Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes / A Collection of Alphabets, Rhymes, Tales, and Jingles
Play Sample
"Pray, Mrs. Mouse, will you give us some beer?
Heigho, says Rowley,
For Froggy and I are fond of good cheer."
With a rowley powley, &c.
"Pray, Mr. Frog, will you give us a song?
Heigho, says Rowley,
But let it be something that's not very long."
With a rowley powley, &c.
"Indeed, Mrs. Mouse," replied the Frog,
Heigho, says Rowley,
"A cold has made me as hoarse as a hog."
With a rowley powley, &c.
"Since you have caught cold, Mr. Frog," Mousey said,
Heigho, says Rowley,
"I'll sing you a song that I have just made."
With a rowley powley, &c.
But while they were all a merry-making,
Heigho, says Rowley,
A cat and her kittens came tumbling in.
With a rowley powley, &c.
The cat she seized the rat by the crown;
Heigho, says Rowley,
The kittens they pulled the little mouse down.
With a rowley powley, &c.
This put Mr. Frog in a terrible fright;
Heigho, says Rowley.
He took up his hat, and he wished them good night.
With a rowley powley, &c.
But as Froggy was crossing over a brook,
Heigho, says Rowley,
A lily-white duck came and gobbled him up.
With a rowley powley, &c.
Heigho, says Rowley,
For Froggy and I are fond of good cheer."
With a rowley powley, &c.
"Pray, Mr. Frog, will you give us a song?
Heigho, says Rowley,
But let it be something that's not very long."
With a rowley powley, &c.
"Indeed, Mrs. Mouse," replied the Frog,
Heigho, says Rowley,
"A cold has made me as hoarse as a hog."
With a rowley powley, &c.
"Since you have caught cold, Mr. Frog," Mousey said,
Heigho, says Rowley,
"I'll sing you a song that I have just made."
With a rowley powley, &c.
But while they were all a merry-making,
Heigho, says Rowley,
A cat and her kittens came tumbling in.
With a rowley powley, &c.
The cat she seized the rat by the crown;
Heigho, says Rowley,
The kittens they pulled the little mouse down.
With a rowley powley, &c.
This put Mr. Frog in a terrible fright;
Heigho, says Rowley.
He took up his hat, and he wished them good night.
With a rowley powley, &c.
But as Froggy was crossing over a brook,
Heigho, says Rowley,
A lily-white duck came and gobbled him up.
With a rowley powley, &c.
So there was an end of one, two, and three,
Heigho, says Rowley,
The Rat, the Mouse, and the little Frog-gee!
With a rowley powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!
Heigho, says Rowley,
The Rat, the Mouse, and the little Frog-gee!
With a rowley powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!
I SAW A SHIP A-SAILING.
I saw a ship a-sailing,
A-sailing on the sea;
And, oh! it was all laden
With pretty things for thee!
There were comfits in the cabin,
And apples in the hold;
The sails were made of silk,
And the masts were made of gold.
The four and twenty sailors
That stood between the decks,
Were four and twenty white mice,
With chains about their necks.
The captain was a duck,
With a packet on his back;
And when the ship began to move,
The captain said, "Quack!quack!"
A-sailing on the sea;
And, oh! it was all laden
With pretty things for thee!
There were comfits in the cabin,
And apples in the hold;
The sails were made of silk,
And the masts were made of gold.
The four and twenty sailors
That stood between the decks,
Were four and twenty white mice,
With chains about their necks.
The captain was a duck,
With a packet on his back;
And when the ship began to move,
The captain said, "Quack!quack!"
"AS SOON AS HE PLAY'D THEY BEGAN FOR TO DANCE."
[Transcriber's Note: You can play the music on the next three pages (MIDI file) by clicking here.]
Tom, Tom, was a pi per's son,
He learn'd to play when he was young;
But the only tune that he could play,
Was "Over the hills and far away."
Tom with his pipe made such a noise,
That he pleased both the girls and boys;
They'd dance and skip while he did play,
"Over the hills and far away."
He learn'd to play when he was young;
But the only tune that he could play,
Was "Over the hills and far away."
Tom with his pipe made such a noise,
That he pleased both the girls and boys;
They'd dance and skip while he did play,
"Over the hills and far away."
Tom with his pipe did play with such skill,
That those who heard him could never keep still;
As soon as he play'd they began for to dance,
Even pigs on their hind-legs would after him prance.
He met Old Dame Trot with a basket of Eggs—
He used his pipe and she used her legs;
She danc'd about till her eggs were all broke,
She began for to fret, but he laugh'd at the joke.
And as Dolly was milking her cow one day,
That those who heard him could never keep still;
As soon as he play'd they began for to dance,
Even pigs on their hind-legs would after him prance.
He met Old Dame Trot with a basket of Eggs—
He used his pipe and she used her legs;
She danc'd about till her eggs were all broke,
She began for to fret, but he laugh'd at the joke.
And as Dolly was milking her cow one day,
Tom took out his pipe and began for to play;
So Doll and the cow they danc'd a lilt,
Till the pail fell down and the milk was all spilt.
Tom saw a cross fellow was beating an ass,
Heavy laden with pots, pans, dishes, and glass;
He took out his pipe and he play'd them a tune,
And the poor donkey's load was lighten'd full soon.
There was an old woman, as I've heard tell,
She went to market her eggs for to sell;
She went to market all on a market day,
And she fell asleep on the King's highway.
There came by a pedlar, whose name was Stout,
He cut her petticoats all round about;
He cut her petticoats up to the knees,
Which made the old woman to shiver and freeze.
When the little old woman first did wake,
She began to shiver and she began to shake;
She began to wonder, and she began to cry,
"Lauk a mercy on me, this can't be I!
But if it be I, as I hope it be,
I've a little dog at home, and he'll know me;
If it be I, he'll wag his little tail,
And if it be not I, he'll loudly bark and wail."
Home went the little woman all in the dark,
Up got the little dog, and he began to bark;
He began to bark, so she began to cry,
"Lauk a mercy on me, this is none of I!"
She went to market her eggs for to sell;
She went to market all on a market day,
And she fell asleep on the King's highway.
There came by a pedlar, whose name was Stout,
He cut her petticoats all round about;
He cut her petticoats up to the knees,
Which made the old woman to shiver and freeze.
When the little old woman first did wake,
She began to shiver and she began to shake;
She began to wonder, and she began to cry,
"Lauk a mercy on me, this can't be I!
But if it be I, as I hope it be,
I've a little dog at home, and he'll know me;
If it be I, he'll wag his little tail,
And if it be not I, he'll loudly bark and wail."
Home went the little woman all in the dark,
Up got the little dog, and he began to bark;
He began to bark, so she began to cry,
"Lauk a mercy on me, this is none of I!"
High diddle ding,
Did you hear the bells ring?
The Parliament soldiers are gone to the King!
Some they did laugh, some they did cry,
To see the Parliament soldiers pass by.
Did you hear the bells ring?
The Parliament soldiers are gone to the King!
Some they did laugh, some they did cry,
To see the Parliament soldiers pass by.
Three wise men of Gotham
Went to sea in a bowl;
If the bowl had been stronger
My story had been longer.
Went to sea in a bowl;
If the bowl had been stronger
My story had been longer.
LITTLE BOY BLUE.
Little Boy Blue, come, blow me your horn;
The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn.
Where's the little boy that looks after the sheep?
He's under the haycock, fast asleep.
The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn.
Where's the little boy that looks after the sheep?
He's under the haycock, fast asleep.
THE ROBIN REDBREASTS.
Two Robin Redbreasts built their nests
Within a hollow tree;
The hen sat quietly at home,
The cock sang merrily;
And all the little young ones said,
"Wee, wee, wee, wee, wee, wee."
One day (the sun was warm and bright,
And shining in the sky),
Cock Robin said, "My little dears,
'T is time you learn to fly;"
And all the little young ones said,
"I'll try, I'll try, I'll try."
I know a child, and who she is
I'll tell you by-and-by,
When Mamma says, "Do this," or "that,"
She says, "What for?"and "Why?"
She'd be a better child by far
If she would say "I'll try."
Within a hollow tree;
The hen sat quietly at home,
The cock sang merrily;
And all the little young ones said,
"Wee, wee, wee, wee, wee, wee."
One day (the sun was warm and bright,
And shining in the sky),
Cock Robin said, "My little dears,
'T is time you learn to fly;"
And all the little young ones said,
"I'll try, I'll try, I'll try."
I know a child, and who she is
I'll tell you by-and-by,
When Mamma says, "Do this," or "that,"
She says, "What for?"and "Why?"
She'd be a better child by far
If she would say "I'll try."
There was an old woman
Lived under a hill,
And if she's not gone,
She lives there still.
Lived under a hill,
And if she's not gone,
She lives there still.
We are all in the dumps,
For diamonds are trumps,
The kittens are gone to St. Paul's,
The babies are bit,
The moon's in a fit,
And the houses are built without walls.
