Merry let us part, and merry meet again;
With our merry sing-song, happy, gay, and free,
And a merry ding-dong, happy let us be!
_Ride Away_
Ride away, ride away, Johnny shall ride,
And he shall have pussy-cat tied to one side;
And he shall have little dog tied to the other;
And Johnny shall ride to see his grandmother.
[Illustration: I'LL TELL YOU A STORY]
I'll tell you a story
About Jack a Nory,--
And now my story's begun:
I'll tell you another
About Jack his brother,--
And now my story's done.
_Solomon Grundy_
Solomon Grundy,
Born on a Monday,
Christened on Tuesday,
Married on Wednesday,
Took ill on Thursday,
Worse on Friday,
Died on Saturday,
Buried on Sunday:
This is the end
Of Solomon Grundy.
_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 away with the spoon.
[Illustration: BAA BAA BLACK SHEEP]
Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes, little master,
Three bags full
One for my master,
And one for my dame,
And one for the little boy
Who lives in our lane.
_There was an old woman tossed up in a basket_
There was an old woman tossed up in a basket
Seventy times as high as the moon;
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,
"Where are you going to up so high?"
"To brush the cobwebs off the sky!"
"Shall I go with thee?" "Aye, by-and-by."
[Illustration: "O WHITHER, O WHITHER, O WHITHER, SO HIGH?"]
_Taffy was a Welshman_
Taffy; was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief;
Taffy came to my house and stole a piece of beef;
I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was not at home;
Taffy came to my house and stole a marrow bone.
I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was not in;
Taffy came to my house and stole a silver pin;
I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was in bed,
I took the marrow bone and flung it at his head.
_This is the way the ladies ride_
This is the way the ladies ride;
Tri, tre, tre, tree,
Tri, tre, tre, tree!
This is the way the ladies ride,
Tri, tre, tre, tre, tri-tre-tre-tree!
This is the way the gentlemen ride;
Gallop-a-trot,
Gallop-a-trot!
This is the way the gentlemen ride,
Gallop-a-gallop-a-trot!
This is the way the farmers ride;
Hobbledy-hoy,
Hobbledy-hoy!
This is the way the farmers ride,
Hobbledy hobbledy-hoy!
_Jack and Jill_
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.
_Master I have, and I am his man_
Master I have, and I am his man,
Gallop a dreary dun;
Master I have, and I am his man,
And I'll get a wife as fast as I can;
With a heighty gaily gamberally,
Higgledy piggledy, niggledy, niggledy,
Gallop a dreary dun.
_Little Bob Snooks_
Little Bob Snooks was fond of his books,
And loved by his usher and master:
But naughty Jack Spry, he got a black eye,
And carries his nose in a plaster.
_There was a man, and he had naught_
There was a man, and he had naught,
And robbers came to rob him;
He crept up to the chimney pot,
And then they thought they had him.
But he got down on t'other side,
And then they could not find him;
He ran fourteen miles in fifteen days,
And never looked behind him.
_Where are you going_
"Where are you going, my pretty maid?"
"I'm 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 can't marry you, my pretty maid!"
"Nobody asked you, sir!" she said.
[Illustration: WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO MY PRETTY MAID?]
_Hush-a-bye_
Hush-a-bye, baby, on the tree top,
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock;
When the bough bends, the cradle will fall,
Down will come baby, bough, cradle, and all.
_Poor old Robinson Crusoe_
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!
_Queen Anne, Queen Anne_
Queen Anne, Queen Anne, you sit in the sun,
As fair as a lily, as white as a wand
I send you three letters, and pray read one,
You must read one, if you can't read all,
So pray, Miss or Master, throw up the ball.
_The Spider and the Fly_
"Will you walk into my parlour?" said the spider to the fly,--
"'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy.
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair;
And I have many curious things to show you when you're there."
"Oh no, no," said the little fly; "to ask me is in vain;
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."
"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the spider to the fly.
"There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and
thin;
And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!"
