Burl Ives — Mother Goose Songs

As I did walk by Hampstead Fair I came upon Mother Goose -- so I turned her loose -- She was screaming And a foreign student said to me -- Was it really true there are elephants and lions too In Piccadilly Circus? Walked down by the bathing pond To try and catch some sun Saw at least a hundred schoolgirls sobbing Into handkerchiefs as one I don't believe they knew I was a schoolboy And a bearded lady said to me -- If you start your raving and your misbehaving -- You'll be sorry Then the chicken-fancier came to play -- With his long rеd beard (and his sister's weird: Shе drives a lorry) Laughed down by the putting green -- I popped 'em in their holes Four and twenty labourers were labouring -- Digging up their gold I don't believe they knew That I was Long John Silver Saw Johnny Scarecrow make his rounds In his jet-black mac (which he won't give back) -- Stole it from a snowman