For diamonds are trumps,
The kittens are gone to St. Paul's,
The babies are bit,
The moon's in a fit,
And the houses are built without walls.
As I was going along, long, long,
A-singing a comical song, song, song,
The lane that I went was so long, long, long,
And the song that I sung was so long, long, long,
And so I went singing along.
A-singing a comical song, song, song,
The lane that I went was so long, long, long,
And the song that I sung was so long, long, long,
And so I went singing along.
A-milking, a-milking, my maid,
"Cow, take care of your heels," she said;
"And you shall have some nice new hay,
If you'll quietly let me milk away."
"Cow, take care of your heels," she said;
"And you shall have some nice new hay,
If you'll quietly let me milk away."
Old father Grey Beard,
Without tooth or tongue,
If you'll give me your finger,
I'll give you my thumb.
Without tooth or tongue,
If you'll give me your finger,
I'll give you my thumb.
Dance a baby diddit,
What can his mother do with it,
But sit in a lap,
And give him some pap?
Dance a baby diddit.
What can his mother do with it,
But sit in a lap,
And give him some pap?
Dance a baby diddit.
Snail, snail, come out of your hole,
Or else I'll beat you as black as a coal.
Or else I'll beat you as black as a coal.
At the siege of Belleisle I was there all the while,
All the while, all the while, at the siege of Belleisle.
All the while, all the while, at the siege of Belleisle.
Bye, baby bunting,
Father's gone a-hunting,
Mother's gone a-milking,
Sister's gone a-silking,
Brother's gone to buy a skin
To wrap the baby bunting in.
Father's gone a-hunting,
Mother's gone a-milking,
Sister's gone a-silking,
Brother's gone to buy a skin
To wrap the baby bunting in.
YOUNG LAMBS TO SELL.
Young lambs to sell, young lambs to sell;
If I had as much money as I could tell
I never would cry young lambs to sell,
Young lambs to sell, young lambs to sell,
I never would cry, young lambs to sell.
If I had as much money as I could tell
I never would cry young lambs to sell,
Young lambs to sell, young lambs to sell,
I never would cry, young lambs to sell.
Come, let's to bed, says Sleepy-head;
Tarry a while, says Slow;
Put on the pan, says Greedy Nan,
Let's sup before we go.
Tarry a while, says Slow;
Put on the pan, says Greedy Nan,
Let's sup before we go.
To make your candles last for aye,
You wives and maids give ear-o!
To put them out's the only way,
Says honest John Boldero.
You wives and maids give ear-o!
To put them out's the only way,
Says honest John Boldero.
THE GREAT BROWN OWL
The Brown Owl sits in the ivy-bush,
And she looketh wondrous wise,
With a horny beak beneath her cowl,
And a pair of large round eyes.
She sat all day on the selfsame spray,
From sunrise till sunset;
And the dim grey light, it was all too bright
For the Owl to see in yet.
"Jenny Owlet, Jenny Owlet," said a merry little bird,
"They say you're wondrous wise;
But I don't think you see, though you're looking at ME
With your large, round, shining eyes."
But night came soon, and the pale white moon
Rolled high up in the skies;
And the great Brown Owl flew away in her cowl,
With her large, round, shining eyes.
And she looketh wondrous wise,
With a horny beak beneath her cowl,
And a pair of large round eyes.
She sat all day on the selfsame spray,
From sunrise till sunset;
And the dim grey light, it was all too bright
For the Owl to see in yet.
"Jenny Owlet, Jenny Owlet," said a merry little bird,
"They say you're wondrous wise;
But I don't think you see, though you're looking at ME
With your large, round, shining eyes."
But night came soon, and the pale white moon
Rolled high up in the skies;
And the great Brown Owl flew away in her cowl,
With her large, round, shining eyes.
LITTLE TOM TUCKER.
[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clicking here.]
Little Tom Tucker
Sings for his supper:
What shall he eat?
White bread and butter.
How shall he cut it
Without e'er a knife?
How can he marry
Without e'er a wife?
Four and twenty tailors went to kill a snail,
The best man amongst them durst not touch her tail.
She put out her horns, like a little Kyloe cow,
Run, tailors, run, or she'll kill you all just now.
The best man amongst them durst not touch her tail.
She put out her horns, like a little Kyloe cow,
Run, tailors, run, or she'll kill you all just now.
Doctor Foster went to Glo'ster,
In a shower of rain;
He stepped in a puddle, up to the middle,
And never went there again.
In a shower of rain;
He stepped in a puddle, up to the middle,
And never went there again.
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
Silver bells and cockle-shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.
How does your garden grow?
Silver bells and cockle-shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.
The man in the moon
Came tumbling down,
And asked the way to Norwich;
He went by the south,
And burnt his mouth
With eating cold pease porridge.
Came tumbling down,
And asked the way to Norwich;
He went by the south,
And burnt his mouth
With eating cold pease porridge.
Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a rail,
Niddle, naddle, went his head, wiggle, waddle, went his tail;
Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a bridle,
With a pair of speckle legs, and a green girdle.
Niddle, naddle, went his head, wiggle, waddle, went his tail;
Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a bridle,
With a pair of speckle legs, and a green girdle.
Pit, pat, well-a-day!
Little Robin flew away;
Where can little Robin be,
But up in yon cherry-tree?
Little Robin flew away;
Where can little Robin be,
But up in yon cherry-tree?
Ding, dong, darrow,
The cat and the sparrow;
The little dog has burnt his tail,
And he shall be whipped to-morrow.
The cat and the sparrow;
The little dog has burnt his tail,
And he shall be whipped to-morrow.
DAME DUCK'S LESSONS TO HER DUCKLINGS.
Old Mother Duck has hatched a brood
Of ducklings, small and callow:
Their little wings are short, their down
Is mottled grey and yellow.
There is a quiet little stream,
That runs into the moat,
Where tall green sedges spread their leaves,
And water-lilies float.
Close by the margin of the brook
The old Duck made her nest,
Of straw, and leaves, and withered grass,
And down from her own breast.
And there she sat for four long weeks,
In rainy days and fine,
Until the Ducklings all came out—
Four, five, six, seven, eight, nine.
One peeped out from beneath her wing,
One scrambled on her back:
"That's very rude," said old Dame Duck,
"Get off!quack, quack, quack, quack!"
"'T is close," said Dame Duck, shoving out
The egg-shells with her bill,
"Besides, it never suits young ducks
To keep them sitting still."
So, rising from her nest, she said,
"Now, children, look at me:
A well-bred duck should waddle so,
From side to side—d'ye see?"
"Yes," said the little ones, and then
She went on to explain:
"A well-bred duck turns in its toes
As I do—try again."
"Yes," said the Ducklings, waddling on.
"That's better," said their mother;
"But well-bred ducks walk in a row,
Straight—one behind another."
"Yes," said the little Ducks again,
All waddling in a row:
"Now to the pond," said old Dame Duck—
Splash, splash!and in they go.
"Let me swim first," said old Dame Duck,
"To this side, now to that;
There, snap at those great brown-winged flies,
They make young ducklings fat.
"Now when you reach the poultry-yard,
The hen-wife, Molly Head,
Will feed you, with the other fowls,
On bran and mashed-up bread;
"The hens will peck and fight, but mind,
I hope that all of you
Will gobble up the food as fast
As well-bred ducks should do.
"You'd better get into the dish,
Unless it is too small;
In that case, I should use my foot,
And overturn it all."
The Ducklings did as they were bid,
And found the plan so good,
That, from that day, the other fowls
Got hardly any food.
Of ducklings, small and callow:
Their little wings are short, their down
Is mottled grey and yellow.
There is a quiet little stream,
That runs into the moat,
Where tall green sedges spread their leaves,
And water-lilies float.
Close by the margin of the brook
The old Duck made her nest,
Of straw, and leaves, and withered grass,
And down from her own breast.
And there she sat for four long weeks,
In rainy days and fine,
Until the Ducklings all came out—
Four, five, six, seven, eight, nine.
One peeped out from beneath her wing,
One scrambled on her back:
"That's very rude," said old Dame Duck,
"Get off!quack, quack, quack, quack!"
"'T is close," said Dame Duck, shoving out
The egg-shells with her bill,
"Besides, it never suits young ducks
To keep them sitting still."
So, rising from her nest, she said,
"Now, children, look at me:
A well-bred duck should waddle so,
From side to side—d'ye see?"
"Yes," said the little ones, and then
She went on to explain:
"A well-bred duck turns in its toes
As I do—try again."
"Yes," said the Ducklings, waddling on.
"That's better," said their mother;
"But well-bred ducks walk in a row,
Straight—one behind another."
"Yes," said the little Ducks again,
All waddling in a row:
"Now to the pond," said old Dame Duck—
Splash, splash!and in they go.
"Let me swim first," said old Dame Duck,
"To this side, now to that;
There, snap at those great brown-winged flies,
They make young ducklings fat.
