Nursery Rhymes, Songs, and Fingerplays for Kids
Oh, the Grand Ole Duke of York
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to
The top of the hill,
Then he marched them down again.
Oh, when you’re up, you’re up!
And when you’re down, you’re down!
But when you’re only halfway up,
You’re neither up nor down!
Shoe the colt, Shoe the colt,
Shoe the wild mare;
Here a nail, there a nail.
Colt must go bare.
Go to bed first
A golden purse;
Go to bed second,
A golden pheasant;
Go to bed third,
A golden bird.
Friday night’s dream
On Saturday told,
Is sure to come true,
Be it never so old.
“Be it never so old” can be interpreted to mean “not very old.”
Little Tommy Tittlemouse
Lived in a little house.
He caught fishes
In other men’s ditches.
Ride away, Ride away,
Johnny shall ride,
And he shall have pussycat
Tied to one side.
And he shall have little dog
Tied to the other;
And Johnny shall ride
To see his grandmother.
Tommy’s tears and Mary’s fears
Will make them old before their years.
Birds of a feather flock together,
And so will pigs and swine.
Rats and mice have their choice,
And so will I have mine.
The man in the wilderness asked me
How many strawberries grew in the sea.
I answered him as I thought good,
As many herrings as grew in the wood.
Come when you’re called,
Do what you’re bid,
Shut the door after you,
And never be chid.