MOTHER GOOSE'S
Nursery Rhymes

A collection of
Alphabets, Rhymes, Tales, and Jingles
With Illustrations
BY
Sir JOHN GILBERT, R.A., JOHN TENNIEL, HARRISON WEIR,
WALTER CRANE, W. McCONNELL, J. B. ZWECKER
AND OTHERS

London
George Routledge and Sons
THE BROADWAY, LUDGATE
NEW YORK: 416 BROOME STREET
1877

CONTENTS.

MOTHER GOOSE'S NURSERY RHYMES.

OLD MOTHER GOOSE.

Old Mother Goose, when
She wanted to wander,
Would ride through the air
On a very fine gander.
Mother Goose had a house,
'Twas built in a wood,
Where an owl at the door
For sentinel stood.
This is her son Jack,
A plain-looking lad,
He is not very good,
Nor yet very bad.
She sent him to market,
A live goose he bought,
"Here, mother," says he,
"It will not go for nought."
Jack's goose and her gander
Grew very fond,
They'd both eat together,
Or swim in one pond.

"SHE SENT HIM TO MARKET, A LIVE GOOSE HE BOUGHT."

Jack found one fine morning
As I have been told,
His goose had laid him
An egg of pure gold.
Jack rode to his mother,
The news for to tell,
She called him a good boy
And said it was well.
Jack sold his gold egg
To a rogue of a Jew,
Who cheated him out of
The half of his due.
Then Jack went a-courting
A lady so gay,
As fair as the lily,
And sweet as the May.
The Jew and the Squire
Came behind his back,
And began to belabour
The sides of poor Jack.
And then the gold egg
Was thrown into the sea,

When Jack he jumped in,
And got it back presently.
The Jew got the goose,
Which he vowed he would kill,
Resolving at once
His pockets to fill.

Jack's mother came in,
And caught the goose soon,
And mounting its back,
Flew up to the moon.

Boys and girls, come out to play,
The moon does shine as bright as day,
Leave your supper, and leave your sleep,
And meet your playfellows in the street;
Come with a whoop, and come with a call,
And come with a good will, or not at all.
Up the ladder and down the wall,
A halfpenny loaf will serve us all.
You find milk and I'll find flour,
And we'll have a pudding in half an hour.

A was an Archer,
who shot at a frog.
B was a Butcher,
who had a great dog.
C was a Captain,
all covered with lace.
D was a Drummer,
who played with a grace.
E was an Esquire with pride on his brow.
F was a Farmer,
who followed the plough.
G was a Gamester,
who had but ill-luck.
H was a Hunter,
who hunted a buck.
I was an Italian,
who had a white mouse.
J was a Joiner,
who built up a house.
K was a King,
so mighty and grand.
L was a Lady,
who had a white hand.
M was a Miser,
who hoarded up gold.
N was a Nobleman,
gallant and bold.
O was an Organ-Boy,
who played for his bread.
P a Policeman,
of bad boys the dread.
Q was a Quaker,
who would not bow down.
R was a Robber,
who prowled about town.
S was a Sailor,
who spent all he got.
T was a Tinker,
who mended a pot.
U was an Usher,
with dunces severe.
V was a Veteran,
who never knew fear.
W was a Waiter,
with dinners in store.
X was Expensive,
and so became poor.
Y was a Youth,
who did not like school.
Z was a Zany,
who looked a great fool.

THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER.[A]

The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright—
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.
The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done—
"It's very rude of him," she said,
"To come and spoil the fun!"
The sea was wet as wet could be,
The sands were dry as dry.
You could not see a cloud, because
No cloud was in the sky:
No birds were flying overhead—
There were no birds to fly.
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
"If this were only cleared away,"
They said, "it would be grand!"

"If seven maids with seven mops
Swept it for half a year,
Do you suppose," the Walrus said,
"That they could get it clear?"
"I doubt it," said the Carpenter,
And shed a bitter tear.

"O Oysters, come and walk with us!"
The Walrus did beseech.
"A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beach:
We cannot do with more than four,
To give a hand to each."
The eldest Oyster looked at him,
But never a word he said:
The eldest Oyster winked his eye,
And shook his heavy head—
Meaning to say he did not choose
To leave the oyster-bed.
But four young Oysters hurried up,
All eager for the treat:
Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,
Their shoes were clean and neat—
And this was odd, because, you know,
They hadn't any feet.
Four other Oysters followed them,
And yet another four;
And thick and fast they came at last,
And more, and more, and more—
All hopping through the frothy waves,
And scrambling to the shore.
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Walked on a mile or so,
And then they rested on a rock
Conveniently low:
And all the little Oysters stood
And waited in a row.
"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes—and ships—and sealing-wax—
Of cabbages—and kings—
And why the sea is boiling hot—
And whether pigs have wings."
"But wait a bit," the Oysters cried,
"Before we have our chat;
For some of us are out of breath,
And all of us are fat!"
"No hurry!" said the Carpenter.
They thanked him much for that.

"A loaf of bread," the Walrus said,
"Is what we chiefly need:
Pepper and vinegar besides
Are very good indeed—
Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,
We can begin to feed."
"But not on us!" the Oysters cried,
Turning a little blue.
"After such kindness, that would be
A dismal thing to do!"
"The night is fine," the Walrus said.
"Do you admire the view?
"It was so kind of you to come!
And you are very nice!"
The Carpenter said nothing but
"Cut us another slice:
I wish you were not quite so deaf—
I've had to ask you twice!"
"It seems a shame," the Walrus said,
"To play them such a trick,
After we've brought them out so far,
And made them trot so quick!"
The Carpenter said nothing but
"The butter's spread too thick!"

"I weep for you," the Walrus said:
"I deeply sympathize."
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Those of the largest size,
Holding his pocket-handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.
"O Oysters," said the Carpenter,
"You've had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?"
But answer there came none—
And this was scarcely odd, because
They'd eaten every one.

—Lewis Carroll.

[A] By permission of the Author.

A MAN WENT HUNTING AT REIGATE.

A man went hunting at Reigate,
And wished to jump over a high gate;
Says the owner, "Go round,
With your horse and your hound,
For you never shall leap over my gate."

HUMPTY-DUMPTY.

[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clicking [here].]

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall;
All the king's horses,
and all the king's men,
Couldn't set Humpty Dumpty up again.

"THERE WAS AN OWL LIVED IN AN OAK."

There was an Owl lived in an oak,
Whiskey, Whaskey, Weedle;
And all the words he ever spoke
Were Fiddle, Faddle, Feedle.
A sportsman chanced to come that way,
Whiskey, Whaskey, Weedle;
Says he, "I'll shoot you, silly bird,
So Fiddle, Faddle, Feedle!"

GOOD KING ARTHUR.

When good King Arthur ruled this land,
He was a goodly King;
He bought three pecks of barley-meal,
To make a bag-pudding.
A bag-pudding the King did make,
And stuffed it well with plums,
And in it put great lumps of fat,
As big as my two thumbs.
The King and Queen did eat thereof,
And noblemen beside;
And what they could not eat that night,
The Queen next morning fried.

