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The Nursery Rhyme Book

Front matter (continued 2)

Reading edition

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LOVE your own, kiss your own, Love your own mother, hinny, For if she was dead and gone, You'd ne'er get such another, hinny.

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CURLY locks! curly locks! wilt thou be mine? Thou shalt not wash dishes, nor yet feed the swine, But sit on a cushion and sew a fine seam, And feed upon strawberries, sugar, and cream!

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GEORGEY PORGEY, pudding and pie, Kissed the girls and made them cry; When the girls come out to play, Georgey Porgey runs away.

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THERE was a lady loved a swine: "Honey," quoth she, "Pig-hog, wilt thou be mine?" "Grunt," quoth he. "I'll build thee a silver stye, Honey," quoth she; "And in it thou shall lie;" "Grunt," quoth he. "Pinned with a silver pin, Honey," quoth she, "That you may go out and in;" "Grunt," quoth he. "Wilt thou now have me, Honey," quoth she; "Grunt, grunt, grunt," quoth he, And went his way.

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WHERE have you been all the day, My boy Willy?" "I've been all the day Courting of a lady gay: But, oh! she's too young To be taken from her mammy." "What work can she do, My boy Willy? Can she bake and can she brew, My boy Willy?" "She can brew and she can bake, And she can make our wedding-cake: But, oh! she's too young To be taken from her mammy." "What age may she be? What age may she be? My boy Willy?" "Twice two, twice seven, Twice ten, twice eleven: But, oh! she's too young To be taken from her mammy."

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NATURAL HISTORY
NATURAL HISTORY
I had a little dog
I had a little dog

I HAD a little dog, and they called him Buff; I sent him to the shop for a hap'orth of snuff; But he lost the bag, and spill'd the snuff: "So take that cuff—and that's enough."

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BURNIE bee, burnie bee, Tell me when your wedding be? If it be to-morrow day, Take your wings and fly away.

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SOME little mice sat in a barn to spin; Pussy came by, and popped her head in; "Shall I come in and cut your threads off?" "Oh no, kind sir, you will snap our heads off?"

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ALL of a row, Bend the bow, Shot at a pigeon, And killed a crow.

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GREY goose and gander, Waft your wings together, And carry the good king's daughter Over the one strand river.

Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, where have you been?
Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, where have you been?

PUSSY-CAT, pussy-cat, where have you been? I've been to London to look at the queen. Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, what did you there? I frighten'd a little mouse under the chair.

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CUCKOO, Cuckoo, What do you do? "In April I open my bill; In May I sing night and day; In June I change my tune; In July Away I fly; In August Away I must."

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HICKETY, pickety, my black hen, She lays eggs for gentlemen; Gentlemen come every day To see what my black hen doth lay.

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THE cock doth crow, To let you know, If you be wise, 'Tis time to rise.

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ROBERT BARNES, fellow fine, Can you shoe this horse of mine? "Yes, good sir, that I can, As well as any other man: There's a nail, and there's a prod, And now, good sir, your horse is shod."

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[Bird boy's song.]

EAT, birds, eat, and make no waste; I lie here and make no haste: If my master chance to come, You must fly, and I must run.

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"HIE, hie," says Anthony, "Puss in the pantry, Gnawing, gnawing A mutton mutton-bone; See now she tumbles it, See now she mumbles it, See how she tosses The mutton mutton-bone."

Four and twenty tailors went to kill a snail
Four and twenty tailors went to kill a snail

FOUR and twenty tailors went to kill a snail; The best man among them durst not touch her tail. She put out her horns like a little Kyloe cow; Run, tailors, run, or she'll kill you all e'en now.

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THE cuckoo's a fine bird: He sings as he flies; He brings us good tidings; He tells us no lies. He sucks little birds' eggs To make his voice clear; And when he sings "Cuckoo!" The summer is near.

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"CROAK!" said the Toad, "I'm hungry, I think; To-day I've had nothing to eat or to drink; I'll crawl to a garden and jump through the pales, And there I'll dine nicely on slugs and on snails." "Ho, ho!" quoth the Frog, "is that what you mean? Then I'll hop away to the next meadow stream; There I will drink, and eat worms and slugs too, And then I shall have a good dinner like you."

There was a piper, he'd a cow
There was a piper, he'd a cow

THERE was a piper, he'd a cow, And he'd no hay to give her; He took his pipes and played a tune: "Consider, old cow, consider!" The cow considered very well, For she gave the piper a penny, That he might play the tune again, Of "Corn rigs are bonnie."

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A PIE sate on a pear-tree, A pie sate on a pear-tree, A pie sate on a pear-tree. Heigh O, heigh O, heigh O! Once so merrily hopp'd she, Twice so merrily hopp'd she, Thrice so merrily hopp'd she. Heigh O, heigh O, heigh O!