"Oh no, no," said the little fly; "for I've often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"
Said the cunning spider to the fly--"Dear friend, what can I do
To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you?
I have within my pantry good store of all that's nice;
I'm sure you're very welcome--will you please to take a slice?"
"Oh no, no," said the little fly, "kind sir, that cannot be;
I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see."
"Sweet creature," said the spider, "you're witty and you're wise;
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I have a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."
"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to
say,
And bidding you good-morning now, I'll call another day."
The spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly fly would soon come back again;
So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the fly.
Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,--
"Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple--there's a crest upon your head!
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"
Alas! alas! how very soon this silly little fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by.
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, her green and purple hue--
Thinking only of her crested head--poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast!
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour--but she ne'er came out again!
And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you, ne'er give heed;
Unto an evil counsellor close heart, and ear, and eye.
And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.
_Rain, rain, go away_
Rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day;
Little Susy wants to play.
_As the days_
As the days grow longer
The storms grow stronger.
_Bessy Bell and Mary Gray_
Bessy Bell and Mary Gray,
They were two bonny lasses:
They built their house upon the lea,
And covered it with rashes.
Bessy kept the garden gate,
And Mary kept the pantry:
Bessy always had to wait,
While Mary lived in plenty.
_Jack Sprat's pig_
Jack Sprat's pig,
He was not very little,
Nor yet very big;
He was not very lean,
He was not very fat;
He'll do well for a grunt,
Says little Jack Sprat.
_Needles and Pins_
Needles and pins, needles and pins,
When a man marries his trouble begins.
_The Song of Five Toes_
1. This little pig went to market;
2. This little pig stayed at home,
3. This little pig had roast beef;
4. This little pig had none;
5. This little pig said, wee, wee, wee!
I can't find my way home.
_Apple-Pie Alphabet_
A was an apple-pie;
B bit it;
C cut it;
D dealt it;
E eat it;
F fought for it;
G got it;
H had it;
J joined it;
K kept it;
L longed for it;
M mourned for it;
N nodded at it;
O opened it;
P peeped in it;
Q quartered it;
R ran for it;
S stole it;
T took it;
V viewed it;
W wanted it;
X, Y, and Z all wished a piece of it.
_Bat, bat_
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.
_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.
She had a 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.
Jack found one morning,
As I have been told,
His goose had laid him
An egg of pure gold.
Jack ran 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,
Then old Mother Goose,
That instant came in,
And turned her son Jack
Into famed Harlequin.
She then with her wand,
Touched the lady so fine,
And turned her at once
Into sweet Columbine.
The gold egg into the sea
Was thrown then,--
When Jack jumped in,
And got the egg back again.
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.
* * * * *
Apple-pie, pudding, and pancake,
All begins with A.
_Early to bed_
Early to bed, and early to rise,
Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
_When little Fred_
When little Fred
Was called to bed,
He always acted right;
He kissed Mamma,
And then Papa,
And wished them all good-night.
He made no noise,
Like naughty boys
But gently upstairs
Directly went,
When he was sent,
And always said his prayers.
_Sing a Song of Sixpence_
Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocket full of rye;
Four and twenty blackbirds
Baked in a pie.
When the pie was opened,
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;
[Illustration]
The maid was in the garden
Hanging out the clothes,
Down came a blackbird,
And snapped off her nose.
_Old Mother Hubbard_
Old Mother Hubbard,
She went to the cupboard,
To give 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,
And when she came back
The poor dog was dead
She went to the joiner's
To buy him a coffin,
And when she came back
The poor dog was laughing.
She took a clean dish
To get him some tripe,
And when she came back
He was smoking his pipe.
She went to the ale-house
To get him some beer,
And when she came back
The dog sat in a chair.
She went to the tavern
For white wine and red,
And when she came back
The dog stood on his head.
She went to the hatter's
To buy him a hat,
And when she came back
He was feeding the cat.
She went to the barber's
To buy him a wig,
And when she came back
He was dancing a jig.
She went to the fruiterer's
To buy him some fruit,
And when she came back
He was playing the flute.
