fair?

How can she be just?

In comes the little dog,

Here comes the little dog,

Pussy, are you there?

Hey, are you there?

So, so, Mistress Pussy,

So, Mistress Pussy,

Pray how do you do?

How are you?

Thank you, thank you, little dog,

I'm very well just now.

I'm doing really well right now.

[page 270]

DLIV.

The dove says coo, coo, what shall I do?

The dove says coo, coo, what do I do?

I can scarce maintain two.

I can barely handle two.

Pooh, pooh, says the wren, I have got ten,

Pooh, pooh, says the wren, I have ten,

And keep them all like gentlemen!

And treat them all like gentlemen!

DLV.

Bow, wow, wow,

Whose dog art thou?

Whose dog are you?

Little Tom Tinker's dog,

Little Tom Tinker's pup,

Bow, wow, wow.

DLVI.

Pitty Patty Polt,

Pity Patty Polt,

Shoe the wild colt!

Shoe the wild horse!

Here a nail;

Here's a nail;

And there a nail;

And there's a nail;

Pitty Patty Polt.

Pity Party Polt.

DLVII.

How d' 'e dogs, how? whose dog art thou,

How are the dogs, huh? Whose dog are you?

Little Tom Tinker's dog! what's that to thou?

Little Tom Tinker's dog! What does that mean to you?

Hiss! bow, a wow, wow!

Hiss! Bow, wow, wow!

[page 271]

DLVIII.

Bobbin-a-Bobbin bent his bow,

Bobbin-a-Bobbin drew his bow,

And shot at a woodcock and kill'd a yowe:

And shot at a woodcock and killed a sheep:

The yowe cried ba, and he ran away,

The ewe bleated "baa," and he ran away,

But never came back 'till midsummer-day.

But never came back until midsummer day.

DLIX.

A little cock sparrow sat on a green tree, (tris)

A bit cock sparrow sat on a green tree, (tris)

And he cherruped, he cherruped so merry was he; (tris)

And he chirped, he chirped so happily; (tris)

A little cock-sparrow sat on a green tree,

A little sparrow sat on a green tree,

And he cherruped, he cherruped so merry was he.

And he chirped, he chirped so happily was he.

A naughty boy came with his wee bow and arrow, (tris)

A mischievous boy showed up with his little bow and arrow, (tris)

Determined to shoot this little cock sparrow, (tris)

A naughty, &c.

A naughty, etc.

Determined, &c.

Determined, etc.

This little cock sparrow shall make me a stew, (tris)

This little cock sparrow will make me a stew, (tris)

And his giblets shall make me a little pie too, (tris)

And his entrails will make me a little pie too, (tris)

Oh, no! said ye sparrow I won't make a stew,

Oh, no! said the sparrow. I won't make a stew,

So he flapped his wings and away he flew!

So he flapped his wings and took off!

[page 272]

DLX.

Snail, snail, put out your horns,

Snail, snail, show us your antennae,

I'll give you bread and barleycorns.

I'll give you bread and grain.

DLXI.

[The following song is given in Whiter's 'Specimen, or a Commentary on Shakespeare,' 8vo, London, 1794, p. 19, as common in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. Dr. Farmer gives another version as an illustration of a ditty of Jacques in 'As You Like It,' act ii, sc. 5. See Malone's Shakespeare, ed. 1821, vol. vi, p. 398; Caldecott's 'Specimen,' 1819, note on 'As You Like It,' p. 11; and Douce's 'Illustrations,' vol. i, p. 297.]

[The following song is found in Whiter's 'Specimen, or a Commentary on Shakespeare,' 8vo, London, 1794, p. 19, and is commonly known in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. Dr. Farmer offers another version as an example of a song by Jacques in 'As You Like It,' act ii, sc. 5. See Malone's Shakespeare, ed. 1821, vol. vi, p. 398; Caldecott's 'Specimen,' 1819, note on 'As You Like It,' p. 11; and Douce's 'Illustrations,' vol. i, p. 297.]

Dame, what makes your ducks to die?

Ma'am, what causes your ducks to die?

What the pize ails 'em? what the pize ails 'em?

What the heck is wrong with them? What the heck is wrong with them?

They kick up their heels, and there they lie,

They kick up their heels, and there they are,

What the pize ails 'em now?

What the heck is bothering them now?

Heigh, ho! heigh, ho!

Hey, ho! hey, ho!

Dame, what makes your ducks to die?

Dame, what causes your ducks to die?

What a pize ails 'em? what a pize ails 'em?

What the heck is wrong with them? What the heck is wrong with them?

Heigh, ho! heigh, ho!

Hey, ho! hey, ho!

Dame, what ails your ducks to die?

Dame, what's wrong with your ducks that they're dying?

Eating o' polly-wigs, eating o' polly-wigs.

Eating of polly-wigs, eating of polly-wigs.

Heigh, ho! heigh, ho!

Hey, ho! hey, ho!

DLXII.

Lady bird, lady bird, fly away home,

Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home,

Thy house is on fire, thy children all gone,

Your house is on fire, and your children are all gone,

All but one, and her name is Ann,

And she crept under the pudding-pan.

And she crawled under the pudding pan.

[page 273]

DLXIII.

Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree,

Small Robin Redbreast sat in a tree,

Up went Pussy cat, and down went he;

Up went the kitty, and down he went;

Down came Pussy cat, and away Robin ran;

Down came Pussy cat, and away ran Robin;

Says little Robin Redbreast, "Catch me if you can."

Little Robin Redbreast jump'd upon a wall,

Little Robin Redbreast jumped up on a wall,

Pussy cat jump'd after him, and almost got a fall,

Pussy cat jumped after him and almost fell,

Little Robin chirp'd and sang, and what did Pussy say?

Little Robin chirped and sang, and what did Pussy say?

Pussy cat said "Mew," and Robin jump'd away.

Pussy cat said "Meow," and Robin jumped away.

DLXIV.

There was a little boy went into a barn,

A little boy went into a barn,

And lay down on some hay;

And lie down on some hay;

An owl came out and flew about,

An owl emerged and soared around,

And the little boy ran away.

And the little boy ran off.

DLXV.

Snail, snail, shut out your horns;

Snail, snail, pull in your horns;

Father and mother are dead:

Parents are dead:

Brother and sister are in the back yard,

Brother and sister are in the backyard,

Begging for barley bread.

Begging for bread.

[page 274]

DLXVI.

I had a little hen, the prettiest ever seen,

I have a little hen, the prettiest ever seen,

She washed me the dishes, and kept the house clean:

She washed the dishes and kept the house clean.

She went to the mill to fetch me some flour;

She went to the mill to get me some flour;

She brought it home in less than an hour;

She brought it home in under an hour;

She baked me my bread, she brew'd me my ale,

She baked me my bread, she brewed me my ale,

She sat by the fire and told many a fine tale.

She sat by the fire and shared many great stories.

DLXVII.

Pussey cat sits by the fire,

Pussey cat lounges by the fire,

How did she come there?

How did she get here?

In walks the little dog,

Here comes the little dog,

Says, "Pussey! are you there?

Says, "Pussey! Are you there?

How do you do, Mistress Pussey?

How are you, Mistress Pussey?

Mistress Pussey, how d'ye do?"

"How are you, Mistress Pussey?"

"I thank you kindly, little dog,

"I really appreciate it, little dog,

I fare as well as you!"

I’m doing just as well as you!

DLXVIII.

[A north country version of a very common nursery rhyme, sung by a child, who imitates the crowing of a cock.]

[A north country version of a very common nursery rhyme, sung by a child, who imitates the crowing of a rooster.]

Cock-a-doodle-do,

Rooster crow,

My dad's gane to ploo;

My dad's gone to play;

Mammy's lost her pudding-poke,

Mom's lost her pudding spoon,

And knows not what to do.

And doesn't know what to do.

[page 275]

DLXIX.

Higglepy Piggleby,

My black hen,

My black chicken,

She lays eggs

She lays eggs.

For gentlemen;

For men;

Sometimes nine,

Sometimes 9,

And sometimes ten,

Higglepy Piggleby,

My black hen!

My black chicken!

DLXX.

Pretty John Watts,

Handsome John Watts,

We are troubled with rats,

We're dealing with rats,

Will you drive them out of the house?

Will you kick them out of the house?

We have mice, too, in plenty,

We also have plenty of mice.

That feast in the pantry;

But let them stay,

But let them remain,

And nibble away;

And snack away;

What harm in a little brown mouse?

What harm is there in a little brown mouse?

DLXXI.

Jack Sprat

Had a cat,

Had a cat.

It had but one ear;

It had only one ear;

It went to buy butter,

It went to get butter,

When butter was dear.

When butter was expensive.

[page 276]

DLXXII.

On Christmas eve I turn'd the spit,

On Christmas Eve, I turned the spit,

I burnt my fingers, I feel it yet;

I burned my fingers, and I can still feel it;

The cock sparrow flew over the table;

The sparrow flew over the table;

The pot began to play with the ladle.

The pot started to mess around with the ladle.

DLXXIII.

See, saw, Margery Daw,

See, saw, Margery Daw,

The old hen flew over the malt house,

The old hen flew over the grain storage building,

She counted her chickens one by one,

Still she missed the little white one,

Still, she missed the little white one,

And this is it, this is it, this is it.

DLXXIV.

Hurly, burly, trumpet trase,

Hurly, burly, trumpet trace,

The cow was in the market place,

The cow was in the marketplace,

Some goes far, and some goes near,

Some go far, and some go near,

But where shall this poor henchman steer?

But where should this poor henchman go?

DLXXV.

There was an old woman had three cows,

There was an old woman who had three cows,

Rosy, and Colin, and Dun;

Rosy, Colin, and Dun;

Rosy and Colin were sold at the fair,

And Dun broke his head in a fit of despair

And Dun hit his head in a fit of despair.

And there was an end of her three cows,

And that was the end of her three cows,

Rosy, and Colin, and Dun.

Rosy, Colin, and Dun.

[page 277]

DLXXVI.

I'll away yhame,

I'll leave you,

And tell my dame,

And tell my lady,

That all my geese

Are gane but yane;

Are gone but one;

And it's a steg (gander),

And it's a male goose,

And it's lost a leg;

And it lost a leg;

And it'll be gane

And it'll be gone

By I get yhame.

By I get your name.

DLXXVII.

[Imitated from a pigeon.]

[Copied from a pigeon.]

Curr dhoo, curr dhoo,

curr dhoo, curr dhoo,

Love me, and I'll love you!

Love me, and I'll love you back!

DLXXVIII.

I like little pussy, her coat is so warm,

I like little kitty, her fur is so soft,

And if I don't hurt her she'll do me no harm;

And if I don't hurt her, she won't hurt me;

So I'll not pull her tail, nor drive her away,

So I won't pull her tail, nor chase her off,

But pussy and I very gently will play.

But I'll gently play with my cat.

DLXXIX.

Little cock robin peep'd out of his cabin,

Little Cock Robin peeked out of his little house,

To see the cold winter come in,

To witness the arrival of the cold winter,

Tit, for tat, what matter for that,

Tit, for tat, what does it matter?

