meeting the cock and hen
Jenny blushed behind her fan,And thus declared her mind:"Then let it be to-morrow, Bob,—I take your offer kind;"Cherry-pie is very good,So is currant-wine;But I'll wear my russet gown,And never dress too fine."
the parson
Robin rose up early,At the break of day;He flew to Jenny Wren's house,To sing a roundelay.He met the Cock and Hen,And bade the Cock declare,This was his wedding-dayWith Jenny Wren the fair.The Cock then blew his horn,To let the neighbours knowThis was Robin's wedding-day,And they might see the show.
guests
At first came Parson Rook,With his spectacles and band;And one of Mother Hubbard's booksHe held within his hand.Then followed him the Lark,For he could sweetly sing,And he was to be the clerkAt Cock Robin's wedding.He sang of Robin's loveFor Little Jenny Wren;And when he came unto the end,Then he began again.The Goldfinch came on next,To give away the Bride;The Linnet, being bridesmaid,Walked by Jenny's side;And as she was a-walking,Said, "Upon my word,I think that your Cock RobinIs a very pretty bird."The Blackbird and the Thrush,And charming Nightingale,Whose sweet "jug" sweetly echoesThrough every grove and dale;The Sparrow and Tomtit,And many more, were there;All came to see the weddingOf Jenny Wren the fair.The Bullfinch walked by Robin,And thus to him did say,"Pray mark, friend Robin Redbreast,That Goldfinch dressed so gay:"What though her gay apparelBecomes her very well,Yet Jenny's modest dress and lookMust bear away the bell."
bride and bridegroom
Then came the Bride and Bridegroom;Quite plainly was she dressed,And blushed so much, her cheeks wereAs red as Robin's breast.But Robin cheered her up;"My pretty Jen," said he,"We're going to be married,And happy we shall be.""Oh, then," says Parson Rook,"Who gives this maid away?""I do," says the Goldfinch,"And her fortune I will pay:"Here's a bag of grain of many sorts,And other things beside:Now happy be the bridegroom,And happy be the bride!""And will you have her, Robin,To be your wedded wife?""Yes, I will," says Robin,"And love her all my life!""And you will have him, Jenny,Your husband now to be?""Yes, I will," says Jenny,"And love him heartily!"Then on her finger fairCock Robin put the ring;"You're married now," says Parson Rook,While the Lark aloud did sing:"Happy be the bridegroom,And happy be the bride!And may not man, nor bird, nor beast,This happy pair divide!"
the party
The birds were asked to dine,Not Jenny's friends alone,But every pretty songsterThat had Cock Robin known.They had a cherry-pie,Besides some currant-wine,And every guest brought something,That sumptuous they might dine.Now they all sat or stood,To eat and to drink;And every one said whatHe happened to think.
more party
They each took a bumper,And drank to the pair,Cock Robin the bridegroom,And Jenny the fair.The dinner-things removed,They all began to sing;And soon they made the placeNear a mile round to ring.The concert it was fine;And every bird triedWho best should sing for Robin,And Jenny Wren the bride.
Cock Robin shot
When in came the Cuckoo,And made a great rout;He caught hold of Jenny,And pulled her about.Cock Robin was angry,And so was the Sparrow,Who fetched in a hurryHis bow and his arrow.His aim then he took,But he took it not right;His skill was not good,Or he shot in a fright;For the Cuckoo he missed,But Cock Robin he killed!—And all the birds mournedThat his blood was so spilled.
mourningAlas! Poor Cock Robin!
sparrow with bow
THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF POORCOCK ROBIN.
Whokilled Cock Robin?I, said the Sparrow,With my bow and arrow,I killed Cock Robin.This is the Sparrow,With his bow and arrow.
fly seeing him die
Who saw him die?I, said the Fly,With my little eye,I saw him die.This is the little FlyWho saw Cock Robin die.
fish catching blood
Who caught his blood?I, said the Fish,With my little dish,I caught his blood.This is the Fish,That held the dish.
beetle making shroud
Who'll make his shroud?I, said the Beetle,With my thread and needle,I'll make his shroud.This is the Beetle,With his thread and needle.
