Cover of Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes

Cecily Parsley lived in a pen, And brewed good ale for gentlemen;

Gentlemen came every day, Till Cecily Parsley ran away.

Goosey, goosey, gander, Whither will you wander? Upstairs and downstairs, And in my lady's chamber!

This pig went to market; This pig stayed at home;

This pig had a bit of meat;

And this pig had none;

This little pig cried Wee! wee! wee! I can't find my way home.

Pussy-cat sits by the fire; How should she be fair? In walks the little dog, Says "Pussy! are you there?"

"How do you do, Mistress Pussy? Mistress Pussy, how do you do?" "I thank you kindly, little dog, I fare as well as you!"

Three blind mice, three blind mice, See how they run! They all run after the farmer's wife, And she cut off their tails with a carving knife, Did you ever see such a thing in your life As three blind mice!

Bow, wow, wow! Whose dog art thou? "I'm little Tom Tinker's dog, Bow, wow, wow!"

We have a little garden, A garden of our own, And every day we water there The seeds that we have sown.

We love our little garden, And tend it with such care, You will not find a faded leaf Or blighted blossom there.

Ninny nanny netticoat, In a white petticoat, With a red nose,— The longer she stands, The shorter she grows.

🧠 Check your understanding

  1. In the rhyme about Goosey Goosey Gander, where does the goose wander?

    Show answer

    Answer: Upstairs and downstairs and in my lady's chamber

    The rhyme says 'Whither will you wander? Upstairs and downstairs, And in my lady's chamber!'

  2. What did the woman do to the three blind mice?

    Show answer

    Answer: She cut off their tails with a carving knife

    The rhyme says 'And she cut off their tails with a carving knife.'

  3. What happens to the candle in 'Ninny nanny netticoat'?

    Show answer

    Answer: The longer she stands, the shorter she grows

    The riddle says 'The longer she stands, The shorter she grows' — referring to a candle burning down.

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