To market, to market, to buy a fat pig,
Home again, home again, jiggety jig.
To market, to market, to buy a fat hog,
Home again, home again, jiggety jog.

Hot cross buns, hot cross buns,
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot cross buns.
If your daughters don't like them,
Give them to your sons,
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot cross buns.

WHO STOLE THE BIRD'S-NEST?

To-whit! to-whit! to-whee!
Will you listen to me?
Who stole four eggs I laid,
And the nice nest I made?

Not I, said the cow, moo-oo!
Such a thing I'd never do.
I gave you a wisp of hay,
But did not take your nest away;
Not I, said the cow, moo-oo!
Such a thing I'd never do.

Bob-o-link! Bob-o-link!
Now, what do you think?
Who stole a nest away
From the plum-tree to-day?

Not I, said the dog, bow-wow!
I wouldn't be so mean, I vow.
I gave some hairs the nest to make,
But the nest I did not take;
Not I, said the dog, bow-wow!
I would not be so mean, I vow.
Coo-coo! coo-coo! coo-coo!
Let me speak a word or two:
Who stole that pretty nest
From little Robin Redbreast?
Not I, said the sheep; oh, no,
I would not treat a poor bird so;
I gave the wool the nest to line,
But the nest was none of mine.
Baa! baa! said the sheep; oh, no!
I wouldn't treat a poor bird so.
Caw! caw! cried the crow,
I should like to know
What thief took away
A bird's-nest to-day.

Chuck! chuck! said the hen,
Don't ask me again;
Why, I haven't a chick
Would do such a trick.
We all gave her a feather,
And she wove them together.
I'd scorn to intrude
On her and her brood.
Chuck! chuck! said the hen,
Don't ask me again.
Chirr-a-whirr! chirr-a-whirr!
We will make a great stir.
Let us find out his name,
And all cry—For shame!
A little boy hung down his head,
And went and hid behind the bed;
For he stole that pretty nest
From little Robin Redbreast;
And he felt so full of shame
He did not like to tell his name.

"THERE WAS A JOLLY MILLER."

There was a jolly miller
Lived on the river Dee:
He worked and sang from morn till night,
No lark so blithe as he.
And this the burden of his song
For ever used to be—
I care for nobody—no! not I,
Since nobody cares for me.

"DICKERY, DICKERY, DARE."

Dickery, dickery, dare,
The pig flew up in the air;
The man in brown soon brought him down,
Dickery, dickery, dare.

Molly, my sister, and I fell out,
And what do you think it was about?
She loved coffee, and I loved tea,
And that was the reason we couldn't agree.

Solomon Grundy,
Born on a Monday,
Christened on Tuesday,
Married on Wednesday,
Very ill on Thursday,
Worse on Friday,
Died on Saturday,
Buried on Sunday.
This is the end
Of Solomon Grundy.

Jack Sprat could eat no fat,
His wife could eat no lean;
And so betwixt them both, you see,
They licked the platter clean.

As I went to Bonner,
I met a pig
Without a wig,
Upon my word and honour.

Hush, baby, my doll, I pray you don't cry,
And I'll give you some bread, and some milk by-and-by;
Or perhaps you like custard, or, maybe, a tart,
Then to either you are welcome, with all my heart.

Pitty Patty Polt,
Shoe the wild colt;
Here a nail,
And there a nail,
Pitty Patty Polt.

Brow, brow, brinkie,
Eye, eye, winkie,
Mouth, mouth, merry,
Cheek, cheek, cherry,
Chin chopper, chin chopper,
&c.

If you are to be a gentleman, as I suppose you'll be,
You'll neither laugh nor smile for a tickling of the knee.

"Where are you going to, my pretty maid?"
"I am 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 won't marry you, my pretty maid."
"Nobody asked you, sir," she said.

The barber shaved the mason,
And as I suppose
Cut off his nose,
And popped it in the basin.

"OLD MOTHER HUBBARD WENT TO THE CUPBOARD."

OLD MOTHER HUBBARD
AND HER DOG.

Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard,
To get her poor Dog a bone;
But when she came there
The cupboard was bare,
And so the poor Dog had none.

She went to the baker's
To buy him some bread,
But when she came back
The poor Dog was dead.

She went to the joiner's
To buy him a coffin,
But when she came back
The poor Dog was laughing,

She took a clean dish
To get him some tripe,
But when she came back
He was smoking a pipe.

She went to the alehouse
To get him some beer,
But when she came back
The Dog sat in a chair.

She went to the tavern
For white wine and red,
But when she came back
The Dog stood on his head.

She went to the hatter's
To buy him a hat,
But when she came back
He was feeding the cat.

She went to the barber's
To buy him a wig,
But when she came back
He was dancing a jig.

She went to the fruiterer's
To buy him some fruit,
But when she came back
He was playing the flute.

She went to the tailor's
To buy him a coat,
But when she came back
He was riding a goat.

She went to the cobbler's
To buy him some shoes,
But when she came back
He was reading the news.

She went to the sempstress
To buy him some linen,
But when she came back
The Dog was a-spinning.

She went to the hosier's
To buy him some hose,
But when she came back
He was dressed in his clothes.

"THE DAME MADE A CURTSEY, THE DOG MADE A BOW."

The Dame made a curtsey,
The Dog made a bow;
The Dame said, "Your servant,"
The Dog said, "Bow wow."
This wonderful Dog
Was Dame Hubbard's delight;
He could sing, he could dance,
He could read, he could write.
She gave him rich dainties
Whenever he fed,
And erected a monument
When he was dead.

LITTLE JACK HORNER.

[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clicking [here].]

Little Jack Horner sat in a corner,
Eating a Christmas pie;
He put in his thumb, and he took out a plum,
And said, "What a good boy am I!"

There was a monkey climbed up a tree;
When he fell down, then down fell he.
There was a crow sat on a stone;
When he was gone, then there was none.
There was an old wife did eat an apple;
When she ate two, she had ate a couple.
There was a horse going to the mill;
When he went on, he didn't stand still.
There was a butcher cut his thumb.
When it did bleed, then blood it did run.
There was a jockey ran a race;
When he ran fast, he ran apace.
There was a cobbler, clouting shoon;
When they were mended, then they were done.
There was a navy went into Spain;
When it returned, it came back again.

THE WAVES ON THE SEA-SHORE.

Roll on, roll on, you restless waves,
That toss about and roar;
Why do you all run back again
When you have reached the shore?
Roll on, roll on, you noisy waves,
Roll higher up the strand;
How is it that you cannot pass
That line of yellow sand?
"We may not dare," the waves reply:
"That line of yellow sand
Is laid along the shore to bound
The waters and the land.
"And all should keep to time and place,
And all should keep to rule,
Both waves upon the sandy shore,
And little boys at school."

"JENNY BLUSHED BEHIND HER FAN."

THE MARRIAGE OF COCK ROBIN AND
JENNY WREN.

It was on a merry time,
When Jenny Wren was young,
So neatly as she danced,
And so sweetly as she sung,—
Robin Redbreast lost his heart:
He was a gallant bird;
He doffed his hat to Jenny,
And thus to her he said:

"My dearest Jenny Wren,
If you will but be mine,
You shall dine on cherry-pie,
And drink nice currant-wine.
"I'll dress you like a goldfinch,
Or like a peacock gay;
So if you'll have me, Jenny,
Let us appoint the day."