"Now when you reach the poultry-yard,
The hen-wife, Molly Head,
Will feed you, with the other fowls,
On bran and mashed-up bread;
"The hens will peck and fight, but mind,
I hope that all of you
Will gobble up the food as fast
As well-bred ducks should do.
"You'd better get into the dish,
Unless it is too small;
In that case, I should use my foot,
And overturn it all."
The Ducklings did as they were bid,
And found the plan so good,
That, from that day, the other fowls
Got hardly any food.
Is John Smith within?
Yes, that he is.
Can he set a shoe?
Ay, marry, two.
Here a nail, there a nail,
Tick, tack, too.
Yes, that he is.
Can he set a shoe?
Ay, marry, two.
Here a nail, there a nail,
Tick, tack, too.
John Cook he had a little grey mare,
hee, haw, hum;
Her legs were long and her back was bare,
hee, haw, hum.
John Cook was riding up Shooter's Bank,
hee, haw, hum;
The mare she began to kick and to prank,
hee, haw, hum.
John Cook was riding up Shooter's Hill,
hee, haw, hum;
His mare fell down and made her will,
hee, haw, hum.
The bridle and saddle were laid on the shelf,
hee, haw, hum;
If you want any more, you may sing it yourself,
hee, haw, hum.
hee, haw, hum;
Her legs were long and her back was bare,
hee, haw, hum.
John Cook was riding up Shooter's Bank,
hee, haw, hum;
The mare she began to kick and to prank,
hee, haw, hum.
John Cook was riding up Shooter's Hill,
hee, haw, hum;
His mare fell down and made her will,
hee, haw, hum.
The bridle and saddle were laid on the shelf,
hee, haw, hum;
If you want any more, you may sing it yourself,
hee, haw, hum.
OLD KING COLE.
Old King Cole
Was a merry old soul,
And a merry old soul was he;
And he called for his pipe
And he called for his glass,
And he called for his fiddlers three!
Was a merry old soul,
And a merry old soul was he;
And he called for his pipe
And he called for his glass,
And he called for his fiddlers three!
A Apple Pie.
B bit it.
C cut it.
D dealt it.
E eat it.
F fought for it.
G got it.
H hid it.
J jumped for it.
K kept it.
L longed for it.
M mourned for it.
N nodded at it.
O opened it.
P peeped at it.
Q quartered it.
R ran for it.
S stole it.
T tried for it.
V viewed it.
X Y Z &
Amperse-and,
All wished for
A piece in hand.
Amperse-and,
All wished for
A piece in hand.
Pussy sits beside the fire. How can she be fair?
In walks a little doggy,—Pussy, are you there?
Oh, the rusty, dusty, rusty miller,
I'll not change my wife for gold or siller.
I'll not change my wife for gold or siller.
There was a crooked man, and he went a crooked mile,
And he found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile;
He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse,
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
And he found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile;
He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse,
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
High diddle doubt, my candle's out,
My little maid is not at home;
Saddle my hog and bridle my dog,
And fetch my little maid home.
My little maid is not at home;
Saddle my hog and bridle my dog,
And fetch my little maid home.
BAA, BAA, BLACK SHEEP
[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clicking here.]
Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir, three bags full:
One for my master, one for my dame,
And one for the little boy that lives in our lane.
Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir, three bags full.
Barber, barber, shave a pig.
How many hairs will make a wig?
Four and twenty; that's enough.
Give the poor barber a pinch of snuff.
How many hairs will make a wig?
Four and twenty; that's enough.
Give the poor barber a pinch of snuff.
The Lion and the Unicorn were fighting for the crown,
The Lion beat the Unicorn all round about the town.
Some gave them white bread, some gave them brown,
Some gave them plum-cake, and sent them out of town.
The Lion beat the Unicorn all round about the town.
Some gave them white bread, some gave them brown,
Some gave them plum-cake, and sent them out of town.
Thomas a Tattamus took two T's
To tie two tups to two tall trees,
To frighten the terrible Thomas a Tattamus.
Tell me how many T's there are in all THAT.
To tie two tups to two tall trees,
To frighten the terrible Thomas a Tattamus.
Tell me how many T's there are in all THAT.
Bessy Bell and Mary Gray,
They were two bonny lasses,
They built a house upon the lea,
And covered it o'er with rashes.
Bessy kept the garden gate,
And Mary kept the pantry;
Bessy always had to wait,
While Mary lived in plenty.
They were two bonny lasses,
They built a house upon the lea,
And covered it o'er with rashes.
Bessy kept the garden gate,
And Mary kept the pantry;
Bessy always had to wait,
While Mary lived in plenty.
Little boy, pretty boy, where were you born?
In Lincolnshire, master; come, blow the cow's horn.
In Lincolnshire, master; come, blow the cow's horn.
HEY, DIDDLE, DIDDLE.
Hey, diddle, diddle, the cat and the fiddle
The cow jumped over the moon;
The little dog laughed to see such sport,
And the dish ran after the spoon.
The cow jumped over the moon;
The little dog laughed to see such sport,
And the dish ran after the spoon.
THE YOUNG LINNETS.
Did you ever see the nest
Of Chaffinch or of Linnet,
When the little downy birds
Are lying snugly in it,
Gaping wide their yellow mouths
For something nice to eat?
Caterpillar, worm, and grub,
They reckon dainty meat.
When the mother-bird returns,
And finds them still and good,
She will give them each, by turns,
A proper share of food.
She has hopped from spray to spray,
And peeped with knowing eye
Into all the folded leaves
Where caterpillars lie.
She has searched among the grass,
And flown from tree to tree,
Catching gnats and flies, to feed
Her little family.
I have seen the Linnets chirp,
And shake their downy wings:
They are pleased to see her come,
And pleased with what she brings.
But I never saw them look
Impatient for their food:
Somebody, at dinner-time,
Is seldom quite so good.
Of Chaffinch or of Linnet,
When the little downy birds
Are lying snugly in it,
Gaping wide their yellow mouths
For something nice to eat?
Caterpillar, worm, and grub,
They reckon dainty meat.
When the mother-bird returns,
And finds them still and good,
She will give them each, by turns,
A proper share of food.
She has hopped from spray to spray,
And peeped with knowing eye
Into all the folded leaves
Where caterpillars lie.
She has searched among the grass,
And flown from tree to tree,
Catching gnats and flies, to feed
Her little family.
I have seen the Linnets chirp,
And shake their downy wings:
They are pleased to see her come,
And pleased with what she brings.
But I never saw them look
Impatient for their food:
Somebody, at dinner-time,
Is seldom quite so good.
SEE-SAW, MARGERY DAW.
See-saw, Margery Daw,
Jenny shall have a new master;
She shall have but a penny a day,
Because she can't work any faster.
Jenny shall have a new master;
She shall have but a penny a day,
Because she can't work any faster.
| ANCE to your daddy, My little babby; Dance to your daddy, My little lamb. You shall have a fishy, In a little dishy; You shall have a fishy, When the boat comes in. |
Queen Anne, Queen Anne, she sits in the sun,
As fair as the lily, as white as the swan:
I send you three letters, so pray you read one.
I cannot read one unless I read all;
So pray, Master Teddy, deliver the ball.
As fair as the lily, as white as the swan:
I send you three letters, so pray you read one.
I cannot read one unless I read all;
So pray, Master Teddy, deliver the ball.
Little girl, little girl, where have you been?
Gathering roses to give to the Queen.
Little girl, little girl, what gave she you?
She gave me a diamond as big as my shoe.
Gathering roses to give to the Queen.
Little girl, little girl, what gave she you?
She gave me a diamond as big as my shoe.
There was an old woman tossed up in a basket,
Ninety times as high as the moon;
And where she was going, I couldn't but ask it,
For in her hand she carried a broom.
Old woman, old woman, old woman, quoth I,
O whither, O whither, O whither so high?
To sweep the cobwebs off the sky!
Shall I go with you?Ay, by-and-by.
When I was a bachelor, I lived by myself,
And all the meat I got I put upon a shelf;
The rats and the mice did lead me such a life,
That I went to London, to get myself a wife.
The streets were so broad, and the lanes were so narrow,
I could not get my wife home without a wheelbarrow,
The wheelbarrow broke, my wife got a fall,
Down tumbled wheelbarrow, little wife, and all.
Robin and Richard were two pretty men,
They lay in bed till the clock struck ten;
Then up starts Robin and looks in the sky,
"Oh, brother Richard, the sun's very high!
You go on with bottle and bag,
And I'll come after with jolly Jack Nag."
They lay in bed till the clock struck ten;
Then up starts Robin and looks in the sky,
"Oh, brother Richard, the sun's very high!
You go on with bottle and bag,
And I'll come after with jolly Jack Nag."
Blow, wind, blow, and go, mill, go,
That the miller may grind his corn;
That the baker may take it,
And into rolls make it,
And bring us some hot in the morn.
