The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 2 of 2) / With Tunes, Singing-Rhymes, and Methods of Playing etc.

by Alice Bertha Gomme

—Broadwinsor, Dorset (Folk-lore Journal, vii. 217).

IX.

Oranges and lemons, the bells of St. Clement’s [or St. Helen’s].
I owe you five farthings. And when will you pay me?
I’m sure I don’t know.
Here comes a candle to light you to bed,
Here comes a chop’n bill to chop off your head—
Chop—chop—chop—chop.
[Or Here comes a chop’n bill to chop off the last man’s head.]

—Earls Heaton, Yorks. (Herbert Hardy).

X.

Lend me five shillings,
Said the bells of St. Helen’s.

When will you pay me?
Said the bells of St. Philip’s.

I do not know,
Said the Great Bell of Bold.

Ring a ding, ding,
Ring a ding, ding,
Ring a ding, ding, ding, ding.

—Earls Heaton (Herbert Hardy, as told him by A. K.).