The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FIVE LITTLE SOLDIERS, STANDING IN A ROW.
(HERE--BEND THE TWO LAST FINGERS DOWN TO DENOTE BENT SOLDIERS: )
THREE STOOD STRAIGHT, AND TWO STOOD SO.
ALONG CAME THE CAPTAIN AND WHAT DO YOU THINK?
(ON THE WORD "STRAIGHT" STRAIGHTEN THE LAST TWO FINGERS.)
THEY ALL STOOD STRAIGHT AS QUICK AS A WINK.

Submitter comment: BEGIN THE RHYME BY COUNTING ON THE HAND THE FIVE SOLDIERS:
RECITED

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT