"With hartshorn in his handCame Doctor Tom-tit,Saying, 'Really, good sirs,It's only a fit.'"
"With hartshorn in his handCame Doctor Tom-tit,Saying, 'Really, good sirs,It's only a fit.'"
"With hartshorn in his handCame Doctor Tom-tit,Saying, 'Really, good sirs,It's only a fit.'"
"Cowardly, cowardly custard,Eats his mother's mustard."
"Cowardly, cowardly custard,Eats his mother's mustard."
"Cowardly, cowardly custard,Eats his mother's mustard."
"Tommy Trot, a man of law,Sold his bed and lay on straw,Sold the straw and slept on grassTo buy his wife a looking-glass."
"Tommy Trot, a man of law,Sold his bed and lay on straw,Sold the straw and slept on grassTo buy his wife a looking-glass."
"Tommy Trot, a man of law,Sold his bed and lay on straw,Sold the straw and slept on grassTo buy his wife a looking-glass."
"Goosey, goosey, gander,Whither shall I wander,Upstairs, downstairs,In my lady's chamber?"
"Goosey, goosey, gander,Whither shall I wander,Upstairs, downstairs,In my lady's chamber?"
"Goosey, goosey, gander,Whither shall I wander,Upstairs, downstairs,In my lady's chamber?"
"Dilly, dilly, dilly, dilly,Come here and be killed."
"Dilly, dilly, dilly, dilly,Come here and be killed."
"Dilly, dilly, dilly, dilly,Come here and be killed."
A nursery-tale rhyme of Henry VIII.'s time:—
"The white dove sat on the castell wall,I bend my bow and shoote her I shall;I put hir in my cloue, both fethers and all;I layd my bridle on the shelfe.If you will any more sing it yourself."
"The white dove sat on the castell wall,I bend my bow and shoote her I shall;I put hir in my cloue, both fethers and all;I layd my bridle on the shelfe.If you will any more sing it yourself."
"The white dove sat on the castell wall,I bend my bow and shoote her I shall;I put hir in my cloue, both fethers and all;I layd my bridle on the shelfe.If you will any more sing it yourself."
"This little pig went to market,This one stayed at home,This one had a sugar-stick,This one had none,And this one cried out wee, wee, wee,I'll tell my mother when I get home."
"This little pig went to market,This one stayed at home,This one had a sugar-stick,This one had none,And this one cried out wee, wee, wee,I'll tell my mother when I get home."
"This little pig went to market,This one stayed at home,This one had a sugar-stick,This one had none,And this one cried out wee, wee, wee,I'll tell my mother when I get home."
"Little Bo Peep she lost her sheep,And could not tell where to find them;Let them alone and they'll come home,Carrying their tails behind them."
"Little Bo Peep she lost her sheep,And could not tell where to find them;Let them alone and they'll come home,Carrying their tails behind them."
"Little Bo Peep she lost her sheep,And could not tell where to find them;Let them alone and they'll come home,Carrying their tails behind them."
"See-saw, Margery Daw, sold her bed and lay in the straw;Was not she a dirty slut to sell her bed and lie in the dirt?"
"See-saw, Margery Daw, sold her bed and lay in the straw;Was not she a dirty slut to sell her bed and lie in the dirt?"
"See-saw, Margery Daw, sold her bed and lay in the straw;Was not she a dirty slut to sell her bed and lie in the dirt?"
"Four-and-twenty tailors went to kill a snail,The best man among them dare not touch her tail;She put out her horns like a little Kyloe cow,Run, tailors, run, or she'll kill you all e'en now."
"Four-and-twenty tailors went to kill a snail,The best man among them dare not touch her tail;She put out her horns like a little Kyloe cow,Run, tailors, run, or she'll kill you all e'en now."
"Four-and-twenty tailors went to kill a snail,The best man among them dare not touch her tail;She put out her horns like a little Kyloe cow,Run, tailors, run, or she'll kill you all e'en now."
"I had a little moppet, I put it in my pocket,And fed it on corn and hay,There came a proud beggarAnd swore he would wed her, and stole my little moppet away."
"I had a little moppet, I put it in my pocket,And fed it on corn and hay,There came a proud beggarAnd swore he would wed her, and stole my little moppet away."
"I had a little moppet, I put it in my pocket,And fed it on corn and hay,There came a proud beggarAnd swore he would wed her, and stole my little moppet away."
"Hub-a-dub dub,Three men in a tub,The butcher, the baker, the candle-stick maker,They all jumped out of a rotten potato."
"Hub-a-dub dub,Three men in a tub,The butcher, the baker, the candle-stick maker,They all jumped out of a rotten potato."
"Hub-a-dub dub,Three men in a tub,The butcher, the baker, the candle-stick maker,They all jumped out of a rotten potato."
"Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son JohnWent to bed with his stockings on;One shoe off, one shoe on,Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son John."
"Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son JohnWent to bed with his stockings on;One shoe off, one shoe on,Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son John."
"Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son JohnWent to bed with his stockings on;One shoe off, one shoe on,Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son John."
"Jack and Jyll went up the hillTo fetch a pail of water,Jack fell down and broke his crown,And Jyll came tumbling after."
"Jack and Jyll went up the hillTo fetch a pail of water,Jack fell down and broke his crown,And Jyll came tumbling after."
"Jack and Jyll went up the hillTo fetch a pail of water,Jack fell down and broke his crown,And Jyll came tumbling after."
"Hi diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle,The cow jumped over the moon,The little dog laughed to see such fine sport,And the dish ran away with the spoon."
"Hi diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle,The cow jumped over the moon,The little dog laughed to see such fine sport,And the dish ran away with the spoon."
"Hi diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle,The cow jumped over the moon,The little dog laughed to see such fine sport,And the dish ran away with the spoon."