Jenny blushed behind her fan,
And thus declared her mind:
"Then let it be to-morrow, Bob,—
I take your offer kind;
"Cherry-pie is very good,
So is currant-wine;
But I'll wear my russet gown,
And never dress too fine."

Robin rose up early,
At the break of day;
He flew to Jenny Wren's house,
To sing a roundelay.
He met the Cock and Hen,
And bade the Cock declare,
This was his wedding-day
With Jenny Wren the fair.
The Cock then blew his horn,
To let the neighbours know
This was Robin's wedding-day,
And they might see the show.

At first came Parson Rook,
With his spectacles and band;
And one of Mother Hubbard's books
He held within his hand.
Then followed him the Lark,
For he could sweetly sing,
And he was to be the clerk
At Cock Robin's wedding.
He sang of Robin's love
For Little Jenny Wren;
And when he came unto the end,
Then he began again.

The Goldfinch came on next,
To give away the Bride;
The Linnet, being bridesmaid,
Walked by Jenny's side;
And as she was a-walking,
Said, "Upon my word,
I think that your Cock Robin
Is a very pretty bird."
The Blackbird and the Thrush,
And charming Nightingale,
Whose sweet "jug" sweetly echoes
Through every grove and dale;
The Sparrow and Tomtit,
And many more, were there;
All came to see the wedding
Of Jenny Wren the fair.
The Bullfinch walked by Robin,
And thus to him did say,
"Pray mark, friend Robin Redbreast,
That Goldfinch dressed so gay:
"What though her gay apparel
Becomes her very well,
Yet Jenny's modest dress and look
Must bear away the bell."

Then came the Bride and Bridegroom;
Quite plainly was she dressed,
And blushed so much, her cheeks were
As red as Robin's breast.
But Robin cheered her up;
"My pretty Jen," said he,
"We're going to be married,
And happy we shall be."
"Oh, then," says Parson Rook,
"Who gives this maid away?"
"I do," says the Goldfinch,
"And her fortune I will pay:
"Here's a bag of grain of many sorts,
And other things beside:
Now happy be the bridegroom,
And happy be the bride!"
"And will you have her, Robin,
To be your wedded wife?"
"Yes, I will," says Robin,
"And love her all my life!"
"And you will have him, Jenny,
Your husband now to be?"
"Yes, I will," says Jenny,
"And love him heartily!"
Then on her finger fair
Cock Robin put the ring;
"You're married now," says Parson Rook,
While the Lark aloud did sing:
"Happy be the bridegroom,
And happy be the bride!
And may not man, nor bird, nor beast,
This happy pair divide!"

The birds were asked to dine,
Not Jenny's friends alone,
But every pretty songster
That had Cock Robin known.
They had a cherry-pie,
Besides some currant-wine,
And every guest brought something,
That sumptuous they might dine.
Now they all sat or stood,
To eat and to drink;
And every one said what
He happened to think.

They each took a bumper,
And drank to the pair,
Cock Robin the bridegroom,
And Jenny the fair.
The dinner-things removed,
They all began to sing;
And soon they made the place
Near a mile round to ring.
The concert it was fine;
And every bird tried
Who best should sing for Robin,
And Jenny Wren the bride.

When in came the Cuckoo,
And made a great rout;
He caught hold of Jenny,
And pulled her about.
Cock Robin was angry,
And so was the Sparrow,
Who fetched in a hurry
His bow and his arrow.
His aim then he took,
But he took it not right;
His skill was not good,
Or he shot in a fright;
For the Cuckoo he missed,
But Cock Robin he killed!—
And all the birds mourned
That his blood was so spilled.

Alas! Poor Cock Robin!

THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF POOR
COCK ROBIN.

Who killed Cock Robin?
I, said the Sparrow,
With my bow and arrow,
I killed Cock Robin.
This is the Sparrow,
With his bow and arrow.

Who saw him die?
I, said the Fly,
With my little eye,
I saw him die.
This is the little Fly
Who saw Cock Robin die.

Who caught his blood?
I, said the Fish,
With my little dish,
I caught his blood.
This is the Fish,
That held the dish.

Who'll make his shroud?
I, said the Beetle,
With my thread and needle,
I'll make his shroud.
This is the Beetle,
With his thread and needle.

Who'll dig his grave?
I, said the Owl,
With my spade and show'l,
I'll dig his grave.
This is the Owl,
With his spade and show'l.

Who'll be the Parson?
I, said the Rook,
With my little book,
I'll be the Parson.
This is the Rook,
Reading his book.

Who'll be the Clerk?
I, said the Lark,
If it's not in the dark,
I'll be the Clerk.
This is the Lark,
Saying "Amen" like a clerk.

Who'll carry him to the grave?
I, said the Kite,
If it's not in the night,
I'll carry him to the grave.
This is the Kite,
About to take flight.

Who'll carry the link?
I, said the Linnet,
I'll fetch it in a minute,
I'll carry the link.
This is the Linnet,
And a link with fire in it.

Who'll be chief mourner?
I, said the Dove,
For I mourn for my love,
I'll be chief mourner.
This is the Dove,
Who Cock Robin did love.

Who'll sing a psalm?
I, said the Thrush,
As she sat in a bush,
I'll sing a psalm.
This is the Thrush,
Singing psalms from a bush.

Who'll toll the bell?
I, said the Bull,
Because I can pull;
So, Cock Robin, farewell!
This is the Bull
Who the bell-rope did pull.

All the birds of the air
Fell a-sighing and sobbing,
When they heard the bell toll
For Poor Cock Robin.

FREDDIE AND THE CHERRY-TREE.

[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clicking [here].]

Simple Simon met a pieman,
Going to the fair;
Says Simple Simon to the pieman,
"Let me taste your ware."
Says the pieman to Simple Simon,
"Show me first your penny."
Says Simple Simon to the pieman,
"Indeed I have not any."

He went to catch a dickey-bird,
And thought he could not fail,
Because he'd got a little salt
To put upon his tail.

He went to take a bird's nest,
Was built upon a bough:
A branch gave way, and Simon fell
Into a dirty slough.

He went to shoot a wild duck,
But wild duck flew away;
Says Simon, "I can't hit him,
Because he will not stay."
Simple Simon went a-hunting,
For to catch a hare,
He rode an ass about the streets,
But couldn't find one there.
Simple Simon went a-fishing
For to catch a whale;
All the water he had got
Was in his mother's pail.
He went for to eat honey
Out of the mustard-pot,
He bit his tongue until he cried,
That was all the good he got.
He went to ride a spotted cow,
That had a little calf,
She threw him down upon the ground,
Which made the people laugh.
Once Simon made a great snowball,
And brought it in to roast;
He laid it down before the fire,
And soon the ball was lost.
He went to slide upon the ice,
Before the ice would bear;
Then he plunged in above his knees,
Which made poor Simon stare.

He washed himself with blacking-ball,
Because he had no soap;
Then said unto his mother,
"I'm a beauty now, I hope."
Simple Simon went to look
If plums grew on a thistle;
He pricked his fingers very much,
Which made poor Simon whistle.

He went for water in a sieve,
But soon it all ran through;
And now poor Simple Simon
Bids you all adieu.

Willy boy, Willy boy, where are you going?
I will go with you, if I may.
I am going to the meadows, to see them mowing,
I am going to see them make the hay.

Away, Birds, away!
Take a little, and leave a little,
And do not come again;
For if you do,
I will shoot you through,
And then there will be an end of you.

I had a little dog, they called him Buff,
I sent him to the shop for a hap'orth of snuff;
But he lost the bag, and spilt the snuff,
So take that cuff, and that's enough.

The Cock doth crow
To let you know,
If you be wise,
'T is time to rise.

Jack Sprat
Had a cat,
It had but one ear,
It went to buy butter,
When butter was dear.

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.

"A CARRION CROW."

A carrion crow sat on an oak,
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do,
Watching a tailor shape his coat;
Sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow,
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do!
Wife, bring me my old bent bow,
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do,
That I may shoot yon carrion crow;
Sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow,
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do!
The tailor shot, and he missed his mark,
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do,
And shot the miller's sow right through the heart;
Sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow,
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do!
Wife! oh wife! bring brandy in a spoon,
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do,
For the old miller's sow is in a swoon;
Sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow,
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do!

Mary had a pretty bird,
Feathers bright and yellow,
Slender legs—upon my word,
He was a pretty fellow.
The sweetest notes he always sung,
Which much delighted Mary,
And near the cage she'd ever sit,
To hear her own canary.

Little Blue Betty lived in a lane,
She sold good ale to gentlemen:
Gentlemen came every day,
And Little Blue Betty hopped away;
She hopped upstairs to make her bed,
And she tumbled down, and broke her head.

[A CANDLE.]
Little Nancy Etticote,
In a white petticoat,
With a red nose;
The longer she stands,
The shorter she grows.

"A FROG HE WOULD A-WOOING GO."

A FROG HE WOULD A-WOOING GO.

A Frog he would a-wooing go,
Heigho, says Rowley,
Whether his mother would let him or no.
With a rowley powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!
So off he set with his opera hat,
Heigho, says Rowley,
And on the road he met with a rat.
With a rowley powley, &c.
"Pray, Mr. Rat, will you go with me,
Heigho, says Rowley,
Kind Mrs. Mousey for to see?"
With a rowley powley, &c.
When they came to the door of Mousey's hall,
Heigho, says Rowley,
They gave a loud knock, and they gave a loud call.
With a rowley powley, &c.
"Pray, Mrs. Mouse, are you within?"
Heigho, says Rowley,
"Oh, yes, kind sirs, I'm sitting to spin."
With a rowley powley, &c.

"Pray, Mrs. Mouse, will you give us some beer?
Heigho, says Rowley,
For Froggy and I are fond of good cheer."
With a rowley powley, &c.
"Pray, Mr. Frog, will you give us a song?
Heigho, says Rowley,
But let it be something that's not very long."
With a rowley powley, &c.
"Indeed, Mrs. Mouse," replied the Frog,
Heigho, says Rowley,
"A cold has made me as hoarse as a hog."
With a rowley powley, &c.
"Since you have caught cold, Mr. Frog," Mousey said,
Heigho, says Rowley,
"I'll sing you a song that I have just made."
With a rowley powley, &c.
But while they were all a merry-making,
Heigho, says Rowley,
A cat and her kittens came tumbling in.
With a rowley powley, &c.
The cat she seized the rat by the crown;
Heigho, says Rowley,
The kittens they pulled the little mouse down.
With a rowley powley, &c.
This put Mr. Frog in a terrible fright;
Heigho, says Rowley.
He took up his hat, and he wished them good night.
With a rowley powley, &c.
But as Froggy was crossing over a brook,
Heigho, says Rowley,
A lily-white duck came and gobbled him up.
With a rowley powley, &c.

So there was an end of one, two, and three,
Heigho, says Rowley,
The Rat, the Mouse, and the little Frog-gee!
With a rowley powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!

I SAW A SHIP A-SAILING.

I saw a ship a-sailing,
A-sailing on the sea;
And, oh! it was all laden
With pretty things for thee!
There were comfits in the cabin,
And apples in the hold;
The sails were made of silk,
And the masts were made of gold.
The four and twenty sailors
That stood between the decks,
Were four and twenty white mice,
With chains about their necks.
The captain was a duck,
With a packet on his back;
And when the ship began to move,
The captain said, "Quack! quack!"

"AS SOON AS HE PLAY'D THEY BEGAN FOR TO DANCE."

[Transcriber's Note: You can play the music on the next three pages (MIDI file) by clicking [here].]

Tom, Tom, was a pi per's son,
He learn'd to play when he was young;
But the only tune that he could play,
Was "Over the hills and far away."
Tom with his pipe made such a noise,
That he pleased both the girls and boys;
They'd dance and skip while he did play,
"Over the hills and far away."

Tom with his pipe did play with such skill,
That those who heard him could never keep still;
As soon as he play'd they began for to dance,
Even pigs on their hind-legs would after him prance.
He met Old Dame Trot with a basket of Eggs—
He used his pipe and she used her legs;
She danc'd about till her eggs were all broke,
She began for to fret, but he laugh'd at the joke.
And as Dolly was milking her cow one day,

Tom took out his pipe and began for to play;
So Doll and the cow they danc'd a lilt,
Till the pail fell down and the milk was all spilt.
Tom saw a cross fellow was beating an ass,
Heavy laden with pots, pans, dishes, and glass;
He took out his pipe and he play'd them a tune,
And the poor donkey's load was lighten'd full soon.

There was an old woman, as I've heard tell,
She went to market her eggs for to sell;
She went to market all on a market day,
And she fell asleep on the King's highway.
There came by a pedlar, whose name was Stout,
He cut her petticoats all round about;
He cut her petticoats up to the knees,
Which made the old woman to shiver and freeze.
When the little old woman first did wake,
She began to shiver and she began to shake;
She began to wonder, and she began to cry,
"Lauk a mercy on me, this can't be I!
But if it be I, as I hope it be,
I've a little dog at home, and he'll know me;
If it be I, he'll wag his little tail,
And if it be not I, he'll loudly bark and wail."
Home went the little woman all in the dark,
Up got the little dog, and he began to bark;
He began to bark, so she began to cry,
"Lauk a mercy on me, this is none of I!"

High diddle ding,
Did you hear the bells ring?
The Parliament soldiers are gone to the King!
Some they did laugh, some they did cry,
To see the Parliament soldiers pass by.

Three wise men of Gotham
Went to sea in a bowl;
If the bowl had been stronger
My story had been longer.

LITTLE BOY BLUE.

Little Boy Blue, come, blow me your horn;
The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn.
Where's the little boy that looks after the sheep?
He's under the haycock, fast asleep.

THE ROBIN REDBREASTS.

