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diff --git a/40425-0.txt b/40425-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5324a04 --- /dev/null +++ b/40425-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2151 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40425 *** + + CHINESE MOTHER GOOSE RHYMES + + + [Illustration: LITTLE ORIENTALS] + + + + + CHINESE MOTHER GOOSE RHYMES + + TRANSLATED AND ILLUSTRATED + + BY + ISAAC TAYLOR HEADLAND + OF PEKING UNIVERSITY. + + + Fleming H. Revell Company + NEW YORK CHICAGO TORONTO + + + COPYRIGHT, 1900 + + By Fleming H. Revell Company + + + +PREFACE + + +There are probably more nursery rhymes in China than can be found in +England and America. We have in our possession more than six hundred, +collected, for the most part, in two out of the eighteen provinces, +and we have no reason to believe that we have succeeded in getting any +large proportion of what those two provinces contain. + +In most of the rhymes there are features common to those of our own +"Mother Goose," among which are those referring (1) to insects, (2) +animals, (3) birds, (4) persons, (5) children, (6) food, (7) parts of +the body, (8) actions, such as patting, grabbing, tickling, etc., (9) +professions, trades and business. + +We have tried to reproduce the meaning of the original as nearly as +possible; this has not always been an easy task. Let it be understood +that these rhymes make no pretentions to literary merit, nor has the +translator made any attempt at regularity in the meter, because +neither the original nor our own "Mother Goose" is regular. Our desire +has been to make a translation which is fairly true to the original, +and which will please English-speaking children. The child, not the +critic, has always been kept in view. + +Attention is called to the affection manifested in such rhymes as +"Sweeter than Sugar," "Sweet Pill," "Little Fat Boy," and "Baby is +Sleeping." There is no language in the world, we venture to believe, +which contains children's songs expressive of more keen and tender +affection than those we have mentioned. This fact, more than any +other, has stimulated us in the preparation of these rhymes. They have +been prepared with the hope that they will present a new phase of +Chinese home life, and lead the children of the West to have some +measure of sympathy and affection for the children of the East. + +The compilation was much facilitated by the work done by Baron Vitali, +of the Italian Legation in Peking; Rev. Arthur H. Smith, author of +"Chinese Characteristics;" Miss Mabel Whiting, of Peking; Miss +Mitchell, of Chinkiang; Mrs. McClure, of Honan; Miss Chalfant, of +Shantung; Mr. Chao Tsz-chi, Chinese Consul at New York; Mr. Yamamoto, +of Peking, and Rev. Chauncy Goodrich, of T'ung Chou, while the entire +work is due to the fact that our attention was called by Mrs. C. H. +Fenn, of Peking, to her old nurse repeating these rhymes to her little +boy. + +The illustrations have all been prepared by the translator specially +for this work. + I. T. H. + +OCTOBER, 1900 + + + + +SWEETER THAN SUGAR + + + My little baby, little boy blue, + Is as sweet as sugar and cinnamon too; + Isn't this precious darling of ours + Sweeter than dates and cinnamon flowers? + + + + +LITTLE SMALL-FEET + + + The small-footed girl + With the sweet little smile, + She loves to eat sugar + And sweets all the while. + Her money's all gone + And because she can't buy, + She holds her small feet + While she sits down to cry. + + + + +THE CRICKET + + + On the top of a mountain + A hemp stock was growing, + And up it a cricket was climbing. + I said to him, "Cricket, + Oh where are you going?" + He answered: "I'm going out dining." + + + + +THE BUTTERFLY + + + Away goes the butterfly, + To catch it I will never try; + The butterfly's about to 'light, + I would not have it if I might. + + + + +OF WHAT USE IS A GIRL? + + + We keep a dog to watch the house, + A pig is useful, too; + We keep a cat to catch a mouse, + But what can we do + With a girl like you? + + + + +THE FIRE-FLY + + + Fire-fly, fire-fly, + Come from the hill, + Your father and mother + Are waiting here still; + They've brought you some sugar, + Some candy and meat, + Come quick, or I'll give it + To baby to eat. + + + + +COME AND PLAY + + + Little baby, full of glee, + Won't you come and play with me? + Strike the stick and kick the ball, + And at the pic-nic place we'll call. + And you shall come and eat with me, + And you shall come and drink my tea. + When I invite you thus to play, + How is it that you run away? + + + + +THE