He'll hide his head under his wing!

He'll tuck his head under his wing!

[page 278]

DLXXX.

The pettitoes are little feet,

The pettitoes are tiny feet,

And the little feet not big;

And the little feet aren't big;

Great feet belong to the grunting hog,

Great feet belong to the grunting pig,

And the pettitoes to the little pig.

And the tidbits for the little pig.

DLXXXI.

Charley Warley had a cow.

Black and white about the brow;

Black and white around the forehead;

Open the gate and let her go through,

Open the gate and let her pass through,

Charley Warley's old cow!

DLXXXII.

I had a little cow;

I had a small cow;

Hey-diddle, ho-diddle!

Hey diddle, ho diddle!

I had a little cow, and it had a little calf,

I had a small cow, and it had a small calf,

Hey-diddle, ho-diddle; and there's my song half.

Hey-diddle, ho-diddle; and there's my song halfway.

I had a little cow;

I had a small cow;

Hey-diddle, ho-diddle!

Hey diddle, ho diddle!

I had a little cow, and I drove it to the stall;

I had a small cow, and I took it to the barn;

Hey-diddle, ho-diddle; and there's my song all!

Hey-diddle, ho-diddle; and that’s my song, everyone!

[page 279]

DLXXXIII.

The Cock. Lock the dairy door,

The Rooster. Lock the dairy door,

Lock the dairy door!

Lock the milk door!

The Hen. Chickle, chackle, chee,

The Hen. Chick, cluck, cackle,

I haven't got the key!

I don't have the key!

DLXXXIV.

I had a little pony,

I had a pony,

His name was Dapple-gray,

His name was Dapple Gray,

I lent him to a lady,

I gave him to a woman,

To ride a mile away;

She whipped him, she slashed him,

She hit him, she cut him,

She rode him through the mire;

She rode him through the mud;

I would not lend my pony now

I won’t lend my pony now.

For all the lady's hire.

For all the lady's services.

DLXXXV.

Bah, bah, black sheep,

Bah, bah, black sheep,

Have you any wool?

Got any wool?

Yes, marry, have I,

Yes, I do.

Three bags full:

One for my master,

One for my boss,

And one for my dame,

And one for my lady,

But none for the little boy

But none for the little boy.

Who cries in the lane.

Who cries in the street.

[page 280]

DLXXXVI.

Hussy, hussy, where's your horse?

Hey, hussy, where's your horse?

Hussy, hussy, gone to grass!

Hussy, hussy, gone to pasture!

Hussy, hussy, fetch him home,

Hussy, hussy, bring him home,

Hussy, hussy, let him alone.

Hussy, hussy, leave him alone.

DLXXXVII.

Leg over leg,

Legs crossed,

As the dog went to Dover;

As the dog headed to Dover;

When he came to a stile,

When he got to a stile,

Jump he went over.

He jumped over.

DLXXXVIII.

Rowsty dowt, my fire's all out,

Rowsty doubt, my fire's gone out,

My little dame is not at home!

My little lady is not at home!

I'll saddle my cock, and bridle my hen,

I'll saddle my rooster, and bridle my hen,

And fetch my little dame home again!

And bring my little girl home again!

Home she came, tritty trot,

Home she came, trotting along,

She asked for the porridge she left in the pot;

She asked for the porridge she had left in the pot;

Some she ate and some she shod,

And some she gave to the truckler's dog;

And some she gave to the dog's owner;

She took up the ladle and knocked its head,

She picked up the ladle and tapped its end,

And now poor Dapsy dog is dead!

And now poor Dapsy the dog is dead!

[page 281]

DLXXXIX.

Little boy blue, come blow up your horn,

Small boy blue, come play your horn,

The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn;

The sheep are in the meadow, the cows are in the corn;

Where's the little boy that looks after the sheep?

Where's the little boy who takes care of the sheep?

He's under the hay-cock fast asleep.

He's under the haystack, fast asleep.

Will you wake him? No, not I;

Will you wake him? No, I won’t;

For if I do, he'll be sure to cry.

For if I do, he's definitely going to cry.

DXC.

Goosey, goosey, gander,

Goosey, goosey, gander,

Where shall I wander?

Where should I go?

Up stairs, down stairs,

Upstairs, downstairs,

And in my lady's chamber;

And in my lady's room;

There I met an old man

That would not say his prayers;

He wouldn't say his prayers;

I took him by the left leg,

I grabbed him by the left leg,

And threw him down stairs.

And threw him down the stairs.

DXCI.

Goosy, goosy, gander,

Goosey, goosey gander,

Who stands yonder?

Who is over there?

Little Betsy Baker;

Little Betsy Baker

Take her up, and shake her.

Take her up and shake her.

[page 282]

SIXTEENTH CLASS.

ACCUMULATIVE STORIES.

DXCII.

sell you the key of the king's garden:

sell you the key to the king's garden:

I sell you the string that ties the key, &c.

I sell you the string that holds the key, etc.

I sell you the rat that gnawed the string, &c.

I sell you the rat that chewed the string, etc.

I sell you the cat that caught the rat, &c.

I sell you the cat that caught the rat, etc.

I sell you the dog that bit the cat, &c.

I sell you the dog that bit the cat, etc.

[page 283]

DXCIII.

[Traditional pieces are frequently so ancient, that possibility will not be outraged by conjecturing the John Ball of the following piece to be the priest who took so distinguished a part in the rebellion temp. Richard II.]

[Traditional pieces are often so old that it’s not unreasonable to speculate that the John Ball in the following piece is the priest who played a significant role in the rebellion during the time of Richard II.]

John Ball shot them all;

John Scott made the shot,

John Scott made the shot.

But John Ball shot them all.

John Wyming made the priming,

John Wyming did the priming,

And John Brammer made the rammer,

And John Scott made the shot,

And John Scott took the shot,

But John Ball shot them all.

John Block made the stock,

John Block created the stock,

And John Brammer made the rammer,

And John Wyming made the priming,

And John Wyming did the priming,

And John Scott made the shot,

But John Ball shot them all.

But John Ball shot all of them.

John Crowder made the powder,

John Crowder created the powder,

And John Block made the stock,

And John Block created the stock,

And John Wyming made the priming,

And John Wyming prepared the priming,

And John Brammer made the rammer,

And John Scott made the shot,

And John Scott took the shot,

But John Ball shot them all.

But John Ball took them all down.

[page 284]

John Puzzle made the muzzle,

John Puzzle crafted the muzzle.

And John Crowder made the powder,

And John Block made the stock,

And John Block created the stock,

And John Wyming made the priming,

And John Wyming did the priming,

And John Brammer made the rammer,

And John Brammer created the rammer,

And John Scott made the shot,

And John Scott took the shot,

But John Ball shot them all.

But John Ball shot all of them.

John Clint made the flint,

John Clint made the tool,

And John Puzzle made the muzzle,

And John Crowder made the powder,

And John Block made the stock,

And John Block created the stock,

And John Wyming made the priming,

And John Wyming did the priming,

And John Brammer made the rammer,

And John Brammer created the rammer,

And John Scott made the shot,

But John Ball shot them all.

But John Ball shot all of them.

John Patch made the match,

John Patch organized the match,

John Clint made the flint,

John Clint made the lighter,

John Puzzle made the muzzle,

John Puzzle made the muzzle.

John Crowder made the powder,

John Crowder created the powder.

John Block made the stock,

John Block created the stock.

John Wyming made the priming,

John Wyming did the priming,

John Brammer made the rammer,

John Brammer created the rammer,

John Scott made the shot,

John Scott took the shot,

But John Ball shot them all.

[page 285]

DXCIV.

1. This is the house that Jack built.

1. This is the house that Jack built.

2. This is the malt

This is the malt.

That lay in the house that Jack built.

3. This is the rat,

This is the rat.

That ate the malt

That consumed the malt

That lay in the house that Jack built.

4. This is the cat,

This is the cat.

That kill'd the rat,

That killed the rat,

That ate the malt

That consumed the malt

That lay in the house that Jack built.

That was in the house that Jack built.

5. This is the dog,

This is the dog.

That worried the cat,

That stressed the cat,

That kill'd the rat,

That killed the rat,

That ate the malt

That consumed the malt

That lay in the house that Jack built.

6. This is the cow with the crumpled horn,

That toss'd the dog,

That threw the dog,

That worried the cat,

That stressed out the cat,

That kill'd the rat,

That killed the rat.

That ate the malt

That consumed the malt

That lay in the house that Jack built.

[page 286]

7. This is the maiden all forlorn,

7. This is the sad young woman,

That milk'd the cow with the crumpled horn,

That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,

That tossed the dog,

That threw the dog,

That worried the cat,

That stressed the cat,

That kill'd the rat,

That killed the rat.

That ate the malt

That consumed the malt

That lay in the house that Jack built.

8. This is the man all tatter'd and torn,

8. This is the man all tattered and torn,

That kissed the maiden all forlorn,

That kissed the sad girl all alone,

That milk'd the cow with the crumpled horn,

That milked the cow with the bent horn,

That tossed the dog,

That threw the dog,

That worried the cat,

That stressed the cat,

That kill'd the rat,

That killed the rat,

That ate the malt

That consumed the malt

That lay in the house that Jack built.

9. This is the priest all shaven and shorn,

9. This is the priest, completely shaven and trimmed,

That married the man all tatter'd and torn,

That married the man all tattered and torn,

That kissed the maiden all forlorn,

That kissed the lonely girl,

That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,

That milked the cow with the bent horn,

That tossed the dog,

That threw the dog,

That worried the cat,

That stressed the cat,

That kill'd the rat,

That killed the rat,

That ate the malt

That lay in the house that Jack built.

[page 287]

10. This is the cock that crow'd in the morn,

10. This is the rooster that crowed in the morning,

That waked the priest all shaven and shorn,

That woke the priest, perfectly groomed,

That married the man all tatter'd and torn,

That married the man all tattered and torn,

That kissed the maiden all forlorn,

That kissed the sad girl,

That milk'd the cow with the crumpled horn,

That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,

That tossed the dog,

That threw the dog,

That worried the cat,

That concerned the cat.

That kill'd the rat,

That killed the rat,

That ate the malt

That lay in the house that Jack built.

11. This is the farmer sowing his corn,

11. This is the farmer planting his corn,

That kept the cock that crow'd in the morn,

That kept the rooster that crowed in the morning,

That waked the priest all shaven and shorn,

That woke the priest all clean-shaven and trimmed,

That married the man all tatter'd and torn,

That married the man all tattered and torn,

That kissed the maiden all forlorn,

That kissed the missing girl,

That milk'd the cow with the crumpled horn,

That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,

That tossed the dog,

That threw the dog,

That worried the cat,

That made the cat anxious.

That killed the rat,

That killed the rodent.

That ate the malt

That consumed the malt

That lay in the house that Jack built.

[page 288]

DXCV.

[The original of 'The house that Jack built' is presumed to be a hymn in Sepher Haggadah, fol. 23, a translation of which is here given. The historical interpretation was first given by P. N. Leberecht, at Leipsic, in 1731, and is printed in the 'Christian Reformer,' vol. xvii, p. 28. The original is in the Chaldee language, and it may be mentioned that a very fine Hebrew manuscript of the fable, with illuminations, is in the possession of George Offer, Esq. of Hackney.]