That the miller may grind his corn;
That the baker may take it,
And into rolls make it,
And bring us some hot in the morn.
Jack be nimble,
Jack be quick,
And Jack jump over the candlestick.
RIDE A COCK-HORSE.
Ride a cock-horse
To Banbury Cross,
To see a fine lady
Upon a white horse.
Rings on her fingers,
Bells on her toes,
She shall have music
Wherever she goes.
To Banbury Cross,
To see a fine lady
Upon a white horse.
Rings on her fingers,
Bells on her toes,
She shall have music
Wherever she goes.
THE FOX AND THE FARMER.
A Fox jumped up on a moonlight night,
The stars were shining, and all things bright;
"Oh, ho!" said the Fox, "it's a very fine night
For me to go through the town, heigho!"
The Fox when he came to yonder stile,
He lifted his ears, and he listened awhile;
"Oh, ho!" said the Fox, "it's but a short mile
From this unto yonder town, heigho!"
The Fox when he came to the farmer's gate,
Whom should he see but the farmer's Drake;
"I love you well for your master's sake,
And long to be picking your bones, heigho!"
The grey Goose ran right round the haystack.
"Oh, ho!" said the Fox, "you are very fat;
You'll do very well to ride on my back,
From this into yonder town, heigho!"
The farmer's wife she jumped out of bed,
And out of the window she popped her head;
"Oh, husband! oh, husband! the Geese are all dead,
For the Fox has been through the town, heigho!"
The farmer he loaded his pistol with lead,
And shot the old rogue of a Fox through the head;
"Ah, ha!" said the farmer, "I think you're quite dead,
And no more you'll trouble the town, heigho!"
The stars were shining, and all things bright;
"Oh, ho!" said the Fox, "it's a very fine night
For me to go through the town, heigho!"
The Fox when he came to yonder stile,
He lifted his ears, and he listened awhile;
"Oh, ho!" said the Fox, "it's but a short mile
From this unto yonder town, heigho!"
The Fox when he came to the farmer's gate,
Whom should he see but the farmer's Drake;
"I love you well for your master's sake,
And long to be picking your bones, heigho!"
The grey Goose ran right round the haystack.
"Oh, ho!" said the Fox, "you are very fat;
You'll do very well to ride on my back,
From this into yonder town, heigho!"
The farmer's wife she jumped out of bed,
And out of the window she popped her head;
"Oh, husband! oh, husband! the Geese are all dead,
For the Fox has been through the town, heigho!"
The farmer he loaded his pistol with lead,
And shot the old rogue of a Fox through the head;
"Ah, ha!" said the farmer, "I think you're quite dead,
And no more you'll trouble the town, heigho!"
Pease pudding hot,
Pease pudding cold,
Pease pudding in the pot,
Nine days old.
Some like it hot,
Some like it cold,
Some like it in the pot,
Nine days old.
Pease pudding cold,
Pease pudding in the pot,
Nine days old.
Some like it hot,
Some like it cold,
Some like it in the pot,
Nine days old.
Curly-locks, Curly-locks, wilt thou be mine?
Thou shalt not wash the dishes, nor yet feed the swine;
But sit on a cushion, and sew a fine seam,
And feed upon strawberries, sugar, and cream.
Thou shalt not wash the dishes, nor yet feed the swine;
But sit on a cushion, and sew a fine seam,
And feed upon strawberries, sugar, and cream.
Margery Mutton-pie, and Johnny Bo-peep,
They met together in Gracechurch Street;
In and out, in and out, over the way,
Oh! says Johnny, 'tis Chop-nose Day.
They met together in Gracechurch Street;
In and out, in and out, over the way,
Oh! says Johnny, 'tis Chop-nose Day.
There was a Rat, for want of stairs,
Went down a rope to say his prayers.
Went down a rope to say his prayers.
Snail, snail, come put out your horn,
To-morrow is the day to shear the corn.
To-morrow is the day to shear the corn.
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride,
If turnips were watches, I would wear one by my side.
If turnips were watches, I would wear one by my side.
HARK, HARK, THE DOGS DO BARK.
Hark, hark,
The dogs do bark,
The beggars are coming to town;
Some in jags,
Some in rags,
And some in velvet gown.
The dogs do bark,
The beggars are coming to town;
Some in jags,
Some in rags,
And some in velvet gown.
One, two, buckle my shoe;
Three, four, shut the door;
Five, six, pick up sticks;
Seven, eight, lay them straight;
Nine, ten, a good fat hen;
Eleven, twelve, dig and delve;
Thirteen, fourteen, maids a-courting;
Fifteen, sixteen, maids in the kitchen;
Seventeen, eighteen, maids in waiting;
Nineteen, twenty, my plate is empty.
Three, four, shut the door;
Five, six, pick up sticks;
Seven, eight, lay them straight;
Nine, ten, a good fat hen;
Eleven, twelve, dig and delve;
Thirteen, fourteen, maids a-courting;
Fifteen, sixteen, maids in the kitchen;
Seventeen, eighteen, maids in waiting;
Nineteen, twenty, my plate is empty.
I had a little husband, no bigger than my thumb;
I put him in a pint pot, and there I bid him drum.
I bought a little horse that galloped up and down;
I saddled him, and bridled him, and sent him out of town.
I gave him some garters, to garter up his hose,
And a little pocket-handkerchief to wipe his pretty nose.
I have a little sister; they call her Peep, Peep,
She wades the water, deep, deep, deep;
She climbs the mountains, high, high, high.
Poor little thing! she has but one eye.
She wades the water, deep, deep, deep;
She climbs the mountains, high, high, high.
Poor little thing! she has but one eye.
[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clicking here.]
Goosey, goosey, gander, whither shall I wander,
Up stairs, and down stairs, and in my lady's chamber.
There I met an old man, who would not say his prayers,
I took him by his left leg, and threw him down the stairs.
Handy Spandy, Jack-a-dandy,
Loves plum-cake and sugarcandy;
He brought some at a grocer's shop,
And out he came, hop-hop-hop.
If all the world were water,
And all the water were ink,
What should we do for bread and cheese?
What should we do for drink?
And all the water were ink,
What should we do for bread and cheese?
What should we do for drink?
Hey, my kitten, my kitten,
Hey, my kitten, my deary;
Such a sweet pet as this
Was neither far nor neary.
Hey, my kitten, my deary;
Such a sweet pet as this
Was neither far nor neary.
Here we go up, up, up,
Here we go down, down, down;
Here we go backwards and forwards,
And here we go round, round, round.
Here we go down, down, down;
Here we go backwards and forwards,
And here we go round, round, round.
I had a little pony;
They called him Dapple-grey.
I lent him to a lady,
To ride a mile away.
She whipped him, she slashed
him,
She rode him through the
mire;
I would not lend my pony now,
For all the lady's hire.
See, see. What shall I see?
A horse's head where his tail should be.
A horse's head where his tail should be.
Pussy cat, Pussy cat, where have you been?
I've been to London to look at the Queen.
Pussy cat, Pussy cat, what did you do there?
I frightened a little mouse under the chair.
I've been to London to look at the Queen.
Pussy cat, Pussy cat, what did you do there?
I frightened a little mouse under the chair.
Little Tommy Tittlemouse
Lived in a little house;
He caught fishes
In other men's ditches.
"THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT."
THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT.
This is the Malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the Rat
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the Cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the Dog,
That worried the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
That worried the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the Cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog,
That worried the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
That tossed the dog,
That worried the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the Maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog,
That worried the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog,
That worried the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the Man all tattered and torn,
That kissed the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog, that worried the cat,
That killed the rat, that ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
That kissed the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog, that worried the cat,
That killed the rat, that ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the Priest all shaven and shorn,
That married the man all tattered and torn,
That kissed the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog, that worried the cat,
That killed the rat, that ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
That married the man all tattered and torn,
That kissed the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog, that worried the cat,
That killed the rat, that ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the Cock that crowed in the morn,
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn,
That married the man all tattered and torn,
That kissed the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog, that worried the cat,
That killed the rat, that ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn,
That married the man all tattered and torn,
That kissed the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog, that worried the cat,
That killed the rat, that ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the Farmer who sowed the corn,
That kept the cock that crowed in the morn,
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn,
That married the man all tattered and torn,
That kissed the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog, that worried the cat,
That killed the rat, that ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
That kept the cock that crowed in the morn,
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn,
That married the man all tattered and torn,
That kissed the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog, that worried the cat,
That killed the rat, that ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
| Old mother Widdle Waddle jumped out of bed, And out of the casement she popped her head, Crying, "The house is on fire, the grey goose is dead, And the fox has come to the town, oh!" |
| Two legs sat upon three legs, With one leg in his lap; In comes four legs, And runs away with one leg; Up jumps two legs, Catches up three legs, Throws it after four legs, And makes him bring one leg back. |
A little boy went into a barn,
And lay down on some hay;
An owl came out and flew about,
And the little boy ran away.