COW + + + "There's a cow on the mountain." + The old saying goes, + On her legs are four feet; + On her feet are eight toes; + Her tail is behind + On the end of her back, + And her head is in front + On the end of her neck. + + + + +GRANDPA FEEDS BABY + + + Grandpa holds the baby, + He's sitting on his knee + Eating mutton dumplings + With vinegar and tea. + Then grandpa says to baby, + "When you have had enough, + You'll be a saucy baby + And treat your grandpa rough." + + + + +SWEET PILL + + + My big son, + My own boy, + Baby is a sweet pill + That fills my soul with joy. + + + + +THE BAT + + + Bat, bat, with your flowered shoes, + Come to us here in the room, + This little girl will be the bride, + And I will be the groom. + + + + +THE LITTLE BALDHEAD + + + You dear little baby, + Don't you cry; + Your father's drawing water + In the south, near by, + A red tasseled hat + He wears on his head; + Your mother's in the kitchen + Making up bread. + Walk a step, walk a step, + Off he goes, + See from his shoe-tips + Peep three toes. + + + + +A LITTLE GIRL'S WANTS + + + I want some thread, + Both green and red; + I want a needle long; + I want some strands + For ankle bands, + To give to Mrs. Wang. + + + + +GO TO SLEEP + + + The tree leaves are murmuring hua-la-la, + Baby's very sleepy and wants his mama; + Go to sleep, my baby, and then go to bed, + And any bogie-boo that comes, + I'll knock him on the head. + + + + +THE TALL MAN + + + Oh dear! oh dear! just see how far + His head is from his feet! + So far indeed he has to bend + When e'er he wants to eat. + + And when he wants to fight a man + He lifts him up anon, + And when he wants to wash his face + He pours the water on. + + + + +BABY IS SLEEPING + + + My baby is sleeping, + My baby's asleep, + My flower is resting, + I'll give you a peep; + How cunning he looks + As he rests on my arm! + My flower's most charming + Of all them that charm. + + + + +LITTLE FAT BOY + + + What a bonnie little fellow is this fat boy of mine! + He makes people die of joy! + What a fine little fellow is this fat boy of mine! + Now whose is this loving little boy? + + Do you want to buy a beauty? + Do you want to buy a beauty? + If you buy him he will watch your house, + And do it as his duty. + + And no matter as to servants, + You may have them or may not, + But you'll never need to lock your door + Or give your house a thought. + + + + +THE DRUM ON THE GROUND + + + The drum on the ground is so round, so round, + My mother just whipped me so sound, so sound, + And I, oh dear, am as floating grass here, + But I'll only remain a year, a year. + + A husband I'd love and serve so true, + I'd worship his gods, that's what I'd do, + And I'd call his mother my mother, too! + You naughty girl, what's that you'd do? + + I was saying the beans are boiling nice, + And its just about time to add the rice. + + + + +MILKY WAY + + + When e're the Milky Way you spy + Diagonal across the sky, + The egg-plant you may safely eat, + And all your friends to melons treat. + But when divided toward the west, + You'll need your trousers and your vest; + When like a horn you see it float, + You'll need your trousers and your coat. + + + + +A LULLABY + + + The heaven is bright, + The earth is bright, + I have a baby who cries all night; + Let those who pass read what I write, + And they'll sleep all night, + Till broad daylight. + + + + +THE SMALL STORE KEEPER + + + A wee little boy + Has opened a store, + In two equal parts + Are his front door, + A wee little table, + A wee little chair, + And ebony chop-sticks + And plate are there. + + + + +LADY-BUG + + + Lady-bug, lady-bug, + Fly away, do, + Fly to the mountain, + And feed upon dew, + Feed upon dew + And sleep on a rug, + And then run away + Like a good little bug. + + + + +GO TO BED + + + Little baby, go to bed, + We'll put a hoop around your head, + And with the oil we get thereby, + Our little bean-cake we will fry. + + And when we've fried our bean-cake brown, + We'll see the king go into town, + An iron cap upon his head; + Now-you-must-surely-go-to-bed. + + + + +THE NERVOUS MAN + + + A nervous disposition + He had when he was born, + To hurry to a fair one day, + He rose at early morn; + Put on his wife's green trousers + And started to the sale, + A riding on a donkey-- + His face turned toward its tail. + + + + +THE SNAIL + + + Little snail, little snail, + With your hard, stony bed, + First stick out your horns, + Then stick out your head. + + Your father and mother + Have brought you some food, + Fried liver and mutton, + Now isn't that good? + + And