[The original of 'The house that Jack built' is believed to be a hymn in Sepher Haggadah, fol. 23, a translation of which is provided here. The historical interpretation was first presented by P. N. Leberecht in Leipzig in 1731, and it is published in the 'Christian Reformer,' vol. xvii, p. 28. The original text is in Chaldee, and it's worth mentioning that a beautiful Hebrew manuscript of the fable, complete with illustrations, is owned by George Offer, Esq. of Hackney.]

1. A kid, a kid, my father bought,

A kid my father bought,

For two pieces of money:

For two coins:

A kid, a kid.

A child, a child.

2. Then came the cat, and ate the kid,

2. Then came the cat and ate the kid,

That my father bought

That my dad bought

For two pieces of money:

For two dollars:

A kid, a kid.

A child, a child.

3. Then came the dog, and bit the cat,

3. Then the dog came and bit the cat,

That ate the kid,

That took the kid,

That my father bought

That my dad bought

For two pieces of money:

For two coins:

A kid, a kid.

A child, a child.

4. Then came the staff, and beat the dog,

4. Then came the staff and hit the dog,

That bit the cat,

That bit the cat.

That ate the kid,

That my father bought

That my dad bought

For two pieces of money:

For two coins:

A kid, a kid.

A child, a child.

[page 289]

5. Then came the fire, and burned the staff,

That beat the dog,

That hit the dog.

That bit the cat,

That bit the cat.

That ate the kid,

That ate the kid.

That my father bought

That my dad bought

For two pieces of money:

For two coins:

A kid, a kid.

A child, a child.

6. Then came the water, and quenched the fire,

6. Then came the water, and put out the fire,

That burned the staff,

That burned the team.

That beat the dog,

That hit the dog,

That bit the cat,

That ate the kid,

That ate the kid.

That my father bought

That my dad bought

For two pieces of money:

For two coins:

A kid, a kid.

A child, a child.

7. Then came the ox, and drank the water,

That quenched the fire,

That put out the fire,

That burned the staff,

That hurt the team,

That beat the dog,

That mistreated the dog.

That bit the cat,

That bit the cat.

That ate the kid,

That ate the kid.

That my father bought

That my dad bought

For two pieces of money:

For two coins:

A kid, a kid.

A child, a child.

[page 290]

8. Then came the butcher, and slew the ox,

8. Then came the butcher and killed the ox,

That drank the water,

That quenched the fire,

That put out the fire,

That burned the staff,

That burned the team,

That beat the dog,

That hit the dog.

That bit the cat,

That bit the cat.

That ate the kid,

That my father bought

That my dad bought

For two pieces of money:

For two coins:

A kid, a kid.

A child, a child.

9. Then came the angel of death, and killed the butcher,

That slew the ox,

That killed the ox,

That drank the water,

That drank the water.

That quenched the fire,

That put out the fire.

That burned the staff,

That burned the team,

That beat the dog,

That hit the dog.

That bit the cat,

That got the cat.

That ate the kid,

That my father bought

That my dad bought

For two pieces of money:

For two bucks:

A kid, a kid.

A child, a child.

10. Then came the Holy One, blessed be He!

And killed the angel of death,

That killed the butcher,

That took out the butcher,

That slew the ox,

That killed the ox,

[page 291]

That drank the water,

That drank the water.

That quenched the fire,

That put out the fire,

That burned the staff,

That hurt the staff,

That beat the dog,

That hit the dog.

That bit the cat,

That bothered the cat,

That ate the kid,

That ate the kid.

That my father bought

That my dad bought

For two pieces of money:

For two coins:

A kid, a kid.

A child, a child.

The following is the interpretation:

1. The kid, which was one of the pure animals, denotes the Hebrews.

1. The kid, which was one of the pure animals, represents the Hebrews.

The father, by whom it was purchased, is Jehovah, who represents himself as sustaining this relation to the Hebrew nation. The two pieces of money signify Moses and Aaron, through whose mediation the Hebrews were brought out of Egypt.

The father who bought it is Jehovah, who shows himself as maintaining this relationship with the Hebrew nation. The two coins represent Moses and Aaron, through whom the Hebrews were freed from Egypt.

2. The cat denotes the Assyrians, by whom the ten tribes were carried into captivity.

2. The cat represents the Assyrians, who took the ten tribes into captivity.

3. The dog is symbolical of the Babylonians.

3. The dog represents the Babylonians.

4. The staff signifies the Persians.

4. The staff represents the Persians.

5. The fire indicates the Grecian empire under Alexander the Great.

5. The fire represents the Greek empire during Alexander the Great's reign.

6. The water betokens the Roman, or the fourth of the great monarchies to whose dominions the Jews were subjected.

6. The water represents the Roman Empire, or the fourth of the major monarchies that ruled over the Jews.

7. The ox is a symbol of the Saracens, who subdued Palestine, and brought it under the caliphate.

7. The ox represents the Saracens, who conquered Palestine and brought it under the caliphate.

8. The butcher that killed the ox denotes the crusaders, by whom the Holy Land was wrested out of the hands of the Saracens.

8. The butcher who killed the ox represents the crusaders, who took the Holy Land from the Saracens.

9. The angel of death signifies the Turkish power, by which the land of Palestine was taken from the Franks, and to which it is still subject.

9. The angel of death represents the Turkish power that took the land of Palestine from the Franks, and to which it is still subject.

10. The commencement of the tenth stanza is designed to show that God will take signal vengeance on the Turks, immediately after whose overthrow the Jews are to be restored to their own land, and live under the government of their long-expected Messiah.

10. The start of the tenth stanza shows that God will take decisive revenge on the Turks, after which the Jews will return to their homeland and live under the rule of their long-awaited Messiah.

[page 292]

DXCVI.

"An old woman was sweeping her house, and she found a little crooked sixpence. 'What,' said she, 'shall I do with this little sixpence? I will go to market, and buy a little pig.' As she was coming home, she came to a stile: the piggy would not go over the stile.

"An old woman was sweeping her house, and she found a little crooked sixpence. 'What,' she said, 'should I do with this little sixpence? I’ll go to the market and buy a little pig.' On her way home, she reached a stile, and the pig wouldn’t go over the stile."

"She went a little further, and she met a dog. So she said to the dog, 'Dog! bite pig; piggy won't go over the stile; and I shan't get home to-night.' But the dog would not.

"She went a little further and came across a dog. So she said to the dog, 'Dog! Bite the pig; the pig won't cross the stile; and I can't get home tonight.' But the dog didn't comply."

"She went a little further, and she met a stick. So she said, 'Stick! stick! beat dog; dog won't bite pig; piggy won't get over the stile; and I shan't get home to-night.' But the stick would not.

"She went a bit further and came across a stick. So she said, 'Stick! stick! beat the dog; the dog won’t bite the pig; the piggy won’t get over the stile; and I won’t get home tonight.' But the stick did nothing."

"She went a little further, and she met a fire. So she said, 'Fire! fire! burn stick; stick won't beat dog; dog won't bite pig,' (and so forth, always repeating the foregoing words.) But the fire would not.

"She went a bit further and found a fire. So she said, 'Fire! Fire! Burn stick; stick won't beat dog; dog won't bite pig,' (and so on, always repeating those same words.) But the fire didn’t respond."

[page 293]

"She went a little further, and she met some water. So she said, 'Water! water! quench fire; fire won't burn stick,' &c. But the water would not.

"She walked a bit further and came across some water. So she said, 'Water! Water! Put out the fire; the fire won't burn the stick,' etc. But the water wouldn't."

"She went a little further, and she met an ox. So she said, 'Ox! ox! drink water; water won't quench fire' &c. But the ox would not.

"She walked a bit further and came across an ox. So she said, 'Ox! Ox! Drink some water; water won't put out the fire' etc. But the ox wouldn't."

"She went a little further, and she met a butcher. So she said, 'Butcher! butcher! kill ox; ox won't drink water,' &c. But the butcher would not.

"She went a bit further and ran into a butcher. So she said, 'Butcher! Butcher! Kill the ox; the ox won't drink water,' etc. But the butcher refused."

"She went a little further, and she met a rope. So she said, 'Rope! rope! hang butcher; butcher won't kill ox,' &c. But the rope would not.

"She went a bit farther, and she came across a rope. So she said, 'Rope! rope! hang the butcher; the butcher won't kill the ox,' etc. But the rope didn’t respond."

"She went a little further, and she met a rat. So she said, 'Rat! rat! gnaw rope; rope won't hang butcher,' &c. But the rat would not.

"She walked a bit further and came across a rat. So she said, 'Rat! Rat! Chew the rope; the rope won’t hang the butcher,' etc. But the rat refused."

"She went a little further, and she met a cat. So she said, 'Cat! cat! kill rat; rat won't gnaw rope,' &c. But the cat said to her, 'If you will go to yonder cow, and fetch [page 294] me a saucer of milk, I will kill the rat.' So away went the old woman to the cow.

"She walked a bit farther and encountered a cat. So she said, 'Cat! cat! catch the rat; the rat won't chew the rope,' etc. But the cat responded, 'If you go to that cow over there and bring me a saucer of milk, I'll take care of the rat.' So the old woman went off to the cow."

"But the cow said to her, 'If you will go to yonder haystack,* and fetch me a handful of hay, I'll give you the milk.' So away went the old woman to the haystack; and she brought the hay to the cow.

"But the cow said to her, 'If you go to that haystack,* and bring me a handful of hay, I'll give you the milk.' So the old woman went to the haystack and brought the hay back to the cow."

"As soon as the cow had eaten the hay, she gave the old woman the milk; and away she went with it in a saucer to the cat.

"As soon as the cow finished eating the hay, she gave the old woman the milk, and off she went with it in a saucer to the cat."

"As soon as the cat had lapped up the milk, the cat began to kill the rat; the rat began to gnaw the rope; the rope began to hang the butcher; the butcher began to kill the ox; the ox began to drink the water; the water began to quench the fire; the fire began to burn the stick; the stick began to beat the dog; the dog began to bite the pig; the little pig in a fright jumped over the stile; and so the old woman got home that night."

"As soon as the cat finished drinking the milk, it started chasing the rat; the rat began to gnaw on the rope; the rope ended up hanging the butcher; the butcher started to slaughter the ox; the ox began to drink the water; the water managed to put out the fire; the fire was burning the stick; the stick began to hit the dog; the dog started to bite the pig; and the little pig, scared, jumped over the fence; and that's how the old woman made it home that night."

* Or haymakers, proceeding thus in the stead of the rest of this paragraph:—"And fetch me a wisp of hay, I'll give you the milk.—So away the old woman went, but the haymakers said to her,—If you will go to yonder stream, and fetch us a bucket of water, we'll give you the hay. So away the old woman went, but when she got to the stream, she found the bucket was full of holes. So she covered the bottom with pebbles, and then filled the bucket with water, and away she went back with it to the haymakers; and they gave her a wisp of hay."

