Mythology & Folklore
Gay go up and gay go down
From The Nursery Rhymes of England, collected by J. O. Halliwell (London: Warne; first ed. 1842; this printing 1886)
Gay go up and gay go down,
To ring the bells of London town.
Bull's eyes and targets,
Say the bells of St. Marg'ret's.
Brickbats and tiles,
Say the bells of St. Giles'.
Halfpence and farthings,
Say the bells of St. Martin's.
Oranges and lemons,
Say the bells of St. Clement's.
Pancakes and fritters,
Say the bells of St. Peter's.
Two sticks and an apple,
Say the bells at Whitechapel.
Old Father Baldpate,
Say the slow bells at Aldgate.
You owe me ten shillings,
Say the bells at St. Helen's.
Pokers and tongs,
Say the bells at St. John's.
Kettles and pans,
Say the bells at St. Ann's.
When will you pay me?
Say the bells at Old Bailey.
When I grow rich,
Say the bells at Shoreditch.
Pray when will that be?
Say the bells of Stepney.
I am sure I don't know,
Says the great bell at Bow.
Here comes a candle to light you to bed,
And here comes a chopper to chop off your head.
Codex Note
Halliwell's class: Games.
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (English nursery rhymes). “Gay go up and gay go down.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-nursery-rhymes/278/.
Chicago
Anonymous (English nursery rhymes). “Gay go up and gay go down.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-nursery-rhymes/278/.
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