The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

NURSERY RHYME

JELLY ON MY BELLY, JELLY ON MY NOSE, JELLY ON MY FOREHEAD,
JELLY ON MY TOES. A LIP AND A LAP AND A HAVIN' ME A TIME,
JELLY ON MY BELLY BUT MAMA DON'T MIND.

Submitter comment: MY MOTHER LEARNED THIS FROM A GERMAN WOMAN WHO USED TO BE OUR
LANDLADY WHEN I WAS A BABY. IT IS SAID TO SMALL CHILDREN
WHILE IMITATING WITH THE HAND WHERE THE JELLY IS BEING APPLIED.
THE FINAL "JELLY ON MY BELLY" USUALLY ENDS UP AS A
TICKLE TO THE CHILD.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: CA00001950S