MOTHER GOOSE’S
Nursery Rhymes
A collection of
Alphabets, Rhymes, Tales, and JinglesWith Illustrations
BY
Sir JOHN GILBERT, R.A., JOHN TENNIEL, HARRISON WEIR,
WALTER CRANE, W. McCONNELL, J. B. ZWECKER
Alphabets, Rhymes, Tales, and JinglesWith Illustrations
BY
Sir JOHN GILBERT, R.A., JOHN TENNIEL, HARRISON WEIR,
WALTER CRANE, W. McCONNELL, J. B. ZWECKER
Old Mother Goose, when
She wanted to wander,
She wanted to wander,
Would ride through the air
On a very fine gander.Mother Goose had a house,
‘Twas built in a wood,
Where an owl at the door
For sentinel stood.This is her son Jack,
A plain-looking lad,
He is not very good,
Nor yet very bad.She sent him to market,
A live goose he bought,
“Here, mother,” says he,
“It will not go for nought.”Jack’s goose and her gander
Grew very fond,
They’d both eat together,
Or swim in one pond.
On a very fine gander.Mother Goose had a house,
‘Twas built in a wood,
Where an owl at the door
For sentinel stood.This is her son Jack,
A plain-looking lad,
He is not very good,
Nor yet very bad.She sent him to market,
A live goose he bought,
“Here, mother,” says he,
“It will not go for nought.”Jack’s goose and her gander
Grew very fond,
They’d both eat together,
Or swim in one pond.
“SHE SENT HIM TO MARKET, A LIVE GOOSE HE BOUGHT.”
Jack found one fine morning
As I have been told,
His goose had laid him
An egg of pure gold.
Jack rode to his mother,
The news for to tell,
She called him a good boy
And said it was well.
Jack sold his gold egg
To a rogue of a Jew,
Who cheated him out of
The half of his due.
Then Jack went a-courting
A lady so gay,
As fair as the lily,
And sweet as the May.
The Jew and the Squire
Came behind his back,
And began to belabour
The sides of poor Jack.
And then the gold egg
Was thrown into the sea,
Jack’s mother came in,
And caught the goose soon,
And mounting its back,
Flew up to the moon.
And caught the goose soon,
And mounting its back,
Flew up to the moon.
“THERE WAS AN OWL LIVED IN AN OAK.”
There was an Owl lived in an oak,
Whiskey, Whaskey, Weedle;
And all the words he ever spoke
Were Fiddle, Faddle, Feedle.
A sportsman chanced to come that way,
Whiskey, Whaskey, Weedle;
Says he, “I’ll shoot you, silly bird,
So Fiddle, Faddle, Feedle!”
Whiskey, Whaskey, Weedle;
And all the words he ever spoke
Were Fiddle, Faddle, Feedle.
A sportsman chanced to come that way,
Whiskey, Whaskey, Weedle;
Says he, “I’ll shoot you, silly bird,
So Fiddle, Faddle, Feedle!”
WHO STOLE THE BIRD’S-NEST?
To-whit! to-whit! to-whee!
Will you listen to me?
Who stole four eggs I laid,
And the nice nest I made?
Will you listen to me?
Who stole four eggs I laid,
And the nice nest I made?
Not I, said the cow, moo-oo!
Such a thing I’d never do.
I gave you a wisp of hay,
But did not take your nest away;
Not I, said the cow, moo-oo!
Such a thing I’d never do.
Such a thing I’d never do.
I gave you a wisp of hay,
But did not take your nest away;
Not I, said the cow, moo-oo!
Such a thing I’d never do.
Bob-o-link! Bob-o-link!
Now, what do you think?
Who stole a nest away
From the plum-tree to-day?
Now, what do you think?
Who stole a nest away
From the plum-tree to-day?
Not I, said the dog, bow-wow!
I wouldn’t be so mean, I vow.
I gave some hairs the nest to make,
But the nest I did not take;
Not I, said the dog, bow-wow!