And lay down on some hay;
An owl came out and flew about,
And the little boy ran away.
As I was going up Primrose Hill,
Primrose Hill was dirty;
There I met a pretty Miss,
And she dropped me a curtsey.
Little Miss, pretty Miss,
Blessings light upon you;
If I had half-a-crown a day,
I'd spend it all upon you.
I had a little Hen, the prettiest ever seen,
She washed me the dishes and kept the house clean;
She went to the mill to fetch me some flour,
She brought it home in less than an hour;
She baked me my bread, she brewed me my ale,
She sat by the fire and told many a fine tale.
There was a little man, and he had a little gun,
And his bullets were made of lead, lead, lead;
He shot Johnny King through the middle of his wig,
And knocked it right off his head, head, head.
And his bullets were made of lead, lead, lead;
He shot Johnny King through the middle of his wig,
And knocked it right off his head, head, head.
Three straws on a staff,
Would make a baby cry and laugh.
Would make a baby cry and laugh.
Multiplication is vexation,
Division is as bad;
The Rule of Three perplexes me,
And Practice drives me mad.
Division is as bad;
The Rule of Three perplexes me,
And Practice drives me mad.
Daffy-down-Dilly has come up to town,
In a yellow petticoat and a green gown.
In a yellow petticoat and a green gown.
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS.
The Queen of Hearts
She made some tarts
All on a summer's day;
The Knave of Hearts
He stole those tarts,
And took them clean away.
The King of Hearts
Called for the tarts,
And beat the Knave full sore;
The Knave of Hearts
Brought back the tarts,
And vowed he'd steal no more.
She made some tarts
All on a summer's day;
The Knave of Hearts
He stole those tarts,
And took them clean away.
The King of Hearts
Called for the tarts,
And beat the Knave full sore;
The Knave of Hearts
Brought back the tarts,
And vowed he'd steal no more.
There were three crows sat on a stone,
Fal la, la la lal de,
Two flew away, and then there was one,
Fal la, la la lal de,
The other crow finding himself alone,
Fal la, la la lal de,
He flew away, and then there was none,
Fal la, la la lal de.
Fal la, la la lal de,
Two flew away, and then there was one,
Fal la, la la lal de,
The other crow finding himself alone,
Fal la, la la lal de,
He flew away, and then there was none,
Fal la, la la lal de.
"JACK AND JILL WENT UP THE HILL."
[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clicking here.]
1. Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water;
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after.
2. Up Jack got, and home did trot,
As fast as he could caper;
Dame Jill had the job to plaister his knob,
With vinegar and brown paper.
3. Jill came in and she did grin
To see his paper plaister,
Mother vex'd did whip her next,
For causing Jack's disaster.
When the wind is in the East,
'Tis neither good for man nor beast;
When the wind is in the North,
The skilful fisher goes not forth;
When the wind is in the South,
It blows the bait in the fishes' mouth;
When the wind is in the West,
Then 'tis at the very best.
'Tis neither good for man nor beast;
When the wind is in the North,
The skilful fisher goes not forth;
When the wind is in the South,
It blows the bait in the fishes' mouth;
When the wind is in the West,
Then 'tis at the very best.
Cry, baby, cry,
Put your finger in your eye,
And tell your mother it wasn't I.
Put your finger in your eye,
And tell your mother it wasn't I.
THE TURTLE-DOVE'S NEST.
Very high in the pine-tree,
The little Turtle-dove
Made a pretty little nursery,
To please her little love.
She was gentle, she was soft,
And her large dark eye
Often turned to her mate,
Who was sitting close by.
"Coo," said the Turtle-dove,
"Coo," said she;
"Oh, I love thee," said the Turtle-dove.
"And I love THEE."
In the long shady branches
Of the dark pine-tree,
How happy were the Doves
In their little nursery!
The young Turtle-doves
Never quarrelled in the nest;
For they dearly loved each other,
Though they loved their mother best.
"Coo," said the little Doves.
"Coo," said she.
And they played together kindly
In the dark pine-tree.
In this nursery of yours,
Little sister, little brother,
Like the Turtle-dove's nest—
Do you love one another?
Are you kind, are you gentle,
As children ought to be?
Then the happiest of nests
Is your own nursery.
The little Turtle-dove
Made a pretty little nursery,
To please her little love.
She was gentle, she was soft,
And her large dark eye
Often turned to her mate,
Who was sitting close by.
"Coo," said the Turtle-dove,
"Coo," said she;
"Oh, I love thee," said the Turtle-dove.
"And I love THEE."
In the long shady branches
Of the dark pine-tree,
How happy were the Doves
In their little nursery!
The young Turtle-doves
Never quarrelled in the nest;
For they dearly loved each other,
Though they loved their mother best.
"Coo," said the little Doves.
"Coo," said she.
And they played together kindly
In the dark pine-tree.
In this nursery of yours,
Little sister, little brother,
Like the Turtle-dove's nest—
Do you love one another?
Are you kind, are you gentle,
As children ought to be?
Then the happiest of nests
Is your own nursery.
Peter White
Will ne'er go right,
Would you know the reason why?
He follows his nose
Wherever he goes,
And that stands all awry.
Will ne'er go right,
Would you know the reason why?
He follows his nose
Wherever he goes,
And that stands all awry.
He that would thrive,
Must rise at five;
He that hath thriven,
May lie till seven;
And he that by the plough would thrive,
Himself must either hold or drive.
Must rise at five;
He that hath thriven,
May lie till seven;
And he that by the plough would thrive,
Himself must either hold or drive.
Hush-a-bye, baby,
Daddy is near;
Mamma is a lady,
And that's very clear.
Daddy is near;
Mamma is a lady,
And that's very clear.
"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 gave them some broth, without any bread,
She whipped them all round, and sent them to bed.
She had so many children she didn't know what to do
She gave them some broth, without any bread,
She whipped them all round, and sent them to bed.
One, two, three,
I love coffee,
And Billy loves tea,
How good you be.
One, two, three,
I love coffee,
And Billy loves tea.
I love coffee,
And Billy loves tea,
How good you be.
One, two, three,
I love coffee,
And Billy loves tea.
There was an old woman called Nothing-at-all,
Who lived in a dwelling exceedingly small;
A man stretched his mouth to its utmost extent,
And down at one gulp house and old woman went.
Who lived in a dwelling exceedingly small;
A man stretched his mouth to its utmost extent,
And down at one gulp house and old woman went.
I had a little hobby horse,
And it was dapple grey,
Its head was made of pea-straw,
Its tail was made of hay.
I sold it to an old woman
For a copper groat;
And I'll not sing my song again
Without a new coat.
And it was dapple grey,
Its head was made of pea-straw,
Its tail was made of hay.
I sold it to an old woman
For a copper groat;
And I'll not sing my song again
Without a new coat.
Eggs, butter, cheese, bread,
Stick, stock, stone, dead,
Stick him up, stick him down,
Stick him in the old man's crown.
Stick, stock, stone, dead,
Stick him up, stick him down,
Stick him in the old man's crown.
THE FROG'S CHORUS.
"Yaup, yaup, yaup!"
Said the croaking voice of a Frog:
"A rainy day
In the month of May,
And plenty of room in the bog."
"Yaup, yaup, yaup!"
Said the Frog as it hopped away:
"The insects feed
On the floating weed,
And I'm hungry for dinner to-day."
"Yaup, yaup, yaup!"
Said the Frog, as it splashed about:
"Good neighbours all,
When you hear me call,
It is odd that you do not come out."
"Yaup, yaup, yaup!"
Said the Frogs; "it is charming weather;
We'll come and sup,
When the moon is up,
And we'll all of us croak together."
Said the croaking voice of a Frog:
"A rainy day
In the month of May,
And plenty of room in the bog."
"Yaup, yaup, yaup!"
Said the Frog as it hopped away:
"The insects feed
On the floating weed,
And I'm hungry for dinner to-day."
"Yaup, yaup, yaup!"
Said the Frog, as it splashed about:
"Good neighbours all,
When you hear me call,
It is odd that you do not come out."
"Yaup, yaup, yaup!"
Said the Frogs; "it is charming weather;
We'll come and sup,
When the moon is up,
And we'll all of us croak together."
What's the news of the day,
Good neighbour, I pray?
They say the balloon
Is gone up to the moon.
Good neighbour, I pray?
They say the balloon
Is gone up to the moon.
Cross-Patch,
Draw the latch,
Sit by the fire and spin;
Take a cup,
And drink it up,
And call your neighbours in.
Draw the latch,
Sit by the fire and spin;
Take a cup,
And drink it up,
And call your neighbours in.
There was an old Crow
Sat upon a clod.
There's an end of my song,
That's very odd.
Sat upon a clod.
There's an end of my song,
That's very odd.
"DING, DONG, BELL."
Ding, dong, bell, Pussy's in the well.
Who put her in? Little Tommy Green.
