How far to Banbury Cross?
Four score and ten.
Can I get there by candle-light?
Yes, if your legs are long and light.
Please to let me go?
Not without you bend and bow [pronounced bo].
Here’s my bend [curtseys],
And here’s my bow [touches forehead],
Now will you let me go?
—Fernham and Longcot (Miss I. Barclay).
How many miles to Babylon?
Three score and ten.
Can we get there by candle-light?
Yes, and back again.
Open your gates as wide as you can,
And let King George and his family go through.
Not without a back, not without a bow,
Not without a curtsey, and then I’ll let you through.
—South Shields (Miss Blair).
How many miles to Babylon?
Three score and ten.
Can I get there o’ candle-light?
There and back again.
Here’s my black [raising one foot],
And here’s my blue [raising the other],
Open the gates and let me through.
—Annaverna, Ravendale, co. Louth, Ireland (Miss R. Stephen).
How many miles to Barney Bridge?
Three score and ten.
Will I be there by candle-light?
Yes, if your legs are long.
A curtsey to you, another to you,
If you please will you let the king’s horses go through?
Yes, but take care of your hindmost man.