THERE, LITTLE BABY, THERE YOU GO.
UP TO THE CEILING, DOWN TO THE GROUND,
BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS, ROUND AND ROUND;
DANCE, LITTLE BABY, AND MOTHER WILL SING,
WITH A MERRY CAROL, DING, DING, DING!
Jack be Nimble
JACK BE NIMBLE, JACK BE QUICK:
JACK JUMP OVER THE CANDLESTICK.
There was an Old Woman as I’ve Heard Tell
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 HER KNEES,
WHICH MADE THE OLD WOMAN TO SHIVER AND FREEZE.
WHEN THIS LITTLE WOMAN FIRST DID WAKE,
SHE BEGAN TO SHIVER AND SHE BEGAN TO SHAKE;
SHE BEGAN TO WONDER AND SHE BEGAN TO CRY,
“OH! DEARY, DEARY ME, THIS IS NONE OF I!
“BUT IF IT BE I, AS I DO 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,
“OH! DEARY, DEARY ME, THIS IS NONE OF I!”
I Had a Little Husband
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 BRIDLED HIM, AND SADDLED 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.
If You Sneeze on Monday
IF YOU SNEEZE ON MONDAY,
YOU SNEEZE FOR DANGER;
SNEEZE ON A TUESDAY,
KISS A STRANGER;
SNEEZE ON A WEDNESDAY,
SNEEZE FOR A LETTER;
SNEEZE ON A THURSDAY,
SOMETHING BETTER;
SNEEZE ON A FRIDAY,
SNEEZE FOR SORROW;
SNEEZE ON A SATURDAY,
SEE YOUR SWEETHEART TO-MORROW.
The Miller He Grinds His Corn
THE MILLER HE GRINDS HIS CORN, HIS CORN;
THE MILLER HE GRINDS HIS CORN, HIS CORN;
THE LITTLE BOY BLUE COMES WINDING HIS HORN,
WITH A HOP, STEP, AND A JUMP.
THE CARTER HE WHISTLES ASIDE HIS TEAM;
THE CARTER HE WHISTLES ASIDE HIS TEAM;
AND DOLLY COMES TRIPPING WITH THE NICE CLOTTED CREAM,
WITH A HOP, STEP, AND A JUMP
THE NIGHTINGALE SINGS WHEN WE’RE AT REST;
THE NIGHTINGALE SINGS WHEN WE’RE AT REST;
THE LITTLE BIRD CLIMBS THE TREE FOR HIS NEST,
WITH A HOP, STEP, AND A JUMP.
THE DAMSELS ARE CHURNING FOR CURDS AND WHEY;
THE DAMSELS ARE CHURNING FOR CURDS AND WHEY
THE LADS IN THE FIELDS ARE MAKING THE HAY,
WITH A HOP, STEP, AND A JUMP.
They that Wash on Monday
THEY THAT WASH ON MONDAY
HAVE ALL THE WEEK TO DRY;
THEY THAT WASH ON TUESDAY
ARE NOT SO MUCH AWRY;
THEY THAT WASH ON WEDNESDAY
ARE NOT SO MUCH TO BLAME;
THEY THAT WASH ON THURSDAY
WASH FOR SHAME;
THEY THAT WASH ON FRIDAY
WASH IN NEED;
AND THEY THAT WASH ON SATURDAY,
OH! THEY ARE SLUTS INDEED.
Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
BAA, BAA, BLACK SHEEP,
HAVE YOU ANY WOOL?
YES, MARRY, HAVE I,
THREE BAGS FULL;
ONE FOR MY MASTER,
AND ONE FOR MY DAME,
BUT ONE FOR THE LITTLE BOY
WHO CRIES IN THE LANE.
“COME, MY CHILDREN, COME AWAY
FOR THE SUN SHINES BRIGHT TO-DAY.”
Little Jack Horner
LITTLE JACK HORNER
SAT IN A CORNER,
EATING A CHRISTMAS PIE;
HE PUT IN HIS THUMB,
AND PULLED OUT A PLUM,
AND SAID,
“WHAT A GOOD BOY AM I!”
Jack Sprat
JACK SPRAT COULD EAT NO FAT,
HIS WIFE COULD EAT NO LEAN;
AND SO BETWEEN THEM BOTH
THEY LEFT THE PLATTER CLEAN.
Little Nannie Etticoat
LITTLE NANNIE ETTICOAT
IN A WHITE PETTICOAT,
AND A RED NOSE.