Two Robin Redbreasts built their nests
Within a hollow tree;
The hen sat quietly at home,
The cock sang merrily;
And all the little young ones said,
"Wee, wee, wee, wee, wee, wee."
One day (the sun was warm and bright,
And shining in the sky),
Cock Robin said, "My little dears,
'T is time you learn to fly;"
And all the little young ones said,
"I'll try, I'll try, I'll try."
I know a child, and who she is
I'll tell you by-and-by,
When Mamma says, "Do this," or "that,"
She says, "What for?" and "Why?"
She'd be a better child by far
If she would say "I'll try."

There was an old woman
Lived under a hill,
And if she's not gone,
She lives there still.

We are all in the dumps,
For diamonds are trumps,
The kittens are gone to St. Paul's,
The babies are bit,
The moon's in a fit,
And the houses are built without walls.

As I was going along, long, long,
A-singing a comical song, song, song,
The lane that I went was so long, long, long,
And the song that I sung was so long, long, long,
And so I went singing along.

A-milking, a-milking, my maid,
"Cow, take care of your heels," she said;
"And you shall have some nice new hay,
If you'll quietly let me milk away."

Old father Grey Beard,
Without tooth or tongue,
If you'll give me your finger,
I'll give you my thumb.

Dance a baby diddit,
What can his mother do with it,
But sit in a lap,
And give him some pap?
Dance a baby diddit.

Snail, snail, come out of your hole,
Or else I'll beat you as black as a coal.

At the siege of Belleisle I was there all the while,
All the while, all the while, at the siege of Belleisle.

Bye, baby bunting,
Father's gone a-hunting,
Mother's gone a-milking,
Sister's gone a-silking,
Brother's gone to buy a skin
To wrap the baby bunting in.

YOUNG LAMBS TO SELL.

Young lambs to sell, young lambs to sell;
If I had as much money as I could tell
I never would cry young lambs to sell,
Young lambs to sell, young lambs to sell,
I never would cry, young lambs to sell.

Come, let's to bed, says Sleepy-head;
Tarry a while, says Slow;
Put on the pan, says Greedy Nan,
Let's sup before we go.

To make your candles last for aye,
You wives and maids give ear-o!
To put them out's the only way,
Says honest John Boldero.

THE GREAT BROWN OWL

The Brown Owl sits in the ivy-bush,
And she looketh wondrous wise,
With a horny beak beneath her cowl,
And a pair of large round eyes.
She sat all day on the selfsame spray,
From sunrise till sunset;
And the dim grey light, it was all too bright
For the Owl to see in yet.
"Jenny Owlet, Jenny Owlet," said a merry little bird,
"They say you're wondrous wise;
But I don't think you see, though you're looking at ME
With your large, round, shining eyes."
But night came soon, and the pale white moon
Rolled high up in the skies;
And the great Brown Owl flew away in her cowl,
With her large, round, shining eyes.

LITTLE TOM TUCKER.

[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clicking [here].]

Little Tom Tucker
Sings for his supper:
What shall he eat?
White bread and butter.
How shall he cut it
Without e'er a knife?
How can he marry
Without e'er a wife?

Four and twenty tailors went to kill a snail,
The best man amongst them durst not touch her tail.
She put out her horns, like a little Kyloe cow,
Run, tailors, run, or she'll kill you all just now.

Doctor Foster went to Glo'ster,
In a shower of rain;
He stepped in a puddle, up to the middle,
And never went there again.

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
Silver bells and cockle-shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.

The man in the moon
Came tumbling down,
And asked the way to Norwich;
He went by the south,
And burnt his mouth
With eating cold pease porridge.

Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a rail,
Niddle, naddle, went his head, wiggle, waddle, went his tail;
Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a bridle,
With a pair of speckle legs, and a green girdle.

Pit, pat, well-a-day!
Little Robin flew away;
Where can little Robin be,
But up in yon cherry-tree?

Ding, dong, darrow,
The cat and the sparrow;
The little dog has burnt his tail,
And he shall be whipped to-morrow.

DAME DUCK'S LESSONS TO HER DUCKLINGS.

Old Mother Duck has hatched a brood
Of ducklings, small and callow:
Their little wings are short, their down
Is mottled grey and yellow.
There is a quiet little stream,
That runs into the moat,
Where tall green sedges spread their leaves,
And water-lilies float.
Close by the margin of the brook
The old Duck made her nest,
Of straw, and leaves, and withered grass,
And down from her own breast.
And there she sat for four long weeks,
In rainy days and fine,
Until the Ducklings all came out—
Four, five, six, seven, eight, nine.
One peeped out from beneath her wing,
One scrambled on her back:
"That's very rude," said old Dame Duck,
"Get off! quack, quack, quack, quack!"
"'T is close," said Dame Duck, shoving out
The egg-shells with her bill,
"Besides, it never suits young ducks
To keep them sitting still."
So, rising from her nest, she said,
"Now, children, look at me:
A well-bred duck should waddle so,
From side to side—d'ye see?"
"Yes," said the little ones, and then
She went on to explain:
"A well-bred duck turns in its toes
As I do—try again."
"Yes," said the Ducklings, waddling on.
"That's better," said their mother;
"But well-bred ducks walk in a row,
Straight—one behind another."
"Yes," said the little Ducks again,
All waddling in a row:
"Now to the pond," said old Dame Duck—
Splash, splash! and in they go.
"Let me swim first," said old Dame Duck,
"To this side, now to that;
There, snap at those great brown-winged flies,
They make young ducklings fat.
"Now when you reach the poultry-yard,
The hen-wife, Molly Head,
Will feed you, with the other fowls,
On bran and mashed-up bread;
"The hens will peck and fight, but mind,
I hope that all of you
Will gobble up the food as fast
As well-bred ducks should do.
"You'd better get into the dish,
Unless it is too small;
In that case, I should use my foot,
And overturn it all."
The Ducklings did as they were bid,
And found the plan so good,
That, from that day, the other fowls
Got hardly any food.

Is John Smith within?
Yes, that he is.
Can he set a shoe?
Ay, marry, two.
Here a nail, there a nail,
Tick, tack, too.

John Cook he had a little grey mare,
hee, haw, hum;
Her legs were long and her back was bare,
hee, haw, hum.
John Cook was riding up Shooter's Bank,
hee, haw, hum;
The mare she began to kick and to prank,
hee, haw, hum.
John Cook was riding up Shooter's Hill,
hee, haw, hum;
His mare fell down and made her will,
hee, haw, hum.
The bridle and saddle were laid on the shelf,
hee, haw, hum;
If you want any more, you may sing it yourself,
hee, haw, hum.

OLD KING COLE.

Old King Cole
Was a merry old soul,
And a merry old soul was he;
And he called for his pipe
And he called for his glass,
And he called for his fiddlers three!

A Apple Pie.

B bit it.

C cut it.

D dealt it.

E eat it.

F fought for it.

G got it.

H hid it.

J jumped for it.

K kept it.

L longed for it.

M mourned for it.

N nodded at it.

O opened it.

P peeped at it.

Q quartered it.

R ran for it.

S stole it.

T tried for it.

V viewed it.

X Y Z &
Amperse-and,
All wished for
A piece in hand.

Pussy sits beside the fire. How can she be fair?
In walks a little doggy,—Pussy, are you there?

Oh, the rusty, dusty, rusty miller,
I'll not change my wife for gold or siller.