Owl with spade
Who'll dig his grave?I, said the Owl,With my spade and show'l,I'll dig his grave.This is the Owl,With his spade and show'l.
Rook with book
Who'll be the Parson?I, said the Rook,With my little book,I'll be the Parson.This is the Rook,Reading his book.
Lark
Who'll be the Clerk?I, said the Lark,If it's not in the dark,I'll be the Clerk.This is the Lark,Saying "Amen" like a clerk.
Kite carrying coffin
Who'll carry him to the grave?I, said the Kite,If it's not in the night,I'll carry him to the grave.This is the Kite,About to take flight.
Linnet
Who'll carry the link?I, said the Linnet,I'll fetch it in a minute,I'll carry the link.This is the Linnet,And a link with fire in it.
Dove mourning
Who'll be chief mourner?I, said the Dove,For I mourn for my love,I'll be chief mourner.This is the Dove,Who Cock Robin did love.
Singing thrush
Who'll sing a psalm?I, said the Thrush,As she sat in a bush,I'll sing a psalm.This is the Thrush,Singing psalms from a bush.
Bull pulling bell cord
Who'll toll the bell?I, said the Bull,Because I can pull;So, Cock Robin, farewell!This is the BullWho the bell-rope did pull.
Poor Cock Robin sign
All the birds of the airFell a-sighing and sobbing,When they heard the bell tollFor Poor Cock Robin.
birds mourning
FREDDIE AND THE CHERRY-TREE.
F in a teeREDDIE saw some fine ripe cherriesHanging on a cherry-tree,And he said, "You pretty cherries,Will you not come down to me?""Thank you kindly," said a cherry,"We would rather stay up here;If we ventured down this morning,You would eat us up, I fear."One, the finest of the cherries,Dangled from a slender twig;"You are beautiful," said Freddie,"Red and ripe, and oh, how big!""Catch me," said the cherry, "catch me,Little master, if you can.""I would catch you soon," said Freddie,"If I were a grown-up man."Freddie jumped, and tried to reach it,Standing high upon his toes;But the cherry bobbed about,And laughed, and tickled Freddie's nose.
Simple Simon song
[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clickinghere.]
Simple Simon met a pieman,Going to the fair;Says Simple Simon to the pieman,"Let me taste your ware."Says the pieman to Simple Simon,"Show me first your penny."Says Simple Simon to the pieman,"Indeed I have not any."
He went to catch a dickey-bird,And thought he could not fail,Because he'd got a little saltTo put upon his tail.
Simon and Pieman
He went to take a bird's nest,Was built upon a bough:A branch gave way, and Simon fellInto a dirty slough.
Simon fishing in pail
He went to shoot a wild duck,But wild duck flew away;Says Simon, "I can't hit him,Because he will not stay."Simple Simon went a-hunting,For to catch a hare,He rode an ass about the streets,But couldn't find one there.Simple Simon went a-fishingFor to catch a whale;All the water he had gotWas in his mother's pail.He went for to eat honeyOut of the mustard-pot,He bit his tongue until he cried,That was all the good he got.He went to ride a spotted cow,That had a little calf,She threw him down upon the ground,Which made the people laugh.Once Simon made a great snowball,And brought it in to roast;He laid it down before the fire,And soon the ball was lost.He went to slide upon the ice,Before the ice would bear;Then he plunged in above his knees,Which made poor Simon stare.
Simon and thistle
He washed himself with blacking-ball,Because he had no soap;Then said unto his mother,"I'm a beauty now, I hope."Simple Simon went to lookIf plums grew on a thistle;He pricked his fingers very much,Which made poor Simon whistle.
Simon and sieve
He went for water in a sieve,But soon it all ran through;And now poor Simple SimonBids you all adieu.
Ivy decoration
Willy and friends
Willy boy, Willy boy, where are you going?I will go with you, if I may.I am going to the meadows, to see them mowing,I am going to see them make the hay.
