Gypsy, gypsy,living in a tent

I’ll bet you can put a tune to each of those skipping and street rhymes! I know I can. Many had multiple variations; my memory’s not so good that I can recall them all. 

McCann’s Bread Delivery Cart of old!

But why should I, when you can come to my rescue?

So get working! Here’s a few more!


On a hillside stands a lady

Who she is, I do not know!

All she wants is gold and silver

All she wants is a nice young man

Take her in, take her in …

Take her by the hand…

Go to Church, love! Go to Church, love! 

Go to Church, love! Go to Church, love! 

Go to Church, love! Go to Church, love! 

On a mountain far away ……

All the while, skippers are entering, or leaving the spiralling rope to the commands ‘in’ and ‘Go’ … the cycle is completed when the chanters go on …

Come back, love! Come back, love!

Come back, love! Come back, love!

Come back, love! Come back, love!

From a mountain far away.


Lady, lady, tip the ground

Lady, lady, turn around

Lady, lady, show your shoe

Lady, lady, run right through
 

Lady, lady, drop your purse

Lady, lady, pick it up

Lady, lady, turn around

Lady, lady, touch the ground.
 


P K chewing gum, a penny a packet

First you chew it, then you smack (or crack!) it

Then you stick it to your jacket

P K chewing gum, a penny a packet.
 


 Green peas and barley O

Barley O, barley O

Green peas and barley O

Sugary sticks and candy!
 

This is the way the teacher stands

This is the way she folds her arms

This is the way claps her hands

And this is the way she dances.



My Aunt Jane, she brought me in

She gave me tea outta her wee tin

Half a bap and sugar on the top

And three black balls outta her wee shop.


Snail, snail, put out your horns

And I will give you some barley corns…


Gypsy, gypsy living in a tent

Gypsy, gypsy couldn’t pay her rent

The rent man came and put her out

And all the children began to shout..

Put her out! Put her out!

It’s not because she’s dirty

It’s not because she’s clean

It’s because she’as the mumps and the measles in between….

 


Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow

For babies are growing up

We’ve learned to our sorrow ..
 

So quiet down, cobwebs, dust, go to sleep

I’m rocking my baby

And babies don’t keep!!

 


Smiling girls and rosy boys

Come and buy my little toys

Monkeys made from gingerbread

And sugar horses painted red.

 

 

 

 

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