Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


NURSERY RHYMES A LA MODE by ANONYMOUS

First Line: "OH, BUT SHE WAS DARK AND SHRILL"
Last Line: SAVOR OF DIDDLE AND HEY-DE-DEE

@3(Our nurseries will soon be too cultured to admit the old rhymes in their
Philistine and unaesthetic garb. They may be redressed somewhat on this
model.)@1

OH, but she was dark and shrill,
(Hey-de-diddle and hey-de-dee!)
The cat that (on the first April)
Played the fiddle on the lea.
Oh, and the moon was wan and bright,
(Hey-de-diddle and hey-de-dee!)
The Cow she looked nor left nor right,
But took it straight at a jump, pardie!
The hound did laugh to see this thing,
(Hey-de-diddle and hey-de-dee!)
As it was parlous wantoning,
(Ah, good my gentles, laugh not ye,)
And underneath a dreesome moon
Two lovers fled right piteouslie;
A spooney plate with a plated spoon,
(Hey-de-diddle and hey-de-dee!)

POSTSCRIPT

Then blame me not, altho' my verse
Sounds like an echo of C. S. C.
Since still they make ballads that worse and worse
Savor of diddle and hey-de-dee.



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