I
There was an Old Derry
down Derry,
who loved to see little
folks merry;
So he made them a book,
and with
laughter they shook
at the fun of that Derry down Derry.
II
There was an Old Man with a beard,
Who said, 'It is just as I feared!
Two Owls
and a Hen,
Four Larks
and a Wren,
Have all built their nests
in my beard!'
III
There was an Old Man who supposed,
That the street
door was partially
closed;
But some very large rats,
Ate his coats
and his hats,
While that futile
old gentleman dozed.
IV
There was a Young Lady whose eyes,
Were unique
as to colour and size;
When she opened
them wide,
People all turned
aside,
And started
away in surprise.
V
There was a Young Lady whose nose,
Was so long that it reached to her toes;
So she hired
an Old Lady,
Whose conduct
was steady,
To carry that wonderful nose.
VI
There was an Old Man of Peru,
Who watched his wife making a stew;
But once by
mistake,
In a stove
she did bake,
That unfortunate
Man of Peru.
VII
There was an Old Man of the Nile,
Who sharpened
his nails with a file,
Till he cut out his thumbs,
And said calmly,
'This
comes
Of sharpening one's nails with a file!'
VIII
There was an Old Man who said, 'Hush!
I perceive
a young bird in this bush!'
When they said, 'Is it small?'
He replied, 'Not at all!
It is four times as big as the bush!'