"Baa! baa! black sheep, have you any wool?Yes, sir; yes, sir, three bags full,One for the master, another for the maid,And one for the little child that cried in the lane."
"Baa! baa! black sheep, have you any wool?Yes, sir; yes, sir, three bags full,One for the master, another for the maid,And one for the little child that cried in the lane."
"Baa! baa! black sheep, have you any wool?Yes, sir; yes, sir, three bags full,One for the master, another for the maid,And one for the little child that cried in the lane."
"Here comes a poor duke out of Spain,He comes to court your daughter Jane."
"Here comes a poor duke out of Spain,He comes to court your daughter Jane."
"Here comes a poor duke out of Spain,He comes to court your daughter Jane."
"Ride to the market to buy a fat pig,Home again, home again, jiggerty-jig.Ride to the market to buy a fat hog,Home again, home again, jiggerty-jog."
"Ride to the market to buy a fat pig,Home again, home again, jiggerty-jig.Ride to the market to buy a fat hog,Home again, home again, jiggerty-jog."
"Ride to the market to buy a fat pig,Home again, home again, jiggerty-jig.Ride to the market to buy a fat hog,Home again, home again, jiggerty-jog."
"Cross-patch, draw the latch,Sit by the fire and spin;Take a cup and drink it up,And call your neighbours in."
"Cross-patch, draw the latch,Sit by the fire and spin;Take a cup and drink it up,And call your neighbours in."
"Cross-patch, draw the latch,Sit by the fire and spin;Take a cup and drink it up,And call your neighbours in."
"The man of theSouth[I]he burnt his mouthBy eating cold plum porridge,The man in the moon came down too soonTo ask the way to Norwich."
"The man of theSouth[I]he burnt his mouthBy eating cold plum porridge,The man in the moon came down too soonTo ask the way to Norwich."
"The man of theSouth[I]he burnt his mouthBy eating cold plum porridge,The man in the moon came down too soonTo ask the way to Norwich."
"Dance a babby diddy,What'll th' mammy do wi' thee?Come sit on her lap, theart rosy and fat,Dance a babby diddy."
"Dance a babby diddy,What'll th' mammy do wi' thee?Come sit on her lap, theart rosy and fat,Dance a babby diddy."
"Dance a babby diddy,What'll th' mammy do wi' thee?Come sit on her lap, theart rosy and fat,Dance a babby diddy."
"Dickery, dickery, dock,The mouse ran up the clock,The clock struck one,The mouse ran down,Dickery, dickery, dock.The clock struck three,The mouse ran away,Dickery, dickery, dock.The clock struck ten,The mouse came again,Dickery, dickery, dock."
"Dickery, dickery, dock,The mouse ran up the clock,The clock struck one,The mouse ran down,Dickery, dickery, dock.The clock struck three,The mouse ran away,Dickery, dickery, dock.The clock struck ten,The mouse came again,Dickery, dickery, dock."
"Dickery, dickery, dock,The mouse ran up the clock,The clock struck one,The mouse ran down,Dickery, dickery, dock.The clock struck three,The mouse ran away,Dickery, dickery, dock.The clock struck ten,The mouse came again,Dickery, dickery, dock."
"There was an old woman toss'd up in a blanketNinety-nine times as high as the moon,But where she was going no mortal could tell,For under her arm she carried a broom.'Old woman, old woman, old woman,' said I,'Whither, ah! whither, whither so high?''Oh, I'm sweeping the cobwebs off the sky,And I'll be with you by-and-by!'"
"There was an old woman toss'd up in a blanketNinety-nine times as high as the moon,But where she was going no mortal could tell,For under her arm she carried a broom.'Old woman, old woman, old woman,' said I,'Whither, ah! whither, whither so high?''Oh, I'm sweeping the cobwebs off the sky,And I'll be with you by-and-by!'"
"There was an old woman toss'd up in a blanketNinety-nine times as high as the moon,But where she was going no mortal could tell,For under her arm she carried a broom.'Old woman, old woman, old woman,' said I,'Whither, ah! whither, whither so high?''Oh, I'm sweeping the cobwebs off the sky,And I'll be with you by-and-by!'"
The wildest idea is suggested by the rhyme of—
"We're all in the dumps, for diamonds are trumps,And the kittens are gone to St. Paul's;All the babies are bit, and the moon's in a fit,And the houses are built without walls."
"We're all in the dumps, for diamonds are trumps,And the kittens are gone to St. Paul's;All the babies are bit, and the moon's in a fit,And the houses are built without walls."
"We're all in the dumps, for diamonds are trumps,And the kittens are gone to St. Paul's;All the babies are bit, and the moon's in a fit,And the houses are built without walls."
The economy of the little boy who lived all alone is seen in—
"When I was a little boy I lived by myself,All the bread and cheese I got I put upon the shelf."
"When I was a little boy I lived by myself,All the bread and cheese I got I put upon the shelf."
"When I was a little boy I lived by myself,All the bread and cheese I got I put upon the shelf."
"Draw a pail of waterFor my lady's daughter,My father's a king and my mother's a queen,My two little sisters are dressed up in green."
"Draw a pail of waterFor my lady's daughter,My father's a king and my mother's a queen,My two little sisters are dressed up in green."
"Draw a pail of waterFor my lady's daughter,My father's a king and my mother's a queen,My two little sisters are dressed up in green."
The baby game of tickling the palm of the hand will be remembered in—
"Round about, round about, runs the little hare,First it runs that way, then it runs up there."
"Round about, round about, runs the little hare,First it runs that way, then it runs up there."
"Round about, round about, runs the little hare,First it runs that way, then it runs up there."
"Needles and pins, needles and pins,When you get married your trouble begins;Trouble begins, trouble begins,When you get married your trouble begins."
"Needles and pins, needles and pins,When you get married your trouble begins;Trouble begins, trouble begins,When you get married your trouble begins."
"Needles and pins, needles and pins,When you get married your trouble begins;Trouble begins, trouble begins,When you get married your trouble begins."
"The rose is red, the violet's blue,Pinks are sweet, and so are you."
"The rose is red, the violet's blue,Pinks are sweet, and so are you."
"The rose is red, the violet's blue,Pinks are sweet, and so are you."
"The rose is red, the violet's blue,The grass is green, and so are you."
"The rose is red, the violet's blue,The grass is green, and so are you."
"The rose is red, the violet's blue,The grass is green, and so are you."
"Little Tommy Tupper, waiting for his supper,What must he have?Some brown bread and butter."
"Little Tommy Tupper, waiting for his supper,What must he have?Some brown bread and butter."
"Little Tommy Tupper, waiting for his supper,What must he have?Some brown bread and butter."
FOOTNOTES:[I]South Devon.
[I]South Devon.
[I]South Devon.
"Therewas a little man and he woo'd a little maid,And he said, 'Little maid, will you wed—wed—wed?I have little more to say than will you—Yea or Nay?For the least said is soonest mended—ded—ded—ded.'"The little maid replied, some say a little sighed,'But what shall we have for to eat—eat—eat?Will the love that you're so rich inMake a fire in the kitchen,Or the little God of Love turn the spit, spit, spit?'"
"Therewas a little man and he woo'd a little maid,And he said, 'Little maid, will you wed—wed—wed?I have little more to say than will you—Yea or Nay?For the least said is soonest mended—ded—ded—ded.'"The little maid replied, some say a little sighed,'But what shall we have for to eat—eat—eat?Will the love that you're so rich inMake a fire in the kitchen,Or the little God of Love turn the spit, spit, spit?'"
"Therewas a little man and he woo'd a little maid,And he said, 'Little maid, will you wed—wed—wed?I have little more to say than will you—Yea or Nay?For the least said is soonest mended—ded—ded—ded.'
"The little maid replied, some say a little sighed,'But what shall we have for to eat—eat—eat?Will the love that you're so rich inMake a fire in the kitchen,Or the little God of Love turn the spit, spit, spit?'"
"Cock-a-doodle doo, my dame has lost her shoe;My master's lost his fiddling stick and doesn't know what to do.Cock-a-doodle doo, what is my dame to do?Till master finds his fiddling stick she'll dance without her shoe."Cock-a-doodle doo, my dame has found her shoe, and master's found his fiddling stick.Sing doodle, doodle doo—Cock-a-doodle doo,My dame will dance with you,While master fiddles his fiddling stickFor dame and doodle doo."
"Cock-a-doodle doo, my dame has lost her shoe;My master's lost his fiddling stick and doesn't know what to do.Cock-a-doodle doo, what is my dame to do?Till master finds his fiddling stick she'll dance without her shoe."Cock-a-doodle doo, my dame has found her shoe, and master's found his fiddling stick.Sing doodle, doodle doo—Cock-a-doodle doo,My dame will dance with you,While master fiddles his fiddling stickFor dame and doodle doo."
"Cock-a-doodle doo, my dame has lost her shoe;My master's lost his fiddling stick and doesn't know what to do.Cock-a-doodle doo, what is my dame to do?Till master finds his fiddling stick she'll dance without her shoe.
"Cock-a-doodle doo, my dame has found her shoe, and master's found his fiddling stick.Sing doodle, doodle doo—Cock-a-doodle doo,My dame will dance with you,While master fiddles his fiddling stickFor dame and doodle doo."
The third-century monarch, King Cole, is seriously libelled in the nursery jingle of—
"Old King Cole was a merry old soul,A merry old soul was he,He called for his glass, he called for his pipe,He called for his fiddlers three."
"Old King Cole was a merry old soul,A merry old soul was he,He called for his glass, he called for his pipe,He called for his fiddlers three."
"Old King Cole was a merry old soul,A merry old soul was he,He called for his glass, he called for his pipe,He called for his fiddlers three."
"Rowsty dowt, my fire's all out,My little Dame Trot is not at home! Oh my!But I'll saddle my cock and bridle my hen,And fetch my little dame home again! Home again!Home she came, tritty-ti-trot,She asked for some dinner she left in the pot;Some she ate and some she shod,And the rest she gave to the truckler's dog.She took up the ladle and knocked its head,And now poor dapsy dog is dead!"
"Rowsty dowt, my fire's all out,My little Dame Trot is not at home! Oh my!But I'll saddle my cock and bridle my hen,And fetch my little dame home again! Home again!Home she came, tritty-ti-trot,She asked for some dinner she left in the pot;Some she ate and some she shod,And the rest she gave to the truckler's dog.She took up the ladle and knocked its head,And now poor dapsy dog is dead!"
"Rowsty dowt, my fire's all out,My little Dame Trot is not at home! Oh my!But I'll saddle my cock and bridle my hen,And fetch my little dame home again! Home again!Home she came, tritty-ti-trot,She asked for some dinner she left in the pot;Some she ate and some she shod,And the rest she gave to the truckler's dog.She took up the ladle and knocked its head,And now poor dapsy dog is dead!"
"There was a little man and he had a little gun,And his bullets they were made of lead,He went to the brook and shot a little duckRight through its head, head, head."He took it home to his wife JoanAnd bade her a good fire to make,While he went to the brook where he shot the little duckTo see if he could shoot the little drake."The drake was a-swimmingWith its curly tail,The little man made it his mark,He let off his gunBut fired too soon,And the drake flew away with a quack, quack, quack."
"There was a little man and he had a little gun,And his bullets they were made of lead,He went to the brook and shot a little duckRight through its head, head, head."He took it home to his wife JoanAnd bade her a good fire to make,While he went to the brook where he shot the little duckTo see if he could shoot the little drake."The drake was a-swimmingWith its curly tail,The little man made it his mark,He let off his gunBut fired too soon,And the drake flew away with a quack, quack, quack."
"There was a little man and he had a little gun,And his bullets they were made of lead,He went to the brook and shot a little duckRight through its head, head, head.
"He took it home to his wife JoanAnd bade her a good fire to make,While he went to the brook where he shot the little duckTo see if he could shoot the little drake.
"The drake was a-swimmingWith its curly tail,The little man made it his mark,He let off his gunBut fired too soon,And the drake flew away with a quack, quack, quack."
The Creole's slave-song to her infant is built on the same lines, and runs—
"If you were a little birdAnd myself a gun,I would shoot you.Bum! Bum! Bum!"Oh! my precious little jewelOf mahogany,I love youAs a hog loves mud."
"If you were a little birdAnd myself a gun,I would shoot you.Bum! Bum! Bum!"Oh! my precious little jewelOf mahogany,I love youAs a hog loves mud."
"If you were a little birdAnd myself a gun,I would shoot you.Bum! Bum! Bum!
"Oh! my precious little jewelOf mahogany,I love youAs a hog loves mud."
"Some say the devil's dead,And buried in cold harbour;Some say he's alive again,And 'prenticed to a barber."
"Some say the devil's dead,And buried in cold harbour;Some say he's alive again,And 'prenticed to a barber."
"Some say the devil's dead,And buried in cold harbour;Some say he's alive again,And 'prenticed to a barber."
"I had a little pony, his name was Dapple Grey;I lent him to a lady, to ride a mile away.She whipped him and she lashed him,She rode him through the mire;I would not lend my pony nowFor all that lady's hire."
"I had a little pony, his name was Dapple Grey;I lent him to a lady, to ride a mile away.She whipped him and she lashed him,She rode him through the mire;I would not lend my pony nowFor all that lady's hire."
"I had a little pony, his name was Dapple Grey;I lent him to a lady, to ride a mile away.She whipped him and she lashed him,She rode him through the mire;I would not lend my pony nowFor all that lady's hire."
"Little Blue Betty, she lived in a den,She sold good ale to gentlemen.Gentlemen came every day,And little Blue Betty she skipped away.She hopped upstairs to make her bed,But tumbled down and broke her head."
"Little Blue Betty, she lived in a den,She sold good ale to gentlemen.Gentlemen came every day,And little Blue Betty she skipped away.She hopped upstairs to make her bed,But tumbled down and broke her head."
"Little Blue Betty, she lived in a den,She sold good ale to gentlemen.Gentlemen came every day,And little Blue Betty she skipped away.She hopped upstairs to make her bed,But tumbled down and broke her head."
"Tom, he was a piper's son,He learned to play when he was young;But the only tune that he could playWas 'Over the hills and far away.'Over the hills and a great way off,And the wind will blow my top-knot off."Now Tom with his pipe made such a noiseThat he pleased both the girls and boys,And they stopped to hear him play'Over the hills and far away.'"Tom on his pipe did play with such skillThat those who heard him could never keep still;Whenever they heard him they began to dance,Even pigs on their hind legs would after him prance."As Dolly was milking the cows one dayTom took out his pipe and began to play;So Doll and the cows danced the Cheshire cheese round,Till the pail was broke and the milk spilt on the ground."He met old Dame Trot with a basket of eggs,He used his pipe, she used her legs.She danced, he piped, the eggs were all broke;Dame Trot began to fret, Tom laughed at his joke."He saw a cross fellow beating an assLaden with pots, pans, dishes, and glass;Tom took out his pipe and played a tune,And the jackass's load was lightened full soon."
"Tom, he was a piper's son,He learned to play when he was young;But the only tune that he could playWas 'Over the hills and far away.'Over the hills and a great way off,And the wind will blow my top-knot off."Now Tom with his pipe made such a noiseThat he pleased both the girls and boys,And they stopped to hear him play'Over the hills and far away.'"Tom on his pipe did play with such skillThat those who heard him could never keep still;Whenever they heard him they began to dance,Even pigs on their hind legs would after him prance."As Dolly was milking the cows one dayTom took out his pipe and began to play;So Doll and the cows danced the Cheshire cheese round,Till the pail was broke and the milk spilt on the ground."He met old Dame Trot with a basket of eggs,He used his pipe, she used her legs.She danced, he piped, the eggs were all broke;Dame Trot began to fret, Tom laughed at his joke."He saw a cross fellow beating an assLaden with pots, pans, dishes, and glass;Tom took out his pipe and played a tune,And the jackass's load was lightened full soon."
"Tom, he was a piper's son,He learned to play when he was young;But the only tune that he could playWas 'Over the hills and far away.'Over the hills and a great way off,And the wind will blow my top-knot off.
"Now Tom with his pipe made such a noiseThat he pleased both the girls and boys,And they stopped to hear him play'Over the hills and far away.'
"Tom on his pipe did play with such skillThat those who heard him could never keep still;Whenever they heard him they began to dance,Even pigs on their hind legs would after him prance.
"As Dolly was milking the cows one dayTom took out his pipe and began to play;So Doll and the cows danced the Cheshire cheese round,Till the pail was broke and the milk spilt on the ground.
"He met old Dame Trot with a basket of eggs,He used his pipe, she used her legs.She danced, he piped, the eggs were all broke;Dame Trot began to fret, Tom laughed at his joke.
"He saw a cross fellow beating an assLaden with pots, pans, dishes, and glass;Tom took out his pipe and played a tune,And the jackass's load was lightened full soon."
"Oh dear, what can the matter be?Oh dear, what can the matter be?Oh dear, what can the matter be?Johnny's so long at the fair.He promised to buy me a bunch of blue ribbonsTo tie up my bonny brown hair."
"Oh dear, what can the matter be?Oh dear, what can the matter be?Oh dear, what can the matter be?Johnny's so long at the fair.He promised to buy me a bunch of blue ribbonsTo tie up my bonny brown hair."
"Oh dear, what can the matter be?Oh dear, what can the matter be?Oh dear, what can the matter be?Johnny's so long at the fair.He promised to buy me a bunch of blue ribbonsTo tie up my bonny brown hair."
"Simple Simon went a-fishingFor to catch a whale,All the water he had gotWas in his mother's pail."Simple Simon went to lookIf plums grew on a thistle,He pricked his fingers very much,Which made poor Simon whistle."Simple Simon went to townTo buy a piece of meat,He tied it to his horse's tailTo keep it clean and sweet."
"Simple Simon went a-fishingFor to catch a whale,All the water he had gotWas in his mother's pail."Simple Simon went to lookIf plums grew on a thistle,He pricked his fingers very much,Which made poor Simon whistle."Simple Simon went to townTo buy a piece of meat,He tied it to his horse's tailTo keep it clean and sweet."
"Simple Simon went a-fishingFor to catch a whale,All the water he had gotWas in his mother's pail.
"Simple Simon went to lookIf plums grew on a thistle,He pricked his fingers very much,Which made poor Simon whistle.
"Simple Simon went to townTo buy a piece of meat,He tied it to his horse's tailTo keep it clean and sweet."
"I saw a ship a-sailing,A-sailing on the sea,And it was filled with pretty thingsFor baby and for me.There were raisins in the cabin,Sugar kisses in the hold;The sails were made of silk,And the masts were made of gold.Gold—gold—gold!The masts were made of gold."There were four-and-twenty sailorsA-sitting on the deck,And these were little white mice,With rings around their neck.The captain was a duck,With a jacket on his back,And when the ship began to sailThe captain cried 'Quack! quack!'Quack!—quack!—quack!The captain cried 'Quack! quack!'"
"I saw a ship a-sailing,A-sailing on the sea,And it was filled with pretty thingsFor baby and for me.There were raisins in the cabin,Sugar kisses in the hold;The sails were made of silk,And the masts were made of gold.Gold—gold—gold!The masts were made of gold."There were four-and-twenty sailorsA-sitting on the deck,And these were little white mice,With rings around their neck.The captain was a duck,With a jacket on his back,And when the ship began to sailThe captain cried 'Quack! quack!'Quack!—quack!—quack!The captain cried 'Quack! quack!'"
"I saw a ship a-sailing,A-sailing on the sea,And it was filled with pretty thingsFor baby and for me.There were raisins in the cabin,Sugar kisses in the hold;The sails were made of silk,And the masts were made of gold.Gold—gold—gold!The masts were made of gold.
"There were four-and-twenty sailorsA-sitting on the deck,And these were little white mice,With rings around their neck.The captain was a duck,With a jacket on his back,And when the ship began to sailThe captain cried 'Quack! quack!'Quack!—quack!—quack!The captain cried 'Quack! quack!'"
"Taffy was a wicked Welshman,Taffy was a wicked thief,Taffy came to my houseAnd stole a piece of beef.I went to Taffy's house,Taffy was in bed,I got the pokerAnd hit him on the head."
"Taffy was a wicked Welshman,Taffy was a wicked thief,Taffy came to my houseAnd stole a piece of beef.I went to Taffy's house,Taffy was in bed,I got the pokerAnd hit him on the head."
"Taffy was a wicked Welshman,Taffy was a wicked thief,Taffy came to my houseAnd stole a piece of beef.I went to Taffy's house,Taffy was in bed,I got the pokerAnd hit him on the head."
Sung in derision along the Welsh borders on St. David's Day. Formerly it was the custom of the London mob on this day todress up a guy and carry him round the principal thoroughfares. The ragged urchins following sang the rhyme of "Taffy was a wicked Welshman."
The historical value of nursery rhymes is incapable of being better illustrated than in the following old English doggerel:—
"My father he died, I cannot tell how,He left me six horses to drive out my plough,With a wimmy lo! wommy lo!Jack Straw, blazey boys.Wimmy lo! wimmy lo! wob, wob, wob."
"My father he died, I cannot tell how,He left me six horses to drive out my plough,With a wimmy lo! wommy lo!Jack Straw, blazey boys.Wimmy lo! wimmy lo! wob, wob, wob."
"My father he died, I cannot tell how,He left me six horses to drive out my plough,With a wimmy lo! wommy lo!Jack Straw, blazey boys.Wimmy lo! wimmy lo! wob, wob, wob."
Mr. Halliwell dates it as of Richard II.'s time, and this much may be said for this opinion, that there is no greater authority than he on the subject of early English rhymes and carols. Mr. Halliwell also believes that of British nursery rhymes it is the earliest extant. There are those,however, who dissent from this view, holding that many of the child's songs sung to-day were known to our Saxon forefathers. In 1835 Mr. Gowler, who wrote extensively on the archæology of English phrases and nursery rhymes, ingeniously attempted to claim whole songs and tales, giving side by side the Saxon and the English versions. There certainly was a phonetic similarity between them, but the local value of the Saxon, when translated, reads in a strange way, being little more than a protest against the Church's teaching and influence.
"Who killed Cock Robin?" is given at length by Mr. Gowler, as well as many scraps of other nursery rhymes. Mr. Gowler seemed to claim that though the lettered language of each succeeding age fashions afresh, the Baby Kingdom knows no such vocal revolutions.
