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VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC

LITTLE BOY BLUE
COME BLOW YOUR HORN.
THE SHEEP IN THE MEADOW
THE COWS IN THE CORN.
OH WHERE'S THE LITTLE BOY
WHO'S ALWAYS ASLEEP?
HE'S UNDER THE HAYSTACK
EATING THE SHEEP.

Submitter comment: SOME OF THESE ITEMS ARE FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION FOLKLORE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TRAVERSE CITY ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): PARODY ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

Date learned: 12-00-1973

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ROSES ARE RED

ROSES ARE RED
VIOLETS ARE BLUE
SUGAR IS SWEET
AND SO ARE YOU

THE ROSES ARE WILTED
THE VIOLETS ARE DEAD
THE SUGAR IS LUMPY
AND SO IS YOUR HEAD.

ROSES ARE RED
VIOLETS AREN'T BLACK
YOU'D LOOK BETTER
WITH A KNIFE IN YOUR BACK.

ROSES ARE RED
A PICKLE IS GREEN
YOU LOOK LIKE A MONKEY
YOUR FACE IS A SCREAM.

ROSES ARE RED
VIOLETS ARE BLUE
LILIES ARE .98
WILL DANDELIONS DO?

ROSES ARE RED
VIOLETS ARE BLUE
SEND ME OVER
A POT OF IRISH STEW.

ROSES ARE RED
VIOLETS ARE BLUE-ISH
DIDN'T YOU KNOW
THAT JESUS WAS JEWISH?

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THESE SIX DIFFERENT PARODIES OF THE ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS
ARE BLUE VERSE DURING GRADE SCHOOL. I PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER BECAUSE
I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE THE MANY DIFFERENT FORMS THE
VERSE COULD TAKE. THE ONE THAT I PUT DOWN FIRST IS THE FIRST ONE
THAT I LEARNED. IT MOST CLOSELY FOLLOWS THE ORIGINAL IN THE
SUBJECT MATERIAL. IT IS USUALLY JUST ADDED ON TO THE ORIGINAL.
THE "YOU LOOK LIKE A MONKEY" ONE WAS THE FAVORITE INSULT VERSE WHEN
I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL. IT HAS SINCE LOST ITS POPULARITY SINCE NONE
OF MY YOUNGER BROTHERS, SISTERS OR NEIGHBORS SEEM TO HAVE HEARD IT.
THE KNIFE IN YOUR BACK ONE SEEMS TO HAVE REPLACED IT AS THE FAVORITE
INSULTING AUTOGRAPH VERSE. I ONLY HEARD THE ONE WITH LILIES AND
DANDELIONS ONCE. I REMEMBER IT BECAUSE I LIKED IT. IT SEEMS TO
BE IN
KEEPING WITH OUR INFLATIONARY TIME PERIOD. PERHAPS THE REASON
THAT IT NEVER CAUGHT ON AS WELL AS SOME WAS BECAUSE IT WASN'T
INSULTING. THE TWO NATIONALITY ONES ALSO HAD A LIMITED USAGE BECAUSE
THEY CAN REALLY ONLY BE EFFECTIVELY USED BY THEIR PARTICULAR ETHNIC
GROUP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults

Date learned: 00001960S

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PETER PETER PUMPKIN EATER

PETER PETER PUMPKIN EATER,
HAD A WIFE BUT COULDN'T KEEP HER,
SO HE PUT HER IN A PUMPKIN SHELL,
FOUND SHE'D BEEN UNTRUE,
SO HE BURIED HIS WIFE AND THE PUMPKIN TOO.

Submitter comment: SHE SAID THAT THIS WAS A HALLOWEEN FAVORITE, THAT WAS SAID FREQUENTLY
AT HALLOWEEN PARTIES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW

James Callow Keyword(s): PARODY

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

Date learned: 01-00-1974

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RHYME OF DERISION

TEACHER, TEACHER, I DECLARE
I SEE (SO-AND-SO'S) UNDERWEAR
MIGHT BE PINK, MIGHT BE WHITE,
MIGHT BE FULL OF DYNAMITE.

I SAW LONDON, I SAW FRANCE
I SAW (SO-AND-SO'S) UNDERPANTS
MIGHT BE WHITE, MIGHT BE PINK,
I DON'T KNOW, BUT THEY SURE STINK.

Submitter comment: THIS IS USED BY CHILDREN WHEN THEY SEE SOMEONE ELSE'S UNDERWEAR.
IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A "HINT" TO TUCK IN YOUR SHIRT, OR PULL UP
YOUR FLY, AND IS USED BY BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS. USUALLY ONE OR THE
OTHER VERSE IS USED, BUT SOMETIMES THEY ARE BOTH USED IN SUCCESSION.
THE LAST STANZA OF EACH VERSE IS OFTEN SUBSTITUTED IN THE OTHER,
SINCE IT DOES NOT AFFECT THE RHYME.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

James Callow Keyword(s): METAPHOR: NAMES OF COUNTRIES FOR BODY PARTS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse
SPEECH -- Formula
SPEECH -- Place

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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A BOTTLE OF INK

INK, /INK, A BOTTLE OF INK
THE CORK FELL OUT
AND YOU STINK.