now, little snail, + Just as sure as I say + You must eat it at once, + Or I'll take it away. + + Oh where is the little snail gone, I pray tell? + He has drawn himself up, head and horns, in his shell. + + + + +THE WATERMAN + + + My brother waterman, + Listen, I request, + On the south river bank + You sit and rest. + When the day is bright, + You carry all you can; + And when the day is dark, + You're a lazy old man. + + + + +THE LAMB + + + It jumped the chequered wall, + The bleating little lamb, + And snatched a bunch of grass + To feed its hungry dam. + + + + +OLD CHANG, THE CRAB + + + Old Mr. Chang, I've oft heard it said, + You wear a basket upon your head; + You've two pairs of scissors to cut your meat, + And two pairs of chopsticks with which you eat. + + + + +THE MOUSE + + + He climbed up the candlestick, + The little mousey brown, + To steal and eat tallow, + And he couldn't get down. + He called for his grandma, + But his grandma was in town, + So he doubled up into a wheel + And rolled himself down. + + + + +COMING FROM THE FAIR + + + Coming from the fair! + Coming from the fair! + We bought a little bottle + For our baby over there; + + Alas! for we broke it, + And we tried to buy another, + But the shops were all closed, + So we hurried home to mother. + + + + +WHAT THE OLD COW SAID + + + A sad old cow to herself once said, + While the north wind whistled through her shed: + "To head a drum they will take my skin, + And they'll file my bones for a big hair-pin, + The scraps of bone they will make into dice, + And sell them off at a very low price; + My sinews they'll make into whips, I wot, + And my flesh they'll put in a big soup pot." + + + + +WHAT THE OLD CROW SAID + + + An old black crow sat on a tree, + And there he sat and said to me: + "Ho, Mr. Wang, there's a sheep on the hill, + Which I wish very much you would catch and kill; + You may eat meat three times a day, + And I'll eat the parts that you throw away." + + + + +BEANS + + + Pull up your black beans, + Pull up your brown, + Then light your lamp + When the sun goes down. + + + + +THE SLOVENLY BOY + + + If you wear your hat on the side of your head, + You'll have a lazy wife 'tis said, + If a slouchy coat and slipshod feet, + You'll have a wife who loves to eat. + + + + +GRAB THE KNEE + + + One grab silver, + Two grabs gold, + Three, don't laugh + And you'll grow old. + + + + +THE PAGODA + + + The dragon pagoda, + It touches the sky, + The dragon pagoda, + Thirteen stories high. + + + + +THE LITTLE ORPHAN + + + Like a little withered flower, + That is dying in the earth, + I am left alone at seven, + By her who gave me birth. + + With my papa I was happy, + But I feared he'd take another, + And now my papa's married, + And I have a little brother. + + + And he eats good food, + While I eat poor, + And cry for my mother, + Whom I'll see no more. + + + + +MIXED + + + Just outside my door, I heard someone say, + A man bit a dog in a dangerous way; + Such a message I n'er for a moment could stand, + So I took up the door and I opened my hand, + I snatched up the dog I should say double-quick + And threw him with all of my force at a brick; + The brick--I'm afraid you will not understand-- + I found in a moment had bitten my hand; + I mounted a chair, on a horse I was borne, + I blew on a drum, and I beat on a horn. + + + + +THE LITTLE GIRL'S DREAM + + + There was a little girl and she dreamed, folks say, + That her future mother-in-law came one day, + And gold and plated presents brought, + And a flowered gown and embroidered coat. + + + + +PAT A CAKE + + + Pat a cake, pat a cake, + Little girl fair, + There's a priest in the temple + Without any hair. + + You take a tile, + And I'll take a brick, + And we'll hit the priest + In the back of the neck. + + + + +THE GREAT WALL + + + The wily Emperor, Ch'in Shih Huang, + He built a wall both great and strong; + The steps were narrow, but the wall was stout, + So it kept the troublesome Tartars out. + + + + +A DILEMMA + + + Hard worm beans + Without any bother, + A wife he has married + And doesn't want his mother. + He must leave his mother, + Or quarrel with his wife, + And thus they are separated + All their life. + + + + +CRUEL LITTLE GLUTTON + + + He ate too much, + That second brother, + And when he had eaten + He beat his mother. + + + + +UNFORTUNATE + + + He pulled up the wick + With the candlestick knife, + And found he had married + A bald-headed wife. + + Her eyes were askew, + And her mouth was awry, + And the silly old fellow + Was so mad he could cry. + + + + +THE BRIDE + + + A newly made