I would not be so mean, I vow.Coo-coo! coo-coo! coo-coo!
Let me speak a word or two:
Who stole that pretty nest
From little Robin Redbreast?Not I, said the sheep; oh, no,
I would not treat a poor bird so;
I gave the wool the nest to line,
But the nest was none of mine.
Baa! baa! said the sheep; oh, no!
I wouldn’t treat a poor bird so.Caw! caw! cried the crow,
I should like to know
What thief took away
A bird’s-nest to-day.
I wouldn’t be so mean, I vow.
I gave some hairs the nest to make,
But the nest I did not take;
Not I, said the dog, bow-wow!
I would not be so mean, I vow.Coo-coo! coo-coo! coo-coo!
Let me speak a word or two:
Who stole that pretty nest
From little Robin Redbreast?Not I, said the sheep; oh, no,
I would not treat a poor bird so;
I gave the wool the nest to line,
But the nest was none of mine.
Baa! baa! said the sheep; oh, no!
I wouldn’t treat a poor bird so.Caw! caw! cried the crow,
I should like to know
What thief took away
A bird’s-nest to-day.
Chuck! chuck! said the hen,
Don’t ask me again;
Why, I haven’t a chick
Would do such a trick.
We all gave her a feather,
And she wove them together.
I’d scorn to intrude
On her and her brood.
Chuck! chuck! said the hen,
Don’t ask me again.Chirr-a-whirr! chirr-a-whirr!
We will make a great stir.
Let us find out his name,
And all cry—For shame!A little boy hung down his head,
And went and hid behind the bed;
For he stole that pretty nest
From little Robin Redbreast;
And he felt so full of shame
He did not like to tell his name.
Don’t ask me again;
Why, I haven’t a chick
Would do such a trick.
We all gave her a feather,
And she wove them together.
I’d scorn to intrude
On her and her brood.
Chuck! chuck! said the hen,
Don’t ask me again.Chirr-a-whirr! chirr-a-whirr!
We will make a great stir.
Let us find out his name,
And all cry—For shame!A little boy hung down his head,
And went and hid behind the bed;
For he stole that pretty nest
From little Robin Redbreast;
And he felt so full of shame
He did not like to tell his name.
“THERE WAS A JOLLY MILLER.”
There was a jolly miller
Lived on the river Dee:
He worked and sang from morn till night,
No lark so blithe as he.
And this the burden of his song
For ever used to be—
I care for nobody—no! not I,
Since nobody cares for me.
Lived on the river Dee:
He worked and sang from morn till night,
No lark so blithe as he.
And this the burden of his song
For ever used to be—
I care for nobody—no! not I,
Since nobody cares for me.
“DICKERY, DICKERY, DARE.”
Dickery, dickery, dare,
The pig flew up in the air;
The man in brown soon brought him down,
Dickery, dickery, dare.
The pig flew up in the air;
The man in brown soon brought him down,
Dickery, dickery, dare.
Molly, my sister, and I fell out,
And what do you think it was about?
She loved coffee, and I loved tea,
And that was the reason we couldn’t agree.
And what do you think it was about?
She loved coffee, and I loved tea,
And that was the reason we couldn’t agree.
Solomon Grundy,
Born on a Monday,
Christened on Tuesday,
Married on Wednesday,
Very ill on Thursday,
Worse on Friday,
Died on Saturday,
Buried on Sunday.
This is the end
Of Solomon Grundy.
Born on a Monday,
Christened on Tuesday,
Married on Wednesday,
Very ill on Thursday,
Worse on Friday,
Died on Saturday,
Buried on Sunday.
This is the end
Of Solomon Grundy.
Jack Sprat could eat no fat,
His wife could eat no lean;
And so betwixt them both, you see,
They licked the platter clean
Alas! Poor Cock Robin!
His wife could eat no lean;
And so betwixt them both, you see,
They licked the platter clean
“OLD MOTHER HUBBARD WENT TO THE CUPBOARD.”
