The Real Mother Goose THE BELLS "You owe me five shillings," Say the bells of St. Helen's. "When will you pay me?" Say the bells of Old Bailey. "When I grow rich," Say the bells of Shoreditch. "When will that be?" Say the bells of Stepney. "I do not know," Says the great Bell of Bow. "Two sticks in an apple," Ring the bells of Whitechapel. "Halfpence and farthings," Say the bells of St. Martin's. "Kettles and pans," Say the bells of St. Ann's. "Brickbats and tiles," Say the bells of St. Giles. "Old shoes and slippers," Say the bells of St. Peter's. "Pokers and tongs," Say the bells of St. John's. LITTLE GIRL AND QUEEN "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." THE KING OF FRANCE 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. PETER PIPER Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers; A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked? ONE TO TEN 1, 2, 3, 4, 5! I caught a hare alive; 6, 7, 8, 9, 10! I let her go again. AN EQUAL Read my riddle, I pray. What God never sees, What the king seldom sees, What we see every day. THE TARTS The Queen of Hearts, She made some tarts, All on a summer's day; The Knave of Hearts, He stole the tarts, And took them clean away. The King of Hearts Called for the tarts, And beat the Knave full sore; The Knave of Hearts Brought back the tarts, And vowed he'd steal no more. COME, LET'S TO BED "To bed! To bed!" Says Sleepy-head; "Tarry awhile," says Slow; "Put on the pan," Says Greedy Nan; "We'll sup before we go." LITTLE MAID "Little maid, pretty maid, whither goest thou?" "Down in the forest to milk my cow." "Shall I go with thee?" "No, not now; When I send for thee, then come thou." 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." What are little girls 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." BANDY LEGS 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. THE GIRL AND THE BIRDS When I was a little girl, about seven years old, I hadn't got a petticoat, to cover me from the cold. So I went into Darlington, that pretty little town, And there I bought a petticoat, a cloak, and a gown. I went into the woods and built me a kirk, And all the birds of the air, they helped me to work. The hawk with his long claws pulled down the stone, The dove with her rough bill brought me them home. The parrot was the clergyman, the peacock was the clerk, The bullfinch played the organ, -- we made merry work. A PIG As I went to Bonner, I met a pig Without a wig Upon my word and honor. JENNY WREN As little Jenny Wren Was sitting by her shed. She waggled with her tail, And nodded with her head. She waggled with her tail, And nodded with her head, As little Jenny Wren Was sitting by the shed. LITTLE TOM TUCKER Little Tom Tucker Sings for his supper. What shall he eat? White bread and butter. How will he cut it Without e'er a knife? How will he be married Without e'er a wife? WHERE ARE YOU GOING MY PRETTY MAID "Where are you going, my pretty maid?" "I'm going a-milking, sir," she said. "May I go with you, my pretty maid?" "You're kindly welcome, sir," she said. "What is your father, my pretty maid?" "My father's a farmer, sir," she said. "What is your fortune, my pretty maid?" "My face is my fortune, sir," she said. "Then I can't marry you, my pretty maid." "Nobody asked you, sir," she said. THE OLD WOMAN OF GLOUCESTER There was an old woman of Gloucester, Whose parrot two guineas it cost her, But its tongue never ceasing, Was vastly displeasing To the talkative woman of Gloucester. MULTIPLICATION IS VEXATION Multiplication is vexation, Division is as bad; Rule of Three doth puzzle me, And Practice drives me mad. LITTLE KING BOGGEN Little King Boggen, he built a fine hall, Pie-crust and pastry-crust, that was the wall; The windows were made of black puddings and white, And slated with pan-cakes,-- you ne'er saw the like! WHISTLE "Whistle, daughter, whistle; Whistle, daughter dear." "I cannot whistle, mammy, I cannot whistle clear." "Whistle, daughter, whistle; Whistle for a pound." "I cannot whistle, mammy, I cannot make a sound." BELL HORSES Bell horses, bell horses, what time of day? One o'clock, two o'clock, three and away. TAFFY Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief, Taffy came to my house and stole a piece of beef; I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was not home; Taffy came to my house and stole a marrow-bone. I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was not in; Taffy came to my house and stole a silver pin; I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was