* Or haymakers, proceeding instead of the rest of this paragraph:—"And get me a handful of hay, and I'll give you the milk." So the old woman went on her way, but the haymakers said to her, "If you go to that stream over there and bring us a bucket of water, we'll give you the hay." So the old woman went on her way, but when she arrived at the stream, she found the bucket was full of holes. So she covered the bottom with pebbles, filled the bucket with water, and then headed back to the haymakers; and they gave her a handful of hay.

[page 295]

DXCVII.

Titty Mouse and Tatty Mouse both lived in a house,

Titty Mouse went a leasing, and Tatty Mouse went a leasing,

Titty Mouse went on a lease, and Tatty Mouse went on a lease,

So they both went a leasing.

So they both went renting.

Titty Mouse leased an ear of corn, and Tatty Mouse leased an ear of corn,

Titty Mouse rented an ear of corn, and Tatty Mouse rented an ear of corn,

So they both leased an ear of corn.

So they both rented an ear of corn.

Titty Mouse made a pudding, and Tatty Mouse made a pudding,

So they both made a pudding.

So they both made a dessert.

And Tatty Mouse put her pudding into the pot to boil,

And Tatty Mouse put her pudding in the pot to cook,

But when Titty went to put hers in, the pot tumbled over, and scalded her to death.

But when Titty went to put hers in, the pot tipped over, and scalded her to death.

Then Tatty sat down and wept; then a three legged stool said, Tatty why do you weep? Titty's dead, said Tatty, and so I weep; then said the stool, I'll hop, so the stool hopped; then a besom in the corner of the room said, Stool, why do you hop? Oh! said the stool, Titty's dead, and Tatty [page 296] weeps, and so I hop; then said the besom, I'll sweep, so the besom began to sweep; then said the door, Besom, why do you sweep? Oh! said the besom, Titty's dead, and Tatty weeps, and the stool hops, and so I sweep; then said the door, I'll jar, so the door jarred; then said the window, Door, why do you jar? Oh! said the door, Titty's dead, and Tatty weeps, and the stool hops, and the besom sweeps, and so I jar; then said the window, I'll creak, so the window creaked; now there was an old form outside the house, and when the window creaked, the form said, Window, why do you creak? Oh! said the window, Titty's dead, and Tatty weeps, and the stool hops, and the besom sweeps, the door jars, and so I creak; then said the old form, I'll run round the house, then the old form ran round the house; now there was a fine large walnut tree growing by the cottage, and the tree said to the form, Form, why do you run round the house? Oh! said the form, Titty's dead, and Tatty weeps, and the stool hops, and the besom sweeps, the door jars, and the window creaks, and so I run round the house; then said the walnut [page 297] tree, I'll shed my leaves, so the walnut tree shed all its beautiful green leaves; now there was a little bird perched on one of the boughs of the tree, and when all the leaves fell, it said, Walnut tree, why do you shed your leaves? Oh! said the tree, Titty's dead, and Tatty weeps, the stool hops, and the besom sweeps, the door jars, and the window creaks, the old form runs round the house, and so I shed my leaves; then said the little bird, I'll moult all my feathers, so he moulted all his pretty feathers; now there was a little girl walking below, carrying a jug of milk for her brothers' and sisters' supper, and when she saw the poor little bird moult all its feathers, she said, Little bird, why do you moult all your feathers? Oh! said the little bird, Titty's dead, and Tatty weeps, the stool hops, and the besom sweeps, the door jars, and the window creaks, the old form runs round the house, the walnut tree sheds its leaves, and so I moult all my feathers; then said the little girl, I'll spill the milk, so she dropt the pitcher and spilt the milk; now there was an old man just by on the top of a ladder thatching a rick, and when he saw the little girl spill the milk, he [page 298] said, Little girl, what do you mean by spilling the milk, your little brothers and sisters must go without their supper; then said the little girl, Titty's dead, and Tatty weeps, the stool hops, and the besom sweeps, the door jars, and the window creaks, the old form runs round the house, the walnut tree sheds all its leaves, the little bird moults all its feathers, and so I spill the milk; Oh! said the old man, then I'll tumble off the ladder and break my neck, so he tumbled off the ladder and broke his neck; and when the old man broke his neck, the great walnut tree fell down with a crash, and upset thepg old form and house, and the house falling knocked the window out, and the window knocked the door down, and the door upset the besom, the besom upset the stool, and poor little Tatty Mouse was buried beneath the ruins.

Then Tatty sat down and cried; then a three-legged stool said, "Tatty, why are you crying?" "Titty's dead," said Tatty, "and that's why I'm crying." Then the stool said, "I'll hop," and it hopped. Then a broom in the corner of the room said, "Stool, why are you hopping?" "Oh!" said the stool, "Titty's dead, and Tatty's crying, so I'm hopping." Then the broom said, "I'll sweep," so the broom started to sweep. Then the door said, "Broom, why are you sweeping?" "Oh!" said the broom, "Titty's dead, and Tatty's crying, the stool hops, so I'm sweeping." Then the door said, "I'll creak," so the door creaked. Then the window said, "Door, why are you creaking?" "Oh!" said the door, "Titty's dead, and Tatty's crying, the stool hops, and the broom sweeps, so I'm creaking." Then the window said, "I'll creak," so the window creaked. Now there was an old bench outside the house, and when the window creaked, the bench said, "Window, why are you creaking?" "Oh!" said the window, "Titty's dead, and Tatty's crying, the stool hops, the broom sweeps, the door creaks, and so I creak." Then the old bench said, "I'll run around the house," and it ran around the house. Now there was a big walnut tree growing by the cottage, and the tree asked the bench, "Bench, why are you running around the house?" "Oh!" said the bench, "Titty's dead, and Tatty's crying, the stool hops, the broom sweeps, the door creaks, and the window creaks, so I run around the house." Then the walnut tree said, "I'll shed my leaves," and it shed all its beautiful green leaves. Now there was a little bird perched on one of the branches of the tree, and when all the leaves fell, it said, "Walnut tree, why are you shedding your leaves?" "Oh!" said the tree, "Titty's dead, and Tatty's crying, the stool hops, the broom sweeps, the door creaks, the window creaks, the old bench runs around the house, and that's why I shed my leaves." Then the little bird said, "I'll molt all my feathers," and it molted all its pretty feathers. Now there was a little girl walking below, carrying a jug of milk for her brothers and sisters' supper, and when she saw the poor little bird molt all its feathers, she said, "Little bird, why are you molting all your feathers?" "Oh!" said the little bird, "Titty's dead, and Tatty's crying, the stool hops, the broom sweeps, the door creaks, the window creaks, the old bench runs around the house, the walnut tree sheds its leaves, and so I molt all my feathers." Then the little girl said, "I'll spill the milk," and she dropped the pitcher and spilled the milk. Now there was an old man just nearby on the top of a ladder thatching a stack, and when he saw the little girl spill the milk, he said, "Little girl, what do you mean by spilling the milk? Your little brothers and sisters will have to go without their supper!" Then the little girl said, "Titty's dead, and Tatty's crying, the stool hops, the broom sweeps, the door creaks, the window creaks, the old bench runs around the house, the walnut tree sheds all its leaves, the little bird molted all its feathers, and that's why I spilled the milk." "Oh!" said the old man, "then I'll fall off the ladder and break my neck," and he fell off the ladder and broke his neck. And when the old man broke his neck, the great walnut tree fell down with a crash, upsetting the old bench and the house. The house collapsing knocked out the window, the window knocked down the door, the door knocked over the broom, the broom knocked over the stool, and poor little Tatty Mouse was buried beneath the ruins.

[page 299]

SEVENTEENTH CLASS—LOCAL.

DXCVIII.

here was a little nobby colt,

His name was Nobby Gray;

His name was Nobby Gray.

His head was made of pouce straw,

His head was made of soft straw,

His tail was made of hay;

He could ramble, he could trot,

He could wander, he could jog,

He could carry a mustard-pot,

He could carry a mustard bottle,

Round the town of Woodstock,

Around the town of Woodstock,

Hey, Jenny, hey!

Hey, Jenny!

[page 300]

DXCIX.

King's Sutton is a pretty town,

King's Sutton is a charming town,

And lies all in a valley;

There is a pretty ring of bells,

There is a nice ring of bells,

Besides a bowling-alley:

Next to a bowling alley:

Wine and liquor in good store,

Wine and liquor in good supply,

Pretty maidens plenty;

Plenty of pretty maidens;

Can a man desire more?

Can a man want more?

There ain't such a town in twenty.

There isn't a town like that anywhere.

DC.

The little priest of Felton,

The small priest of Felton,

The little priest of Felton,

The young priest of Felton,

He kill'd a mouse within his house,

He killed a mouse in his house,

And ne'er a one to help him.

And not a single person to help him.

DCI.

[The following verses are said by Aubrey to have been sung in his time by the girls of Oxfordshire in a sport called Leap Candle, which is now obsolete. See Thoms's 'Anecdotes and Traditions,' p. 96.]

[The following verses are said by Aubrey to have been sung in his time by the girls of Oxfordshire in a game called Leap Candle, which is no longer practiced. See Thoms's 'Anecdotes and Traditions,' p. 96.]

The tailor of Bicester,

The tailor in Bicester,

He has but one eye;

He has only one eye;

He cannot cut a pair of green galagaskins,

He can't make a pair of green galoshes,

If he were to try.

If he tries.

DCII.

Dick and Tom, Will and John,

Dick and Tom, Will and John,

Brought me from Nottingham.

[page 301]

DCIII.

At Brill on the Hill,

The wind blows shrill,

The wind howls,

The cook no meat can dress;

The cook can't prepare any meat;

At Stow in the Wold

In Stow-on-the-Wold

The wind blows cold,—

I know no more than this.

I don’t know anything more than this.

DCIV.

A man went a hunting at Reigate,

A man went hunting in Reigate,

And wished to leap over a high gate;

And wanted to jump over a high gate;

Says the owner, "Go round,

Says the owner, "Go around,

With your gun and your hound,

With your gun and your dog,

For you never shall leap over my gate."

For you will never get past my gate.

DCV.

Driddlety drum, driddlety drum,

Driddlety drum, driddlety drum,

There you see the beggars are come;

There you see the beggars have arrived;

Some are here, and some are there,

And some are gone to Chidley fair.

And some have gone to the Chidley fair.

DCVI.

Little boy, pretty boy, where was you born?

Small boy, cute boy, where were you born?

In Lincolnshire, master: come blow the cow's horn.

In Lincolnshire, master: come blow the cow horn.

A half-penny pudding, a penny pie,

A shoulder of mutton, and that love I.

A shoulder of mutton, and I love that.

[page 302]

DCVII

My father and mother,

My mom and dad,

My uncle and aunt,

Be all gone to Norton,

Be gone to Norton,

But little Jack and I.

But little Jack and me.

A little bit of powdered beef,

A little bit of ground beef,

And a great net of cabbage,

And a huge pile of cabbage,

The best meal I have had to-day,

The best meal I've had today,

Is a good bowl of porridge.

Is a good bowl of oatmeal.

DCVIII.

I lost my mare in Lincoln lane,

I lost my mare in Lincoln Lane,

And couldn't tell where to find her,

And couldn't figure out where to find her,

Till she came home both lame and blind,

With never a tail behind her.

