Ball
Ball One—two, is one to you: One—two—three, is one to me. Throw it fast or not at all, And mind you do not let it fall.
At School
Girls sitting on a bench at school reading
A girl and her sister
An older girl walking with her little sister hand in hand
Childs Song
The King and the Queen were riding Upon a Summer's day, And a Blackbird flew above them, To hear what they did say. The King said he liked apples, The Queen said she liked pears. And what shall we do to the Blackbird Who listens unawares.
Ring-A-Ring
Ring-A-Ring Ring-a-ring of little boys. Ring-a-ring of girls; All around—all around, Twists and twirls. You are merry children; "Yes, we are." Where do you come from? "Not very far. "We live in the mountain, We live in the tree; And I live in the river-bed, And you won't catch me!"
On the Wall Top
Dancing and prancing to town we go, On the top of the wall of the town we go. Shall we talk to the stars, or talk to the moon, Or run along home to our dinner so soon?
On the Wall Top
So high—so high on the wall we run, The nearer the sky—why, the nearer the sun, If you give me one penny, I'll give you two, For that's the way good neighbours do.
On the Bridge
If I could see a little fish— That is what I just now wish! I want to see his great round eyes Always open in surprise. I wish a water rat would glide Slowly to the other side; Or a dancing spider sit On the yellow flags a bit. I think I'll get some stones to throw, And watch the pretty circles show. Or shall we sail a flower-boat, And watch it slowly—slowly float? That's nice—because you never know How far away it means to go; And when to-morrow comes, you see, It may be in the great wide sea.
Miss Molly and the Little Fishes
Oh, sweet Miss Molly, You're so fond Of Fishes in a little Pond. And perhaps they're glad To see you stare With such bright eyes Upon them there. And when your fingers and your thumbs Drop slowly in the small white crumbs I hope they're happy. Only this— When you've looked long enough, sweet miss. Then, most beneficent young giver, Restore them to their native river.
Going to see Grandmamma
Little Molly and Damon Are walking so far, For they're going to see Their kind Grandmamma. And they very well know, When they get there she'll take From out of her cupboard Some very nice cake. And into her garden They know they may run, And pick some red currants, And have lots of fun. So Damon to doggie Says, "How do you do?" And asks his mamma If he may not go too.
Girl and boy in the garden
Girl and boy in the garden
From Wonder World
Out of Wonder World I think you come; For in your eyes the wonder comes with you. The stars are the windows of Heaven, And sometimes I think you peep through. Oh, little girl, tell us do the Flowers Tell you secrets when they find you all alone? Or the Birds and Butterflies whisper Of things to us unknown? Or do angel voices speak to you so softly, When we only hear a little wind sigh; And the peaceful dew of Heaven fall upon you When we only see a white cloud passing by?
From Market
Oh who'll give us Posies, And Garlands of Roses, To twine round our heads so gay? For here we come bringing You many good wishes to-day. From market—from market—from market— We all come up from market.
Flower
Flower
First Arrivals
It is a Party, do you know, And there they sit, all in a row, Waiting till the others come, To begin to have some fun. Hark! the bell rings sharp and clear, Other little friends appear; And no longer all alone They begin to feel at home. To them a little hard is Fate, Yet better early than too late; Fancy getting there forlorn, With the tea and cake all gone. Wonder what they'll have for tea; Hope the jam is strawberry. Wonder what the dance and game; Feel so very glad they came. Very Happy may you be, May you much enjoy your tea.
Wishes
Wishes
When you and I grow up
When you and I Grow up—Polly— I mean that you and me, Shall go sailing in a big ship Right over all the sea. We'll wait till we are older, For if we went to-day, You know that we might lose ourselves, And never find the way.
When we went out with Grandmamma
When we went out with Grandmamma— Mamma said for a treat— Oh, dear, how stiff we had to walk As we went down the street. One on each side we had to go, And never laugh or loll; I carried Prim, her Spaniard dog, And Tom—her parasol. If I looked right—if Tom looked left— "Tom—Susan—I'm ashamed; And little Prim, I'm sure, is shocked, To hear such naughties named." She said we had no manners, If we ever talked or sung; "You should have seen," said Grandmamma, "Me walk, when I was young." She told us—oh, so often— How little girls and boys, In the good days when she was young, Never made any noise. She said they never wished then To play—oh, indeed! They learnt to sew and needlework, Or else to write and read. he said her mother never let Her speak a word at meals; "But now," said Grandmamma, "you'd think That children's tongues had wheels "So fast they go—clack, clack, clack, clack; Now listen well, I pray, And let me see you both improve From what I've said to-day."
Two girls
Two girls
To the Mystery Land
Oh, dear, how will it end? Peggy and Susie how naughty you are. You little know where you are, Going so far, and so high, Nearly up to the sky. Perhaps it's a Giant who lives there, And perhaps it's a lovely Princess. But you very well know You've no business to go; You'll get yourselves into a mess. Oh, dear, I'm sure it is true; Whatever on earth can it matter to you? For you know it—oh, fie— That it's naughty to pry Into other's affairs— Into other folks houses to go, Where you know You're not asked. So you'd better come back While there's time, it is plain. Go home—and be never So naughty again.