THE LONGER SHE STANDS
THE SHORTER SHE GROWS. (A Candle.)
Tom, Tom
TOM, TOM, THE PIPER’S SON,
STOLE A PIG, AND AWAY DID RUN.
THE PIG WAS EATEN, AND TOM WAS BEATEN,
AND TOM WENT ROARING DOWN THE STREET.
Little Tee Wee
LITTLE TEE WEE,
HE WENT TO SEA
IN AN OPEN BOAT;
AND WHILE AFLOAT
THE LITTLE BOAT BENDED,
AND MY STRY’S ENDED.
There Was a Little Guinea-pig
THERE WAS A LITTLE GUINEA-PIG,
WHO, BEING LITTLE, WAS NOT BIG;
HE ALWAYS WALKED UPON HIS FEET,
AND NEVER FASTED WHEN HE ATE.
WHEN FROM A PLACE HE RAN AWAY,
HE NEVER AT THAT PLACE DID STAY;
AND WHILE HE RAN, AS I AM TOLD,
HE NE’ER STOOD STILL FOR YOUNG OR OLD.
HE OFTEN SQUEAKED, AND SOMETIMES VI’LENT,
AND WHEN HE SQUEAKED HE NE’ER WAS SILENT;
THOUGH NE’ER INSTRUCTED BY A CAT,
HE KNEW A MOUSE WAS NOT A RAT.
ONE DAY, AS I AM CERTIFIED,
HE TOOK A WHIM AND FAIRLY DIED;
AND, AS I’M TOLD BY MEN OF SENSE,
HE NEVER HAS BEEN LIVING SINCE.
Higglepy, Piggleby
HIGGLEPY, PIGGLEBY, MY BLACK HEN,
SHE LAYS EGGS FOR GENTLEMEN;
SOMETIMES NINE, AND SOMETIMES TEN,
HIGGLEPY, PIGGLEBY, MY BLACK HEN!
Wee Willie Winkie
WEE WILLIE WINKIE
RUNS THROUGH THE TOWN
UPSTAIRS AND DOWNSTAIRS,
IN HIS NIGHT GOWN;
TAPPING AT THE WINDOW,
CRYING AT THE LOCK,
“ARE THE BABIES IN THEIR BED?
FOR IT’S NOW TEN O’CLOCK.”
Swan Swam over the Sea
SWAN SWAM OVER THE SEA, SWIM, SWAN, SWIM;
SWAN SWAM BACK AGAIN, WELL SWUM, SWAN.
As I was Going Up Pippen Hill
AS I WAS GOING UP PIPPEN HILL—
PIPPEN 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-AXROWN A-DAY,
I’D SPEND IT ALL UPON YOU.
See a Pin and Pick it Up
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!
Dickory, Dickory, Dock
DICKORY, DICKORY, DOCK,
THE MOUSE RAN UP THE CLOCK,
THE CLOCK STRUCK ONE,
THE MOUSE RAN DOWN;
HICKORY, DICKORY, DOCK.
Sing, Sing! What Shall I Sing?
SING, SING! WHAT SHALL I SING?
THE CAT HAS EATEN THE PUDDING-STRING!
DO, DO! WHAT SHALL I DO?
THE CAT HAS BITTEN IT QUITE IN TWO.
Some Little Mice
SOME LITTLE MICE SAT IN A BARN TO SPIN;
PUSSY CAME BY, AND POPPED HER HEAD IN;
“SHALL I COME IN, AND CUT YOUR THREADS OFF?”
“OH! NO, KIND SIR, YOU WOULD SNAP OUR HEADS OFF.”
Peter Piper
PETER PIPER PICKED A PECK OF PICKLED PEPPERS;
A PECK OF PICKLED PEPPERS PETER PIPER PICKED.
IF PETER PIPER PICKED A PECK OF PICKLED PEPPERS,
WHERE’S THE PECK OF PICKLED PEPPERS PETER PIPER PICKED?
Bless You, Bless You
BLESS YOU, BLESS YOU, BONNIE BEE;
SAY, WHEN WILL YOUR WEDDING BE?
IF IT BE TO-MORROW DAY,
TAKE YOUR WINGS AND FLY AWAY
Snail, Snail, Come out of Your Hole
SNAIL, SNAIL, COME OUT OF YOUR HOLE,
OR ELSE I WILL BEAT YOU AS BLACK AS A COAL.