There was a crooked man, and he went a crooked mile,
And he found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile;
He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse,
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.

High diddle doubt, my candle's out,
My little maid is not at home;
Saddle my hog and bridle my dog,
And fetch my little maid home.

BAA, BAA, BLACK SHEEP

[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clicking [here].]

Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir, three bags full:
One for my master, one for my dame,
And one for the little boy that lives in our lane.
Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir, three bags full.

Barber, barber, shave a pig.
How many hairs will make a wig?
Four and twenty; that's enough.
Give the poor barber a pinch of snuff.

The Lion and the Unicorn were fighting for the crown,
The Lion beat the Unicorn all round about the town.
Some gave them white bread, some gave them brown,
Some gave them plum-cake, and sent them out of town.

Thomas a Tattamus took two T's
To tie two tups to two tall trees,
To frighten the terrible Thomas a Tattamus.
Tell me how many T's there are in all THAT.

Bessy Bell and Mary Gray,
They were two bonny lasses,
They built a house upon the lea,
And covered it o'er with rashes.
Bessy kept the garden gate,
And Mary kept the pantry;
Bessy always had to wait,
While Mary lived in plenty.

Little boy, pretty boy, where were you born?
In Lincolnshire, master; come, blow the cow's horn.

HEY, DIDDLE, DIDDLE.

Hey, diddle, diddle, the cat and the fiddle
The cow jumped over the moon;
The little dog laughed to see such sport,
And the dish ran after the spoon.

THE YOUNG LINNETS.

Did you ever see the nest
Of Chaffinch or of Linnet,
When the little downy birds
Are lying snugly in it,
Gaping wide their yellow mouths
For something nice to eat?
Caterpillar, worm, and grub,
They reckon dainty meat.
When the mother-bird returns,
And finds them still and good,
She will give them each, by turns,
A proper share of food.
She has hopped from spray to spray,
And peeped with knowing eye
Into all the folded leaves
Where caterpillars lie.
She has searched among the grass,
And flown from tree to tree,
Catching gnats and flies, to feed
Her little family.
I have seen the Linnets chirp,
And shake their downy wings:
They are pleased to see her come,
And pleased with what she brings.
But I never saw them look
Impatient for their food:
Somebody, at dinner-time,
Is seldom quite so good.

SEE-SAW, MARGERY DAW.

See-saw, Margery Daw,
Jenny shall have a new master;
She shall have but a penny a day,
Because she can't work any faster.

Queen Anne, Queen Anne, she sits in the sun,
As fair as the lily, as white as the swan:
I send you three letters, so pray you read one.
I cannot read one unless I read all;
So pray, Master Teddy, deliver the ball.

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.

There was an old woman tossed up in a basket,
Ninety times as high as the moon;
And where she was going, I couldn't but ask it,
For in her hand she carried a broom.
Old woman, old woman, old woman, quoth I,
O whither, O whither, O whither so high?
To sweep the cobwebs off the sky!
Shall I go with you? Ay, by-and-by.

When I was a bachelor, I lived by myself,
And all the meat I got I put upon a shelf;
The rats and the mice did lead me such a life,
That I went to London, to get myself a wife.
The streets were so broad, and the lanes were so narrow,
I could not get my wife home without a wheelbarrow,
The wheelbarrow broke, my wife got a fall,
Down tumbled wheelbarrow, little wife, and all.

Robin and Richard were two pretty men,
They lay in bed till the clock struck ten;
Then up starts Robin and looks in the sky,
"Oh, brother Richard, the sun's very high!
You go on with bottle and bag,
And I'll come after with jolly Jack Nag."

Blow, wind, blow, and go, mill, go,
That the miller may grind his corn;
That the baker may take it,
And into rolls make it,
And bring us some hot in the morn.

Jack be nimble,
Jack be quick,
And Jack jump over the candlestick.

RIDE A COCK-HORSE.

Ride a cock-horse
To Banbury Cross,
To see a fine lady
Upon a white horse.
Rings on her fingers,
Bells on her toes,
She shall have music
Wherever she goes.

THE FOX AND THE FARMER.

A Fox jumped up on a moonlight night,
The stars were shining, and all things bright;
"Oh, ho!" said the Fox, "it's a very fine night
For me to go through the town, heigho!"
The Fox when he came to yonder stile,
He lifted his ears, and he listened awhile;
"Oh, ho!" said the Fox, "it's but a short mile
From this unto yonder town, heigho!"
The Fox when he came to the farmer's gate,
Whom should he see but the farmer's Drake;
"I love you well for your master's sake,
And long to be picking your bones, heigho!"
The grey Goose ran right round the haystack.
"Oh, ho!" said the Fox, "you are very fat;
You'll do very well to ride on my back,
From this into yonder town, heigho!"
The farmer's wife she jumped out of bed,
And out of the window she popped her head;
"Oh, husband! oh, husband! the Geese are all dead,
For the Fox has been through the town, heigho!"
The farmer he loaded his pistol with lead,
And shot the old rogue of a Fox through the head;
"Ah, ha!" said the farmer, "I think you're quite dead,
And no more you'll trouble the town, heigho!"

Pease pudding hot,
Pease pudding cold,
Pease pudding in the pot,
Nine days old.
Some like it hot,
Some like it cold,
Some like it in the pot,
Nine days old.

Curly-locks, Curly-locks, wilt thou be mine?
Thou shalt not wash the dishes, nor yet feed the swine;
But sit on a cushion, and sew a fine seam,
And feed upon strawberries, sugar, and cream.

Margery Mutton-pie, and Johnny Bo-peep,
They met together in Gracechurch Street;
In and out, in and out, over the way,
Oh! says Johnny, 'tis Chop-nose Day.

There was a Rat, for want of stairs,
Went down a rope to say his prayers.

Snail, snail, come put out your horn,
To-morrow is the day to shear the corn.

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride,
If turnips were watches, I would wear one by my side.

HARK, HARK, THE DOGS DO BARK.

Hark, hark,
The dogs do bark,
The beggars are coming to town;
Some in jags,
Some in rags,
And some in velvet gown.

One, two, buckle my shoe;
Three, four, shut the door;
Five, six, pick up sticks;
Seven, eight, lay them straight;
Nine, ten, a good fat hen;
Eleven, twelve, dig and delve;
Thirteen, fourteen, maids a-courting;
Fifteen, sixteen, maids in the kitchen;
Seventeen, eighteen, maids in waiting;
Nineteen, twenty, my plate is empty.

I had a little husband, no bigger than my thumb;
I put him in a pint pot, and there I bid him drum.
I bought a little horse that galloped up and down;
I saddled him, and bridled him, and sent him out of town.
I gave him some garters, to garter up his hose,
And a little pocket-handkerchief to wipe his pretty nose.

I have a little sister; they call her Peep, Peep,
She wades the water, deep, deep, deep;
She climbs the mountains, high, high, high.
Poor little thing! she has but one eye.

[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clicking [here].]

Goosey, goosey, gander, whither shall I wander,
Up stairs, and down stairs, and in my lady's chamber.
There I met an old man, who would not say his prayers,
I took him by his left leg, and threw him down the stairs.

