National Rhymes of the Nursery Part 6

When a Twister a twisting, will twist him a twist; For the twisting of his twist, he three times doth intwist; But if one of the twines of the twist do untwist, The twine that untwisteth, untwisteth the twist.

Untwirling the twine that untwisteth between, He twirls, with the twister, the two in a twine; Then twice having twisted the twines of the twine, He twisteth the twine he had twined in twain.

The twain that, in twining, before in the twine, As twines were intwisted; he now doth untwine: 'Twixt the twain inter-twisting a twine more between, He, twirling his twister, makes a twist of the twine.

_Little Tom Tucker_

Little Tom Tucker Sings for his supper; What shall he eat?

White bread and b.u.t.ter.

How shall he cut it Without e'er a knife?

How will he be married Without e'er a wife?

_Ride a c.o.c.k-horse to Banbury Cross_

Ride a c.o.c.k-horse to Banbury Cross, To see a fine lady upon a white horse, Rings on her fingers, and bells on her toes, She shall make music wherever she goes.

_There were two blackbirds_

There were two blackbirds Sitting on a hill, The one named Jack, The other named Jill; Fly away, Jack!

Fly away, Jill!

Come again, Jack!

Come again, Jill!

_Hark, hark, the dogs do bark_

Hark, hark, The dogs do bark, Beggars are coming to town: Some in jags, Some in rags, And some in velvet gowns.

See, see! what shall I see?

A horse's head where his tail should be.

_Over the water, and over the lea_

Over the water, and over the lea, And over the water to Charley, Charley loves good ale and wine, And Charley loves good brandy, And Charley loves a pretty girl, As sweet as sugar-candy.

Over the water, and over the sea, And over the water to Charley, I'll have none of your nasty beef, Nor I'll have none of your barley; But I'll have some of your very best flour; To make a white cake for my Charley.

_Tom, Tom, the piper's son_

Tom, Tom, the piper's son, Stole a pig, and away he run!

The pig was eat, and Tom was beat, And Tom went roaring down the street.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Stole a pig and away he run."]

_Daffy-Down-Dilly_

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

_A little c.o.c.k sparrow_

A little c.o.c.k sparrow sat on a green tree, And he cherruped, he cherruped, so merry was he; A little c.o.c.k 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, Determined to shoot this little c.o.c.k sparrow, A naughty boy came with his wee bow and arrow Determined to shoot this little c.o.c.k sparrow.

"This little c.o.c.k sparrow shall make me a stew, And his giblets shall make me a little pie too."

"Oh, no!" said the sparrow, "I _won't_ make a stew."

So he flapped his wings and away he flew!

_Charley, Charley_

Charley Charley, stole the barley Out of the baker's shop; The baker came out, and gave him a clout, And made poor Charley hop.

_There was an old woman, and what do you think?_

There was an old woman, and what do you think?

She lived upon nothing but victuals and drink:

Victuals and drink were the chief of her diet; Yet this little old woman could never keep quiet.

She went to the baker, to buy her some bread, And when she came home her old husband was dead; She went to the clerk to toll the bell, And when she came back her old husband was well.

_Up hill and down dale_

Up hill and down dale; b.u.t.ter is made in every vale; And if that Nancy Cook Is a good girl, She shall have a spouse, And make b.u.t.ter anon, Before her old grandmother Grows a young man.

_A swarm of bees_

A swarm of bees in May Is worth a load of hay; A swarm of bees in June Is worth a silver spoon; A swarm of bees in July Is not worth a fly.

_A was an archer_

A was an archer, and shot at a frog, B was a butcher, and had a great dog.

C was a captain, all covered with lace, D was a drunkard, and had a red face.

E was an esquire, with pride on his brow, F was a farmer, and followed the plough.

G was a gamester, who had but ill luck, H was a hunter, and hunted a buck.

I was an innkeeper, who loved to bouse, J was a joiner, and built up a house.