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ONCE I saw a little bird Come hop, hop, hop; So I cried, "Little bird, Will you stop, stop, stop?" And was going to the window, To say, "How do you do?" But he shook his little tail, And far away he flew.

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THE winds they did blow; The leaves they did wag; Along came a beggar boy, And put me in his bag. He took me up to London; A lady did me buy, Put me in a silver cage, And hung me up on high, With apples by the fire, And nuts for to crack, Besides a little feather bed To rest my little back.

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COCK ROBIN got up early At the break of day, And went to Jenny's window, To sing a roundelay. He sang Cock Robin's love To the pretty Jenny Wren; And when he got unto the end, Then he began again.

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BETTY PRINGLE had a little pig, Not very little and not very big; When he was alive he lived in clover; But now he's dead, and that's all over. So Billy Pringle he laid down and cried, And Betty Pringle she laid down and died; So there was an end of one, two, and three: Billy Pringle he, Betty Pringle she, And the piggy wiggy.

A long-tail'd pig, or a short-tail'd pig
A long-tail'd pig, or a short-tail'd pig

A LONG-TAIL'D pig, or a short-tail'd pig, Or a pig without e'er a tail, A sow-pig, or a boar-pig, Or a pig with a curly tail.

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A LITTLE cock-sparrow sat on a green tree (tris), And he cherruped, he cherruped, so merry was he (tris); A little cock-sparrow sat on a green tree, And he cherruped, he cherruped, so merry was he. A naughty boy came with his wee bow and arrow (tris), Determined to shoot this little cock-sparrow (tris); A naughty, &c. Determined, &c. "This little cock-sparrow shall make me a stew (tris), And his giblets shall make me a little pie too" (tris); "Oh, no," said the sparrow, "I won't make a stew;" So he flapped his wings, and away he flew.

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LITTLE Robin Red-Breast Sat upon a rail: Niddle-naddle went his head! Wiggle-waggle went his tail.

Dame, what makes your ducks to die?
Dame, what makes your ducks to die?

DAME, what makes your ducks to die? What the pize ails 'em? what the pize ails 'em? They kick up their heels, and there they lie; What the pize ails 'em now? Heigh, ho! heigh, ho! Dame, what makes your ducks to die? What a pize ails 'em? what a pize ails 'em? Heigh, ho! heigh, ho! Dame, what ails your ducks to die? Eating o' polly-wigs, eating o' polly-wigs. Heigh, ho! heigh, ho!

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IN the month of February, When green leaves begin to spring, Little lambs do skip like fairies, Birds do couple, build, and sing.

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PUSSY cat sits by the fire; How did she come there? In walks the little dog, Says, "Pussy! are you there?" "How do you do, Mistress Pussy? Mistress Pussy, how d'ye do?" "I thank you kindly, little dog, I fare as well as you!"

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THERE was a little boy went into a barn, And lay down on some hay; An owl came out and flew about, And the little boy ran away.

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THE dove says, "Coo, coo, what shall I do? I can scarce maintain two." "Pooh, pooh," says the wren; "I have got ten, And keep them all like gentlemen!"

Bow, wow, wow
Bow, wow, wow

BOW, wow, wow, Whose dog art thou? "Little Tom Tinker's dog, Bow, wow, wow."

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LEG over leg, As the dog went to Dover; When he came to a stile, Jump he went over.

I love little pussy
I love little pussy

I LOVE little pussy, her coat is so warm; And if I don't hurt her she'll do me no harm. So I'll not pull her tail nor drive her away, But pussy and I very gently will play.

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[Imitated from a pigeon.]

CURR dhoo, curr dhoo, Love me, and I'll love you!

Lady bird, lady bird, fly away home
Lady bird, lady bird, fly away home

LADY bird, lady bird, fly away home; Thy house is on fire, thy children all gone— All but one, and her name is Ann, And she crept under the pudding-pan.

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PUSSY sits behind the fire— How can she be fair? In comes the little dog: "Pussy, are you there? "So, so, Mistress Pussy, Pray how do you do?" "Thank you, thank you, little dog, I'm very well just now."

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LITTLE Robin-Redbreast sat upon a tree; Up went Pussy cat, and down went he; Down came Pussy cat, and away Robin ran: Says little Robin-Redbreast, "Catch me if you can." Little Robin-Redbreast jump'd upon a wall; Pussy cat jump'd after him, and almost got a fall; Little Robin chirp'd and sang, and what did Pussy say? Pussy cat said "Mew," and Robin jump'd away.

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MARY had a pretty bird With feathers bright and yellow— Slender legs—upon my word— He was a pretty fellow.

I had a little hen, the prettiest ever seen
I had a little hen, the prettiest ever seen

I HAD a little hen, the prettiest ever seen; She washed me the dishes, and kept the house clean; She went to the mill to fetch me some flour; She brought it home in less than an hour; She baked me my bread, she brew'd me my ale; She sat by the fire, and told many a fine tale.

Higgley Piggley
Higgley Piggley

HIGGLEY PIGGLEY, My black hen, She lays eggs For gentlemen; Sometimes nine, And sometimes ten. Higgley Piggley, My black hen!

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COME, take up your hats, and away let us haste To the Butterfly's ball, and the Grasshopper's feast; The trumpeter, Gad-fly, has summoned the crew, And the revels are now only waiting for you. On the smooth-shaven grass, by the side of a wood, Beneath a broad oak which for ages had stood, See the children of earth, and the tenants of air, To an evening's amusement together repair. And there came the Beetle, so blind and so black, Who carried the Emmet, his friend, on his back; And there came the Gnat and the Dragon-fly too, With all their relations, green, orange, and blue. And there came the Moth, with her plumage of down, And the Hornet with jacket of yellow and brown; And with him the Wasp, his companion, did bring; But they promised that evening to lay by their sting. Then the sly little Dormouse peeped out of his hole, And led to the feast his blind cousin the Mole; And the Snail, with her horns peeping out of her shell, Came, fatigued with the distance, the length of an ell. A mushroom the table, and on it was spread A water-dock leaf, which their table-cloth made. The viands were various, to each of their taste, And the Bee brought the honey to sweeten the feast. With steps most majestic the Snail did advance, And he promised the gazers a minuet to dance; But they all laughed so loud that he drew in his head, And went in his own little chamber to bed. Then, as evening gave way to the shadows of night, Their watchman, the Glow-worm, come out with his light. So home let us hasten, while yet we can see, For no watchman is waiting for you or for me.

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BAH, bah, black sheep, Have you any wool? "Yes, marry, have I, Three bags full: One for my master, And one for my dame, But none for the little boy Who cries in the lane."

Little boy blue, come, blow up your horn
Little boy blue, come, blow up your horn

Little boy blue, come, blow up 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 hay-cock fast asleep." "Will you wake him?" "No, not I; For if I do, he'll be sure to cry."

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GOD bless the master of this house, The mistress bless also, And all the little children That round the table go; And all your kin and kinsmen, That dwell both far and near; I wish you a merry Christmas, And a happy New Year.

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LITTLE girl, little girl, where have you been? "Gathering roses to give to the queen." "Little girl, little girl, what gave she you?" "She gave me a diamond as big as my shoe."

Goosey, goosey, gander
Goosey, goosey, gander

GOOSEY, goosey, gander, Where shall I wander? Upstairs, downstairs, And in my lady's chamber. There I meet an old man That would not say his prayers; I took him by the left leg, And threw him downstairs.

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JENNY WREN fell sick, Upon a merry time; In came Robin-Redbreast And brought her sops and wine. "Eat well of the sops, Jenny, Drink well of the wine." "Thank you, Robin, kindly, You shall be mine." Jenny she got well, And stood upon her feet, And told Robin plainly She loved him not a bit. Robin, being angry, Hopped upon a twig, Saying, "Out upon you. Fie upon you. Bold-faced jig."

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THE hart he loves the high wood, The hare she loves the hill, The knight he loves his bright sword, The lady—loves her will.

I had a little pony
I had a little pony

I HAD a little pony, His name was Dapple-grey I lent him to a lady, To ride a mile away. She whipped him, she slashed him, She rode him through the mire; I would not lend my pony now For all the lady's hire.

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A FARMER went trotting Upon his grey mare; Bumpety, bumpety, bump! With his daughter behind him, So rosy and fair; Lumpety, lumpety, lump! A raven cried "Croak;" And they all tumbled down; Bumpety, bumpety, bump! The mare broke her knees, And the farmer his crown; Lumpety, lumpety, lump. The mischievous raven Flew laughing away; Bumpety, bumpety, bump! And vowed he would serve them The same the next day; Bumpety, bumpety, bump!

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ACCUMULATIVE STORIES
ACCUMULATIVE STORIES
THIS is the house that Jack built
THIS is the house that Jack built

THIS is the house that Jack built. 2. This is the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. 3. This is the rat, That ate the malt, That lay in the house that Jack built. 4. This is the cat, That kill'd the rat, That ate the malt, That lay in the house that Jack built. 5. This is the dog, That worried the cat, That kill'd the rat, That ate the malt, That lay in the house that Jack built. 6. This is the cow with the crumpled horn, That toss'd the dog, That worried the cat, That kill'd the rat, That ate the malt, That lay in the house that Jack built. 7. This is the maiden all forlorn, That milk'd the cow with the crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, That kill'd the rat, That ate the malt, That lay in the house that Jack built. 8. This is the man all tatter'd and torn, That kissed the maiden all forlorn, That milk'd the cow with the crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, That kill'd the rat, That ate the malt, That lay in the house that Jack built. 9. This is the priest all shaven and shorn, That married the man all tatter'd and torn, That kiss'd the maiden all forlorn, That milk'd the cow with the crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, That kill'd the rat, That ate the malt, That lay in the house that Jack built. 10. This is the cock that crow'd in the morn, That waked the priest all shaven and shorn, That married the man all tatter'd and torn, That kiss'd the maiden all forlorn, That milk'd the cow with the crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, That kill'd the rat, That ate the malt, That lay in the house that Jack built. 11. This is the farmer sowing his corn, That kept the cock that crow'd in the morn, That waked the priest all shaven and shorn, That married the man all tatter'd and torn, That kissed the maiden all forlorn, That milk'd the cow with the crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, That kill'd the rat, That ate the malt, That lay in the house that Jack built.

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AN old woman was sweeping her house, and she found a little crooked sixpence. "What," said she, "shall I do with this little sixpence? I will go to market, and buy a little pig."

As she was coming home, she came to a stile; but the pig would not go over the stile.

She went a little farther, and she met a dog. So she said to the dog—

"Dog, dog, bite pig! Pig won't get over the stile; And I shan't get home to-night."

But the dog would not.

She went a little farther, and she met a stick. So she said—

"Stick, stick, beat dog! Dog won't bite pig? Pig won't get over the stile, And I shan't get home to-night."

But the stick would not.

She went a little farther, and she met a fire. So she said—

"Fire, fire, burn stick! Stick won't beat dog; Dog won't bite pig; Pig won't get over the stile, And I shan't get home to-night."

But the fire would not.

She went a little farther, and she met some water. So she said—

"Water, water, quench fire! Fire won't burn stick; Stick won't beat dog; Dog won't bite pig; Pig won't get over the stile, And I shan't get home to-night."

But the water would not.

She went a little farther, and she met an ox. So she said—

"Ox, ox, drink water! Water won't quench fire; Fire won't burn stick; Stick won't beat dog; Dog won't bite pig; Pig won't get over the stile, And I shan't get home to-night."

THE OLD WOMAN AND HER PIG

THE OLD WOMAN AND HER PIG
THE OLD WOMAN AND HER PIG

But the ox would not.

She went a little farther, and she met a butcher. So she said—

"Butcher, butcher, kill ox! Ox won't drink water; Water won't quench fire; Fire won't burn stick; Stick won't beat dog; Dog won't bite pig; Pig won't get over the stile, And I shan't get home to-night."

But the butcher would not.

She went a little farther, and she met a rope. So she said—

"Rope, rope, hang butcher! Butcher won't kill ox; Ox won't drink water; Water won't quench fire; Fire won't burn stick; Stick won't beat dog; Dog won't bite pig; Pig won't get over the stile, And I shan't get home to-night."

But the rope would not.

She went a little farther, and she met a rat. So she said—

"Rat, rat, gnaw rope! Rope won't hang butcher; Butcher won't kill ox; Ox won't drink water; Water won't quench fire; Fire won't burn stick; Stick won't beat dog; Dog won't bite pig; Pig won't get over the stile, And I shan't get home to-night."

But the rat would not.

She went a little farther, and she met a cat. So she said—

"Cat, cat, kill rat; Rat won't gnaw rope; Rope won't hang butcher; Butcher won't kill ox; Ox won't drink water; Water won't quench fire; Fire won't burn stick; Stick won't beat dog; Dog won't bite pig; Pig won't get over the stile, And I shan't get home to-night."

The cat said, "If you will give me a saucer of milk, I will kill the rat."

So the old woman gave the cat the milk, and when she had lapped up the milk—

The cat began to kill the rat; The rat began to gnaw the rope; The rope began to hang the butcher; The butcher began to kill the ox; The ox began to drink the water; The water began to quench the fire; The fire began to burn the stick; The stick began to beat the dog; The dog began to bite the pig; The pig jumped over the stile, And so the old woman got home that night.

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THIS is the key of the kingdom. In that kingdom there is a city. In that city there is a town. In that town there is a street. In that street there is a lane. In that lane there is a yard. In that yard there is a house. In that house there is a room. In that room there is a bed. On that bed there is a basket. In that basket there are some flowers. Flowers in the basket, basket in the bed, bed in the room, &c. &c.

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RELICS
RELICS
Willy boy, Willy boy, where are you going?
Willy boy, Willy boy, where are you going?

WILLY boy, Willy boy, where are you going? I'll go with you, if I may. "I'm going to the meadow to see them a mowing; I'm going to help them, make hay."

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THE girl in the lane, that couldn't speak plain, Cried, "Gobble, gobble, gobble." The man on the hill, that couldn't stand still, Went hobble, hobble, hobble.

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HINK, minx! the old witch winks, The fat begins to fry: There's nobody at home but little jumping Joan, Father, mother, and I.

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HANNAH BANTRY in the pantry, Eating a mutton bone; How she gnawed it, how she clawed it, When she found she was alone!

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LITTLE Miss Muffet Sat on a tuffet, Eating of curds and whey; There came a spider, And sat down beside her, And frightened Miss Muffet away.

"What are Little Boys made of?"

"What are Little Boys made of?
"What are Little Boys made of?

WHAT are little boys made of, made of; What are little boys made of? "Snaps and snails, and puppy-dogs' tails; And that's what little boys are made of, made of." What are little girls made of, made of, made of; What are little girls made of? "Sugar and spice, and all that's nice; And that's what little girls are made of, made of."

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WHAT'S the news of the day, Good neighbour, I pray? "They say the balloon Is gone up to the moon."

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KING'S SUTTON is a pretty town, And lies all in a valley; There is a pretty ring of bells, Besides a bowling-alley: Wine and liquor in good store, Pretty maidens plenty; Can a man desire more? There ain't such a town in twenty.

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COME, let's to bed, Says Sleepy-head; "Tarry a while," says Slow; "Put on the pot," Says Greedy-gut, "Let's sup before we go."

Girls and boys, come out to play
Girls and boys, come out to play

Girls and boys, come out to play; The moon doth shine as bright as day; Leave your supper, and leave your sleep, And come with your playfellows into the street. Come with a whoop, come with a call, Come with a good will or not at all. Up the ladder and down the wall, A halfpenny roll will serve us all. You find milk, and I'll find flour, And we'll have a pudding in half-an-hour.

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HOW many days has my baby to play? Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday.

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AROUND the green gravel the grass grows green, And all the pretty maids are plain to be seen; Wash them with milk, and clothe them with silk, And write their names with a pen and ink.

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AS I was going to sell my eggs, I met a man with bandy legs, Bandy legs and crooked toes; I tripped up his heels, and he fell on his nose.

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MY little old man and I fell out; I'll tell you what 'twas all about: I had money, and he had none, And that's the way the row begun.

DAFFY- Down- Dilly has come up to town In a yellow petticoat and a green gown.

Daffy-Down-Dilly has come up to town
Daffy-Down-Dilly has come up to town
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DARBY and Joan were dress'd in black, Sword and buckle behind their back; Foot for foot, and knee for knee, Turn about Darby's company.

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IF all the seas were one sea, What a great sea that would be! And if all the trees were one tree, What a great tree that would be! And if all the axes were one axe, What a great axe that would be! And if all the men were one man, What a great man he would be! And if the great man took the great axe, And cut down the great tree, And let it fall into the great sea, What a splish splash that would be!

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RAIN, rain, go away; Come again another day; Little Arthur wants to play.

Barber, barber, shave a pig
Barber, barber, shave a pig

BARBER, barber, shave a pig; How many hairs will make a wig? "Four-and-twenty, that's enough:" Give the barber a pinch of snuff.

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LITTLE Tom Tucker Sings for his supper; What shall he eat? White bread and butter. How shall he cut it, Without e'er a knife? How will he be married Without e'er a wife?

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WHO comes here? "A grenadier." "What do you want?" "A pot of beer." "Where is your money?" "I've forgot." "Get you gone, You drunken sot!"

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TO market, to market, to buy a plum-cake; Back again, back again, baby is late; To market, to market, to buy a plum-bun, Back again, back again, market is done.

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BLOW, wind, blow! and go, mill, go! That the miller may grind his corn; That the baker may take it, And into rolls make it, And send us some hot in the morn.

A Man went a hunting at Reigate
A Man went a hunting at Reigate

A MAN went a hunting at Reigate, And wished to leap over a high gate; Says the owner, "Go round, With your gun and your hound, For you never shall leap over my gate."

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THERE was a little nobby colt, His name was Nobby Gray; His head was made of pouce straw, His tail was made of hay. He could ramble, he could trot, He could carry a mustard-pot, Round the town of Woodstock, Hey, Jenny, hey!

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WE'RE 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.

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Notes.
Notes.

THE origin of the right nursery rhymes is, of course, popular, like the origin of ballads, tales (Märchen), riddles, proverbs, and, indeed, of literature in general. They are probably, in England, of no great antiquity, except in certain cases, where they supply the words to some child's ballet, some dance game. A game may be of prehistoric antiquity, as appears in the rudimentary forms of backgammon, Pachin and Patullo, common to Asia, and to the Aztecs, as Dr. Tylor has demonstrated. The child's game—

"Buck, buck, How many fingers do I hold up?"

was known in ancient Rome as bucca, though it would be audacious to infer that it arrived in Britain since the Norman Conquest. Hop-scotch is also exceedingly ancient, and the curious will find the theories of its origin in Mr. Gomme's learned work on Children's Dances and Songs, published by the Folk-Lore Society. Dr. Nicholson's book on the Folk-Lore of Children in Sutherland, still unpublished when I write, may also be consulted. One of the songs collected by Dr. Nicholson was copied down by a Danish traveller in London during the reign of Charles II. Robert Chambers's "Popular Rhymes of Scotland" is also a treasure of this kind of antiquities. It is probable that the Lowland rhymes have occasionally Gaelic counterparts, as the nursery tales certainly have, but I am unacquainted with any researches on this topic by Celtic scholars.