She went to the tailor's
To buy him a coat,
And when she came back
He was riding a goat.
She went to the cobbler's
To buy him some shoes,
And when she came back
He was reading the news.
She went to the sempstress
To buy him some linen,
And when she came back
The dog was spinning.
She went to the hosier's
To buy him some hose,
And when she came back
He was dressed in his clothes.
The dame made a curtsey,
The dog made a bow;
The dame said, "Your servant,"
The dog said, "Bow, wow!"
_See-saw, sacaradown_
See-saw, sacaradown,
Which is the way to London town?
One foot up, the other down,
This is the way to London town.
_To market_
To market, to market, to buy a plum bun,
Home again, home again, market is done.
[Illustration: Hector Protector]
Hector Protector was dressed all in green;
Hector Protector was sent to the Queen.
The Queen did not like him,
No more did the King:
So Hector Protector was sent back again.
_Is John Smith within?_
Is John Smith within?
Yes, that he is.
Can he set a shoe?
Ay, marry, two.
Here a nail, there a nail,
Now your horse is shoed.
_Johnny shall have a new bonnet_
Johnny shall have a new bonnet,
And Johnny shall go to the fair.
And Johnny shall have a blue ribbon
To tie up his bonny brown hair.
And why may not I love Johnny?
And why may not Johnny love me?
And why may not I love Johnny
As well as another body?
And here's a leg for a stocking,
And here is a leg for a shoe,
And he has a kiss for his daddy,
And two for his mammy, I trow.
And why may not I love Johnny?
And why may not Johnny love me?
And why may not I love Johnny,
As well as another body?
[Illustration: I Saw a Ship a Sailing]
I saw a ship a-sailing.
A-sailing on the sea;
And it was full of pretty things
For baby and for me.
There were comfits in the cabin,
And apples in the hold;
The sails were all of velvet,
And the masts of beaten 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!"
_Nose, nose_
Nose, nose, jolly red nose;
And what gave thee that jolly red nose?
Nutmegs and cinnamon, spices and cloves,
And they gave me this jolly red nose.
_The King of France_
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.
[Illustration: "Went up the hill."]
[Illustration: "Came down again!"]
_The Babes in the Wood_
A Gentleman of good account
In Norfolk dwelt of late,
Whose wealth and riches did surmount
Most men of his estate.
Sore sick he was, and like to die,
No help his life could save;
His wife by him as sick did lie,
And both were near the grave.
No love between these two was lost:
Each to the other kind;
In love they lived, in love they died,
And left two babes behind.
Now, if the children chanced to die,
Ere they to age should come,
Their uncle should possess their wealth!
For so the will did run.
"Now, brother," said the dying man,
"Look to my children dear;
Be good unto my boy and girl,
No friends else have they here."
Their parents being dead and gone,
The children home he takes,
And brings them both unto his house,
Where much of them he makes.
He had not kept those pretty babes
A twelvemonth and a day,
When, for their wealth, he did devise
To make them both away.
He bargained with two ruffians bold,
Who were of savage mood,
That they should take the children twain,
And slay them in a wood.
They prate and prattle pleasantly,
While riding on the way,
To those their wicked uncle hired,
These lovely babes to slay:
So that the pretty speech they had,
Made the ruffians' heart relent;
And they that took the deed to do,
Full sorely did repent.
Yet one of them, more hard of heart,
Did vow to do his charge,
Because the wretch that hired him
Had paid him very large.
The other would not agree thereto,
So here they fell at strife;
With one another they did fight,
About the children's life.
[Illustration: "WENT WANDERING UP AND DOWN."]
And he that was of milder mood
Did slay the other there,
Within an unfrequented wood,
The babes did quake for fear!
He took the children by the hand,
While they for bread complain:
"Stay here," quoth he, "I'll bring ye bread,
When I do come again."
These pretty babes, with hand in hand,
Went wandering up and down;
But never more they saw the man
Approaching from the town.
Thus wandered these two pretty dears,
Till death did end their grief;
In one another's arms they died,
Poor babes! past all relief.