Thegreat and alluring exercise of "Through the needle-e'e, boys" has this immemorial rhyme:—
"As I went up the Brandy HillI met my father wi' gude will;He had jewels, he had rings,He had many braw things,He'd a cat-and-nine-tails,He'd a hammer wantin' nails.Up Jock, down Tam,Blaw the bellows, auld man,Through the needle-e'e, boys!Brother Jock, if ye were mine,I would give you claret wine;Claret wine's gude and fine,Through the needle-e'e, boys!"
"As I went up the Brandy HillI met my father wi' gude will;He had jewels, he had rings,He had many braw things,He'd a cat-and-nine-tails,He'd a hammer wantin' nails.Up Jock, down Tam,Blaw the bellows, auld man,Through the needle-e'e, boys!Brother Jock, if ye were mine,I would give you claret wine;Claret wine's gude and fine,Through the needle-e'e, boys!"
"As I went up the Brandy HillI met my father wi' gude will;He had jewels, he had rings,He had many braw things,He'd a cat-and-nine-tails,He'd a hammer wantin' nails.Up Jock, down Tam,Blaw the bellows, auld man,Through the needle-e'e, boys!Brother Jock, if ye were mine,I would give you claret wine;Claret wine's gude and fine,Through the needle-e'e, boys!"
"Tam o' the Lin and a' his bairnsFell n' i' the fire in other's arms!Oh, quo' the bunemost, I ha'e a het skin!!It's hetter below, quo' Tam o' the Lin."
"Tam o' the Lin and a' his bairnsFell n' i' the fire in other's arms!Oh, quo' the bunemost, I ha'e a het skin!!It's hetter below, quo' Tam o' the Lin."
"Tam o' the Lin and a' his bairnsFell n' i' the fire in other's arms!Oh, quo' the bunemost, I ha'e a het skin!!It's hetter below, quo' Tam o' the Lin."
"Cripple Dick upon a stick,Sand your soo, ride awayTo GallowayTo buy a pound o' woo."
"Cripple Dick upon a stick,Sand your soo, ride awayTo GallowayTo buy a pound o' woo."
"Cripple Dick upon a stick,Sand your soo, ride awayTo GallowayTo buy a pound o' woo."
"Pan, pan, play,Pan, pan, play,And gi'e the bairn meal,It's gotten nane the day."
"Pan, pan, play,Pan, pan, play,And gi'e the bairn meal,It's gotten nane the day."
"Pan, pan, play,Pan, pan, play,And gi'e the bairn meal,It's gotten nane the day."
"The robin and the wrenAre God's cock and hen."
"The robin and the wrenAre God's cock and hen."
"The robin and the wrenAre God's cock and hen."
"Gi'e a thing, tak' a thing,Auld man's deid ring;Lie butt, lie ben,Lie amang the dead men."
"Gi'e a thing, tak' a thing,Auld man's deid ring;Lie butt, lie ben,Lie amang the dead men."
"Gi'e a thing, tak' a thing,Auld man's deid ring;Lie butt, lie ben,Lie amang the dead men."
The above is said by Scotch children as areproach to one who takes back what he gave.
"I sat wi' my love and I drank wi' my love,And my love she gave me licht;I'll gi'e any mon a pint o' wineThat'll read my riddle right."
"I sat wi' my love and I drank wi' my love,And my love she gave me licht;I'll gi'e any mon a pint o' wineThat'll read my riddle right."
"I sat wi' my love and I drank wi' my love,And my love she gave me licht;I'll gi'e any mon a pint o' wineThat'll read my riddle right."
A person sitting in a chair made of the bones of a relation, drinking out of the skull, and reading by the light of a candle made from the marrow-bones.
Street game rhyme, something like the well-known "How many miles to Wimbledon?":—
"King and Queen of Cantelon,How many miles to Babylon?It's eight and eight and other eight,Try to win these wi' 'candle licht.'"
"King and Queen of Cantelon,How many miles to Babylon?It's eight and eight and other eight,Try to win these wi' 'candle licht.'"
"King and Queen of Cantelon,How many miles to Babylon?It's eight and eight and other eight,Try to win these wi' 'candle licht.'"
To discover a particular person in thecompany wearing a ring, Scotch children of last century used to say—
"Two before 1, and 3 before 5,Now 2, and then 2, and 4 comebelive.Now 1, and then 1, and 3 at a cast,Now 1, andtwise2, and Jack up at last."
"Two before 1, and 3 before 5,Now 2, and then 2, and 4 comebelive.Now 1, and then 1, and 3 at a cast,Now 1, andtwise2, and Jack up at last."
"Two before 1, and 3 before 5,Now 2, and then 2, and 4 comebelive.Now 1, and then 1, and 3 at a cast,Now 1, andtwise2, and Jack up at last."
In the game of Hidee the laddies and lassies cry—
"Keep in, keep in, where'ver ye be,The greedy gled's seekin' ye."
"Keep in, keep in, where'ver ye be,The greedy gled's seekin' ye."
"Keep in, keep in, where'ver ye be,The greedy gled's seekin' ye."
"Little wee laddie,Wha's your daddie?I cam out o' a buskit, lady,A buskit, lady's owre fine;I cam out o' a bottle o' wine,A bottle o' wine's owre dear;I cam out o' a bottle o' beer,A bottle o' beer's owre thick;I cam out o' a gauger's stick,A gauger's stick's butt and ben;I cam out o' a peacock hen."
"Little wee laddie,Wha's your daddie?I cam out o' a buskit, lady,A buskit, lady's owre fine;I cam out o' a bottle o' wine,A bottle o' wine's owre dear;I cam out o' a bottle o' beer,A bottle o' beer's owre thick;I cam out o' a gauger's stick,A gauger's stick's butt and ben;I cam out o' a peacock hen."
