Mythology & Folklore
Pemmy was a pretty girl
From The Nursery Rhymes of England, collected by J. O. Halliwell (London: Warne; first ed. 1842; this printing 1886)
Pemmy was a pretty girl,
But Fanny was a better;
Pemmy looked like any churl,
When little Fanny let her.
Pemmy had a pretty nose,
But Fanny had a better;
Pemmy oft would come to blows,
But Fanny would not let her.
Pemmy had a pretty doll,
But Fanny had a better;
Pemmy chatter'd like a poll,
When little Fanny let her.
Pemmy had a pretty song,
But Fanny had a better;
Pemmy would sing all day long,
But Fanny would not let her.
Pemmy lov'd a pretty lad,
And Fanny lov'd a better;
And Pemmy wanted for to wed,
But Fanny would not let her.
Codex Note
Halliwell's class: Tales.
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (English nursery rhymes). “Pemmy was a pretty girl.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-nursery-rhymes/71/.
Chicago
Anonymous (English nursery rhymes). “Pemmy was a pretty girl.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-nursery-rhymes/71/.
Read this poem with the Codex →