No burial these innocents
Of any man receives,
But Robin Redbreast lovingly
Did cover them with leaves.
The fellow that did take in hand
These children for to kill,
Was for a robbery judged to die,
As was God's blessed will:
And did confess the very truth,
The which is here expressed;
Their uncle died while he for debt
Did long in prison rest.
_Little Jack Horner_
Little Jack Horner
Sat in the corner
Eating a Christmas pie;
He put in his thumb,
And pulled out a plum,
And said, "What a good boy am I!"
_Bow, wow, says the dog_
Bow, wow, says the dog;
Mew, mew, says the cat;
Grunt, grunt, goes the hog;
And squeak goes the rat.
Chirp, chirp, says the sparrow;
Caw, caw, says the crow;
Quack, quack, says the duck;
And what cuckoos say, you know
So, with sparrows and cuckoos;
With rats and with dogs;
With ducks and with crows;
With cats and with hogs;
A fine song I have made,
To please you, my dear;
And if it's well sung,
'Twill be charming to hear.
_Tell-Tale-Tit_
Tell-Tale-Tit,
Your tongue shall be slit,
And all the little puppy dogs
Shall have a little bit.
_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.
[Illustration: "SHE MADE SOME TARTS."]
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.
_The Champions of Christendom_
In Egypt was a dragon dire
With scales of steel, and breath of fire:
And Egypt's Princess fair and good
Was doomed to be the monster's food:
St. George this fearful dragon slew,
And for his wife gained Sebra true.
* * * * *
St. Andrew, Scotland's famous knight
In deeds of valour took delight;
Maidens in grief and matrons grave
From insult he was wont to save.
For noble deeds he was renowned:
His fame did through the world resound.
St. Andrew fought, as we are told,
Against a host of warriors bold;
They viewed his strength with wonderment,
And yielding, in submission bent.
Defeated by his powerful rod,
They owned the greatness of his GOD.
* * * * *
St. David, Welshman's Champion bold,
Preferred rude war to ease and gold:
He, fighting for his faith divine,
Unhorsed and slew Prince Palestine.
His Pagan followers stood in awe,
And worshipped heathen gods no more.
* * * * *
St. Patrick, Ireland's valiant knight,
Did thirty robbers put to flight;
Rescued from them six ladies fair,
And then protected them with care.
Great fame and glory he acquired,
And as a holy priest expired.
* * * * *
St. Dennis was the knight of France,
As brave as ever carried lance:
Fair fame he won: for he did free
A princess prisoned in a tree.
Fair Eglantine, once Thessaly's pride,
He saved and took to be his bride.
* * * * *
St. James the Champion was of Spain,
His country's glory to maintain:
An angry boar, inflamed with rage,
This hero did in fight engage.
And since he slew the boar in strife,
He Celestine did gain as wife.
* * * * *
St. Anthony, Italian knight,
His country's fame upheld in fight:
The giant Blanderon did place
In prison dark the Queen of Thrace;
St. Anthony the giant slew
And took as wife the princess true.
_There was a little man, and he had a little gun_
There was a little man, and he had a little gun,
And his bullets were made of lead, lead, lead.
He shot John Sprig through the middle of his wig,
And knocked it off his head, head, head.
_I have seen you, little mouse_
I have seen you, little mouse,
Running all about the house,
Through the hole, your little eye
In the wainscot peeping sly,
Hoping soon some crumbs to steal,
To make quite a hearty meal.
Look before you venture out,
See if pussy is about,
If she's gone, you'll quickly run,
To the larder for some fun,
Round about the dishes creep,
Taking into each a peep,
To choose the daintiest that's there,
Spoiling things you do not care.
_As soft as silk_
As soft as silk, as white as milk,
As bitter as gall, a strong wall,
And a green coat covers me all.
(_a walnut_)
_Barber barber_
Barber, barber, shave a pig,
How many hairs will make a wig?
"Four and twenty, that's enough"
Give the barber a pinch of snuff.