"Little wee laddie,Wha's your daddie?I cam out o' a buskit, lady,A buskit, lady's owre fine;I cam out o' a bottle o' wine,A bottle o' wine's owre dear;I cam out o' a bottle o' beer,A bottle o' beer's owre thick;I cam out o' a gauger's stick,A gauger's stick's butt and ben;I cam out o' a peacock hen."
In Lancashire, where this rhyme is a popular one, the reading differs, "candlestick" being used for "gauger's stick."
"A candlestick is over-fat,I came out of a gentleman's hat;A gentleman's hat is over-tall,I came over the garden wall;The garden wall is over-high,An angel dropped me from the sky."
"A candlestick is over-fat,I came out of a gentleman's hat;A gentleman's hat is over-tall,I came over the garden wall;The garden wall is over-high,An angel dropped me from the sky."
"A candlestick is over-fat,I came out of a gentleman's hat;A gentleman's hat is over-tall,I came over the garden wall;The garden wall is over-high,An angel dropped me from the sky."
The Scotch "Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe" is a sad jumble of "Old Mother Hubbard" and "Little Blue Betty."
"There was a wee bit wifieWho lived in a shoe,She had so many bairnsShe kenn'd na what to do."She gaed to the marketTo buy a sheep's head,When she came backThey were a' lying dead."She went to the wrightTo get them a coffin,When she came backThey were a' lying laughin'."She gaed up the stairTo ring the bell,The bell-rope broke,And down she fell."
"There was a wee bit wifieWho lived in a shoe,She had so many bairnsShe kenn'd na what to do."She gaed to the marketTo buy a sheep's head,When she came backThey were a' lying dead."She went to the wrightTo get them a coffin,When she came backThey were a' lying laughin'."She gaed up the stairTo ring the bell,The bell-rope broke,And down she fell."
"There was a wee bit wifieWho lived in a shoe,She had so many bairnsShe kenn'd na what to do.
"She gaed to the marketTo buy a sheep's head,When she came backThey were a' lying dead.
"She went to the wrightTo get them a coffin,When she came backThey were a' lying laughin'.
"She gaed up the stairTo ring the bell,The bell-rope broke,And down she fell."
"The moon is a lady who reigns in the skyAs queen of the kingdom of night;The stars are her army she leads forth on highAs bright little soldiers of light."Her captains are Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars,Three glittering warriors bold;And the Milky Way's studded with forces of starsIn numbers that cannot be told."When Aurora comes up through the Orient gate,And chanticleer crows to the sun,The moon will retire, and the stars in her wakeWill follow their queen every one."R. A. Foster.[J]
"The moon is a lady who reigns in the skyAs queen of the kingdom of night;The stars are her army she leads forth on highAs bright little soldiers of light."Her captains are Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars,Three glittering warriors bold;And the Milky Way's studded with forces of starsIn numbers that cannot be told."When Aurora comes up through the Orient gate,And chanticleer crows to the sun,The moon will retire, and the stars in her wakeWill follow their queen every one."
"The moon is a lady who reigns in the skyAs queen of the kingdom of night;The stars are her army she leads forth on highAs bright little soldiers of light.
"Her captains are Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars,Three glittering warriors bold;And the Milky Way's studded with forces of starsIn numbers that cannot be told.
"When Aurora comes up through the Orient gate,And chanticleer crows to the sun,The moon will retire, and the stars in her wakeWill follow their queen every one."
R. A. Foster.[J]
FOOTNOTES:[J]When I asked my friend, Robert Adams Foster, whoseBoy Balladsare being read with unusual interest in Scotland, to write a Scotch lullaby, he sent me the above verses.
[J]When I asked my friend, Robert Adams Foster, whoseBoy Balladsare being read with unusual interest in Scotland, to write a Scotch lullaby, he sent me the above verses.
[J]When I asked my friend, Robert Adams Foster, whoseBoy Balladsare being read with unusual interest in Scotland, to write a Scotch lullaby, he sent me the above verses.
Knownto the rustics of England, France, and Italy since the days of the great Charlemagne, has a peculiar history. Like many other rhymes of yore it is fast dying out of memory. The educational influences of the National Schools in the former part of this century, and the Board Schools at a later date, have killed this little suppliant's prayer, as well as most of the other rural rhymes and folk-lore tales handed down by mother to child.
The hymn, though still used in some parts of Northern England, and especiallyamongst the Nonconformists, as a child's evening ode of praise, runs—
"Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,Look upon this little child;Pity my simplicity,Suffer me to come to Thee."
"Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,Look upon this little child;Pity my simplicity,Suffer me to come to Thee."
"Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,Look upon this little child;Pity my simplicity,Suffer me to come to Thee."
The next verse, a more modern addition, is—
"Fain I would to Thee be brought,Lamb of God, forbid it not;In the kingdom of Thy graceGive this little child a place."
"Fain I would to Thee be brought,Lamb of God, forbid it not;In the kingdom of Thy graceGive this little child a place."
"Fain I would to Thee be brought,Lamb of God, forbid it not;In the kingdom of Thy graceGive this little child a place."
Leo III. is the supposed author of the book in which it is found, viz.,Enchiridion Leonis Papae. However, theEnchiridionwas a book of magic, and not authorised by the Church of Rome, but used by spurious monks and charlatans, wizards and quacks, in their exploits amongst the credulous rural folk. It was full of charms, prayers, and rhymes to ward off evil spirits. TheMatthew, Mark, Luke, and John verses are part of the same "Gentle Jesus, meek and mild." TheEnchiridionwas first published in 1532. This hymn was, in the main, derived from the White Paternoster, and handed down to posterity and preserved by the rustics.
"Dormi fili, dormi! materCantat unigenito,Dormi, puer, dormi! paterNato clamat parvulo:Millies tibi laudes canimusMille, mille, millies."Dormi cor, et meus thronus,Dormi matris jubilum;Aurium cœlestis sonus.Et suave sibilum!Millies tibi laudes canimusMille, mille, millies."Ne quid desit, sternam rosisSternam fœnum violis,Pavimentum hyacinthisEt praesepe liliisMillies tibi laudes canimusMille, mille, millies."Si vis musicam, pastoresConvocabo protinusIllis nulli sunt priores;Nemo canit castiusMillies tibi laudes canimusMille, mille, millies."
"Dormi fili, dormi! materCantat unigenito,Dormi, puer, dormi! paterNato clamat parvulo:Millies tibi laudes canimusMille, mille, millies."Dormi cor, et meus thronus,Dormi matris jubilum;Aurium cœlestis sonus.Et suave sibilum!Millies tibi laudes canimusMille, mille, millies."Ne quid desit, sternam rosisSternam fœnum violis,Pavimentum hyacinthisEt praesepe liliisMillies tibi laudes canimusMille, mille, millies."Si vis musicam, pastoresConvocabo protinusIllis nulli sunt priores;Nemo canit castiusMillies tibi laudes canimusMille, mille, millies."
"Dormi fili, dormi! materCantat unigenito,Dormi, puer, dormi! paterNato clamat parvulo:Millies tibi laudes canimusMille, mille, millies.
"Dormi cor, et meus thronus,Dormi matris jubilum;Aurium cœlestis sonus.Et suave sibilum!Millies tibi laudes canimusMille, mille, millies.
"Ne quid desit, sternam rosisSternam fœnum violis,Pavimentum hyacinthisEt praesepe liliisMillies tibi laudes canimusMille, mille, millies.
"Si vis musicam, pastoresConvocabo protinusIllis nulli sunt priores;Nemo canit castiusMillies tibi laudes canimusMille, mille, millies."
"Therewas a maid came out of Kent,Dangerous be, dangerous be;There was a maid came out of Kent,Fayre, propre, small, and gentAs ever upon the ground went,For so should it be."
"Therewas a maid came out of Kent,Dangerous be, dangerous be;There was a maid came out of Kent,Fayre, propre, small, and gentAs ever upon the ground went,For so should it be."
"Therewas a maid came out of Kent,Dangerous be, dangerous be;There was a maid came out of Kent,Fayre, propre, small, and gentAs ever upon the ground went,For so should it be."
Of authentic currency in Mary's time.
"Martin Smart and his man, fodledum, fodledum;Martin Smart and his man, fodledum, bell."
"Martin Smart and his man, fodledum, fodledum;Martin Smart and his man, fodledum, bell."
"Martin Smart and his man, fodledum, fodledum;Martin Smart and his man, fodledum, bell."
Same date.
"I see the moon, and the moon sees me;God bless the moon, and God bless me."
"I see the moon, and the moon sees me;God bless the moon, and God bless me."
"I see the moon, and the moon sees me;God bless the moon, and God bless me."
Child's saying.
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5,I caught a hare alive;6, 7, 8, 9, 10,I let her go again."
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5,I caught a hare alive;6, 7, 8, 9, 10,I let her go again."
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5,I caught a hare alive;6, 7, 8, 9, 10,I let her go again."
Counting-out rhyme.
"Great | A was a | larm'd at | B's bad be | haviour,Be | cause C | D, E, F de | nied G a | favour;H had a | husband with | I, J, | K and L;M married | Mary, and | taught | her scholars | how to spellA B C, D E F G, H I J K L M,N O P Q, R S T U, V W X Y Z, Z, Z."
"Great | A was a | larm'd at | B's bad be | haviour,Be | cause C | D, E, F de | nied G a | favour;H had a | husband with | I, J, | K and L;M married | Mary, and | taught | her scholars | how to spellA B C, D E F G, H I J K L M,N O P Q, R S T U, V W X Y Z, Z, Z."
"Great | A was a | larm'd at | B's bad be | haviour,Be | cause C | D, E, F de | nied G a | favour;H had a | husband with | I, J, | K and L;M married | Mary, and | taught | her scholars | how to spellA B C, D E F G, H I J K L M,N O P Q, R S T U, V W X Y Z, Z, Z."
"Hush-a-by, baby, on a green bock (Saxon for bough);When the wind blows the cradle will rock."
"Hush-a-by, baby, on a green bock (Saxon for bough);When the wind blows the cradle will rock."
"Hush-a-by, baby, on a green bock (Saxon for bough);When the wind blows the cradle will rock."
"I saddled my sow with a sieve of butter-milk, put my foot into the stirrup, and leaped up nine miles beyond the moon into the land of temperance, where there was nothing but hammers and hatchetsand candlesticks, and there lay bleeding Old Noll. I let him lie and sent for Old Hipper Noll, and asked him if he could grind green steel five times finer than wheat flour. He said he could not. Gregory's wife was up a pear tree gathering nine corns of buttered beans to pay St. James's rent. St. James was in a meadow mowing oat cakes; he heard a noise, hung his scythe to his heels, stumbled at the battledore, tumbled over the barn door ridge, and broke his shins against a bag of moonshine that stood behind the stairs-foot door; and if that isn't true, you know as well as I all about it."
"A duck, a drake, a barley cake,A penny to pay the baker;A hop, a scotch, another notch—Slitherum, slitherum, take her."
"A duck, a drake, a barley cake,A penny to pay the baker;A hop, a scotch, another notch—Slitherum, slitherum, take her."
"A duck, a drake, a barley cake,A penny to pay the baker;A hop, a scotch, another notch—Slitherum, slitherum, take her."
A verse repeated when playing at skimmingshells or stones on the water of a pond or lake.