Who pulled her out? Little Tommy Trout.
What a naughty boy was that,
Thus to drown poor Pussy Cat.
Who put her in? Little Tommy Green.
Who pulled her out? Little Tommy Trout.
What a naughty boy was that,
Thus to drown poor Pussy Cat.
NURSERY RHYME ALPHABET.
A was the Archer who shot at a frog.
B was Bo-peep, with her crook and her dog.
C was the Cow that jumped over the moon.
D was the Dish that ran off with the spoon.
E was Elizabeth, Betsey, and Bess.
F was the Forest where stood the bird's-nest.
G Gaffer Longlegs; downstairs he'd a fall.
H Humpty Dumpty that sat on the wall.
I was that "I" who was going to St.Ives.
J Jacky Horner, on plum-pie he thrives.
K was King Cole with his fiddlers three.
L Little Gold-Hair, peeping, you see.
M Mother Hubbard who thought her dog dead.
N Little Netticoat, with a red head.
O the old Woman "upon market day;"
P was the "Pedlar" who passed by that way.
Q was the Queen of Hearts, tartlets she makes.
R was Red Riding Hood carrying the cakes.
S Simple Simon, the pieman beside.
T Tommy Tucker, for supper who cried.
U was the Unicorn, "beat round the town;"
V was Victoria—she fought for her crown.
W Whittington, who turned again,
Over great London as Lord Mayor to reign.
X is a letter that here we can spare.
Y "Yankee Doodle," that went to the fair;
Z is the Zany who laughed at him there.
B was Bo-peep, with her crook and her dog.
C was the Cow that jumped over the moon.
D was the Dish that ran off with the spoon.
E was Elizabeth, Betsey, and Bess.
F was the Forest where stood the bird's-nest.
G Gaffer Longlegs; downstairs he'd a fall.
H Humpty Dumpty that sat on the wall.
I was that "I" who was going to St.Ives.
J Jacky Horner, on plum-pie he thrives.
K was King Cole with his fiddlers three.
L Little Gold-Hair, peeping, you see.
M Mother Hubbard who thought her dog dead.
N Little Netticoat, with a red head.
O the old Woman "upon market day;"
P was the "Pedlar" who passed by that way.
Q was the Queen of Hearts, tartlets she makes.
R was Red Riding Hood carrying the cakes.
S Simple Simon, the pieman beside.
T Tommy Tucker, for supper who cried.
U was the Unicorn, "beat round the town;"
V was Victoria—she fought for her crown.
W Whittington, who turned again,
Over great London as Lord Mayor to reign.
X is a letter that here we can spare.
Y "Yankee Doodle," that went to the fair;
Z is the Zany who laughed at him there.
Swan, swan, over the sea;
Swim, swan, swim.
Swan, swan, back again;
Well, swan, swam.
Swim, swan, swim.
Swan, swan, back again;
Well, swan, swam.
One misty moisty morning,
When cloudy was the weather,
I met a little old man,
Clothed all in leather,
Clothed all in leather,
With a strap below his chin.
How do you do? and how do you do?
And how do you do again?
When cloudy was the weather,
I met a little old man,
Clothed all in leather,
Clothed all in leather,
With a strap below his chin.
How do you do? and how do you do?
And how do you do again?
Deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son John,
He went to bed with his stockings on;
One shoe off, and one shoe on,
Deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son John.
He went to bed with his stockings on;
One shoe off, and one shoe on,
Deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son John.
The old woman must stand at the tub, tub, tub,
The dirty clothes to rub, rub, rub;
But when they are clean, and fit to be seen,
I'll dress like a lady, and dance on the green.
The dirty clothes to rub, rub, rub;
But when they are clean, and fit to be seen,
I'll dress like a lady, and dance on the green.
"HICKETY, PICKETY, MY BLACK HEN."
Hickety, pickety, my black hen,
She lays eggs for gentlemen;
Gentlemen come every day
To see what my black hen doth lay.
She lays eggs for gentlemen;
Gentlemen come every day
To see what my black hen doth lay.
I'll tell you a story,
About John-a-Nory:
And now my story's begun.
I'll tell you another,
About Jack and his brother:
And now my story's done.
About John-a-Nory:
And now my story's begun.
I'll tell you another,
About Jack and his brother:
And now my story's done.
I LOVE SIXPENCE.
I love sixpence, pretty little sixpence,
I love sixpence better than my life;
I spent a penny of it, I spent another,
And took fourpence home to my wife.
Oh, my little fourpence, pretty little fourpence,
I love fourpence better than my life;
I spent a penny of it, I spent another,
And I took twopence home to my wife.
Oh, my little twopence, my pretty little twopence,
I love twopence better than my life;
I spent a penny of it, I spent another,
And I took nothing home to my wife.
Oh, my little nothing, my pretty little nothing,
What will nothing buy for my wife?
I have nothing, I spend nothing,
I love nothing better than my wife.
I love sixpence better than my life;
I spent a penny of it, I spent another,
And took fourpence home to my wife.
Oh, my little fourpence, pretty little fourpence,
I love fourpence better than my life;
I spent a penny of it, I spent another,
And I took twopence home to my wife.
Oh, my little twopence, my pretty little twopence,
I love twopence better than my life;
I spent a penny of it, I spent another,
And I took nothing home to my wife.
Oh, my little nothing, my pretty little nothing,
What will nothing buy for my wife?
I have nothing, I spend nothing,
I love nothing better than my wife.
There was a fat man of Bombay,
Who was smoking one sunshiny day,
When a bird called a Snipe flew away with his pipe,
Which vexed the fat man of Bombay.
Who was smoking one sunshiny day,
When a bird called a Snipe flew away with his pipe,
Which vexed the fat man of Bombay.
"WHEN THE PIE WAS OPENED, THE BIRDS BEGAN TO SING."
[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clicking here.]
Sing a song of sixpence,
A bag full of rye;
Four and twenty blackbirds;
Baked in a pie;
When the pie was open'd,
The birds began to sing,
Was not that a dainty dish
To set before the king?
The King was in his counting-house,
Counting out his money;
Counting out his money;
The Queen was in the parlour,
Eating bread and honey;
Eating bread and honey;
The maid was in the garden,
Hanging out the clothes;
By came a little bird,
And snapt off her nose.
Hanging out the clothes;
By came a little bird,
And snapt off her nose.
Little Polly Flinders
Sate among the cinders
Warming her pretty little toes!
Her mother came and caught her,
And whipped her little daughter,
For spoiling her nice new clothes.
Sate among the cinders
Warming her pretty little toes!
Her mother came and caught her,
And whipped her little daughter,
For spoiling her nice new clothes.
Great A, little a,
Bouncing B,
The cat's in the cupboard,
And she can't see.
Bouncing B,
The cat's in the cupboard,
And she can't see.
Poor old Robinson Crusoe! poor old Robinson Crusoe!
They made him a coat of an old Nanny goat,
I wonder how they could do so!
With a ring-a-ting-tang, and a ring-a-ting-tang,
Poor old Robinson Crusoe!
They made him a coat of an old Nanny goat,
I wonder how they could do so!
With a ring-a-ting-tang, and a ring-a-ting-tang,
Poor old Robinson Crusoe!
Bat, bat, come under my hat,
And I'll give you a slice of bacon,
And when I bake I'll give you a cake,
If I am not mistaken.
And I'll give you a slice of bacon,
And when I bake I'll give you a cake,
If I am not mistaken.
The North Wind doth blow,
And we shall have snow,
And what will poor Robin do then?
Poor thing!
He will hop to a barn,
And to keep himself warm,
Will hide his head under his wing,
Poor thing!
And we shall have snow,
And what will poor Robin do then?
Poor thing!
He will hop to a barn,
And to keep himself warm,
Will hide his head under his wing,
Poor thing!
THE OLD WOMAN BUYING HER PIG AT MARKET.
THE OLD WOMAN AND HER PIG.
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.
She went a little farther, and she met a dog.So she said to the dog—
"Dog, dog, bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."
But the dog would not.
She went a little farther, 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."
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 little farther, and she met a fire.So she said—
"Fire, fire, burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."
But the fire would not.
She went a little farther, and she met some water.So she said—
"FIRE, FIRE, BURN STICK."
"Water, water, quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."
But the water would not.
She went a little farther, and she met an ox.So she said—
"Ox, ox, drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."
But the ox would not.
She went a little farther, and she met a butcher.So she said—
"Butcher, butcher, kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
"BUTCHER, BUTCHER, KILL OX."
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."
But the butcher would not.
She went a little farther, and she met a rope.So she said—
"Rope, rope, hang butcher;
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."
But the rope would not.
She went a little farther, and she met a rat.So she said—
"Rat, rat, gnaw rope;
Rope won't hang butcher;
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
Rope won't hang butcher;
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
"RAT, RAT, GNAW ROPE."
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."
But the rat would not.