To Baby
Oh, what shall my blue eyes go see? Shall it be pretty Quack-Quack to-day? Or the Peacock upon the Yew Tree? Or the dear little white Lambs at play? Say Baby. For Baby is such a young Petsy, And Baby is such a sweet Dear. And Baby is growing quite old now— She's just getting on for a year.
Tip-A-Toe
Tip-a-Toe, See them go; One, two, three— Chloe, Prue, and me; Up and down, To the town. A Lord was there, And the Lady fair. And what did they sing? Oh, "Ring-a-ding-ding;" And the Black Crow flew off With the Lady's Ring.
The Wedding Bells
The Wedding Bells were ringing, And Monday was the day, And all the little ladies Were there so fresh and gay. And up—up—up the steps they went, The wedding fine to see; And the Roses were all for the Bride, So pretty—so pretty was she.
The Little Queens Coming
With Roses—red Roses, We'll pelt her with Roses, And Lilies—white Lilies we'll drop at her feet; The little Queen's coming, The people are running— The people are running to greet and to meet. Then clash out a welcome, Let all the bells sound, come, To give her a welcoming proud and sweet. How her blue eyes will beam, And her golden curls gleam, When the sound of our singing rings down the street.
The Little London Girl
In my little Green House, quite content am I, When the hot sun pours down from the sky; For oh, I love the country—the beautiful country. Who'd live in a London street when there's the country? I live in a London street, then I long and long To be the whole day the sweet Flowers among Instead of tall chimney-pots up in the sky, The joy of seeing Birds and Dragon Flies go by. At home I lie in bed, and cannot go to sleep, For the sound of cart-wheels upon the hard street. But here my eyes close up to no sound of anything Except it is to hear the nightingales sing. And then I see the Chickens and the Geese go walking, I hear the Pigs and the Ducks all talking. And the Red and the Spotted Cows they stare at me, As if they wondered whoever I could be. I see the little Lambs out with their mothers— Such pretty little white young sisters and brothers. Oh, I'll stay in the country, and make a daisy chain, And never go back to London again.
The Little Jumping Girls
Jump—jump—jump— Jump away From this town into The next, to-day. Jump—jump—jump— Jump over the moon; Jump all the morning, And all the noon. Jump—jump—jump— Jump all night; Won't our mothers Be in a fright? Jump—jump—jump— Over the sea; What wonderful wonders We shall see. Jump—jump—jump— And leave behind Everything evil That we may find. Jump—jump—jump— Jump far away; And all come home Some other day.
The Dancing Family
Pray let me introduce you to This little dancing family; For morning, afternoon, and night They danced away so happily. They twirled round about, They turned their toes out; The people wondered what the noise Could all be about. They danced from early morning, Till very late at night; Both in-doors and out-of-doors, With very great delight. And every sort of dance they knew, From every country far away; And so it was no wonder that They should keep dancing all the day. So dancing—dancing—dancing, In sunshine or in rain; And when they all left off, Why then—they all began again.
The Dancing Family
The Dancing Family
The Daisies
You very fine Miss Molly, What will the daisies say, If you carry home so many Of their little friends to-day? Perhaps you take a sister, Perhaps you take a brother, Or two little daisies who Were fond of one another.
Susan Blue
Oh, Susan Blue, How do you do? Please may I go for a walk with you? Where shall we go? Oh, I know— Down in the meadow where the cowslips grow!
Street Show
Puff, puff, puff. How the trumpets blow All you little boys and girls come and see the show. One—two—three, the Cat runs up the tree; But the little Bird he flies away— "She hasn't got me!"
Mammas and Babies
"My Polly is so very good, Belinda never cries; My Baby often goes to sleep, See how she shuts her eyes. "Dear Mrs. Lemon tell me when Belinda goes to school; And what time does she go to bed?" "Well, eight o'clock's the rule. "But now and then, just for a treat, I let her wait awhile; You shake your head—why, wouldn't you? Do look at Baby's smile!" "Dear Mrs. Primrose will you come One day next week to tea? Of course bring Rosalinda, and That darling—Rosalie." "Dear Mrs. Cowslip, you are kind; My little folks, I know, Will be so very pleased to come; Dears—tell Mrs. Cowslip so. "Oh, do you know—perhaps you've not heard— She had a dreadful fright; My Daisy with the measles Kept me up every night. "And then I've been so worried— Clarissa had a fit; And the doctor said he couldn't In the least account for it."
Little Phillis
I am a very little girl, I think that I've turned two; And if you'd like to know my name I'd like to tell it you. They always call me Baby, But Phillis is my name. No—no one ever gave it me, I think it only came. I've got a pretty tulip In my little flower-bed; If you would like I'll give it you— It's yellow, striped with red. I've got a little kitten, but I can't give that away, She likes to play with me so much; She's gone to sleep to-day. And I've got a nice new dolly, Shall I fetch her out to you? She's got such pretty shoes on, And her bonnet's trimmed with blue. You'd like to take her home with you? Oh, no, she mustn't go; Good-bye—I want to run now, You walk along so slow.
Little Girls and Little Lambs
3 girls walking with their lambs on leashes
Lady carrying child
Lady carrying child
In an Apple Tree
In September, when the apples were red, To Belinda I said, "Would you like to go away To Heaven, or stay Here in this orchard full of trees All your life?" And she said, "If you please I'll stay here—where I know, And the flowers grow."
Happy Days
"Are you going next week to see Phillis and Phoebe? Phillis on Monday will be just fourteen. She says we shall all have our tea in the garden, And afterwards have some nice games on the green. "I wanted a new frock, but mother said, 'No,' So I must be content with my old one you see. But then white is so pretty, and kind Aunt Matilda Has sent down a beautiful necklace for me." "Oh, yes, I am going, and Peggy is going, And mother is making us new frocks to wear; I shall have my red sash and my hat with pink ribbons— I know all the girls will be smart who are there. "And then, too, we're going to each take a nosegay— The larger the better—for Phillis to say That all her friends love her, and wish her so happy, And bring her sweet flowers upon her birthday. "And won't it be lovely, in beautiful sunshine, The table spread under the great apple tree, To see little Phillis—that dear little Phillis— Look smiling all round as she pours out the tea!"
Girl with Flowers
Girl with Flowers
Children playing
Children playing
My Little Girlie
My Little Girlie Little girlie tell to me What your wistful blue eyes see? Why you like to stand so high, Looking at the far off sky. Does a tiny Fairy flit In the pretty blue of it? Or is it that you hope so soon To see the rising yellow Moon? Or is it—as I think I've heard— You're looking for a little Bird To come and sit upon a spray, And sing the summer night away?
Boots, Boots, Boots
Boots, Boots, Boots Buster’s got a popper gun, A reg’lar one that shoots, And Teddy’s got an engine With a whistler that toots. But I’ve got something finer yet— A pair of rubber boots. Oh, it’s boots, boots, boots, A pair of rubber boots! I could walk from here to China In a pair of rubber boots.
Under the Willow
Under the Willow Put down your pillow under the willow, Hang up your hat in the sun, And lie down to snooze as long as you choose, For the plowing and sowing are done. Pick up your pillow from under the willow, And clamber out into the sun. Get a fork and a rake for goodness’ sake, For the harvest time has begun.
Sister Kate
WHERE ARE YOU GOING? Where are you going, sister Kate? I’m going to swing on the garden gate, And watch the fairy gypsies dance Their tim-tam-tum on the cabbage-plants— The great big one with the purple nose, And the tiny tad with the pinky toes. Where are you going, brother Ben? I’m going to build a tiger-pen. I’ll get iron and steel and ’lectric wire And build it a hundred feet, or higher, And put ten tigers in it too, And a big wildcat, and—mebbe—you. Where are you going, mother mine? I’m going to sit by the old grapevine, And watch the gliding swallow bring Clay for her nest from the meadow spring— Clay and straw and a bit of thread To weave it into a baby’s bed. Where are you going, grandma dear? I’m going, love, where the skies are clear, And the light winds lift the poppy flowers And gather clouds for the summer showers, Where the old folks and the children play On the warm hillside through the livelong day.
The Blue Song
The Blue Song Hot mush and molasses all in a blue bowl— Eat it, it’s good for you, sonny. ’T will make you grow tall as a telephone pole— Eat it, it’s good for you, sonny. Fresh fish and potatoes all on a blue plate— Eat it up smart now, my sonny. ’T will make you as jolly and fat as Aunt Kate— Eat it up quick now, my sonny. Sweet milk from a nanny-goat in a blue cup— Drink it, it’s good for you, sonny, ’T will fill you, expand you, and help you grow up, And make a real man of you, sonny.
The Animal Show
The Animal Show Father and mother and Bobbie will go To see all the sights at the animal show. Where lions and bears Sit on dining room chairs, Where a camel is able To stand on a table, Where monkeys and seals All travel on wheels, And a Zulu baboon Rides a baby balloon. The sooner you’re ready, the sooner we’ll go. Aboard, all aboard, for the Animal Show!
Going to bed
HIPPITY HOP TO BED O it’s hippity hop to bed! I’d rather sit up instead. But when father says “must,” There’s nothing but just Go hippity hop to bed.
Our little Pat
OUR LITTLE PAT Our little Pat Was chasing the cat And kicking the kittens about. When mother said “Quit!” He ran off to sit On the top of the woodpile and pout; But a sly little grin Soon slid down his chin And let all the sulkiness out.
Cupid in the love boat
Cupid in the love boat
Cupid and the lovebirds
Cupid and the lovebirds
Making cookies
Young girl doing some baking while her cat looks on
Cake
Little boy eating some cake while his dog looks on
Reading
Young girl reading