The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

"MISS LUCY HAD A BABY"

MISS LUCY HAD A BABY, SHE NAMED IT TINY TIM.
SHE PUT IT IN THE BATHTUB TO SEE IF IT COULD SWIM.
IT DRANK UP ALL THE WATER, IT ATE UP ALL THE SOAP.
IT TRIED TO EAT THE BATHTUB, BUT IT WOULDN'T GO DOWN HIS THROAT.
MISS LUCY CALLED THE DOCTOR, MISS LUCY CALLED THE NURSE.
MISS LUCY CALLED THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
IN WALKED THE DOCTOR, IN WALKED THE NURSE,
IN WALKED THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
"MUMPS!" SAID THE DOCTOR. "MEASLES!" SAID THE NURSE.
"NOTHING," SAID THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS A CHANT TO WHICH A CLAPPING GAME WAS PLAYED. TWO
PLAYERS WOULD CLAP THEIR OWN HANDS TOGETHER AND THEN SLAP
THE OTHER PLAYER'S OPPOSITE HAND. THIS WAS ALSO SUNG OR
SHOUTED WITHOUT THE CLAPPING MOVEMENTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD

Date learned: 00-00-1976

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