kettle is bright, + A newly bought pig is a bother, + A new married wife will not eat, + But cries and thinks of her mother. + + + + +A BAD BOY + + + There was a little fellow, + Who was mischievous, they say, + They sent him to the melon-patch + To watch it all the day. + They told him he must stay there + Till the melons all were white, + And not come home to mama, + Not even in the night. + + + + +THE CROWS + + + Look at the white-breasted crows overhead! + My father shot once, and ten crows tumbled dead. + When boiled or when fried, they taste very good, + But skin them, I tell you, there's no better food. + + + + +FRIENDS OF THE HOUSE + + + The thieving old magpie has taken our food, + The chicken eats millet as if it were good, + The faithful old watch-dog looks after the house, + And the cat has come over to catch us a mouse. + + + + +MY TEACHER AND I + + + As the sun came up, a ball of red, + My teacher rode on his horse ahead, + While I followed close on my dragon steed, + He by the street and I by the mead. + + + + +BUMP + + + Bump, bump go away, + Do not let our mama see; + If she sees you on baby's head, + She'll give no money for nurse's bread. + + + + +A RIDDLE + + + A plum blossom foot, + And a pudding face sweet, + He's taller when he's sitting + Than when standing on his feet. + + + + +THE CAKE SELLER + + + My pretty little son, + I love him best of all, + Three years I have not seen him, + And he's grown so very tall. + My horse he can ride, + My knife he can take, + Can shoulder up my kneading board + And help me sell my cake. + + + + +THE UNGRATEFUL SON + + + The tail of one magpie's as long as another, + He married a wife and he gave up his mother, + When asked by his mother to buy her some cake, + He wanted to know how much money 'twould take; + When his wife wanted pears he saddled his beast, + And started to market to buy her a feast; + He took off the peeling with very great airs, + And asked her politely to have a few pears. + + + + +DEBTOR + + + The magpie sells his bean-curd dear. + If you owe me, + Then you I would see + On just five days from the end of the year. + + + + +THE MISCHIEVOUS BOY + + + This mischievous boy + Is jumping around, + On his head is a candlestick + Weighing a pound; + He is able to play + All the nine kinds of tricks, + From the bell and the foot-ball + To wood-ball and sticks. + + + + +THE RICE SELLER + + + Someone is knocking loud at the door, + The dog is making a great uproar; + Now I inquire, who can it be? + 'Tis only a donkey-man I see, + Calling out at the top of his voice: + Here's the place to get your rice, + Coarse rice or fine, + Just to your mind, + Rice in the husk, + Or cleaned by the wind. + + + + +CHICKEN SKIN + + + I went ten steps outside the gate, + Which brought me to the ditches, + And there I found some chicken skin, + To mend my leather breeches; + If there had been no chicken skin, + I could not mend my trousers thin. + + + + +GRINDING FLOUR + + + We push the mill, + The flour we make, + And then for grandma + A cake we'll bake. + + + + +THE FARMER'S GUIDE + + + In Spring, plant the turnip, + In summer, the beet, + When harvest is over, + We sow the buckwheat. + + + + +PULLING THE SAW + + + We pull the big saw, + We push the big saw, + To saw up the wood, + To build us a house, + In order that baby + May have a good spouse. + + + + +THE DOCTOR'S PRESCRIPTION + + + A purse, a purse, for better or worse, + Indeed, would you know it, I've married a purse. + My wife's little daughter once fell very ill, + And we called for a doctor to give her a pill; + He wrote a prescription which now we will give her, + In which he has ordered a mosquito's liver, + And then in addition the heart of a flea, + And half pound of fly wings to make her some tea. + + + + +LITTLE BOUND FEET + + + There was a little girl, + Who would run upon the street, + She took rice and changed it + For good things to eat. + + Her mother lost control of her + Until she bound her feet, + But now she's just as good a girl + As you will ever meet. + + + + +THE FAT MERCHANT + + + The big fat merchant, + He opened up a stall, + But had to sell his trousers + To get the capital. + + + + +KITE FLYING + + + There were two little sisters went walking one day, + Partly for exercise--partly for play, + Their kites they took with them they wanted to fly, + Were a big centipede and a big butterfly; + In a very few moments they floated up high, + Like a dragon that seemed to be touching the sky. + + + + +WHAT IS IT? + + + It has both nose and eyes, + But it has not breathed since birth, + It cannot go to