Mythology & Folklore

My father he died, but I can't tell you how

by Anonymous (English nursery rhymes) traditional; recorded 17th–19th century

From The Nursery Rhymes of England, collected by J. O. Halliwell (London: Warne; first ed. 1842; this printing 1886)

Mythology & Folklore

My father he died, but I can't tell you how,
He left me six horses to drive in my plough:
With my wing wang waddle oh,
Jack sing saddle oh,
Blowsey boys bubble oh,
Under the broom.

I sold my six horses and I bought me a cow;
I'd fain have made a fortune but did not know how:
With my, &c.

I sold my cow, and I bought me a calf;
I'd fain have made a fortune, but lost the best half:
With my, &c.

I sold my calf, and I bought me a cat;
A pretty thing she was, in my chimney corner sat:
With my, &c.

I sold my cat, and bought me a mouse;
He carried fire in his tail, and burnt down my house:
With my, &c.

✦ ✦ ✦

Halliwell's class: Songs.

MLA

Anonymous (English nursery rhymes). “My father he died, but I can't tell you how.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-nursery-rhymes/140/.

Chicago

Anonymous (English nursery rhymes). “My father he died, but I can't tell you how.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-nursery-rhymes/140/.

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