In Mr. Halliwell's Collection, from which this volume is abridged, no manuscript authority goes further back than the reign of Henry VIII., though King Arthur and Robin Hood are mentioned. The obscure Scottish taunt, levelled at Edward I. when besieging Berwick, is much in the manner of a nursery rhyme:—

"Kyng Edward, When thu havest Berwic, Pike thee! When thu havest geton, Dike thee!"

This, as Sir Herbert Maxwell says, "seems deficient in salt," but was felt to be irritating by the greatest of the Plantagenets. The jingles on the King of France, against the Scots in the time of James I., against the Tory, or Irish rapparee, and about the Gunpowder Plot, are of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. The Great Rebellion supplies "Hector Protector" and "The Parliament soldiers are gone to the king;" "Over the water and over the sea" (or lee) is a parody of a Jacobite ditty of 1748, and refers genially to that love of ale and wine which Prince Charles displayed as early as he showed military courage, at the age of fourteen, when he distinguished himself at the siege of Gaeta. His grandfather, James II., lives in "The rhyme for porringer;" his father in "Jim and George were two great lords." Tout finit par des chansons.

Of non-historical jingles, Mr. Halliwell found traces in MSS. as old as the fifteenth century. But it would be a very rare accident that led to their being written down when nobody dreamed of studying Folk-Lore with solemnity. "Thirty days hath September" occurs in the "Return from Parnassus," of Shakspeare's date, and a few snatches, like "When I was a little boy," occur in Shakspeare himself, just as a German version of "My Minnie me slew" comes in Goethe's Faust. Indeed, the scraps of magical versified spells in Märchen are entirely of the character of nursery rhymes, and are of dateless antiquity. The rhyme of "Dr. Faustus" may be nearly as old as the mediæval legend dramatised by Marlowe. The Elizabethan and Jacobean dramatists put nursery rhymes in the mouths of characters; a few jingles creep into the Miscellanies, such as "The Pills to purge Melancholy." Among these (1719) is "Tom the piper's son," who played "Over the hills and far away," a song often adapted to Jacobite uses. In 1719, when the Spanish plan of aid to James III. collapsed, pipers must have been melancholy enough.

Melismata (1611) already knows the "Frog who lived in a well," and in Deuteromelia (1609) occurs the "Three blind mice." On the Riddles, or Devinettes, chapters might be, and have been written. They go back to Samson's time, at least, and are as widely distributed as proverbs, even among Wolufs and Fijians. The most recent discussion is in Mr. Max Müller's "Contributions to the Science of Mythology" (1897). For using "charms," like "Come, butter, come," many an old woman was burned by the wisdom of our ancestors. Such versified charms, deducunt carmima lunam, are the karakias of the Maoris, and the mantras of Indian superstition. The magical papyri of ancient Egypt are full of them. In our own rhyme, "Hiccup," regarded as a personal kind of fiend ("Animism"), is charmed away by a promise of a butter-cake. There is a collection of such things in Reginald Scot's "Discovery of Witchcraft." Thus our old nursery rhymes are smooth stones from the brook of time, worn round by constant friction of tongues long silent. We cannot hope to make new nursery rhymes, any more than we can write new fairy tales.