Handy Spandy, Jack-a-dandy,
Loves plum-cake and sugarcandy;
He brought some at a grocer's shop,
And out he came, hop-hop-hop.

If all the world were water,
And all the water were ink,
What should we do for bread and cheese?
What should we do for drink?

Hey, my kitten, my kitten,
Hey, my kitten, my deary;
Such a sweet pet as this
Was neither far nor neary.

Here we go up, up, up,
Here we go down, down, down;
Here we go backwards and forwards,
And here we go round, round, round.

I had a little pony;
They called him Dapple-grey.
I lent him to a lady,
To ride a mile away.
She whipped him, she slashed
him,
She rode him through the
mire;
I would not lend my pony now,
For all the lady's hire.

See, see. What shall I see?
A horse's head where his tail should be.

Pussy cat, Pussy cat, where have you been?
I've been to London to look at the Queen.
Pussy cat, Pussy cat, what did you do there?
I frightened a little mouse under the chair.

Little Tommy Tittlemouse
Lived in a little house;
He caught fishes
In other men's ditches.

"THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT."

THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT.

This is the Malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the Rat
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the Cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the Dog,
That worried the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the Cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog,
That worried the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the Maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog,
That worried the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the Man all tattered and torn,
That kissed the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog, that worried the cat,
That killed the rat, that ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the Priest all shaven and shorn,
That married the man all tattered and torn,
That kissed the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog, that worried the cat,
That killed the rat, that ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the Cock that crowed in the morn,
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn,
That married the man all tattered and torn,
That kissed the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog, that worried the cat,
That killed the rat, that ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the Farmer who sowed the corn,
That kept the cock that crowed in the morn,
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn,
That married the man all tattered and torn,
That kissed the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog, that worried the cat,
That killed the rat, that ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.

A little boy went into a barn,
And lay down on some hay;
An owl came out and flew about,
And the little boy ran away.

As I was going up Primrose Hill,
Primrose Hill was dirty;
There I met a pretty Miss,
And she dropped me a curtsey.
Little Miss, pretty Miss,
Blessings light upon you;
If I had half-a-crown a day,
I'd spend it all upon you.

I had a little Hen, the prettiest ever seen,
She washed me the dishes and kept the house clean;
She went to the mill to fetch me some flour,
She brought it home in less than an hour;
She baked me my bread, she brewed me my ale,
She sat by the fire and told many a fine tale.

There was a little man, and he had a little gun,
And his bullets were made of lead, lead, lead;
He shot Johnny King through the middle of his wig,
And knocked it right off his head, head, head.

Three straws on a staff,
Would make a baby cry and laugh.

Multiplication is vexation,
Division is as bad;
The Rule of Three perplexes me,
And Practice drives me mad.

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

THE QUEEN OF HEARTS.

The Queen of Hearts
She made some tarts
All on a summer's day;
The Knave of Hearts
He stole those 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.

There were three crows sat on a stone,
Fal la, la la lal de,
Two flew away, and then there was one,
Fal la, la la lal de,
The other crow finding himself alone,
Fal la, la la lal de,
He flew away, and then there was none,
Fal la, la la lal de.

"JACK AND JILL WENT UP THE HILL."

[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clicking [here].]

1. Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water;
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after.
2. Up Jack got, and home did trot,
As fast as he could caper;
Dame Jill had the job to plaister his knob,
With vinegar and brown paper.
3. Jill came in and she did grin
To see his paper plaister,
Mother vex'd did whip her next,
For causing Jack's disaster.

When the wind is in the East,
'Tis neither good for man nor beast;
When the wind is in the North,
The skilful fisher goes not forth;
When the wind is in the South,
It blows the bait in the fishes' mouth;
When the wind is in the West,
Then 'tis at the very best.

Cry, baby, cry,
Put your finger in your eye,
And tell your mother it wasn't I.

THE TURTLE-DOVE'S NEST.

Very high in the pine-tree,
The little Turtle-dove
Made a pretty little nursery,
To please her little love.
She was gentle, she was soft,
And her large dark eye
Often turned to her mate,
Who was sitting close by.
"Coo," said the Turtle-dove,
"Coo," said she;
"Oh, I love thee," said the Turtle-dove.
"And I love THEE."
In the long shady branches
Of the dark pine-tree,
How happy were the Doves
In their little nursery!
The young Turtle-doves
Never quarrelled in the nest;
For they dearly loved each other,
Though they loved their mother best.
"Coo," said the little Doves.
"Coo," said she.
And they played together kindly
In the dark pine-tree.
In this nursery of yours,
Little sister, little brother,
Like the Turtle-dove's nest—
Do you love one another?
Are you kind, are you gentle,
As children ought to be?
Then the happiest of nests
Is your own nursery.

Peter White
Will ne'er go right,
Would you know the reason why?
He follows his nose
Wherever he goes,
And that stands all awry.

He that would thrive,
Must rise at five;
He that hath thriven,
May lie till seven;
And he that by the plough would thrive,
Himself must either hold or drive.

Hush-a-bye, baby,
Daddy is near;
Mamma is a lady,
And that's very clear.

"THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A SHOE."

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 round, and sent them to bed.

One, two, three,
I love coffee,
And Billy loves tea,
How good you be.
One, two, three,
I love coffee,
And Billy loves tea.

There was an old woman called Nothing-at-all,
Who lived in a dwelling exceedingly small;
A man stretched his mouth to its utmost extent,
And down at one gulp house and old woman went.

I had a little hobby horse,
And it was dapple grey,
Its head was made of pea-straw,
Its tail was made of hay.
I sold it to an old woman
For a copper groat;
And I'll not sing my song again
Without a new coat.

Eggs, butter, cheese, bread,
Stick, stock, stone, dead,
Stick him up, stick him down,
Stick him in the old man's crown.

THE FROG'S CHORUS.

"Yaup, yaup, yaup!"
Said the croaking voice of a Frog:
"A rainy day
In the month of May,
And plenty of room in the bog."
"Yaup, yaup, yaup!"
Said the Frog as it hopped away:
"The insects feed
On the floating weed,
And I'm hungry for dinner to-day."
"Yaup, yaup, yaup!"
Said the Frog, as it splashed about:
"Good neighbours all,
When you hear me call,
It is odd that you do not come out."
"Yaup, yaup, yaup!"
Said the Frogs; "it is charming weather;
We'll come and sup,
When the moon is up,
And we'll all of us croak together."

What's the news of the day,
Good neighbour, I pray?
They say the balloon
Is gone up to the moon.

Cross-Patch,
Draw the latch,
Sit by the fire and spin;
Take a cup,
And drink it up,
And call your neighbours in.

There was an old Crow
Sat upon a clod.
There's an end of my song,
That's very odd.

"DING, DONG, BELL."

Ding, dong, bell, Pussy's in the well.
Who put her in? Little Tommy Green.
Who pulled her out? Little Tommy Trout.
What a naughty boy was that,
Thus to drown poor Pussy Cat.

NURSERY RHYME ALPHABET.