heaven, + And it will not stay on earth. + + + + +YELLOW DOG + + + Yellow dog, yellow dog, + You stay and watch, + While I gather roses + In the south rose-patch. + + + + +GET UP + + + The day has come, + I hear the cock; + Get up and dress, + 'Tis six o'clock. + + + + +THE BALD OLD WOMAN + + + On the top of the mount, + By the road, on a stone-- + Or a big pile of bricks-- + Sat a bald-headed crone. + + On her head were three hairs, + Which you'll reckon were thin, + In which she was trying + To wear a jade pin. + + She put it in once, + But once it fell out; + She put it in twice, + But twice it fell out. + + But the old woman said, + "I know what I'm about, + I'll not put it in + And it cannot fall out." + + + + +THE CLOTHES VENDER + + + While out selling clothes, + As our uncle must do, + He married a wife + Who is aunt to us two. + + She loves to eat cake, + As you'll readily see, + For she's left but a half one + For brother and me. + + + + +MAMA'S BOY + + + Do not fear, do not fear, + We'll put the pants on mama's dear, + Do not cry, do not cry, + We'll put the coat on mama's boy. + + + + +THE CAKE SELLER + + + Round bean cakes with red spots bright, + The blind who eat them receive their sight; + They cure the deaf and heal the lame, + And preserve the teeth of the aged dame. + + The bald who eat them grow a cue, + And the priest can read his bible through, + They help the Taoist a seat to take. + + Their virtues are many--buy my cake. + The man who eats fears not his wife, + And the woman works better all her life. + + + + +THE SPIDER + + + Oh, my dear brother spider, + With your stomach big and red, + From the eaves you are hanging + On a single little thread. + + + + +THE SMALL PUG DOG + + + The small pug dog, + It jumped over there; + It has no tail, + And it has no hair. + + It never will bark, + If a stranger come, + But runs here and there + Like a dog that is dumb. + + + + +THE LITTLE BOY + + + The little boy, + He bought some oil, + But fell and spilled it + On the soil. + + His mother said: + You careless lad, + I'll box your ears, + Because you're bad. + + + + +THE MAGICIAN + + + A big, dead snake is lying there, + It has no ears and it has no hair; + I breathe on it some magic air, + And it lives and is running everywhere. + + + + +RIDE A COCK HORSE + + + Up you go, + Down you see, + Granny's come + To pour the tea; + The tea is sweet, + The wine is too; + There are eighteen camels + With clothes for you, + The clothes are heavy, + And the dragon-fly + Has spurted water + On your ankle-tie. + Sister, sister, + Stop your fuss, + To-morrow the cart + Will come for us; + What cart, you ask, + The cart, of course, + With large, red wheels, + And a big, white horse; + And in it a beautiful girl, I note, + With a squirrel cloak and an otter coat, + Her betel-nut bag is a needle-worked charm, + And the stem of her pipe is as long as your arm. + + + + +THE LITTLE SISTER + + + My little golden sister + Rides a golden horse slow, + And we'll use a golden whip + If the horse doesn't go. + + A little gold fish + In a gold bowl, we see, + And a gold colored bird + On a gold blossomed tree. + + A gold plated god + In a gold temple stands, + With a gold plated baby + In her gold plated hands. + + + + +A RIDDLE + + + A cock's comb flower he wears on his head. + For his clothes he needs neither thimble nor thread; + Though you be a great man, I'd have you know, + Ten thousand doors would open if he should crow. + + + + +THE BRIDE + + + The moon shines bright, + The moon shines fair, + The girl wants wedding gifts to wear in her hair; + A few blocks of powder, + Some incense tips, + And two hundred rouge-pads to paint cheeks and lips. + + + + +POUNDING RICE + + + Pound, pound, + Pound the rice, + The pestle goes up and down so nice, + Open the pot, + The fire is hot, + And if you don't eat + I'll feed you rice. + + + + +OUR BABY + + + Mrs. Chang, Mrs. Lee, + Mama has a small baby; + Stands up firm, + Sits up straight, + Won't eat milk, + But lives on cake. + + + + +BEAN SPROUTS + + + Good bean sprouts, + The water dropping out; + Where's the wife that dares to drive her husband's father out? + He'd take up a stick, + And hit her a lick, + And she could only shake her sleeve and run off quick. + + + + +THE LITTLE GIRL + + + The little girl + Sits on the stool, + And sews the shoe + And beats the sole. + + + + +VISITORS + + + The wolf has come, + The tiger has come, + The old priest follows, + Beating a drum. + + + + +SHOE-MAKER + + + He stitches the heel, + And he stitches the sole, + Two measures of millet he gets for the