I’ll bet you can put a tune to each of those skipping and street rhymes! I know I can. Many had multiple variations; my memory’s not so good that I can recall them all.
But why should I, when you can come to my rescue?
So get working! Here’s a few more!
On a hillside stands a lady
Who she is, I do not know!
All she wants is gold and silver
All she wants is a nice young man
Take her in, take her in …
Take her by the hand…
Go to Church, love! Go to Church, love!
Go to Church, love! Go to Church, love!
Go to Church, love! Go to Church, love!
On a mountain far away ……
All the while, skippers are entering, or leaving the spiralling rope to the commands ‘in’ and ‘Go’ … the cycle is completed when the chanters go on …
Come back, love! Come back, love!
Come back, love! Come back, love!
Come back, love! Come back, love!
From a mountain far away.
Lady, lady, tip the ground
Lady, lady, turn around
Lady, lady, show your shoe
Lady, lady, run right through
Lady, lady, drop your purse
Lady, lady, pick it up
Lady, lady, turn around
Lady, lady, touch the ground.
P K chewing gum, a penny a packet
First you chew it, then you smack (or crack!) it
Then you stick it to your jacket
P K chewing gum, a penny a packet.
Barley O, barley O
Green peas and barley O
Sugary sticks and candy!
This is the way the teacher stands
This is the way she folds her arms
This is the way claps her hands
And this is the way she dances.
My Aunt Jane, she brought me in
She gave me tea outta her wee tin
Half a bap and sugar on the top
And three black balls outta her wee shop.
Snail, snail, put out your horns
And I will give you some barley corns…
Gypsy, gypsy living in a tent
Gypsy, gypsy couldn’t pay her rent
The rent man came and put her out
And all the children began to shout..
Put her out! Put her out!
It’s not because she’s dirty
It’s not because she’s clean
It’s because she’as the mumps and the measles in between….
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
For babies are growing up
We’ve learned to our sorrow ..
So quiet down, cobwebs, dust, go to sleep
I’m rocking my baby
And babies don’t keep!!
Smiling girls and rosy boys
Come and buy my little toys
Monkeys made from gingerbread
And sugar horses painted red.