DCIX.

Cripple Dick upon a stick,

Cripple Dick on a stick,

And Sandy on a sow,

And Sandy on a pig,

Riding away to Galloway,

Riding off to Galloway,

To buy a pound o' woo.

To buy a pound of wool.

DCX.

Little lad, little lad, where wast thou born?

Small boy, little boy, where were you born?

Far off in Lancashire, under a thorn,

Far away in Lancashire, beneath a thorn,

Where they sup sour milk in a ram's horn.

Where they drink sour milk from a ram's horn.

[page 303]

EIGHTEENTH CLASS—RELICS.

DCXI.

he girl in the lane, that couldn't speak plain,

the girl in the lane, who couldn't speak clearly,

Cried "gobble, gobble, gobble:"

The man on the hill, that couldn't stand still,

The guy on the hill who couldn't stay still,

Went hobble, hobble, hobble.

Hobbled along.

DCXII.

Hink, minx! the old witch winks,

Hink, little troublemaker! the old witch winks,

The fat begins to fry:

The fat starts to fry:

There's nobody at home but jumping Joan,

There's nobody at home except for jumping Joan,

Father, mother, and I.

Mom, Dad, and me.

[page 304]

DCXIII.

Baby and I

Baby and me

Were baked in a pie,

Baked in a pie,

The gravy was wonderful hot:

The gravy was great hot:

We had nothing to pay

We had no money to pay

To the baker that day,

And so we crept out of the pot.

And so we quietly climbed out of the pot.

DCXIV.

What are little boys made of, made of,

What are little boys made of, made of,

What are little boys made of?

Snaps and snails, and puppy-dog's tails;

Snails and puppy dog tails;

And that's what little boys are made of, made of.

What are little girls made of, made of, made of,

What are little girls made of?

Sugar and spice, and all that's nice;

Sugar, spice, and everything nice;

And that's what little girls are made of, made of.

And that’s what little girls are made of, made of.

DCXV.

If a body meet a body,

If a body meets a body,

In a field of fitches;

In a field of wildflowers;

Can a body tell a body

Can a body tell another body

Where a body itches?

Where does your body itch?

[page 305]

DCXVI.

Charley wag,

Charley wag,

Eat the pudding and left the bag.

Eat the pudding and leave the bag.

DCXVII.

Girls and boys, come out to play,

Girls and boys, come out and play,

The moon doth shine as bright as day;

The moon shines as bright as day;

Leave your supper, and leave your sleep,

Leave your dinner, and leave your sleep,

And come with your playfellows into the street.

And come out into the street with your friends.

Come with a whoop, come with a call,

Come with a shout, come with a call,

Come with a good will or not at all.

Come with good intentions or don't come at all.

Up the ladder and down the wall,

A halfpenny roll will serve us all.

A halfpenny roll will be enough for all of us.

You find milk, and I'll find flour,

You grab the milk, and I'll get the flour,

And we'll have a pudding in half an hour.

And we'll have dessert in half an hour.

DCXVIII.

Hannah Bantry in the pantry,

Hannah Bantry in the kitchen,

Eating a mutton bone;

Eating a lamb bone;

How she gnawed it, how she clawed it,

How she chewed it, how she scratched it,

When she found she was alone!

When she realized she was all alone!

DCXIX.

Rain, rain, go away,

Rain, rain, go away,

Come again another day;

Come back another day;

Little Arthur wants to play.

Arthur wants to play.

[page 306]

DCXX.

Little girl, little girl, where have you been?

Small girl, little girl, where have you been?

Gathering roses to give to the queen.

Gathering roses to present to the queen.

Little girl, little girl, what gave she you?

Little girl, little girl, what did she give you?

She gave me a diamond as big as my shoe.

She gave me a diamond that was as big as my shoe.

DCXXI.

Hark, hark,

Listen up,

The dogs do bark,

The dogs are barking.

Beggars are coming to town;

Panhandlers are coming to town;

Some in jags,

Some in tears,

Some in rags,

Some in tattered clothes,

And some in velvet gowns.

And some in velvet dresses.

DCXXII.

We're all in the dumps,

We're all feeling down,

For diamonds are trumps;

For diamonds are the best;

The kittens are gone to St. Paul's!

The kittens have gone to St. Paul's!

The babies are bit,

The babies are small,

The moon's in a fit,

The moon's in a mood,

And the houses are built without walls.

DCXXIII.

What's the news of the day,

What’s the news today?

Good neighbour, I pray?

Good neighbor, I pray?

They say the balloon

Is gone up to the moon.

[page 307]

DCXXIV.

Little Mary Ester,

Sat upon a tester,

Sitting on a tester,

Eating of curds and whey;

Eating curds and whey;

There came a little spider,

A tiny spider arrived,

And sat him down beside her,

And sat him down next to her,

And frightened Mary Ester away.

And scared Mary Ester away.

DCXXV.

Shake a leg, wag a leg, when will you gang?

Shake it up a leg, move it, when are you going?

At midsummer, mother, when the days are lang.

At midsummer, mom, when the days are long.

DCXXVI.

Willy boy, Willy boy, where are you going?

Willy boy, Willy boy, where are you headed?

I'll go with you, if I may.

I'll go with you, if that's okay.

I'm going to the meadow to see them a mowing,

I'm heading to the meadow to watch them mow.

I'm going to help them make hay.

DCXXVII.

To market, to market, a gallop, a trot,

To buy some meat to put in the pot;

To buy some meat to cook in the pot;

Threepence a quarter, a groat a side,

Three pence a quarter, a fourpenny piece a side,

If it hadn't been kill'd, it must have died.

If it hadn't been killed, it must have died.

[page 308]

DCXXVIII.

Come, let's to bed,

Let's go to bed.

Says Sleepy-head;

Says Sleepyhead;

Tarry a while, says Slow:

Wait a bit, says Slow:

Put on the pot,

Put on the kettle,

Says Greedy-gut,

Says Glutton,

Let's sup before we go.

Let's eat before we go.

DCXXIX.

How many days has my baby to play?

How many days does my baby have to play?

Saturday, Sunday, Monday,

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,

Saturday, Sunday, Monday.

DCXXX.

Daffy-down-dilly has come up to town,

Daffy-down-dilly has come to town,

In a yellow petticoat, and a green gown.

In a yellow petticoat and a green dress.

DCXXXI.

Little Tom Tucker

Little Tom Tucker

Sings for his supper;

Sings for his meal;

What shall he eat?

What should he eat?

White bread and butter.

How shall he cut it

How should he cut it?

Without e'er a knife?

Without ever a knife?

How will he be married

How will he get married?

Without e'er a wife?

Without ever a wife?

[page 309]

DCXXXII.

I can weave diaper thick, thick, thick,

I can weave diapers that are really, really thick,

And I can weave diaper thin,

And I can weave something as thin as a diaper,

I can weave diaper out of doors

I can make a diaper from leaves.

And I can weave diaper in.

And I can weave in the diaper.

DCXXXIII.

[The following is quoted in the song of Mad Tom. See my introduction to Shakespeare's Mids. Night's Dream, p. 55.]

The man in the moon drinks claret,

The man in the moon drinks red wine,

But he is a dull Jack-a-Dandy;

But he is a boring show-off;

Would he know a sheep's head from a carrot,

Would he be able to tell a sheep's head from a carrot,

He should learn to drink cider and brandy.

DCXXXIV.

[A marching air.]

[A marching tune.]

Darby and Joan were dress'd in black,

Darby and Joan were dressed in black,

Sword and buckle behind their back;

Sword and belt behind their back;

Foot for foot, and knee for knee,

Turn about Darby's company.

Turnabout Darby's company.

DCXXXV.

Barber, barber, shave a pig,

Barber, shave a pig,

How many hairs will make a wig?

How many hairs do you need to make a wig?

"Four and twenty, that's enough."

"Twenty-four, that's enough."

Give the barber a pinch of snuff.

[page 310]

DCXXXVI.

If all the seas were one sea,

What a great sea that would be!

What a fantastic sea that would be!

And if all the trees were one tree,

And if all the trees were just one tree,

What a great tree that would be!

What a awesome tree that would be!

And if all the axes were one axe,

And if all the axes were just one axe,

What a great axe that would be!

What a cool axe that would be!

And if all the men were one man,

And if all the men were one person,

What a great man he would be!

What a great guy he’d be!

And if the great man took the great axe,

And if the great man took the great axe,

And cut down the great tree,

And cut down the big tree,

And let it fall into the great sea,

And let it drop into the great sea,

What a splish splash that would be!

What a splish splash that would be!

DCXXXVII.

I had a little moppet,

I had a little kid,

I put it in my pocket,

And fed it with corn and hay;

And fed it corn and hay;

Then came a proud beggar,

Then came a confident beggar,

And swore he would have her,

And promised he would have her,

And stole little moppet away.

And took the little kid away.

DCXXXVIII.

The barber shaved the mason,

The barber shaved the bricklayer,

As I suppose

As I assume

Cut off his nose,

And popp'd it in a basin.

And dropped it in a bowl.

[page 311]

DXXXCIX.

Little Tommy Tacket,

Tommy Tacket,

Sits upon his cracket;

Sits on his chair;

Half a yard of cloth will make him coat and jacket;

Half a yard of fabric will make him a coat and jacket;

Make him coat and jacket,

Get him a coat and jacket.

Trowsers to the knee.

Knee-length trousers.

And if you will not have him, you may let him be.

And if you don’t want him, you can just leave him be.

DCXL.

Peg, peg, with a wooden leg,

Her father was a miller:

Her dad was a miller:

He tossed the dumpling at her head,

He threw the dumpling at her head,

And said he could not kill her.

And said he couldn't kill her.

DCXLI.

Parson Darby wore a black gown,

Parson Darby wore a black robe,

And every button cost half-a-crown;

And every button cost 25 pence;

From port to port, and toe to toe,

From harbor to harbor, and toe to toe,

Turn the ship and away we go!

Turn the ship, and let’s set sail!

DCXLII.

When Jacky's a very good boy,

When Jacky's a really good boy,

He shall have cakes and a custard;

He will have cakes and a custard;

But when he does nothing but cry,

But when he just keeps crying,

He shall have nothing but mustard.

He will have nothing but mustard.

[page 312]

DCXLIII.

Blow, wind, blow! and go, mill, go!

Blow, wind, blow! and move, mill, move!

That the miller may grind his corn;

That the miller can grind his grain;

That the baker may take it,

That the baker can take it,

And into rolls make it,

And roll it into shapes,

And send us some hot in the morn.

And send us some breakfast in the morning.

DCXLIV.

The quaker's wife got up to bake,

The Quaker's wife got up to bake,

Her children all about her,

Her kids all around her,

She gave them every one a cake,

She gave each of them a cake,

And the miller wants his moulter.

And the miller wants his share.

DCXLV.

Wash, hands, wash,

Wash your hands.

Daddy's gone to plough,

Dad's gone to plow,

If you want your hands wash'd,

If you want your hands washed,

Have them wash'd now.

Have them washed now.