SNAIL, SNAIL, BLOW YOUR HORN,
OR ELSE I’LL GIVE YOU A PEPPERCORN.
Jack and Jill
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.
UP JACK GOT AND HOME DID TROT
AS FAST AS HE COULD CAPER;
AND GOT HIS MOTHER TO PLASTER HIS NOB,
WITH VINEGAR AND BROWN PAPER.
Old Mistress McShuttle
OLD MISTRESS McSHUTTLE
LIVED IN A COAL-SCUTTLE,
ALONG WITH HER DOG AND HER CAT;
WHAT THEY ATE, I CAN’T TELL,
BUT ‘TIS KNOWN VERY WELL
THAT NONE OF THE PARTY WERE FAT,
Taffy was a Welshman
TAFFY WAS A WELSHMAN, TAFFY
WAS A THIEF;
TAFFY CAME TO MY HOUSE AND
STOLE A PIECE OF BEEF;
I WENT TO TAFFY’S HOUSE, TAFFY
WAS NOT AT HOME;
TAFFY CAME TO MY HOUSE AND
STOLE A MARROWBONE.
I WENT TO TAFFY’S HOUSE, TAFFY
WAS IN BED;
I TOOK THE MARROW-BONE, AND
THREW IT AT HIS HEAD.
Bye, Baby Bunting
BYE, BABY BUNTING,
DADDY’S GONE A HUNTING
TO GET A LITTLE RABBIT SKIN
TO WRAP THE BABY BUNTING IN.
Rub a Dub Dub
RUB-A-DUB-DUB, THREE MEN IN A TUB,
THE BUTCHER, THE BAKER,
THE CANDLESTICK MAKER;
AND THEY ALL JUMPED OVER A HOT POTATO.
I Went Up One Pair of Stairs
1.I WENT UP ONE PAIR OF STAIRS—2. JUST LIKE ME.
1.I WENT UP TWO PAIR OF STAIRS—2. JUST LIKE ME.
1.I WENT INTO A ROOM—2. JUST LIKE ME.
1.I LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDOW—2. JUST LIKE ME.
1. AND THERE I SAW A MONKEY—2. JUST LIKE ME.
Elsie Marley
ELSIE MARLEY HAS GROWN SO FINE
SHE WON’T GET UP TO FEED THE SWINE;
BUT LIES IN BED TILL HALF-PAST NINE—
LAZY ELSIE MARLEY!
I had a Little Hobby-horse
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.
Old King Cole
OLD KING COLE
WAS A MERRY OLD SOUL,
AND A MERRY OLD SOUL WAS HE.
HE CALLED FOR HIS PIPE,
AND HE CALLED FOR HIS BOWL,
AND HE CALLED FOR HIS FIDDLERS THREE.
EVERY FIDDLER, HE HAD A FIDDLE,
AND A VERY FINE FIDDLE HAD HE;
TWEEDLE DEE, TWEEDLE DEE, WENT THE FIDDLERS THREE.
OH, THERE’S NONE SO RARE
AS CAN COMPARE
WITH KING COLE AND HIS FIDDLERS THREE.
The Man in the Moon
THE MAN IN THE MOON
CAME DOWN TOO SOON,
AND ASKED THE WAY TO NORWICH;
HE WENT TO THE SOUTH,
AND BURNT HIS MOUTH,
WITH SUPPING COLD PEASE-PORRIDGE.
“OLD KING COLE WAS A MERRY OLD SOUL AND A MERRY OLD SOUL WAS HE”
When the Wind is in the East
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 FISH’S MOUTH;
WHEN THE WIND IS IN THE WEST,
THEN ‘TIS AT ITS VERY BEST
The Girl in the Lane
THE GIRL IN THE LANE THAT COULDN’T SPEAK PLAIN,
CRIED, “GOBBLE, GOBBLE, GOBBLE”;
THE MAN ON THE HILL, THAT COULDN’T STAND STILL,
WENT HOBBLE, HOBBLE, HOBBLE.
Peter White
PETER WHITE WILL NE’ER GO RIGHT.
WOULD YOU KNOW THE REASON WHY?
HE FOLLOWS HIS NOSE WHEREVER HE GOES,
Where are You Going, My Pretty Maid?
“WHERE ARE YOU GOING, MY PRETTY MAID?”
“I’M GOING A-MILKING, SIR,” SHE SAID.