She went a little farther, and she met a cat.So shep said—
"Cat, cat, kill rat;
Rat won't gnaw rope;
Rope won't hang butcher;
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."
Rat won't gnaw rope;
Rope won't hang butcher;
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."
But the cat said to her, "If you will go to yonder cow, and fetch me a saucer of milk, I will kill the rat."So away went the old woman to the cow, and said—
"COW, COW, GIVE ME A SAUCER OF MILK."
"Cow, cow, give me a saucer of milk;
Cat won't kill rat;
Rat won't gnaw rope;
Rope won't hang butcher;
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."
But the cow said to her, "If you will go to yonder haymakers, and fetch me a wisp of hay, I'll give you the milk."So away the old woman went to the haymakers, and said—
"Haymakers, give me a wisp of hay;
Cow won't give me milk;
Cat won't kill rat;
Rat won't gnaw rope;
Rope won't hang butcher;
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
Cow won't give me milk;
Cat won't kill rat;
Rat won't gnaw rope;
Rope won't hang butcher;
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
"HAYMAKERS, GIVE ME A WISP OF HAY."
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."
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.
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 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 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 CAT BEGAN TO KILL THE RAT."
The little pig in a fright jumped over the stile;
And so the old woman got home that night.
[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clicking here.]
Dickery, dickery, dock!
The mouse ran up the clock;
The clock struck one, and down the mouse ran,
Dickery, dickery, dock!
The mouse ran up the clock;
The clock struck one, and down the mouse ran,
Dickery, dickery, dock!
A diller, a dollar, a ten o'clock scholar,
What makes you come so soon?
You used to come at ten o'clock,
But now you come at noon.
What makes you come so soon?
You used to come at ten o'clock,
But now you come at noon.
Jacky, come give me thy fiddle,
If ever thou mean to thrive.
Nay, I'll not give my fiddle
To any man alive.
If I should give my fiddle,
They'll think that I'm gone mad;
For many a joyful day
My fiddle and I have had.
If ever thou mean to thrive.
Nay, I'll not give my fiddle
To any man alive.
If I should give my fiddle,
They'll think that I'm gone mad;
For many a joyful day
My fiddle and I have had.
"TOMMY KEPT A CHANDLER'S SHOP."
Tommy kept a chandler's shop,
Richard went to buy a mop,
Tommy gave him such a whop,
That sent him out of his chandler's shop.
Richard went to buy a mop,
Tommy gave him such a whop,
That sent him out of his chandler's shop.
See a pin and pick it up,
All the day you'll have good luck.
See a pin and let it lay,
Bad luck you'll have all the day.
All the day you'll have good luck.
See a pin and let it lay,
Bad luck you'll have all the day.
Please to remember the fifth of November,
The Gunpowder treason plot;
I see no reason why Gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot.
A stick and a stake for Victoria's sake,
Hollo, boys! hollo, boys! God save the Queen.
The Gunpowder treason plot;
I see no reason why Gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot.
A stick and a stake for Victoria's sake,
Hollo, boys! hollo, boys! God save the Queen.
Leg over leg,
As the dog went to Dover,
When he came to a stile,
Jump he went over.
As the dog went to Dover,
When he came to a stile,
Jump he went over.
Ladybird, Ladybird,
Fly away home,
Your house is on fire,
Your children will burn.
Fly away home,
Your house is on fire,
Your children will burn.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
I caught a hare alive;
6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
I let her go again.
I caught a hare alive;
6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
I let her go again.
This is the way the ladies go—
Nim, nim, nim.
This is the way the gentlemen go—
Trot, trot, trot.
This is the way the hunters go—
Gallop, gallop, gallop.
Nim, nim, nim.
This is the way the gentlemen go—
Trot, trot, trot.
This is the way the hunters go—
Gallop, gallop, gallop.
"THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF TOBAGO."
There was an old man of Tobago,
Who lived on rice, gruel, and sago;
Till, much to his bliss,
Who lived on rice, gruel, and sago;
Till, much to his bliss,
His physician said this—
"To a leg, sir, of mutton you may go."
"To a leg, sir, of mutton you may go."
Little Miss Muffett
She sat on a tuffett,
Eating of curds and whey;
There came a little spider,
Who sat down beside her,
And frightened Miss Muffett away.
She sat on a tuffett,
Eating of curds and whey;
There came a little spider,
Who sat down beside her,
And frightened Miss Muffett away.
As Tommy Snooks and Bessy Brooks,
Were walking out one Sunday,
Says Tommy Snooks to Bessy Brooks,
Wilt marry me on Monday?
Were walking out one Sunday,
Says Tommy Snooks to Bessy Brooks,
Wilt marry me on Monday?
The cat sat asleep by the side of the fire,
The mistress snored loud as a pig,
Jack took up his fiddle by Jenny's desire,
And struck up a bit of a jig.
The mistress snored loud as a pig,
Jack took up his fiddle by Jenny's desire,
And struck up a bit of a jig.
Here am I,
Little jumping Joan,
When nobody's with me,
I'm always alone.
Little jumping Joan,
When nobody's with me,
I'm always alone.
GOOD DOBBIN.
Oh! thank you, good Dobbin, you've been a long track,
And have carried papa all the way on your back;
You shall have some nice oats, faithful Dobbin, indeed,
For you've brought papa home to his darling with speed.
The howling wind blew, and the pelting rain beat,
And the thick mud has covered his legs and his feet,
But yet on he galloped in spite of the rain,
And has brought papa home to his darling again.
The sun it was setting a long while ago,
And papa could not see the road where he should go,
But Dobbin kept on through the desolate wild,
And has brought papa home again safe to his child.
Now go to the stable, the night is so raw,
Go, Dobbin, and rest your old bones on the straw;
Don't stand any longer out here in the rain,
For you've brought papa home to his darling again.
And have carried papa all the way on your back;
You shall have some nice oats, faithful Dobbin, indeed,
For you've brought papa home to his darling with speed.
The howling wind blew, and the pelting rain beat,
And the thick mud has covered his legs and his feet,
But yet on he galloped in spite of the rain,
And has brought papa home to his darling again.
The sun it was setting a long while ago,
And papa could not see the road where he should go,
But Dobbin kept on through the desolate wild,
And has brought papa home again safe to his child.
Now go to the stable, the night is so raw,
Go, Dobbin, and rest your old bones on the straw;
Don't stand any longer out here in the rain,
For you've brought papa home to his darling again.
"AWAY WENT GILPIN, AND AWAY WENT POSTBOY AT HIS HEELS."
THE DIVERTING
HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN.
HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN.
SHOWING HOW HE WENT FARTHER THAN HE INTENDED,
AND CAME SAFE HOME AGAIN.
John Gilpin was a citizen
Of credit and renown,
A train-band captain eke was he,
Of famous London town.
John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear,
"Though wedded we have been
These twice ten tedious years, yet we
No holiday have seen.
"To-morrow is our wedding-day,
And we will then repair
Unto the "Bell" at Edmonton,
All in a chaise and pair.
"My sister, and my sister's child,
Myself, and children three,
Will fill the chaise; so you must ride
On horseback after we."
He soon replied, "I do admire
Of womankind but one,
And you are she, my dearest dear,
Therefore it shall be done.
"I am a linendraper bold,
As all the world doth know,
And my good friend the calender
Will lend his horse to go."
Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, "That's well said;
And for that wine is dear,
We will be furnished with our own,
Which is both bright and clear."
John Gilpin kissed his loving wife;
O'erjoyed was he to find,
That though on pleasure she was bent,
She had a frugal mind.
The morning came, the chaise was brought,
But yet was not allowed
To drive up to the door, lest all
Should say that she was proud.
So three doors off the chaise was stayed,
Where they did all get in;
Six precious souls, and all agog
To dash through thick and thin.
Smack went the whip, round went the wheels,
Were never folks so glad!
The stones did rattle underneath,
As if Cheapside were mad.
John Gilpin at his horse's side
Seized fast the flowing mane,
And up he got, in haste to ride,
But soon came down again.
For saddletree scarce reached had he,
His journey to begin,
When, turning round his head, he saw
Three customers come in.
So down he came; for loss of time,
Although it grieved him sore,
Yet loss of pence, full well he knew,
Would trouble him much more.
'Twas long before the customers
Were suited to their mind,
When Betty screaming came downstairs,
"The wine is left behind!"
"Good lack!" quoth he, "yet bring it me,
My leathern belt likewise,
In which I bear my trusty sword
When I do exercise."
Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul!)
Had two stone bottles found,
To hold the liquor that she loved,
And keep it safe and sound.
Each bottle had a curling ear,
Through which the belt he drew,
And hung a bottle on each side,
To make his balance true.
Then over all, that he might be
Equipped from top to toe,
His long red cloak, well brushed and neat,
He manfully did throw.
Now see him mounted once again
Upon his nimble steed,
Full slowly pacing o'er the stones,
With caution and good heed.
