Swan, swan, back again; Well swum, swan!
THREE STRAWS
Three straws on a staff Would make a baby cry and laugh.
THE MAN OF TOBAGO
There was an old man of Tobago Who lived on rice, gruel, and sago, Till much to his bliss, His physician said this: "To a leg, sir, of mutton, you may go."
DING, DONG, BELL
Ding, dong, bell, p.u.s.s.y"s in the well!
Who put her in?
Little Tommy Lin.
Who pulled her out?
Little Johnny Stout.
What a naughty boy was that, To try to drown poor p.u.s.s.y-cat.
Who never did him any harm, But killed the mice in his father"s barn!
A SUNSHINY SHOWER
A sunshiny shower Won"t last half an hour.
THE FARMER AND THE RAVEN
A farmer went trotting upon his gray mare, b.u.mpety, b.u.mpety, b.u.mp!
With his daughter behind him so rosy and fair, Lumpety, lumpety, lump!
A raven cried croak! and they all tumbled down, b.u.mpety, b.u.mpety, b.u.mp!
The mare broke her knees, and the farmer his crown, Lumpety, lumpety, lump!
The mischievous raven flew laughing away, b.u.mpety, b.u.mpety, b.u.mp!
And vowed he would serve them the same the next day, Lumpety, lumpety lump!
CHRISTMAS
Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat, Please to put a penny in an old man"s hat; If you haven"t got a penny a ha"penny will do, If you haven"t got a ha"penny, G.o.d bless you.
w.i.l.l.y BOY
"w.i.l.l.y boy, w.i.l.l.y boy, where are you going?
I will go with you, if that I may."
"I"m going to the meadow to see them a-mowing, I"m going to help them to make the hay."
POLLY AND SUKEY
Polly, put the kettle on, Polly, put the kettle on, Polly, put the kettle on, And let"s drink tea.
Sukey, take it off again, Sukey, take it off again, Sukey, take it off again, They"re all gone away.
THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF POOR c.o.c.k ROBIN
Who killed c.o.c.k Robin?
"I," said the sparrow, "With my little bow and arrow, I killed c.o.c.k Robin."
Who saw him die?
"I," said the fly, "With my little eye, I saw him die."
Who caught his blood?
"I," said the fish, "With my little dish, I caught his blood."
Who"ll make his shroud?
"I," said the beetle, "With my thread and needle.
I"ll make his shroud."
Who"ll carry the torch?
"I," said the linnet, "I"ll come in a minute, I"ll carry the torch."
Who"ll be the clerk?
"I," said the lark, "If it"s not in the dark, I"ll be the clerk."
Who"ll dig his grave?
"I," said the owl, "With my spade and trowel I"ll dig his grave."
Who"ll be the parson?
"I," said the rook, "With my little book, I"ll be the parson."
Who"ll be chief mourner?
"I," said the dove, "I mourn for my love, I"ll be chief mourner."
Who"ll sing a psalm?
"I," said the thrush, "As I sit in a bush.
I"ll sing a psalm."
Who"ll carry the coffin?
"I," said the kite, "If it"s not in the night, I"ll carry the coffin."
Who"ll toll the bell?
"I," said the bull, "Because I can pull, I"ll toll the bell."