OLD MOTHER HUBBARD
AND HER DOG.
AND HER DOG.
Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard,
To get her poor Dog a bone;
But when she came there
The cupboard was bare,
And so the poor Dog had none.
Went to the cupboard,
To get her poor Dog a bone;
But when she came there
The cupboard was bare,
And so the poor Dog had none.
[66]
She went to the baker’s
To buy him some bread,
But when she came back
The poor Dog was dead.
To buy him some bread,
But when she came back
The poor Dog was dead.
[67]
She went to the joiner’s
To buy him a coffin,
But when she came back
The poor Dog was laughing,
To buy him a coffin,
But when she came back
The poor Dog was laughing,
[68]
She took a clean dish
To get him some tripe,
But when she came back
He was smoking a pipe.
To get him some tripe,
But when she came back
He was smoking a pipe.
[69]
She went to the alehouse
To get him some beer,
But when she came back
The Dog sat in a chair.
To get him some beer,
But when she came back
The Dog sat in a chair.
[70]
She went to the tavern
For white wine and red,
But when she came back
The Dog stood on his head.
For white wine and red,
But when she came back
The Dog stood on his head.
[71]
She went to the hatter’s
To buy him a hat,
But when she came back
He was feeding the cat.
To buy him a hat,
But when she came back
He was feeding the cat.
[72]
She went to the barber’s
To buy him a wig,
But when she came back
He was dancing a jig.
To buy him a wig,
But when she came back
He was dancing a jig.
[73]
She went to the fruiterer’s
To buy him some fruit,
But when she came back
He was playing the flute.
To buy him some fruit,
But when she came back
He was playing the flute.
[74]
She went to the tailor’s
To buy him a coat,
But when she came back
He was riding a goat.
To buy him a coat,
But when she came back
He was riding a goat.
[75]
She went to the cobbler’s
To buy him some shoes,
But when she came back
He was reading the news.
To buy him some shoes,
But when she came back
He was reading the news.
[76]
She went to the sempstress
To buy him some linen,
But when she came back
The Dog was a-spinning.
To buy him some linen,
But when she came back
The Dog was a-spinning.
[77]
She went to the hosier’s
To buy him some hose,
But when she came back
He was dressed in his clothes.
To buy him some hose,
But when she came back
He was dressed in his clothes.
[78]
“THE DAME MADE A CURTSEY, THE DOG MADE A BOW.”
[79]
The Dame made a curtsey,
The Dog made a bow;
The Dame said, “Your servant,”
The Dog said, “Bow wow.”This wonderful Dog
Was Dame Hubbard’s delight;
He could sing, he could dance,
He could read, he could write.She gave him rich dainties
Whenever he fed,
And erected a monument
When he was dead.
The Dog made a bow;
The Dame said, “Your servant,”
The Dog said, “Bow wow.”This wonderful Dog
Was Dame Hubbard’s delight;
He could sing, he could dance,
He could read, he could write.She gave him rich dainties
Whenever he fed,
And erected a monument
When he was dead.
[80]
“JENNY BLUSHED BEHIND HER FAN.”
[85]
THE MARRIAGE OF COCK ROBIN AND
JENNY WREN.
JENNY WREN.
It was on a merry time,
When Jenny Wren was young,
So neatly as she danced,
And so sweetly as she sung,—Robin Redbreast lost his heart:
He was a gallant bird;
He doffed his hat to Jenny,
And thus to her he said:
When Jenny Wren was young,
So neatly as she danced,
And so sweetly as she sung,—Robin Redbreast lost his heart:
He was a gallant bird;
He doffed his hat to Jenny,
And thus to her he said:
[86]
“My dearest Jenny Wren,
If you will but be mine,
You shall dine on cherry-pie,
And drink nice currant-wine.”I’ll dress you like a goldfinch,
Or like a peacock gay;
So if you’ll have me, Jenny,
Let us appoint the day.”
If you will but be mine,
You shall dine on cherry-pie,
And drink nice currant-wine.”I’ll dress you like a goldfinch,
Or like a peacock gay;
So if you’ll have me, Jenny,
Let us appoint the day.”
[87]
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.”
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.”
[88]
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-day
With Jenny Wren the fair.The Cock then blew his horn,
To let the neighbours know
This was Robin’s wedding-day,
And they might see the show.
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-day
With Jenny Wren the fair.The Cock then blew his horn,
To let the neighbours know
This was Robin’s wedding-day,
And they might see the show.
[89]
At first came Parson Rook,
With his spectacles and band;
And one of Mother Hubbard’s books
He held within his hand.Then followed him the Lark,
For he could sweetly sing,
And he was to be the clerk
At Cock Robin’s wedding.He sang of Robin’s love
For Little Jenny Wren;
And when he came unto the end,
Then he began again.
[90]
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 Robin
Is a very pretty bird.”The Blackbird and the Thrush,
And charming Nightingale,
Whose sweet “jug” sweetly echoes
Through every grove and dale;The Sparrow and Tomtit,
And many more, were there;
All came to see the wedding
Of 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:
With his spectacles and band;
And one of Mother Hubbard’s books
He held within his hand.Then followed him the Lark,
For he could sweetly sing,
And he was to be the clerk
At Cock Robin’s wedding.He sang of Robin’s love
For Little Jenny Wren;
And when he came unto the end,
Then he began again.
[90]
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 Robin
Is a very pretty bird.”The Blackbird and the Thrush,
And charming Nightingale,
Whose sweet “jug” sweetly echoes
Through every grove and dale;The Sparrow and Tomtit,
And many more, were there;
All came to see the wedding
Of 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 apparel
Becomes her very well,
Yet Jenny’s modest dress and look
Must bear away the bell.”
[91]
Then came the Bride and Bridegroom;
Quite plainly was she dressed,
And blushed so much, her cheeks were
As red as Robin’s breast.But Robin cheered her up;
“My pretty Jen,” said he,
“We’re going to be married,
[92]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 fair
Cock Robin put the ring;
“You’re married now,” says Parson Rook,
While the Lark aloud did sing:
Quite plainly was she dressed,
And blushed so much, her cheeks were
As red as Robin’s breast.But Robin cheered her up;
“My pretty Jen,” said he,
“We’re going to be married,
[92]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 fair
Cock 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!”
[93]
The birds were asked to dine,
Not Jenny’s friends alone,
But every pretty songster
That 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 what
He happened to think.
Not Jenny’s friends alone,
But every pretty songster
That 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 what
He happened to think.
[94]
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 place
Near a mile round to ring.The concert it was fine;
And every bird tried
Who best should sing for Robin,
And Jenny Wren the bride.
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 place
Near a mile round to ring.The concert it was fine;
And every bird tried
Who best should sing for Robin,
And Jenny Wren the bride.
[95]
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 hurry
His bow and his arrow.His aim then he took,
But he took it not right;
His skill was not good,
[96]Or he shot in a fright;For the Cuckoo he missed,
But Cock Robin he killed!—
And all the birds mourned
That his blood was so spilled.
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 hurry
His bow and his arrow.His aim then he took,
But he took it not right;
His skill was not good,
[96]Or he shot in a fright;For the Cuckoo he missed,
But Cock Robin he killed!—
And all the birds mourned
That his blood was so spilled.
Alas! Poor Cock Robin![97]
THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF POOR
COCK ROBIN.
COCK ROBIN.
Who killed Cock Robin?
I, said the Sparrow,
With my bow and arrow,
I killed Cock Robin.This is the Sparrow,
With his bow and arrow.
I, said the Sparrow,
With my bow and arrow,
I killed Cock Robin.This is the Sparrow,
With his bow and arrow.
[98]
Who saw him die?
I, said the Fly,
With my little eye,
I saw him die.This is the little Fly
Who saw Cock Robin die.
I, said the Fly,
With my little eye,
I saw him die.This is the little Fly
Who saw Cock Robin die.