Girl chasing birtds away
Away, Birds, away!Take a little, and leave a little,And do not come again;For if you do,I will shoot you through,And then there will be an end of you.
dog at a bar
I had a little dog, they called him Buff,I sent him to the shop for a hap'orth of snuff;But he lost the bag, and spilt the snuff,So take that cuff, and that's enough.
The Cock doth crowTo let you know,If you be wise,'T is time to rise.
Jack SpratHad a cat,It had but one ear,It went to buy butter,When butter was dear.
The King of France went up the hill,With twenty thousand men,The King of France came down the hill,And ne'er went up again.
man seeing crow through window"A CARRION CROW."
wife and man with crossbow looking at bird
A carrion crow sat on an oak,Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do,Watching a tailor shape his coat;Sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow,Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do!Wife, bring me my old bent bow,Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do,That I may shoot yon carrion crow;Sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow,Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do!The tailor shot, and he missed his mark,Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do,And shot the miller's sow right through the heart;Sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow,Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do!Wife! oh wife! bring brandy in a spoon,Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do,For the old miller's sow is in a swoon;Sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow,Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do!
Mary had a pretty bird,Feathers bright and yellow,Slender legs—upon my word,He was a pretty fellow.The sweetest notes he always sung,Which much delighted Mary,And near the cage she'd ever sit,To hear her own canary.
Little Betty and Gentlemen
Little Blue Betty lived in a lane,She sold good ale to gentlemen:Gentlemen came every day,And Little Blue Betty hopped away;She hopped upstairs to make her bed,And she tumbled down, and broke her head.
Girl with candle
[A CANDLE.]Little Nancy Etticote,In a white petticoat,With a red nose;The longer she stands,The shorter she grows.
Frog in a hat"A FROG HE WOULD A-WOOING GO."
A FROG HE WOULD A-WOOING GO.
A Froghe would a-wooing go,Heigho, says Rowley,Whether his mother would let him or no.With a rowley powley, gammon and spinach,Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!So off he set with his opera hat,Heigho, says Rowley,And on the road he met with a rat.With a rowley powley, &c."Pray, Mr. Rat, will you go with me,Heigho, says Rowley,Kind Mrs. Mousey for to see?"With a rowley powley, &c.When they came to the door of Mousey's hall,Heigho, says Rowley,They gave a loud knock, and they gave a loud call.With a rowley powley, &c."Pray, Mrs. Mouse, are you within?"Heigho, says Rowley,"Oh, yes, kind sirs, I'm sitting to spin."With a rowley powley, &c.
Frog calling on Mrs. Mouse
"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.
White duck following Frog
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!
I SAW A SHIP A-SAILING.
I sawa ship a-sailing,A-sailing on the sea;And, oh! it was all ladenWith 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 sailorsThat 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!"
Everyone dancing"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 clickinghere.]
Tom's song 1
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."
Tom's song 2
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,
Tom's song part 3
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.
Woman talking to dog
Therewas 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!"
Highdiddle 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.
Three men in a bowl
Three wise men of GothamWent to sea in a bowl;If the bowl had been strongerMy story had been longer.
Boy Blue fast asleepLITTLE 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.
Boy blue found asleep
Robins
THE ROBIN REDBREASTS.
Two Robin Redbreasts built their nestsWithin 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, andwho she isI'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 farIf she would say "I'll try."
Therewas an old womanLived under a hill,And if she's not gone,She lives there still.
Woman under hill
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.
AsI 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.
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."
Old man
Old father Grey Beard,Without tooth or tongue,If you'll give me your finger,I'll give you my thumb.
baby on mum's lap
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.
At the siege of Belleisle I was there all the while,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 skinTo wrap the baby bunting in.
man selling toy lambsYOUNG LAMBS TO SELL.
Young lambs to sell, young lambs to sell;If I had as much money as I could tellI never would cry young lambs to sell,Young lambs to sell, young lambs to sell,I never would cry, young lambs to sell.
man at gate
woman and child
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.