Submitter comment: REPLY GIVEN BY A CHILD TO A PERSON HE IS ANGRY WITH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): RETORT INSULT BODY ODOR

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

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BRASS BUTTON BLUE COAT, CAN'T CATCH A NANNY GOAT

Submitter comment: THIS TERM WAS USED BY CHILDREN AT PLAY IN PITTSBURG PA IN THE YEAR
1925

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; PITTSBURGH ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

Date learned: 10-04-1972

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MOCKING VERSE

}}}}}} AND }}}}}} / SITTING IN A TREE. / K-I-S-S-I-N-G. / FIRST COMES
LOVE, / THEN COMES MARRIAGE, / THEN COMES }}}}}} / PUSHING A BABY
CARRIAGE..

Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; DORM ; UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

Date learned: 09-23-1972

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LITTLE MISS MUFFET SAT ON A TUFFET, EATING HER CURDS AND WHEY
WHEN ALONG CAME A SPIDER AND SAT DOWN BESIDE HER
AND SHE SMASHED IT WITH HER SPOON

Where learned: Massachusetts

James Callow Keyword(s): NURSERY RHYME PARODY ; REVERSAL OF SITUATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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JACK BE NIMBLE JACK BE QUICK
JACK JUMPED OVER THE CANDLESTICK
AND SINGED THE HAIR OFF HIS LEGS

Where learned: Massachusetts

James Callow Keyword(s): NURSERY RHYME PARODY

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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Entry filtered.

JACK AND JILL WENT UP THE HILL, EACH ONE HAD A QUARTER.
WHEN THEY CAME DOWN JILL HAD FIFTY CENTS
AND YOU CAN BET THEY DIDN

James Callow comment: KEYPUNCH CARDS ARE MISSING HERE

Where learned: Massachusetts

James Callow Keyword(s): NURSERY RHYME PARODY

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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Entry filtered.

LITTLE BOY BLEW (BLUE) TIL HIS FATHER FOUND OUT

Where learned: Massachusetts

James Callow Keyword(s): NURSERY RHYME PARODY

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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Entry filtered.

LITTLE JACK HORNER SAT IN THE CORNER EATING HIS SISTER

Where learned: Massachusetts

James Callow Keyword(s): NURSERY RHYME PARODY

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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LITTLE JACK HORNER SAT IN THE CORNER...DEAD

Where learned: Massachusetts

James Callow Keyword(s): NURSERY RHYME PARODY

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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PARODY

CHASTE MAKES WASTE (PARODY OF "HASTE MAKES WASTE")

Where learned: Rhode Island ; PROVIDENCE

James Callow Keyword(s): ASSONANCE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

Date learned: 00-00-1971

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LIAR, LIAR, YOUR PANTS ARE ON FIRE.
GOT THEM CAUGHT ON A TELEPHONE WIRE.

Submitter comment: THIS CHANT IS REPEATED WHEN SOMEONE IS CAUGHT LYING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; RHYME: AA

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

Date learned: 00-00-1957

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CRY, BABY, CRY.
STICK YOUR FINGER IN YOUR EYE.
TELL YOUR MOTHER IT WASN'T I.

Submitter comment: THIS IS RECITED TO SHAME CHILDREN WHO ARE CRYING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; RHYME: AAA ; VERBAL IRONY

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

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ROSES ARE RED

ROSES ARE RED
VIOLETS ARE BLUE
YOU KISSED A COW
AND I LAUGHED AT YOU.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM A PLAYMATE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): FLOWERS: ABCB ; HUMOR

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

Date learned: 08-11-1964

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ROSES ARE RED

ROSES ARE RED
VIOLETS ARE BLUE
I KICKED MY WIFE
WITH MY ARMY SHOE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM A PLAYMATE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): HUMOR: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

Date learned: 08-11-1964

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GOOD NIGHT

GOOD NIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT.
DON'T LET THE BED BUGS BITE.
IF THEY DO, PUT THEM IN A STEW
AND GET UP AND EAT THEM AT HALF PAST TWO.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Keyword(s): FOOD ; GORE ; INSECTS ; INTERNAL RHYME ( TWO PAIRS) ; RHYME: AABB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief

Date learned: 00-00-1955

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PARODY-JACK & JILL

KAISER BILL/WENT UP THE HILL/TO FETCH A PIECE OF FRANCE
KAISER BILL/RAN DOWN THE HILL /WITH BULLETS IN HIS PANTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

Keyword(s): ANTICLIMAX ; CONTRAST

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

Date learned: 09-29-1968

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