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by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

Rhyme
 (Sung text for setting by W. Walton)
 Matches base text
Language: English 
Gay go up and gay go down,
To ring the bells of London Town.

Oranges and lemons
Say the bells of St. Clement's.
Bull's eyes and targets,
Say the bells of St. Margaret's.
Brickbats and tiles,
Say the bells of St. Giles'.
Half-pence and farthings,
Say the bells of St. Martin's.
Pancakes and fritter's,
Say the bells of St. Peter's.
Two sticks and an apple,
Say the bells of Whitechapel.
Pokers and tongs,
Say the bells of St. John's.
Kettles and pans,
Say the bells of St. Anne's.
Old father baldpate,
Say the slow bells of Aldgate.
You owe me ten shillings,
Say the bells of St. Helen's.
When will you pay me?
Say the bells of Old Bailey.
When I grow rich,
Say the bells of Shoreditch.
Pray when will that be?
Say the bells of Stepney.
I do not know,
Says the great bell of Bow.

Gay go up and gay go down,
To ring the bells of London Town.

Composition:

    Set to music by William Walton (1902 - 1983), "Rhyme", 1962 [ voice and piano or orchestra ], from A Song for the Lord Mayor's Table, no. 6

Text Authorship:

  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author ( 18th century )

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 32
Word count: 162

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