National Rhymes of the Nursery Part 2

Gay go up and gay go down, To ring the bells of London town.

Bull's eyes and targets, Say the bells of St. Marg'ret's.

Brickbats and tiles, Say the bells of St. Giles'.

Halfpence and farthings, Say the bells of St. Martin's.

Oranges and lemons, Say the bells of St. Clement's.

Pancakes and fritters, Say the bells of St. Peter's.

Two sticks and an apple, Say the bells at Whitechapel.

Old Father Baldpate, Say the slow bells at Aldgate.

You owe me ten s.h.i.+llings, Say the bells at St. Helen's.

Pokers and tongs, Say the bells at St. John's.

Kettles and pans, Say the bells at St. Ann's.

When will you pay me?

Say the bells at Old Bailey.

When I grow rich, Say the bells at Sh.o.r.editch.

Pray when will that be?

Say the bells of Stepney.

I am sure I don't know, Says the great bell at Bow.

Here comes a candle to light you to bed, And here comes a chopper to chop off your head.

_Peter Piper_

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper; A peck of pickled pepper Peter Piper picked; If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper, Where's the peck of pickled pepper Peter Piper picked?

_Three children_

Three children sliding on the ice Upon a summer's day, It so fell out, they all fell in, The rest they ran away.

Now had these children been at home, Or sliding on dry ground, Ten thousand pounds to one penny They had not all been drown'd.

You parents all that children have, And you that have got none, If you would have them safe abroad, Pray keep them safe at home.

[Ill.u.s.tration: HUMPTY DUMPTY.]

Humpty Dumpty sate on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; All the king's horses and all the king's men Cannot put Humpty Dumpty together again.

_London Bridge_

London Bridge is broken down, Dance o'er my Lady Lee; London Bridge is broken down, With a gay lady.

How shall we build it up again?

Dance o'er my Lady Lee; How shall we build it up again?

With a gay lady.

Silver and gold will be stole away, Dance o'er my Lady Lee; Silver and gold will be stole away, With a gay lady.

Build it up again with iron and steel, Dance o'er my Lady Lee; Build it up with iron and steel, With a gay lady.

Iron and steel will bend and bow, Dance o'er my Lady Lee; Iron and steel will bend and bow, With a gay lady.

Build it up with wood and clay, Dance o'er my Lady Lee; Build it up with wood and clay, With a gay lady.

Wood and clay will wash away, Dance o'er my Lady Lee; Wood and clay will wash away, With a gay lady.

Build it up with stone so strong, Dance o'er my Lady Lee; Huzza! 'twill last for ages long, With a gay lady.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ELSIE MARLEY]

Elsie Marley is grown so fine, She won't get up to serve the swine, But lies in bed till eight or nine, And surely she does take her time.

And do you ken Elsie Marley, honey?

The wife who sells the barley, honey; She won't get up to serve her swine, And do you ken Elsie Marley, honey?

_There was a little boy_

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."

_How many miles_

How many miles is it to Babylon?-- Threescore miles and ten.

Can I get there by candle-light?-- Yes, and back again!

If your heels are nimble and light, You may get there by candle-light.

_Curly locks_

Curly locks! curly locks! wilt thou be mine?

Thou shalt not wash dishes, nor yet feed the swine; But sit on a cus.h.i.+on and sew a fine seam, And feed upon strawberries, sugar, and cream!