Rhymes: The First of May...

Rhymes: THE FIRST OF MAY...

THE FIRST OF MAY

The fair maid who, the first of May, Goes to the fields at break of day, And washes in dew from the hawthorn-tree, Will ever after handsome be.

Here's Sulky Sue, What shall we do? Turn her face to the wall Till she comes to.

THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT

This is 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 sowing 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.

SATURDAY, SUNDAY

On Saturday night Shall be all my care To powder my locks And curl my hair.

On Sunday morning My love will come in. When he will marry me With a gold ring.

LITTLE JENNY WREN

Little Jenny Wren fell sick, Upon a time; In came Robin Redbreast And brought her cake and wine.

"Eat well of my cake, Jenny, Drink well of my wine." "Thank you, Robin, kindly, You shall be mine."

Jenny she got well, And stood upon her feet, And told Robin plainly She loved him not a bit.

Robin being angry, Hopped upon a twig, Saying, "Out upon you! Fie upon you! Bold-faced jig!"

THE OLD WOMAN AND THE PEDLAR

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!"

BOBBY SNOOKS

Little Bobby 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.

THE LITTLE MOPPET

I had a little moppet, I put it in my pocket, And fed it with corn and hay. There came a proud beggar. And swore he should have her; And stole my little moppet away.

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 soft as silk, as white as milk, As bitter as gall, a strong wall, And a green coat covers me all.

THE MAN IN THE MOON

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.

ONE, HE LOVES

One, he loves; two, he loves; Three, he loves, they say; Four, he loves with all his heart; Five, he casts away. Six, he loves; seven, she loves; Eight, they both love. Nine, he comes; ten, he tarries; Eleven, he courts; twelve, he marries.