[A formula for making young children submit to the operation of having their hands washed. Mutatis mutandis, the lines will serve as a specific for everything of the kind, as brushing hair, &c.]

[A formula for getting young children to agree to the process of having their hands washed. Mutatis mutandis, these lines will apply to everything similar, like brushing hair, etc.]

DCXLVI.

My little old man and I fell out,

Mine little old man and I had a falling out,

I'll tell you what 'twas all about:

I'll tell you what it was all about:

I had money, and he had none,

And that's the way the row begun.

And that's how the fight started.

[page 313]

DCXLVII.

Who comes here?

Who’s coming here?

A grenadier.

A soldier.

What do you want?

A pot of beer.

A keg of beer.

Where is your money?

Where's your money?

I've forgot.

I forgot.

Get you gone,

Get lost,

You drunken sot!

You drunk idiot!

DCXLVIII.

Go to bed, Tom!

Hit the hay, Tom!

Drunk or sober,

Go to bed, Tom!

Time for bed, Tom!

DCXLIX.

As I went over the water,

As I crossed the water,

The water went over me,

The water covered me,

I heard an old woman crying,

Will you buy some furmity?

Will you buy some porridge?

DCL.

High diddle doubt, my candle out,

High diddle doubt, my candle's out,

My little maid is not at home:

My little maid isn’t here:

Saddle my hog, and bridle my dog,

Saddle my bike, and put a leash on my dog,

And fetch my little maid home.

And bring my little maid home.

[page 314]

DCLI.

Around the green gravel the grass grows green,

Around the green gravel, the grass grows vibrant green,

And all the pretty maids are plain to be seen;

And all the pretty girls are easy to see;

Wash them with milk, and clothe them with silk,

Wash them with milk, and dress them in silk,

And write their names with a pen and ink.

DCLII.

As I was going to sell my eggs,

As I was getting ready to sell my eggs,

I met a man with bandy legs,

I met a guy with bow legs,

Bandy legs and crooked toes,

Bowed legs and crooked toes,

I tripped up his heels, and he fell on his nose.

I tripped him, and he fell flat on his face.

DCLIII.

Old Sir Simon the king,

Old King Sir Simon,

And young Sir Simon the 'squire,

And young Sir Simon the squire,

And old Mrs. Hickabout

And elderly Mrs. Hickabout

Kicked Mrs. Kickabout

Round about our coal fire!

Gather around our fireplace!

DCLIV.

A good child, a good child,

A good kid, a good kid,

As I suppose you be,

As I expect you to be,

Never laughed nor smiled

Never laughed or smiled

At the tickling of your knee.

At the touch of your knee.

[page 315]

DCLV.

Jacky, come give me thy fiddle

Jacky, come give me your fiddle

If ever thou mean to thrive;

If you ever plan to succeed;

Nay, I'll not give my fiddle,

Nay, I'm not going to give up my fiddle,

To any man alive.

To any man living.

If I should give my fiddle,

If I were to give my fiddle,

They'll think that I'm gone mad,

They'll think that I've gone crazy,

For many a joyful day

For many happy days

My fiddle and I have had.

DCLVI.

Blenky my nutty-cock,

Blenky my crazy cock,

Blenk him away;

Block him out;

My nutty-cock's never

My crazy cock's never

Been blenk'd to-day.

Been blinked today.

What wi' carding and spinning on't wheel,

What with carding and spinning on the wheel,

We've never had time to blenk nutty-cock weel;

We've never had time to think about anything seriously;

But let to-morrow come ever so sune,

But let tomorrow come as soon as it likes,

My nutty-cock it sall be blenk'd by nune.

My nutty cock will be blinded by none.

DCLVII.

To market, to market, to buy a plum-cake,

Back again, back again, baby is late;

Back again, back again, the baby is late;

To market, to market, to buy a plum-bun,

To the market, to the market, to buy a plum bun,

Back again, back again, market is done.

Back again, back again, the market is finished.

[page 316]

DCLVIII.

St. Thomas's-day is past and gone,

St. Thomas's Day has passed.

And Christmas is a-most a-come,

And Christmas is almost here,

Maidens arise,

Ladies rise,

And make your pies,

And make your pies.

And save poor tailor Bobby some.

And save some for poor tailor Bobby.

DCLIX.

How do you do, neighbour?

How's it going, neighbor?

Neighbour, how do you do?

Hey neighbor, how's it going?

I am pretty well,

I'm doing pretty well,

And how does Cousin Sue do?

And how is Cousin Sue doing?

She's pretty well,

She's doing pretty well.

And sends her duty to you,

And sends her regards to you,

So does bonnie Nell.

So does Bonnie Nell.

Good lack, how does she do?

Good grief, how is she doing?

[page 317]