in bed, I took up the marrow-bone and flung it at his head. THE ROBIN The north wind doth blow, And we shall have snow, And what will poor robin do then, Poor thing ? He'll sit in a barn, And keep himself warm, And hide his head under his wing, Poor thing! THE OLD WOMAN OF HARROW There was an old woman of Harrow, Who visited in a wheelbarrow; And her servant before, Knocked loud at each door, To announce the old woman of Harrow. YOUNG ROGER AND DOLLY Young Roger came tapping at Dolly's window, Thumpaty, thumpaty, thump! He asked for admittance; she answered him "No!" Frumpaty, frumpaty, frump! "No, no, Roger, no! as you came you may go!" Stumpaty, stumpaty, stump! THE PIPER AND HIS COW There was a piper had a cow, And he had naught to give her; He pulled out his pipes and played her a tune, And bade the cow consider. The cow considered very well, And gave the piper a penny, And bade him play the other tune, "Corn rigs are bonny." THE MAN OF DERBY A little old man of Derby, How do you think he served me? He took away my bread and cheese, And that is how he served me. THE COACHMAN Up at Piccadilly, oh! The coachman takes his stand, And when he meets a pretty girl He takes her by the hand. Whip away forever, oh! Drive away so clever, oh! All the way to Bristol, oh! He drives her four-in-hand. THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN There was an old woman who lived in a shoe. She had so many children she didn't know what to do. She gave them some broth without any bread. She whipped them all soundly and put them to bed. A THORN I went to the wood and got it; I sat me down to look for it And brought it home because I couldn't find it. THE OLD WOMAN OF SURREY There was an old woman in Surrey, Who was morn, noon, and night in a hurry; Called her husband a fool, Drove the children to school, The worrying old woman of Surrey. THE LITTLE MOUSE I have seen you, little mouse, Running all about the house, Through the hole your little eye In the wainscot peeping sly, Hoping soon some crumbs to steal, To make quite a hearty meal. Look before you venture out, See if pussy is about. If she's gone, you'll quickly run To the larder for some fun; Round about the dishes creep, Taking into each a peep, To choose the daintiest that's there, Spoiling things you do not care. BOY AND GIRL There was a little boy and a little girl Lived in an alley; Says the little boy to the little girl, "Shall I, oh, shall I?" Says the little girl to the little boy, "What shall we do?" Says the little boy to the little girl, "I will kiss you." WHEN When I was a bachelor I lived by myself; And all the bread and cheese I got I laid up on the shelf. The rats and the mice They made such a strife, I was forced to go to London To buy me a wife. The streets were so bad, And the lanes were so narrow, I was forced to bring my wife home In a wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow broke, And my wife had a fall; Down came wheelbarrow, Little wife and all. SING, SING Sing, Sing, what shall I sing? Cat's run away with the pudding-string! Do, do, what shall I do? The cat has bitten it quite in two. LONDON BRIDGE London Bridge is broken down, Dance over my Lady Lee; London Bridge is broken down, With a gay lady. How shall we build it up again? Dance over my Lady Lee; How shall we build it up again? With a gay lady. Build it up with silver and gold, Dance over my Lady Lee; Build it up with silver and gold, With a gay lady. Silver and gold will be stole away, Dance over my Lady Lee; Silver and gold will be stole away, With a gay lady. Build it up with iron and steel, Dance over my Lady Lee; Build it up with iron and steel, With a gay lady. Iron and steel will bend and bow Dance over my Lady Lee; Iron and steel will bend and bow With a gay lady. Build it up with wood and clay, Dance over my Lady Lee; Build it up with wood and clay, With a gay lady. Wood and clay will wash away, Dance over my Lady Lee; Wood and clay will wash away, With a gay lady. Build it up with stone so strong, Dance over my Lady Lee; Huzza! 