Index of First Lines
Index of First Lines

Page

A carrion crow sat on an oak103

A diller, a dollar49

A farmer went trotting246

A little cock-sparrow sat on a green tree230

A little old man and I fell out157

A long-tail'd pig, or a short-tail'd pig229

A man of words and not of deeds79

A man went a hunting at Reigate273

A pie sat on a pear-tree227

A sunshiny shower82

A swarm of bees in May82

A was an apple-pie46

A was an Archer, and shot at a frog45

All of a row220

Around the green gravel the grass grows green268

Arthur O'Bower has broken his band124

As I walked by myself38

As I was going by Charing Cross37

As I was going o'er Westminster Bridge132

As I was going to sell my eggs268

As I was going to St. Ives131

As I was going up Pippen-hill209

As I went through the garden gap132

As soft as silk, as white as milk124

As the days lengthen83

As Tommy Snooks and Bessy Brooks203

Bah, bah, black sheep240

Barber, barber, shave a pig271

Bat, bat172

Bessy Bell and Mary Gray207

Betty Pringle had a little pig229

Birch and green holly, boys44

Black we are but much admired130

Blow, wind, blow! and go, mill, go!273

Blue eye beauty202

Bounce Buckram, velvet's dear79

Bow, wow, wow233

Brave news is come to town200

Bryan O'Lin, and his wife, and wife's mother63

Burnie bee, burnie bee220

Bye, baby bunting148

Cock-a-doodle-doo!192

Cock Robin got up early228

Cold and raw the north wind doth blow117

Come, butter, come147

Come, let's to bed266

Come, take up your hats, and away let us haste239

Come when you're called44

"Croak!" said the Toad, "I'm hungry, I think"225

Cross patch51

Cuckoo, cherry-tree176

Cuckoo, Cuckoo222

Curly locks! curly locks! wilt thou be mine?214

Curr dhoo, curr dhoo235

Cushy cow bonny, let down thy milk145

Daffy-down-dilly has come up to town269

Dame, get up and bake your pies117

Dame, what makes your ducks to die?231

Dance, Thumbkin, dance175

Dance to your daddy148

Darby and Joan were dress'd in black270

Deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son John191

Did you see my wife, did you see, did you see?214

Diddledy, diddledy, dumpty194

Ding, dong, bell194

Doctor Faustus was a good man48

Doctor Foster went to Glo'ster65

Draw a pail of water184

Early to bed, and early to rise83

Eat, birds, eat, and make no waste223

Eggs butter, bread186

Elizabeth, Elspeth, Betsy, and Bess133

Elsie Marley is grown so fine94

Fiddle-de-dee, fiddle-de-dee195

Flour of England, fruit of Spain128

For every evil under the sun82

For want of a nail, the shoe was lost84

Formed long ago, yet made to-day131

Four and twenty tailors went to kill a snail224

Friday night's dream83

Gay go up and gay go down172

Georgey Porgey, pudding and pie215

Girls and boys, come out to play267

God bless the master of this house242

Goosey, goosey, gander243

Great A, little a43

Grey goose and gander220

Handy Spandy, Jack-a-dandy196

Hannah Bantry in the pantry264

He that would thrive81

Hector Protector was dressed all in green37

Here am I, little jumping Joan140

Here comes a lusty wooer210

Here sits the Lord Mayor175

Here stands a post188

Hey! diddle, diddle193

Hey, my kitten, my kitten150

Hick-a-more, Hack-a-more124

Hickety, pickety, my black hen222

Hickory, Dickory, Dock176

Hickup, hickup, go away!152

Hickup, snicup152

"Hie, hie," says Anthony223

Higgledy piggledy128

Higgley Piggley238

High diddle ding37

Hink, minx! the old witch winks264

Hot-cross Buns105

How many days has my baby to play?268

How many miles is it to Babylon?183

Humpty Dumpty sate on a wall129

Hush-a-bye, baby, on the tree top149

Hushy baby, my doll, I pray you don't cry148

I am a gold lock180

I doubt, I doubt, my fire is out214

I had a little dog, and they called him Buff219

I had a little hen, the prettiest ever seen237

I had a little husband213

I had a little nut-tree, nothing would it bear35

I had a little pony245

I have a little sister, they call her Peep, Peep128

I love little pussy, her coat is so warm234

I love my love with an A, because he's Agreeable51

I love sixpence, pretty little sixpence99

I saw a peacock with a fiery tail141

I saw a ship a-sailing139

I saw three ships come sailing by118

I went to the wood and got it123

I went up one pair of stairs180

I would if I cou'd134

If all the seas were one sea270

If all the world was apple-pie135

If I'd as much money as I could spend112

If ifs and ands44

If wishes were horses78

If you love me, pop and fly146

If you sneeze on Monday, you sneeze for danger80

I'll sing you a song114

I'll tell you a story58

In fir tar is51

In marble walls as white as milk127

In the month of February232

Is John Smith within?179

Jack and Jill went up the hill199

Jack, be nimble171

Jack in the pulpit, out and in206

Jack Sprat could eat no fat206

Jacky, come give me thy fiddle113

Jenny Wren fell sick244

Jim and George were two great lords40

John Cook had a little grey mare; he, haw, hum!114

Johnny shall have a new bonnet93

King's Sutton is a pretty town266

Lady bird, lady bird, fly away home235

Leg over leg234

Little Bo-peep has lost her sheep92

Little boy blue, come, blow up your horn241

Little girl, little girl, where have you been?242

Little Jack Horner sat in a corner74

Little Miss Muffet264

Little Nancy Etticoat130

Little Polly Flinders114

Little Robin-Redbreast230

Little Robin-Redbreast sat upon a tree236

Little Tom Tucker272

Little Tommy Tittlemouse73

London Bridge is broken down98

Long legs, crooked thighs124

Love your own, kiss your own214

March winds and April showers84

Mary had a pretty bird236

Master I have, and I am his man213

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John147

