If I'd as much money as I could spend, I never would cry, "Old chairs to mend! Old chairs to mend! Old chairs to mend!" I never would cry, "Old chairs to mend!" If I'd as much money as I could tell, I never would cry, "Old clothes to sell! Old clothes to sell! Old clothes to sell!" I never would cry, "Old clothes to sell!"
If "ifs" and "ands" Were pots and pans, There would be no need for tinkers!
If wishes were horses, Beggars might ride; If turnips were watches, I'd wear one by my side.
I had a little pony, His name was Dapple-gray, I lent him to a lady, To ride a mile away; She whipped him, she slashed him, She rode him through the mire; I would not lend my pony now For all that lady's hire.
I had a little hobby horse, His name was Tommy Gray, His head was made of pease straw, His body made of hay; I saddled him and bridled him, And rode him up to town, There came a little puff of wind And blew him up and down.
I have a little sister, they call her peep, peep; She wades the waters deep, deep, deep; She climbs the mountains high, high, high; Poor little creature, she has but one eye. (_A star._)
I'll tell you a story Of Jack-a-Nory, And now my story's begun. I'll tell you another About Jack's brother, And now my story is done.
In marble walls as white as milk, Lined with a skin as soft as silk; Within a fountain crystal clear, A golden apple doth appear. No doors there are to this stronghold, Yet thieves break in and steal the gold. (_An egg._)
1. I went up one pair of stairs. 2. Just like me. 1. I went up two pair of stairs. 2. Just like me. 1. I went into a room. 2. Just like me. 1. I looked out of a window. 2. Just like me. 1. And there I saw a monkey. 2. Just like me.
Jack and Jill went up the hill, To fetch a pail of water; Jack fell down, and broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after.
Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jump over the candlestick.
Jack Sprat could eat no fat, His wife could eat no lean; And so between them both, you see, They licked the platter clean.
Knock at the door, (_forehead_) And peep in, (_lift eyelids_) Open the door, (_mouth_) And walk in. Chinchopper, chinchopper, Chinchopper chin!
These lines, common in similar form to many countries, are said by children when they throw the beautiful little insect into the air to make it take flight.