'twill last for ages long, With a gay lady. MARCH WINDS March winds and April showers Bring forth May flowers. THE BALLOON "What is the news of the day, Good neighbor, I pray?" "They say the balloon Is gone up to the moon!" A CHERRY As I went through the garden gap, Who should I meet but Dick Redcap! A stick in his hand, a stone in his throat,-- If you'll tell me this riddle, I'll give you a groat. THE LOST SHOE Doodle doodle doo, The Princess lost her shoe: Her Highness hopped,-- The fiddler stopped, Not knowing what to do. HOT CODLINS There was a little woman, as I've been told, Who was not very young, nor yet very old; Now this little woman her living got By selling codlins, hot, hot, hot! SWAN Swan, swan, over the sea; Swim, swan, swim! Swan, swan, back again; Well swum, swan! THREE STRAWS Three straws on a staff Would make a baby cry and laugh. THE MAN OF TOBAGO There was an old man of Tobago Who lived on rice, gruel, and sago, Till much to his bliss, His physician said this: "To a leg, sir, of mutton, you may go." DING, DONG, BELL Ding, dong, bell, Pussy's in the well! Who put her in? Little Tommy Lin. Who pulled her out? Little Johnny Stout. What a naughty boy was that, To try to drown poor pussy-cat. Who never did him any harm, But killed the mice in his father's barn! A SUNSHINY SHOWER A sunshiny shower Won't last half an hour. THE FARMER AND THE RAVEN A farmer went trotting upon his gray 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, Lumpety, lumpety lump! CHRISTMAS Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat, Please to put a penny in an old man's hat; If you haven't got a penny a ha'penny will do, If you haven't got a ha'penny, God bless you. WILLY BOY "Willy boy, Willy boy, where are you going? I will go with you, if that I may." "I'm going to the meadow to see them a-mowing, I'm going to help them to make the hay." POLLY AND SUKEY Polly, put the kettle on, Polly, put the kettle on, Polly, put the kettle on, And let's drink tea. Sukey, take it off again, Sukey, take it off again, Sukey, take it off again, They're all gone away. THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF POOR COCK ROBIN Who killed Cock Robin? "I," said the sparrow, "With my little bow and arrow, I killed Cock Robin," Who saw him die? "I," said the fly, "With my little eye, I saw him die." Who caught his blood? "I," said the fish, "With my little dish, I caught his blood." Who'll make his shroud? "I," said the beetle, "With my thread and needle. I'll make his shroud." Who'll carry the torch? "I," said the linnet, "I'll come in a minute, I'll carry the torch." Who'll be the clerk? "I," said the lark, "If it's not in the dark, I'll be the clerk." Who'll dig his grave? "I," said the owl, "With my spade and trowel I'll dig his grave." Who'll be the parson? "I," said the rook, "With my little book, I'll be the parson." Who'll be chief mourner? "I," said the dove, "I mourn for my love, I'll be chief mourner." Who'll sing a psalm? "I," said the thrush, "As I sit in a bush. I'll sing a psalm." Who'll carry the coffin? "I," said the kite, "If it's not in the night, I'll carry the coffin." Who'll toll the bell? "I," said the bull, "Because I can pull, I'll toll the bell." All the birds of the air Fell sighing and sobbing, When they heard the bell toll For poor Cock Robin. THE MOUSE AND THE CLOCK Hickory, dickory, dock! The mouse ran up the clock; The clock struck one, And down he run, Hickory, dickory, dock! HOT-CROSS BUNS Hot-cross Buns! Hot cross Buns! One a penny, two a penny, Hot-cross Buns! Hot-cross Buns! Hot-cross Buns! If ye have no daughters, Give them to your sons. BOBBY SHAFTOE Bobby Shaftoe's gone to sea, With silver buckles on his knee: He'll come back and marry me, Pretty Bobby Shaftoe! Bobby Shaftoe's fat and fair, Combing down his yellow hair; He's my love for evermore, Pretty Bobby Shaftoe. THE BUNCH OF BLUE RIBBONS Oh, dear, what can the matter be? Oh, dear, what can the matter be? Oh, dear, what can the matter be? Johnny's so long at the fair. He promised he'd buy me a bunch of blue ribbons, He promised he'd buy me a bunch of blue ribbons, He promised he'd buy me a bunch of blue ribbons, To tie up my bonny brown hair. THE WOMAN OF EXETER There dwelt an old woman at Exeter; When visitors came it sore vexed her, So for fear they should eat, She locked up all her meat, This stingy old woman of Exeter. SNEEZING If you sneeze on Monday, you sneeze for danger; Sneeze on a Tuesday, kiss a stranger; Sneeze on a Wednesday, sneeze for a letter; Sneeze on a Thursday, something better. Sneeze on a Friday, sneeze for sorrow; Sneeze on a Saturday, joy tomorrow. PUSSY-CAT BY THE FIRE Pussy-cat sits by the fire; How can she be fair? 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!" WHEN THE SNOW IS ON THE GROUND The little robin grieves When the snow is on the ground, For the trees have no leaves, And no berries can be found. The air is cold, the worms are hid; For robin here what can be done? Let's strow around some crumbs of bread, And then he'll live till snow is gone.