Merry are the bells, and merry would they ring104

Mistress Mary, quite contrary50

Monday's bairn is fair of face84

Multiplication is vexation47

My dear, do you know56

My father he died, but I can't tell you how90

My lady Wind, my lady Wind71

My little old man and I fell out268

My maid Mary112

My true love lives far from me138

Nature requires five78

Needles and pins, needles and pins79

O that I was where I would be140

Oh, madam, I will give you the keys of Canterbury204

Old Abram Brown is dead and gone70

Old Betty Blue162

Old King Cole31

Old Mother Goose, when67

Old Mother Hubbard163

Old Mother Twitchett had but one eye130

Old woman, old woman, shall we go a-shearing?157

Once I saw a little bird227

One misty moisty morning87

One to make ready186

One, two52

Over the water, and over the sea36

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man!47

Pease-pudding hot179

Peter Piper picked a peck146

Peter White will ne'er go right136

Please to remember35

Polly put the kettle on92

Poor old Robinson Crusoe38

Punch and Judy71

Pussicat, wussicat, with a white foot194

Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, where have you been?221

Pussy-cat sits by the fire232

Pussy sits behind the fire236

Queen Anne, Queen Anne, you sit in the sun172

Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit-pie149

Rain, rain, go away270

Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross (1)182

Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross (2)182

Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross184

Ride away, ride away, Johnny shall ride116

Ring the bell179

Robert Barnes, fellow fine223

Robin and Richard were two pretty men66

Robin the Bobbin, the big-bellied Ben66

Rock-a-bye, baby, thy cradle is green150

Rosemary green200

Rub a dub dub196

Says t'auld man tit oak tree91

See a pin and pick it up78

See, saw, Margery Daw (1)185

See, saw, Margery Daw (2)185

See saw, sack-a-day40

See-saw sacradown184

Simple Simon met a pieman58

Sing a song of sixpence93

Solomon Grundy74

Some little mice sat in a barn to spin220

St. Swithin's day, if thou dost rain78

Swan swam over the sea152

Sylvia, sweet as morning air200

Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief72

Tell tale, tit44

The art of good driving's a paradox quite83

The cock doth crow222

The cuckoo's a fine bird225

The dove says "Coo, coo, what shall I do?"233

The fair maid who, the first of May83

The fox and his wife they had a great strife88

The girl in the lane, that couldn't speak plain264

The hart he loves the high wood244

The King of France, and four thousand men35

The King of France went up the hill35

The lion and the unicorn62

The man in the moon55

The man in the wilderness asked me137

The north wind doth blow100

The old woman and her pig253

The Queen of Hearts116

The winds they did blow228

There was a crooked man, and he went a crooked mile57

There was a fat man of Bombay63

There was a frog liv'd in a well106

There was a jolly miller112

There was a king met a king127

There was a lady loved a swine215

There was a little boy and a little girl201

There was a little boy went into a barn232

There was a little Guinea-pig136

There was a little man64

There was a little man208

There was a little nobby colt274

There was a little woman, as I've been told116

There was a man, and he had nought61

There was a man and he was mad142

There was a man of Thessaly133

There was a monkey climbed up a tree39

There was a piper, he'd a cow226

There was an old man162

There was an old man of Tobago161

There was an old woman155

There was an old woman158

There was an old woman, and what do you think141

There was an old woman, as I've heard tell156

There was an old woman called Nothing-at-all162

There was an old woman had three sons161

There was an old woman of Leeds158

There was an old woman of Norwich161

There was an old woman toss'd up in a basket157

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe158

There were three jovial Welshmen169

There were three sisters in a hall131

There were two birds sat on a stone111

There were two blackbirds188

Thirty days hath September49

Thirty white horses upon a red hill129

This is the house that Jack built249

This is the key of the kingdom260

This is the way the ladies ride187

This pig went to market176

Thomas a Tattamus took two T's130

Three blind mice, see how they run!105

Three children sliding on the ice134

Three wise men of Gotham65

Tobacco reek! tobacco reek!141

To make your candles last for a'77

To market, to market151

To market, to market, to buy a fat pig195

To market, to market, to buy a plum-cake272

Tom he was a piper's son95

Tom, Tom, the piper's son63

Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee196

Two legs sat upon three legs132

Up at Piccadilly oh!113

Up hill and down dale208

We are three brethren out of Spain181

Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town119

We're all in the dumps274

What are little boys made of, made of?265

What is the rhyme for poringer?37

What's the news of the day?266

When good King Arthur ruled this land32

When I was a bachelor I lived by myself202

When little Fred was called to bed120

When the wind is in the east80

When V and I together meet49

Where are you going, my pretty maid?111

Where have you been all the day?216

Who comes here?272

Who goes round my house this night?186

Whoop, whoop, and hollow186

Willy boy, Willy boy, where are you going?263

Yeow mussent sing a' Sunday82

You shall have an apple106

Young lambs to sell!150

THE END

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