The Big Book of Nursery Rhymes Part 31

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.

JACK'S FIDDLE

Jacky, come give me thy fiddle, If ever thou mean to thrive.

Nay, I'll not give my fiddle To any man alive.

If I should give my fiddle They'll think that I'm gone mad; For many a joyful day My fiddle and I have had.

A WAS AN ARCHER

A was an Archer, and shot at a Frog

B was a Butcher, and kept a Bull-dog

C was a Captain, all covered with Lace

D was a Drunkard, and had a Red Face

E was an Esquire, with insolent Brow

F was a Farmer, and followed the Plough

G was a Gamester, who had but Ill Luck

H was a Hunter, and hunted a Buck

I was an Innkeeper, who loved to Bouse

J was a Joiner, and built up a House

K was King William, once governed this Land

L was a Lady, who had a White Hand

M was a Miser, and h.o.a.rded up Gold

N was a n.o.bleman, Gallant and Bold

O was an Oyster Wench, and went about Town

P was a Parson, and wore a Black Gown

Q was a Queen, who was fond of good Flip

R was a Robber, and wanted a Whip

S was a Sailor, and spent all he got

T was a Tinker, and mended a Pot

U was a Usurer, a miserable Elf

V was a Vintner, who drank all Himself

W was a Watchman, and guarded the Door

X was Expensive, and so became Poor

Y was a Youth, that did not love School

Z was a Zany, a silly old Fool

THREE s.h.i.+PS

I saw three s.h.i.+ps come sailing by, Sailing by, sailing by, I saw three s.h.i.+ps come sailing by, On New-Year's day in the morning.

And what do you think was in them then, In them then, in them then?

And what do you think was in them then, On New-Year's day in the morning?

Three pretty girls were in them then, In them then, in them then, Three pretty girls were in them then, On New-Year's day in the morning.

And one could whistle, and one could sing, And one could play on the violin, Such joy there was at my wedding, On New-Year's day in the morning.

THE CROOKED SONG

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

A, B, C