The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CHILDREN'S VERSE

I NEVER SAW A PURPLE COW,
I NEVER HOPE TO SEE ONE,
BUT IF THERE ARE PURPLE COWS,
I'D RATHER SEE THAN BE ONE.

Submitter comment: IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE THIRD LINE OF THIS RHYME MAY ALSO BE,
"BUT I CAN TELL YOU HERE AND NOW", OR "BUT I CAN TELL YOU ANYHOW".
THE INFORMANT WAS UNAWARE OF THESE TWO OTHER VERSIONS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD

Date learned: 11-14-1979