	Page
A, B, C, and D,	16
A, B, C, tumble down D,	14
About the bush, Willy,	91
A carrion crow sat on an oak,	115
A cat came fiddling out of a barn,	219
A cow and a calf,	228
A diller, a dollar,	76
A dog and a cock,	61
A duck and a drake,	164
A for the ape, that we saw at the fair,	20
A good child, a good child,	314
A guinea it would sink,	74
A kid, a kid, my father bought,	288
A little cock sparrow sat on a green tree,	271
A little old man and I fell out,	144
A little old man of Derby,	153
All of a row,	258
A long-tail'd pig, or a short-tail'd pig,	262
A man of words and not of deeds,	70
A man of words and not of deeds,	71
A man went a hunting at Reigate,	301
A pie sate on a pear-tree,	259
Apple-pie, pudding, and pancake,	16
A pretty little girl in a round-eared cap,	92
A pullet in the pen,	71
A riddle, a riddle, as I suppose,	132
Around the green gravel the grass grows green,[page 318]	314
Arthur O'Bower has broken his band,	123
As I look'd out o' my chamber window,	120
As I walk'd by myself,	11
As I was going along, long, long,	107
As I was going by Charing Cross,	9
As I was going o'er London Bridge,	121
As I was going o'er London Bridge,	133
As I was going o'er Tipple Tine,	122
As I was going o'er Westminster Bridge,	130
As I was going to St. Ives,	133
As I was going to sell my eggs,	314
As I was going up Pippen-hill,	224
As I was going up the hill,	106
As I was walking o'er Little Moorfields,	96
As I went over Lincoln Bridge,	131
As I went over the water,	313
As I went over the water,	256
As I went through the garden gap,	132
As I went to Bonner,	264
As round as an apple, as deep as a cup,	132
As soft as silk, as white as milk,	122
As the days grow longer,	73
As the days lengthen,	73
As titty mouse sat in the witty to spin,	265
As Tommy Snooks and Bessy Brooks,	229
Astra Dabit Dominus, Gratisque Beabit Egenos,	77
A sunshiny shower,	73
A swarm of bees in May,	72
At Brill on the Hill,	301
At Dover dwells George Brown Esquire,	77
A thatcher of Thatchwood went to Thatchet a thatching,	138
At the siege of Belle-isle,	6
Awake, arise, pull out your eyes,	158
Awa', birds, away!	117
A was an apple-pie,	19
A was an archer, and shot at a frog,	18
Baby and I,	304
Bah, bah, black sheep,	279
Barber, barber, shave a pig,	309
Barnaby Bright he was a sharp cur,	267
Barney Bodkin broke his nose,[page 319]	204
Bat, bat,	172
Bessy Bell and Mary Gray,	246
Betty Pringle had a little pig,	266
Birch and green holly, boys,	77
Birds of a feather flock together,	232
Black we are, but much admired,	129
Black within, and red without,	130
Blenky my nutty-cock,	315
Blow, wind, blow! and go, mill, go!,	312
Blue eye beauty,	250
Bonny lass, canny lass, wilta be mine?,	246
Bounce Buckram, velvet's dear,	70
Bow, wow, wow,	270
Brave news is come to town,	225
Bryan O'Lin, and his wife, and wife's mother,	56
Buff says Buff to all his men,	158
Burnie bee, burnie bee,	254
Buz, quoth the blue fly,	105
Bye, baby bumpkin,	207
Bye, baby bunting,	210
Bye, O my baby,	209
Can you make me a cambric shirt,	241
Catch him, crow! carry him, kite!,	260
Charley wag,	305
Charley Warley had a cow,	278
Clap hands, clap hands,	172
Clap hands, clap hands!,	176
Cock a doodle doo,	214
Cock-a-doodle-do,	274
Cock Robin got up early,	266
Come, butter, come,	136
Come dance a jig,	220
Come, let's to bed,	308
Come when you're called,	80
Congeal'd water and Cain's brother,	128
Cripple Dick upon a stick,	302
Croak! said the Toad, I'm hungry, I think,	257
Cross patch,	79
Cuckoo, cherry tree,	173
Curly locks! curly locks! wilt thou be mine?,	250
Curr dhoo, curr dhoo,[page 320]	277
Cuckoo, Cuckoo,	260
Cushy cow bonny, let down thy milk,	135
Daffy-down-dilly has come up to town,	308
Dame, get up and bake your pies,	118
Dame, what makes your ducks to die?,	272
Dance, little baby, dance up high,	206
Dance, Thumbkin, dance,	155
Dance to your daddy,	206
Danty baby diddy,	208
Darby and Joan were dress'd in black,	309
Deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son John,	216
Dibbity, dibbity, dibbity, doe,	217
Dick and Tom, Will and John,	300
Dickery, Dickery, dare,	261
Did you see my wife, did you see, did you see,	231
Diddledy, diddledy, dumpty,	215
Ding, dong, bell,	213
Ding, dong, darrow,	221
Doctor Faustus was a good man,	81
Doodle, doodle, doo,	221
Doodledy, doodledy, doodledy, dan,	219
Draw a pail of water,	160
Driddlety drum, driddlety drum,	301
Eat, birds, eat, and make no waste,	264
Eggs, butter, bread,	180
Eighty-eight wor Kirby feight,	13
Elizabeth, Elspeth, Betsy and Bess,	132
Elsie Marley is grown so fine,	97
Every lady in this land,	124
Eye winker,	193
Father Iohnson Nicholas Iohnson's son,	79
Father Short came down the lane,	152
Feedum, fiddledum fee,	217
F for fig, J for Jig,	15
Fiddle-de-dee, fiddle-de-dee,	218
Flour of England, fruit of Spain,	124
Flowers, flowers, high-do,	183
Formed long ago, yet made to-day,[page 321]	131
For every evil under the sun,	74
Four and twenty tailors went to kill a snail,	256
Fox, a fox, a brummalary,	193
Friday night's dream,	75
Gay go up and gay go down,	156
Gilly silly Jarter,	218
Girls and boys, come out to play,	305
Give me a blow, and I'll beat 'em,	210
Good horses, bad horses,	175
Good Queen Bess was a glorious dame,	7
Goosey, goosey, gander,	281
Goosy, goosy, gander,	281
Go to bed first, a golden purse,	69
Go to bed Tom!,	313
Gray goose and gander,	257
Great A, little a,	15
Green cheese, yellow laces,	169
Handy Spandy, Jack a dandy,	216
Hannah Bantry in the pantry,	305
Hark, hark,	306
Hector Protector was dressed all in green,	9
Heetum peetum penny pie,	188
Hemp-seed I set,	233
Here am I, little jumping Joan,	200
Here come I,	194
Here comes a lusty wooer,	249
Here comes a poor woman from baby-land,	183
Here goes my lord,	168
Here sits the Lord Mayor,	181
Here stands a post,	177
Here we come a piping,	184
He that goes to see his wheat in May,	74
He that would thrive,	72
Hey! diddle, diddle,	219
Hey! diddle, diddle,	222
Hey diddle, dinketty, poppety, pet,	218
Hey ding a ding, what shall I sing?,	214
Hey, dorolot, dorolot,	219
Hey, my kitten, my kitten,	208
Hick-a-more, Hack-a-more,	120
Hic, hoc, the carrion crow,	116
Hickery, dickery, 6 and 7,	16
Hickety, pickety, my black hen,[page 322]	261
Hickory (1), Dickory (2), Dock (3),	174
Hickup, hickup, go away,	140
Hickup, snicup,	140
Hie hie, says Anthony,	262
Higglepy, Piggleby,	275
Higgledy piggledy,	126
High diddle ding,	9
High diddle doubt, my candle out,	313
High ding a ding, and ho ding a ding,	9
High, ding, cockatoo-moody,	222
Higher than a house, higher than a tree,	129
Highty cock O!,	173
Highty, tighty, paradighty clothed in green,	133
Hink, minx! the old witch winks,	303
Ho! Master Teague, what is your story?,	7
Hot-cross Buns!,	104
How d' 'e dogs, how? whose dog art thou?,	270
How does my lady's garden grow?,	106
How do you do, neighbour,	316
How many days has my baby to play?,	308
How many miles is it to Babylon?,	176
Hub a dub dub,	218
Humpty Dumpty lay in a beck,	122
Humpty Dumpty sate on a wall,	129
Hurly, burly, trumpet trase,	276
Hussy, hussy, where's your horse?,	280
Hush, hush, hush, hush,	207
Hush-a-bye a ba lamb,	209
Hush-a-bye, baby, on the tree top,	209
Hush-a-bye, lie still and sleep,	211
Hush thee, my babby,	207
Hushy baby, my doll, I pray you don't cry,	205
Hyder iddle diddle dell,	217
I am a gold lock,	165
I am a pretty wench,	232
I can make diet bread,	184
I doubt, I doubt my fire is out,	237
I can weave diaper thick, thick, thick,	309
I charge my daughters every one,[page 323]	159
If a body meet a body,	304
If all the world was apple-pie,	198
If all the seas were one sea,	310
If a man who turnips cries,	204
If I'd as much money as I could spend,	117
If ifs and ands,	80
If wishes were horses,	69
If you love me, pop and fly,	135
If you sneeze on Monday, you sneeze for danger,	71
If you with me will go, my love,	236
I had a little castle upon the sea-side,	134
I had a little cow,	278
I had a little cow, to save her,	269
I had a little dog, and his name was Blue Bell,	252
I had a little dog, and they called him Buff,	258
I had a little hen, the prettiest ever seen,	274
I had a little hobby-horse, and it was well shod,	253
I had a little husband,	240
I had a little moppet,	310
I had a little nut tree, nothing would it bear,	4
I had a little pony,	279
I had two pigeons bright and gay,	266
I have a little sister, they call her peep, peep,	125
I have been to market, my lady, my lady,	108
I like little pussy, her coat is so warm,	277
I'll away yhame,	277
I'll buy you a tartan bonnet,	212
I'll sing you a song,	118
I'll tell you a story,	59
I lost my mare in Lincoln Lane,	302
I love my love with an A, because he's Agreeable,	80
I love sixpence, pretty little sixpence,	102
I married my wife by the light of the moon,	243
In Arthur's court, Tom Thumb did live,	43
In fir tar is,	77
In July,	74
In marble walls as white as milk,	125
Intery, mintery, cutery-corn,	164
In the month of February,	269
I saw a peacock with a fiery tail,	201
I saw a ship a-sailing,	203
I sell you the key of the king's garden,[page 324]	282
Is John Smith within?,	163
It's once I courted as pretty a lass,	225
I've a glove in my hand,	192
I went into my grandmother's garden,	121
I went to the toad that lies under the wall,	136
I went to the wood and got it,	119
I went up one pair of stairs,	168
I won't be my father's Jack,	208
I would if I cou'd,	198
Jack and Jill went up the hill,	246
Jack be nimble,	166
Jack in the pulpit, out and in,	231
Jack Sprat,	275
Jack Sprat could eat no fat,	233
Jack Sprat's pig,	267
Jacky, come give me thy fiddle,	101
Jacky, come give me thy fiddle,	315
Jeanie, come tie my,	94
Jim and George were two great lords,	12
John Ball shot them all,	283
John, come sell thy fiddle,	231
John Cook had a little grey mare; he, haw, hum!,	114
Johnny Armstrong kill'd a calf,	262
Johnny shall have a new bonnet,	95
King's Sutton is a pretty town,	300
Lady bird, lady bird, fly away home,	272
Lady-cow, lady-cow, fly thy way home,	263
Legomoton,	81
Leg over leg,	280
Lend me thy mare to ride a mile?,	91
Let us go to the wood, says this pig,	170
Little Bob Robin,	268
Little Bo-peep has lost her sheep,	93
Little boy blue, come blow up your horn,	281
Little boy, pretty boy, where was you born?,	301
Little cock robin peep'd out of his cabin,	277
Little Dicky Dilver,	221
Little General Monk,[page 325]	13
Little girl, little girl, where have you been?,	306
Little Jack a dandy,	217
Little Jack Dandy-prat was my first suitor,	234
Little Jack Jingle,	229
Little Jack Horner sat in the corner,	65
Little John Jiggy Jag,	245
Little King Boggen he built a fine hall,	41
Little lad, little lad, where wast thou born?,	302
Little maid, pretty maid, whither goest thou?,	232
Little Mary Ester,	307
Little Nancy Etticoat,	127
Little Poll Parrot,	254
Little Robin Red-breast,	261
Little Robin Red-breast,	262
Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree,	273
Little Tee wee,	215
Little Tom Dandy,	247
Little Tom Dogget,	86
Little Tommy Tacket,	311
Little Tommy Tittlemouse,	41
Little Tom Tittlemouse,	61
Little Tom Tucker,	308
Lives in winter,	134
Lock the dairy door,	279
London bridge is broken down,	98
Long Legs, crooked thighs,	128
Love your own, kiss your own,	248
Madam, I am come to court you,	244
Made in London,	121
Make three-fourths of a cross,	123
Margaret wrote a letter,	248
Margery Mutton-pie, and Johnny Bopeep,	163
Master I have, and I am his man,	237
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,	136
May my geese fly over your barn?,	190
Merry are the bells, and merry would they ring,	103
Miss one, two, and three could never agree,	17
Mistress Mary, quite contrary,	81
Moss was a little man, and a little mare did buy,	66
Multiplication is vexation,	78
My dear cockadoodle, my jewel, my joy,[page 326]	210
My dear, do you know,	35
My father and mother,	302
My father he died, but I can't tell you how,	92
My father he left me, just as he was able,	138
My father left me three acres of land,	109
My father was a Frenchman,	180
My grandmother sent me a new-fashioned, &c.,	139
My lady Wind, my lady Wind,	60
My little old man and I fell out,	312
My maid Mary,	104
My mother and your mother,	195
My story's ended,	79
My true love lives far from me,	201
Nature requires five,	69
Needles and pins, needles and pins,	73
Now we dance, looby, looby, looby,	190
Number number nine, this hoop's mine,	168
Oh, dear, what can the matter be?,	152
Oh! mother, I shall be married to Mr. Punchinello,	245
Oh, where are you going,	82
Old Abram Brown is dead and gone,	60
Old Betty Blue,	146
Old father Graybeard,	134
Of all the gay birds that e'er I did see,	102
Old Father of the Pye,	99
Old King Cole,	1
Old Mother Goose, when,	56
Old mother Hubbard,	146
Old Mother Niddity Nod swore by the pudding-bag,	144
Old Sir Simon the king,	314
Old mother Twitchett had but one eye,	125
Old woman, old woman, shall we go a shearing?,	143
Once I saw a little bird,	263
Once upon a time there was an old sow,	37
On Christmas eve I turn'd the spit,	276
One, 2, 3, 4, 5,	15
One-ery, two-ery,	154
One-ery, two-ery, hickary, hum,	167
One misty moisty morning,	84
One moonshiny night,[page 327]	3
One's none,	15
One old Oxford ox opening oysters,	175
One to make ready,	156
One, two,	17
One, two, three,	14
On Saturday night,	237
O rare Harry Parry,	249
O that I was where I would be,	196
O the little rusty, dusty, rusty miller,	229
Our saucy boy Dick,	66
Over the water, and over the lee,	8
Pancakes and fritters,	108
Parson Darby wore a black gown,	311
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man!,	18
Pease-porridge hot, pease-porridge cold,	130
Pease-pudding hot,	158
Peg, Peg, wish a wooden leg,	311
Pemmy was a pretty girl,	63
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper,	138
Peter White will ne'er go right,	196
Pit, Pat, well-a-day,	253
Pitty Patty Polt,	270
Please to remember,	7
Polly, put the kettle on,	83
Poor old Robinson Crusoe!,	10
Pretty John Watts,	275
Punch and Judy,	32
Purple, yellow, red, and green,	129
Pussey cat sits by the fire,	274
Pussicat, wussicat, with a white foot,	220
Pussy cat eat the dumplings, the dumplings,	267
Pussy cat Mole,	264
Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, where have you been,	257
Pussy sat by the fire-side,	261
Pussy sits behind the fire,	269
Queen Anne, queen Anne, you sit in the sun,	161
Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit-Pie,	211
Rain, Rain, go away,	305
Riddle me, riddle me, ree,[page 328]	263
Ride a cock-horse to Banbury-cross,	165
Ride a cock-horse to Banbury-cross,	166
Ride a cock-horse to Banbury-cross,	170
Ride a cock-horse to Coventry-cross,	170
Ride baby, ride,	210
Ring me (1), ring me (2), ring me rary (3),	170
Ring the bell!,	182
Robert Barnes, fellow fine,	260
Robert Rowley rolled a round roll round,	139
Robin-a-Bobin bent his bow,	271
Robin and Richard were two pretty men,	59
Robin Hood, Robin Hood,	3
Robin the Bobbin, the big-bellied Ben,	33
Rock-a-bye, baby, thy cradle is green,	209
Rock well my cradle,	212
Rompty-iddity, row, row, row,	222
Rosemary green,	232
Round about, round about,	222
Rowley Powley, pudding and pie,	248
Rowsty dowt, my fire's all out,	280
Saw ye aught of my love a coming from ye market,	240
Says t'auld man tit oak tree,	89
See a pin and pick it up,	69
See, saw, Margery Daw,	164
See, saw, Margery Daw,	165
See, saw, Margery Daw,	276
See, saw, sack-a-day,	8
See-saw, jack a daw,	176
See-saw sacradown,	177
See, see? what shall I see?,	133
Shake a leg, wag a leg, when will you gang,	307
Shoe the colt,	265
Shoe the colt, shoe!,	180
Sieve my lady's oatmeal,	161
Simple Simon met a pieman,	31
Sing a song of sixpence,	90
Sing jigmijole, the pudding-bowl,	216
Sing, sing, what shall I sing?,	215
Solomon Grundy,	33
Some little mice sat in a barn to spin,	255
Some up, and some down,[page 329]	95
Snail, snail, come out of your hole,	254
Snail, snail, put out your horns,	272
Snail, snail, shut out your horns,	273
Sneel, snaul,	254
Speak when you're spoken to,	80
St. Swithin's day, if thou dost rain,	68
St. Thomas's-day is past and gone,	316
Swan swam over the sea,	139
Sylvia, sweet as morning air,	226
Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief,	64
Tell tale, tit!,	76
Ten and ten and twice eleven,	121
The art of good driving 's a paradox quite,	75
The barber shaved the mason,	310
The cat sat asleep by the side of the fire,	253
The cock doth crow,	258
The cuckoo's a fine bird,	251
The cuckoo's a vine bird,	252
The dog of the kill,	195
The dove says coo, coo, what shall I do?,	270
The fair maid who, the first of May,	75
The first day of Christmas,	184
The fox and his wife they had a great strife,	84
The girl in the lane, that couldn't speak plain,	303
The king of France, and four thousand men,	5
The king of France, the king of France, with forty thousand men,	6
The king of France went up the hill,	5
The king of France, with twenty thousand men,	5
The keys of Canterbury,	234
The lion and the unicorn,	42
The little priest of Felton,	300
The man in the moon,	66
The mackerel's cry,	74
The man in the moon drinks claret,	309
The man in the wilderness asked me,	199
The moon nine days old,	127
The north wind doth blow,	96
The old woman and her pig,	292
The pettitoes are little feet,	278
The quaker's wife got up to bake,[page 330]	312
There once was a gentleman grand,	22
There was a crooked man, and he went a crooked mile,	33
There was a fat man of Bombay,	34
There was a frog lived in a well,	110
There was a girl in our towne,	119
There was a jolly miller,	42
There was a jolly miller,	107
There was a king, and he had three daughters,	65
There was a king met a king,	123
There was a little boy and a little girl,	228
There was a little boy went into a barn,	273
There was a little Guinea-pig,	200
There was a little maid, and she was afraid,	243
There was a little man,	36
There was a little man,	227
There was a little nobby colt,	299
There was a little one-eyed gunner,	264
There was a little pretty lad,	247
There was a man, and he had naught,	36
There was a man and he was mad,	203
There was a man, and his name was Dob,	190
There was a man in our toone, in our toone, in our toone,	113
There was a man of Newington,	197
There was a man rode through our town,	130
There was a man who had no eyes,	127
There was a monkey climb'd up a tree,	11
There was an old crow,	259
There was an old man,	152
There was an old man of Tobago,	152
There was an old man who liv'd in Middle Row,	145
There was an old man, who lived in a wood,	150
There was an old woman,	144
There was an old woman,	144
There was an old woman,	149
There was an old woman, and what do you think?,	199
There was an old woman, as I've heard tell,	141
There was an old woman called Nothing-at-all,	153
There was an old woman had nothing,	200
There was an old woman had three cows,	276
There was an old woman had three sons,	150
There was an old woman, her name it was Peg,	143
There was an old woman in Surrey,	153
There was an old woman of Leeds,	145
There was an old woman of Norwich,	153
There was an old woman sat spinning, [page 331]	143
There was an old woman toss'd up in a basket,	145
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe,	142
There was an owl lived in an oak,	258
There was a piper, he'd a cow,	265
There were three jovial Welshmen,	161
There were three sisters in a hall,	128
There were two birds sat on a stone,	106
There were two blackbirds,	167
The robin and the wren,	268
The rose is red, the grass is green,	6
The rose is red, the grass is green,	79
The sow came in with the saddle,	255
The tailor of Bicester,	300
The white dove sat on the castle wall,	97
The winds, they did blow,	268
They that wash on Monday,	72
Thirty days hath September,	78
Thirty white horses upon a red hill,	128
This is the house that Jack built,	285
This is the key of the kingdom,	174
This is the way the ladies ride,	189
This pig went to market,	172
This pig went to market,	182
This pig went to the barn,	183
Thomas and Annis met in the dark,	239
Thomas a Tattamus took two T's,	126
Three blind mice, see how they run!,	110
Three children sliding on the ice,	197
Three crooked cripples went through Cripplegate,	139
Three straws on a staff,	69
Three wise men of Gotham,	59
Thumb bold,	193
Thumbikin, Thumbikin, broke the barn,	182
Tiddle liddle lightum,	216
Tip, top, tower,	168
Titty Mouse and Tatty Mouse,	295
Tobacco wick! tobacco wick!,	198
To Beccles! to Beccles!,	191
To make your candles last for a',	68
To market ride the gentlemen,	169
To market, to market,	206
To market, to market,	211
To market, to market, a gallop, a trot,	307
To market, to market, to buy a fat pig,	221
To market, to market, to buy a plum-cake,[page 332]	315
Tom Brown's two little Indian boys,	167
Tom he was a piper's son,	99
Tommy kept a chandler's shop,	62
Tommy Trot a man of law,	230
Tom shall have a new bonnet,	207
Tom, Tom, the piper's son,	42
Trip and go, heave and hoe,	189
Trip trap over the grass,	177
Trip upon trenchers, and dance upon dishes,	94
'Twas the twenty-ninth of May, 'Twas a holiday,	256
Tweedle-dum and tweedle-dee,	220
Twelve huntsmen with horns and hounds,	159
Twelve pears hanging high,	124
Two broken tradesmen,	171
Two legs sat upon three legs,	131
Up at Piccadilly oh!,	89
Up hill and down dale,	231
Up stairs, down stairs, upon my lady's window,	198
Up street, and down street,	244
Wash hands, wash,	312
We are three brethren out of Spain,	178
Weave the diaper tick-a-tick tick,	166
We make no spare,	4
We're all dry with drinking on't,	230
We're all in the dumps,	306
What are little boys made of,	304
What care I how black I be,	226
What do they call you?,	255
What is the rhyme for poringer?,	10
What shoe-maker makes shoes without leather,	126
What's the news of the day,	306
When a Twister a twisting will twist him a twist,	137
When good king Arthur ruled this land,	2
When I was a little boy, I had but little wit,	81
When I was a little girl, about seven years old,	62
When I was taken from the fair body,	120
When I went up sandy hill,	134
When Jacky's a very good boy,	311
When shall we be married,	229
When the sand doth feed the clay,	75
When the snow is on the ground,	259
When the wind is in the east,	70
When V and I together meet,	78
Where are you going, my pretty maid?,	107
Where have you been all the day,[page 333]	226
Where have you been to-day, Billy, my son,	242
Where was a sugar and fretty,	212
Whistle, daughter, whistle, whistle, daughter dear,	117
Who comes here?,	313
Who goes round my house this night?,	155
Who is going round my sheepfold?,	173
Whoop, whoop, and hollow,	167
Willy boy, Willy boy, where are you going,	307
Willy, Willy Wilkin,	225
William and Mary, George and Anne,	10
Wooley Foster has gone to sea,	105
Yeow mussent sing a' Sunday,	73
Young Roger came tapping at Dolly's window,	238
Young lambs to sell,	211
You shall have an apple,	89

