Friday, February 12, 2010

Oranges and Lemons

We're quite used to Kelly's renderings of swamp settings, so it's fun to see his drawing of a British horizon, pulled from The Complete Nursery Song Book of 1947.

"Oranges and lemons," say the bells of St. Clemens. "You owe me five farthings," say the bells of St. Martin's. "When will you pay me?" say the bells of Old Bailey. "When I grow rich," say the bells of Shoreditch. "When will that be?" say the bells of Stepney. "I do not know," says the great bell of Bow. Here comes a candle to light you to bed; And here comes a chopper to chop off your head!

"Pancakes and fritters," say the bells of Saint Peter's.
"Two sticks and an apple," say the bells of Whitechapel.
"Old father Bald-pate," say the slow bells of Aldgate.
"Pokers and tongs," say the bells of Saint John's.
"Kettles and pans," say the bells of Saint Ann's.
"Brickbats and tiles," say the bells of Saint Giles.

Yep, that's a real nursery song.

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