A was the Archer who shot at a frog.
B was Bo-peep, with her crook and her dog.
C was the Cow that jumped over the moon.
D was the Dish that ran off with the spoon.
E was Elizabeth, Betsey, and Bess.
F was the Forest where stood the bird's-nest.
G Gaffer Longlegs; downstairs he'd a fall.
H Humpty Dumpty that sat on the wall.
I was that "I" who was going to St. Ives.
J Jacky Horner, on plum-pie he thrives.
K was King Cole with his fiddlers three.
L Little Gold-Hair, peeping, you see.
M Mother Hubbard who thought her dog dead.
N Little Netticoat, with a red head.
O the old Woman "upon market day;"
P was the "Pedlar" who passed by that way.
Q was the Queen of Hearts, tartlets she makes.
R was Red Riding Hood carrying the cakes.
S Simple Simon, the pieman beside.
T Tommy Tucker, for supper who cried.
U was the Unicorn, "beat round the town;"
V was Victoria—she fought for her crown.
W Whittington, who turned again,
Over great London as Lord Mayor to reign.
X is a letter that here we can spare.
Y "Yankee Doodle," that went to the fair;
Z is the Zany who laughed at him there.

Swan, swan, over the sea;
Swim, swan, swim.
Swan, swan, back again;
Well, swan, swam.

One misty moisty morning,
When cloudy was the weather,
I met a little old man,
Clothed all in leather,
Clothed all in leather,
With a strap below his chin.
How do you do? and how do you do?
And how do you do again?

Deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son John,
He went to bed with his stockings on;
One shoe off, and one shoe on,
Deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son John.

The old woman must stand at the tub, tub, tub,
The dirty clothes to rub, rub, rub;
But when they are clean, and fit to be seen,
I'll dress like a lady, and dance on the green.

"HICKETY, PICKETY, MY BLACK HEN."

Hickety, pickety, my black hen,
She lays eggs for gentlemen;
Gentlemen come every day
To see what my black hen doth lay.

I'll tell you a story,
About John-a-Nory:
And now my story's begun.
I'll tell you another,
About Jack and his brother:
And now my story's done.

I LOVE SIXPENCE.

I love sixpence, pretty little sixpence,
I love sixpence better than my life;
I spent a penny of it, I spent another,
And took fourpence home to my wife.
Oh, my little fourpence, pretty little fourpence,
I love fourpence better than my life;
I spent a penny of it, I spent another,
And I took twopence home to my wife.
Oh, my little twopence, my pretty little twopence,
I love twopence better than my life;
I spent a penny of it, I spent another,
And I took nothing home to my wife.
Oh, my little nothing, my pretty little nothing,
What will nothing buy for my wife?
I have nothing, I spend nothing,
I love nothing better than my wife.

There was a fat man of Bombay,
Who was smoking one sunshiny day,
When a bird called a Snipe flew away with his pipe,
Which vexed the fat man of Bombay.

"WHEN THE PIE WAS OPENED, THE BIRDS BEGAN TO SING."

[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clicking [here].]

Sing a song of sixpence,
A bag full of rye;
Four and twenty blackbirds;
Baked in a pie;
When the pie was open'd,
The birds began to sing,
Was not that a dainty dish
To set before the king?

The King was in his counting-house,
Counting out his money;

The Queen was in the parlour,
Eating bread and honey;

The maid was in the garden,
Hanging out the clothes;
By came a little bird,
And snapt off her nose.

Little Polly Flinders
Sate among the cinders
Warming her pretty little toes!
Her mother came and caught her,
And whipped her little daughter,
For spoiling her nice new clothes.

Great A, little a,
Bouncing B,
The cat's in the cupboard,
And she can't see.

Poor old Robinson Crusoe! poor old Robinson Crusoe!
They made him a coat of an old Nanny goat,
I wonder how they could do so!
With a ring-a-ting-tang, and a ring-a-ting-tang,
Poor old Robinson Crusoe!

Bat, bat, come under my hat,
And I'll give you a slice of bacon,
And when I bake I'll give you a cake,
If I am not mistaken.

The North Wind doth blow,
And we shall have snow,
And what will poor Robin do then?
Poor thing!
He will hop to a barn,
And to keep himself warm,
Will hide his head under his wing,
Poor thing!

THE OLD WOMAN BUYING HER PIG AT MARKET.

THE OLD WOMAN AND HER PIG.

An old woman was sweeping her house, and she found a little crooked sixpence. "What," said she, "shall I do with this little sixpence? I will go to market, and buy a little pig." As she was coming home, she came to a stile: the piggy would not go over the stile.

She went a little farther, and she met a dog. So she said to the dog—

"Dog, dog, bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."

But the dog would not.

She went a little farther, and she met a stick. So she said—

"Stick, stick, beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile,
And I shan't get home to-night."

But the stick would not.

She went a little farther, and she met a fire. So she said—

"Fire, fire, burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."

But the fire would not.

She went a little farther, and she met some water. So she said—

"FIRE, FIRE, BURN STICK."

"Water, water, quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."

But the water would not.

She went a little farther, and she met an ox. So she said—

"Ox, ox, drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."

But the ox would not.

She went a little farther, and she met a butcher. So she said—

"Butcher, butcher, kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;

"BUTCHER, BUTCHER, KILL OX."

Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."

But the butcher would not.

She went a little farther, and she met a rope. So she said—

"Rope, rope, hang butcher;
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."

But the rope would not.

She went a little farther, and she met a rat. So she said—

"Rat, rat, gnaw rope;
Rope won't hang butcher;
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;

"RAT, RAT, GNAW ROPE."

Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."

But the rat would not.

She went a little farther, and she met a cat. So shep said—

"Cat, cat, kill rat;
Rat won't gnaw rope;
Rope won't hang butcher;
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."

But the cat said to her, "If you will go to yonder cow, and fetch me a saucer of milk, I will kill the rat." So away went the old woman to the cow, and said—

"COW, COW, GIVE ME A SAUCER OF MILK."

"Cow, cow, give me a saucer of milk;
Cat won't kill rat;
Rat won't gnaw rope;
Rope won't hang butcher;
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."

But the cow said to her, "If you will go to yonder haymakers, and fetch me a wisp of hay, I'll give you the milk." So away the old woman went to the haymakers, and said—

"Haymakers, give me a wisp of hay;
Cow won't give me milk;
Cat won't kill rat;
Rat won't gnaw rope;
Rope won't hang butcher;
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire;

"HAYMAKERS, GIVE ME A WISP OF HAY."

Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Piggy won't get over the stile;
And I shan't get home to-night."

But the haymakers said to her,—"If you will go to yonder stream, and fetch us a bucket of water, we'll give you the hay." So away the old woman went; but when she got to the stream, she found the bucket was full of holes. So she covered the bottom with pebbles, and then filled the bucket with water, and away she went back with it to the haymakers; and they gave her a wisp of hay.

As soon as the cow had eaten the hay, she gave the old woman the milk; and away she went with it in a saucer to the cat. As soon as the cat had lapped up the milk—

The cat began to kill the rat;
The rat began to gnaw the rope;
The rope began to hang the butcher;
The butcher began to kill the ox;
The ox began to drink the water;
The water began to quench the fire;
The fire began to burn the stick;
The stick began to beat the dog;
The dog began to bite the pig;