“MAY I GO WITH YOU, MY PRETTY MAID?”
“YOU’RE KINDLY WELCOME, SIR,” SHE SAID.
“WHAT IS YOUR FATHER, MY PRETTY MAID?”
“MY FATHER’S A FARMER, SIR,” SHE SAID.
“WHAT IS YOUR FORTUNE, MY PRETTY MAID?”
“MY FACE IS MY FORTUNE, SIR,” SHE SAID.
“THEN I CANT MARRY YOU, MY PRETTY MAID!”
“NOBODY ASKED YOU, SIR!” SHE SAID.
The Man in the Wilderness
THE MAN IN THE WILDERNESS ASKED ME
HOW MANY STRAWBERRIES GROW IN THE SEA.
I ANSWERED HIM, AS I THOUGHT GOOD,
AS MANY AS RED HERRINGS GROW IN THE WOOD.
Dance to Your Daddy
DANCE 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.
Great A, Little a
GREAT A, LITTLE A, BOUNCING B.
THE CAT’S IN THE CUPBOARD AND CANT SEE ME.
Bow-Wow, Says the Dog
BOW-WOW, SAYS THE DOG;
MEW-MEW, SAYS THE CAT;
GRUNT, GRUNT, GOES THE HOG;
AND SQUEAK, GOES THE RAT.
TU-WHU, SAYS THE OWL;
CAW, CAW, SAYS THE CROW;
QUACK, QUACK, SAYS THE DUCK;
AND WHAT SPARROWS SAY YOU KNOW.
SO, WITH SPARROWS AND OWLS,
WITH RATS AND WITH DOGS,
WITH DUCKS AND WITH CROWS,
WITH CATS AND WITH HOGS,
A FINE SONG I HAVE MADE,
TO PLEASE YOU, MY DEAR;
AND IF IT’S WELL SUNG,
’TWILL BE CHARMING TO HEAR.
Elizabeth, Elspeth
ELIZABETH, ELSPETH, BETSY, AND BESS,
THEY ALL WENT TOGETHER TO SEEK A BIRD’S NEST.
THEY FOUND A BIRD’S NEST WITH FIVE EGGS IN,
THEY ALL TOOK ONE, AND LEFT FOUR IN.
Here We Go Up, Up, Up
HERE WE GO UP, UP, UP,
AND HERE WE GO DOWN, DOWN, DOWNY,
AND HERE WE GO BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS,
AND HERE WE GO ROUND, ROUND, ROUNDY.
I’ll Tell You a Story
I’LL TELL YOU A STORY
ABOUT JACK A NORY—
AND NOW MY STORY’S BEGUN.
I’LL TELL YOU ANOTHER
ABOUT JACK, HIS BROTHER;
AND NOW MY STORY’S DONE.
Come When
You’re Called
COME WHEN YOU’RE CALLED,
DO WHAT YOU’RE BID,
SHUT THE DOOR AFTER YOU,
NEVER BE CHID.
Simple Simon
SIMPLE SIMON MET A PIEMAN
GOING TO THE FAIR;
SAYS SIMPLE SIMON TO THE PIEMAN,
“PRAY GIVE ME OF YOUR WARE.”
SAYS THE PIEMAN TO SIMPLE SIMON,
“SHOW ME FIRST YOUR PENNY”
SAYS SIMPLE SIMON TO THE PIEMAN
“INDEED I HAVE NOT ANY”
SIMPLE SIMON WENT A-FISHING
FOR TO CATCH A WHALE;
ALL THE WATER HE HAD GOT
WAS IN HIS MOTHER’S PAIL.
SIMPLE SIMON WENT TO SEE
IF PLUMS GREW ON A THISTLE ;
HE PRICKED HIS FINGERS VERY MUCH,
WHICH MADE POOR SIMON WHISTLE.
As I Walked by Myself
AS I WALKED BY MYSELF,
AND TALKED TO MYSELF,
MYSELF SAID UNTO ME,
LOOK TO THYSELF,
TAKE CARE OF THYSELF,
FOR NOBODY CARES FOR THEE.
I ANSWERED MYSELF,
AND SAID TO MYSELF
IN THE SELF-SAME REPARTEE,
LOOK TO THYSELF,
OR NOT LOOK TO THYSELF,
THE SELF-SAME THING WILL BE.
Nuts an’ May
HERE WE COME GATHERING NUTS AN’ MAY,