[99]
Who caught his blood?
I, said the Fish,
With my little dish,
I caught his blood.This is the Fish,
That held the dish.
I, said the Fish,
With my little dish,
I caught his blood.This is the Fish,
That held the dish.
[100]
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.
I, said the Beetle,
With my thread and needle,
I’ll make his shroud.This is the Beetle,
With his thread and needle.
[101]
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.
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.
[102]
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.
I, said the Rook,
With my little book,
I’ll be the Parson.This is the Rook,
Reading his book.
[103]
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.
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.
[104]
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.
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.
[105]
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.
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.
[106]
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.
I, said the Dove,
For I mourn for my love,
I’ll be chief mourner.This is the Dove,
Who Cock Robin did love.
[107]
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.
I, said the Thrush,
As she sat in a bush,
I’ll sing a psalm.This is the Thrush,
Singing psalms from a bush.
[108]
Who’ll toll the bell?
I, said the Bull,
Because I can pull;
So, Cock Robin, farewell!This is the Bull
Who the bell-rope did pull.
I, said the Bull,
Because I can pull;
So, Cock Robin, farewell!This is the Bull
Who the bell-rope did pull.
[109]
[110]
All the birds of the air
Fell a-sighing and sobbing,
When they heard the bell toll
For Poor Cock Robin.
Fell a-sighing and sobbing,
When they heard the bell toll
For Poor Cock Robin.
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.”
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 salt
To put upon his tail.
And thought he could not fail,
Because he’d got a little salt
To put upon his tail.
He went to take a bird’s nest,
Was built upon a bough:
A branch gave way, and Simon fell
Into a dirty slough.
Was built upon a bough:
A branch gave way, and Simon fell
Into a dirty slough.
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,
[115]For to catch a hare,
He rode an ass about the streets,
But couldn’t find one there.Simple Simon went a-fishing
For to catch a whale;
All the water he had got
Was in his mother’s pail.He went for to eat honey
Out 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.
But wild duck flew away;
Says Simon, “I can’t hit him,
Because he will not stay.”Simple Simon went a-hunting,
[115]For to catch a hare,
He rode an ass about the streets,
But couldn’t find one there.Simple Simon went a-fishing
For to catch a whale;
All the water he had got
Was in his mother’s pail.He went for to eat honey
Out 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.
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 look
If plums grew on a thistle;
He pricked his fingers very much,
Which made poor Simon whistle.
Because he had no soap;
Then said unto his mother,
“I’m a beauty now, I hope.”Simple Simon went to look
If plums grew on a thistle;
He pricked his fingers very much,
Which made poor Simon whistle.
He went for water in a sieve,
But soon it all ran through;
And now poor Simple Simon
Bids you all adieu.
But soon it all ran through;
And now poor Simple Simon
Bids you all adieu.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“A CARRION CROW.”
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.
“A CARRION CROW.”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,
[122]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!
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do,
Watching a tailor shape his coat;
Sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow,
[122]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!
“A FROG HE WOULD A-WOOING GO.”
A FROG HE WOULD A-WOOING GO.
A Frog he 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.
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.
“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,
[127]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.
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,
[127]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.
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,
[135]“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.”
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,
[135]“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.
LITTLE BOY BLUE.
OLD KING COLE.
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,
[139]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,
[139]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.
OLD KING COLE.[155]
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!
BAA, BAA, BLACK SHEEP
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!
BAA, BAA, BLACK SHEEP[171]
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.
HEY, DIDDLE, DIDDLE.
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.
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,
Of Chaffinch or of Linnet,
When the little downy birds
Are lying snugly in it,
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.
RIDE A COCK-HORSE.
HARK, HARK, THE DOGS DO BARK.
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.
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.
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.
“THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT.”
The dogs do bark,
The beggars are coming to town;
Some in jags,
Some in rags,
And some in velvet gown.
“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,
[206]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,
[206]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. “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? |
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.
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.
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.
“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?
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.
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