_Bryan O'Lin_
Bryan O'Lin had no breeches to wear
So he bought him a sheepskin and made him a pair.
With the skinny side out, and the woolly side in,
"Ah ha, that is warm!" said Bryan O'Lin.
_Mary had a pretty bird_
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.
_The girl in the lane, that couldn't speak plain_
The girl in the lane, that couldn't speak plain,
Cried, gobble, gobble, gobble:
The man on the hill, that couldn't stand still,
Went hobble, hobble, hobble.
"_We are three brethren out of Spain_"
"We are three brethren out of Spain,
Come to court your daughter Jane."
"My daughter Jane she is too young,
She has not learned her mother tongue."
"Be she young, or be she old,
For her beauty she must be sold,
So fare you well, my lady gay,
We'll call again another day."
"Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight,
And rub thy spurs till they be bright."
"Of my spurs take you no thought,
For in this land they were not bought.
"So fare you well, my lady gay,
We'll call again another day."
"Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight;
And take the fairest in your sight."
"The fairest maid that I can see,
Is pretty Nancy, come to me."
"Here comes your daughter, safe and sound,
Every pocket with a thousand pound,
Every pocket with a gay gold ring,
Please to take your daughter in."
_History of John Gilpin_
John Gilpin was a citizen
Of credit and renown,
A train-band captain eke was he,
Of famous London town.
John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear,
"Though wedded we have been
These twice ten tedious years, yet we
No holiday have seen.
"To-morrow is our wedding-day,
And we will then repair
Unto the 'Bell' at Edmonton,
All in a chaise and pair.
"My sister, and my sister's child,
Myself, and children three
Will fill the chaise; so you must ride
On horseback after we."
He soon replied, "I do admire
Of womankind but one,
And you are she, my dearest dear,
Therefore it shall be done.
"I am a linendraper bold,
As all the world doth know,
And my good friend the calender
Will lend his horse to go."
Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, "That's well said;
And for that wine is dear,
We will be furnished with our own,
Which is both bright and clear."
John Gilpin kissed his losing wife,
O'erjoyed was he to find,
That though on pleasure she was bent,
She had a frugal mind.
The morning came, the chaise was brought,
But yet was not allowed
To drive up to the door, lest all
Should say that she was proud.
So three doors off the chaise was stayed,
Where they did all get in;
Six precious souls, and all agog
To dash through thick and thin.
Smack went the whip, round went the wheels,
Were never folks so glad!
The stones did rattle underneath,
As if Cheapside were mad.
John Gilpin at his horse's side
Seized fast the flowing mane,
And up he got, in haste to ride,
But soon came down again.
For saddletree scarce reached had he,
His journey to begin,
When, turning round his head, he saw
Three customers come in.
So down he came; for loss of time,
Although it grieved him sore,
Yet loss of pence, full well he knew,
Would trouble him much more.
'Twas long before the customers
Were suited to their mind,
When Betty screaming came downstairs,
"The wine is left behind!"
"Good lack!" quoth he, "yet bring it me,
My leathern belt likewise,
In which I bear my trusty sword
When I do exercise."
Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul!)
Had two stone bottles found,
To hold the liquor that she loved,
And keep it safe and sound.
Each bottle had a curling ear,
Through which the belt he drew,
And hung a bottle on each side,
To make his balance true.
Then over all, that he might be
Equipped from top to toe,
His long red cloak, well brushed and neat,
He manfully did throw.
Now see him mounted once again
Upon his nimble steed,
Full slowly pacing o'er the stones,
With caution and good heed.
But finding soon a smoother road
Beneath his well-shod feet,
The snorting beast began to trot,
Which galled him in his seat.
"So, fair and softly!" John he cried,
But John he cried in vain;
That trot became a gallop soon,
In spite of curb and rein.
So stooping down, as needs he must
Who cannot sit upright,
He grasped the mane with both his hands,
And eke with all his might.
His horse, who never in that sort
Had handled been before,
What thing upon his back had got,
Did wonder more and more.