But finding soon a smoother road
Beneath his well-shod feet,
The snorting beast began to trot,
Which galled him in his seat.
"So, fair and softly!" John he cried,
But John he cried in vain;
That trot became a gallop soon,
In spite of curb and rein.
So stooping down, as needs he must
Who cannot sit upright,
He grasped the mane with both his hands,
And eke with all his might.
His horse, who never in that sort
Had handled been before,
What thing upon his back had got,
Did wonder more and more.
Away went Gilpin, neck or nought;
Away went hat and wig;
But yet was not allowed
To drive up to the door, lest all
Should say that she was proud.
So three doors off the chaise was stayed,
Where they did all get in;
Six precious souls, and all agog
To dash through thick and thin.
Smack went the whip, round went the wheels,
Were never folks so glad!
The stones did rattle underneath,
As if Cheapside were mad.
John Gilpin at his horse's side
Seized fast the flowing mane,
And up he got, in haste to ride,
But soon came down again.
For saddletree scarce reached had he,
His journey to begin,
When, turning round his head, he saw
Three customers come in.
So down he came; for loss of time,
Although it grieved him sore,
Yet loss of pence, full well he knew,
Would trouble him much more.
'Twas long before the customers
Were suited to their mind,
When Betty screaming came downstairs,
"The wine is left behind!"
"Good lack!" quoth he, "yet bring it me,
My leathern belt likewise,
In which I bear my trusty sword
When I do exercise."
Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul!)
Had two stone bottles found,
To hold the liquor that she loved,
And keep it safe and sound.
Each bottle had a curling ear,
Through which the belt he drew,
And hung a bottle on each side,
To make his balance true.
Then over all, that he might be
Equipped from top to toe,
His long red cloak, well brushed and neat,
He manfully did throw.
Now see him mounted once again
Upon his nimble steed,
Full slowly pacing o'er the stones,
With caution and good heed.
But finding soon a smoother road
Beneath his well-shod feet,
The snorting beast began to trot,
Which galled him in his seat.
"So, fair and softly!" John he cried,
But John he cried in vain;
That trot became a gallop soon,
In spite of curb and rein.
So stooping down, as needs he must
Who cannot sit upright,
He grasped the mane with both his hands,
And eke with all his might.
His horse, who never in that sort
Had handled been before,
What thing upon his back had got,
Did wonder more and more.
Away went Gilpin, neck or nought;
Away went hat and wig;
He little dreamt, when he set out,
Of running such a rig.
The wind did blow, the cloak did fly
Like streamer long and gay,
Till, loop and button failing both,
At last it flew away.
Then might all people well discern
The bottles he had slung;
A bottle swinging at each side,
As hath been said or sung.
The dogs did bark, the children screamed,
Up flew the windows all;
And every soul cried out, "Well done!"
As loud as he could bawl.
Away went Gilpin—who but he?
His fame soon spread around:
"He carries weight! he rides a race!
'Tis for a thousand pound!"
And still as fast as he drew near,
'Twas wonderful to view
How in a trice the turnpike-men
Their gates wide open threw.
And now, as he went bowing down
His reeking head full low,
The bottles twain behind his back
Were shattered at a blow.
Down ran the wine into the road,
Most piteous to be seen,
Which made the horses flanks to smoke
As they had basted been.
But still he seemed to carry weight,
With leathern girdle braced;
For all might see the bottle-necks
Still dangling at his waist.
Thus all through merry Islington
These gambols he did play,
Until he came unto the Wash
Of Edmonton so gay;
And there he threw the wash about
On both sides of the way,
Just like unto a trundling mop,
Or a wild goose at play.
At Edmonton his loving wife
From the balcony spied
Her tender husband, wondering much
To see how he did ride.
"Stop, stop, John Gilpin! —Here's the house!"
They all at once did cry;
"The dinner waits, and we are tired;"
Said Gilpin—"So am I!"
But yet his horse was not a whit
Inclined to tarry there;
For why? —his owner had a house
Full ten miles off, at Ware.
So like an arrow swift he flew,
Shot by an archer strong;
So did he fly—which brings me to
The middle of my song.
Away went Gilpin out of breath
And sore against his will,
Till at his friend the calender's,
His horse at last stood still.
The calender, amazed to see
His neighbour in such trim,
Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate,
And thus accosted him:
Of running such a rig.
The wind did blow, the cloak did fly
Like streamer long and gay,
Till, loop and button failing both,
At last it flew away.
Then might all people well discern
The bottles he had slung;
A bottle swinging at each side,
As hath been said or sung.
The dogs did bark, the children screamed,
Up flew the windows all;
And every soul cried out, "Well done!"
As loud as he could bawl.
Away went Gilpin—who but he?
His fame soon spread around:
"He carries weight! he rides a race!
'Tis for a thousand pound!"
And still as fast as he drew near,
'Twas wonderful to view
How in a trice the turnpike-men
Their gates wide open threw.
And now, as he went bowing down
His reeking head full low,
The bottles twain behind his back
Were shattered at a blow.
Down ran the wine into the road,
Most piteous to be seen,
Which made the horses flanks to smoke
As they had basted been.
But still he seemed to carry weight,
With leathern girdle braced;
For all might see the bottle-necks
Still dangling at his waist.
Thus all through merry Islington
These gambols he did play,
Until he came unto the Wash
Of Edmonton so gay;
And there he threw the wash about
On both sides of the way,
Just like unto a trundling mop,
Or a wild goose at play.
At Edmonton his loving wife
From the balcony spied
Her tender husband, wondering much
To see how he did ride.
"Stop, stop, John Gilpin! —Here's the house!"
They all at once did cry;
"The dinner waits, and we are tired;"
Said Gilpin—"So am I!"
But yet his horse was not a whit
Inclined to tarry there;
For why? —his owner had a house
Full ten miles off, at Ware.
So like an arrow swift he flew,
Shot by an archer strong;
So did he fly—which brings me to
The middle of my song.
Away went Gilpin out of breath
And sore against his will,
Till at his friend the calender's,
His horse at last stood still.
The calender, amazed to see
His neighbour in such trim,
Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate,
And thus accosted him:
"What news? what news? your tidings tell;
Tell me you must and shall—
Say why bareheaded you are come,
Or why you come at all?"
Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit,
And loved a timely joke;
And thus unto the calender
In merry guise he spoke:
"I came because your horse would come:
And, if I well forebode,
My hat and wig will soon be here,
They are upon the road."
The calender, right glad to find
His friend in merry pin,
Returned him not a single word,
But to the house went in;
Whence straight he came with hat and wig,
A wig that flowed behind,
A hat not much the worse for wear,
Each comely in its kind.
He held them up, and in his turn
Thus showed his ready wit,
"My head is twice as big as yours,
They therefore needs must fit.
"But let me scrape the dirt away,
That hangs upon your face;
Tell me you must and shall—
Say why bareheaded you are come,
Or why you come at all?"
Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit,
And loved a timely joke;
And thus unto the calender
In merry guise he spoke:
"I came because your horse would come:
And, if I well forebode,
My hat and wig will soon be here,
They are upon the road."
The calender, right glad to find
His friend in merry pin,
Returned him not a single word,
But to the house went in;
Whence straight he came with hat and wig,
A wig that flowed behind,
A hat not much the worse for wear,
Each comely in its kind.
He held them up, and in his turn
Thus showed his ready wit,
"My head is twice as big as yours,
They therefore needs must fit.
"But let me scrape the dirt away,
That hangs upon your face;
And stop and eat, for well you may
Be in a hungry case."
Said John, "It is my wedding-day,
And all the world would stare
If wife should dine at Edmonton,
And I should dine at Ware."
So turning to his horse, he said,
"I am in haste to dine;
'Twas for your pleasure you came here,
You shall go back for mine."
Ah! luckless speech, and bootless boast!
For which he paid full dear;
For while he spake, a braying ass
Did sing most loud and clear;
Whereat his horse did snort, as he
Had heard a lion roar,
And galloped off with all his might,
As he had done before.
Away went Gilpin, and away
Went Gilpin's hat and wig:
He lost them sooner than at first,
For why—they were too big.
Now Mistress Gilpin, when she saw
Her husband posting down
Into the country far away,
She pulled out half-a-crown;
Be in a hungry case."
Said John, "It is my wedding-day,
And all the world would stare
If wife should dine at Edmonton,
And I should dine at Ware."
So turning to his horse, he said,
"I am in haste to dine;
'Twas for your pleasure you came here,
You shall go back for mine."
Ah! luckless speech, and bootless boast!
For which he paid full dear;
For while he spake, a braying ass
Did sing most loud and clear;
Whereat his horse did snort, as he
Had heard a lion roar,
And galloped off with all his might,
As he had done before.
Away went Gilpin, and away
Went Gilpin's hat and wig:
He lost them sooner than at first,
For why—they were too big.
Now Mistress Gilpin, when she saw
Her husband posting down
Into the country far away,
She pulled out half-a-crown;