Transcriber's Note

This book contains a lot of dialect, which has been retained.

This book includes a lot of dialect, which has been kept.

page 2: 'fidlers' agrees with scan; retained, despite 'fiddle' in same poem. 17th century and older spelling was not necessarily standardised, even within the same sentence.

page 2: 'fidlers' matches with scan; kept, even with 'fiddle' in the same poem. 17th century and earlier spelling wasn't always standardized, even in the same sentence.

page 42: 'flee' is followed by 'Mr. Flea'. But 'flee' rhymes with 'Dee', and has been retained.

page 42: 'flee' is followed by 'Mr. Flea'. But 'flee' rhymes with 'Dee', and has been kept.

page 75, and Index: "driving 's": "The art of good driving 's a paradox quite," agrees with both scans, and has been retained.

page 75, and Index: "driving’s": "The skill of good driving is quite a paradox," aligns with both scans, and has been maintained.

CCCLI.: The second small print explanatory note did not contain quote marks, and they have not been added.

CCCLI.: The second small print explanatory note didn't have quotation marks, and they haven't been added.

CCCLIII.: The missing opening and closing quote marks in the explanatory note are implied by the first quote marks ("Eleven going for twelve."), but have not been added.

CCCXCII.: 'did'nt' retained: "O then my poor baby did'nt cry!"

CCCXCII.: 'didn't' retained: "O then my poor baby didn't cry!"

CCCCXXXII.: 'would'nt' retained: "The miller would'nt have her,"

CCCCXXXII.: 'wouldn't' retained: "The miller wouldn't have her,"

Colons have been used extensively throughout the book, where, perhaps a semi-colon would be used today. The colons have been retained, as they seem to suggest a subtle nuance of meaning.

Colons have been used a lot throughout the book, where, maybe a semi-colon would be used today. The colons have been kept, as they seem to suggest a subtle nuance of meaning.

A few obvious punctuation errors have been repaired. Old-fashioned, but correct, punctuation (which agrees with the scans) has been retained.

A few clear punctuation mistakes have been fixed. Outdated but accurate punctuation (which matches the scans) has been kept.

There are, however, some apparently genuine typographical or printer's errors.

There are, however, some seemingly real typographical or printing errors.

Errata

(Corrections are also indicated, in the text, by a dotted line underneath the correction.

(Corrections are also shown in the text with a dotted line under the corrected part.

Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will appear.)

Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will appear.

page iv: 'doggrel' corrected to 'doggerel': "the place of the ancient doggerel"

page 37: 'shin' corrected to 'chin': "No, no, by the hair of my chiny chin chin."

page 37: 'shin' corrected to 'chin': "No, no, by the hair of my chinny chin chin."

page 92: 'buble' corrected to 'bubble': "Jack sing saddle oh,
Blowsey boys bubble oh,"

page 92: 'buble' corrected to 'bubble': "Jack sings, saddle up,
Blowsey boys, bubble up,"

page 110: Músicks' corrected to Musicks (accent not on original book cover) (http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/ravenscroft/deuteromelia/deut_01small.html)

page 158: 'here' corrected to 'hear': "And hear what time of day;"

page 222: 'scarely' corrected to 'scarcely': "that our endeavours are scarcely likely to be attended with success."

page 222: 'scarely' corrected to 'scarcely': "that our efforts are hardly likely to be successful."

page 317: 'sat' corrected to 'sate': "A pie sate on a pear-tree, 259"

page 317: 'sat' corrected to 'sate': "A pie sat on a pear tree, 259"

page 321: 'came' corrected to 'come': "Girls and boys, come out to play, 305"

page 332: 'thay' corrected to 'they': "What do they call you?, 255"

Sundry "Index" entries have been relocated for consistency.

Sundry "Index" entries have been moved for consistency.

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