whole; + They steam it, or fry it, + When hungry they feel, + And he eats with his mother a very good meal. + + + + +TWO WONDERS + + + All come and see! + All come and see! + A black hen laid a white egg for me! + Oh, look there! + Oh, look there! + A great, big rat all covered with hair! + + + + +DO AS YOU OUGHT + + + In the first month, when it is night, + If you are wise, your lamp you'll light; + And when the second month you meet, + If you are hungry you should eat; + And in the third month most of all, + To build a house you must lay a wall. + + + + +MY NEPHEW + + + My nephew is a naughty boy, + He comes here every day, + He eats until he's very full, + And then he runs away. + + + + +RED PEPPER FLOWER + + + A red pepper flower, + Ling, ling, ling, + Mama will listen + And baby will sing. + + + + +DON'T BE CRUEL + + + A mule going up hill, + A donkey on the street, + Or a horse coming down hill + You never ought to beat. + + + + +FLOWER POT + + + A wee little flower-pot, very deep green, + With just the sweetest flowers that ever were seen; + Mother with her babies playing very funny, + Father doing business, making lots of money, + Grandpa very old, but never going to die, + Grandma just as bright as a star in the sky. + + + + +A NEW BABY + + + A gilt-wood mace, + And silvered things, + My grandfather plays, + And grandmother sings; + My grandmother sings till broad daylight, + And a baby comes to our home at night; + They place the child by the pot on the ground, + And it eats rice soup with a sucking sound. + + + + +THE DEAD CICADA + + + The rain has come + And has overflowed, + The dew and the frost + Are on the road. + + The last of the grass + Has drooped its head, + The cicada is on it, + Frozen dead. + + + + +BROTHER WANTS FRUIT + + + My dear little brother, + Is fat and is round, + A bracelet he wears on his arm, + A red chest protector, + A green pair of pants, + Keep him neither too cool nor too warm. + + A small tuft of hair + On the side of his head, + In his cheeks dainty dimples that suit; + When he toddles he trembles, + To sister he says: + "Tum an' buy itty bothy some f'uit." + + + + +THE OLD WOMAN + + + There was an old woman, + As I have heard tell, + She went to sell pie, + But her pie would not sell. + + She hurried back home, + But her door-step was high, + And she stumbled and fell + And a dog ate her pie. + + + + +FROGGIE + + + Froggie, old froggie, + Come over to me; + You'll never go back + To your home in the sea. + + You're an idle old croker + As ever I saw, + And if not calling papa, + You're calling mama. + + + + +THE LAZY WOMAN + + + The lazy woman + She sweeps the floor, + And leaves the dirt + Inside the door. + + She cooks her rice + In a dirty pot, + And sleeps at night + On an old straw cot. + + + + +THE TIDY WOMAN + + + The tidy woman + Is always clean, + No dirt in her home + Is ever seen. + + Her food is fit + For a king to eat, + And her hair and clothes + Are always neat. + + + + +E NI ME NI MI NI MO + + + One, two, three, and an old cow's eye, + When a cow's eye's blind she'll surely die; + A piece of skin and a melon, too, + If you have money + I'll sell to you; + But if you're without, + I'll put you out. + + + + +FINGER TEST + + + You strike three times on the top, you see, + And strike three times on the bottom for me, + Then top and bottom you strike very fast, + And open a door in the middle at last. + + + + +TEN FINGERS + + + Three horses are drinking, + Three horses are feeding, + The two men are fighting, + The old woman pleading, + The baby is crying, + But no one is heeding. + + + + +FACE GAME + + + Knock at the door, + See a face, + Smell an odor, + Hear a voice, + Eat your dinner, + Pull your chin, or + Ke chih, ke chih. + + + + +THE FLOWER SELLER + + + Flowers for sale, + Flowers for sale, + Come, buy my flowers, + Before they get stale. + + + + +MAKING A FLOWER POT + + + You first cross over and then cross back, + And step in the well as you cross the track, + And then there is something else you do, + Oh, yes, you make a flower-pot too. + + + + +WATERING THE FLOWERS + + + I water the flowers, I water the flowers, + I water them morning and evening hours, + I never wait till the flowers are dry, + I water them e'er the sun is high; + A basin of water, a basin of tea, + I water the flowers, they're op'ning, you see; + A basin of water, another beside, + I water the flowers, they're opening wide. + + + + +BALD HEAD LEE + + + There once was a bald-head, his name it was Lee, + No one ever burned so much incense as he; + Now, people burn incense to get them an heir, + But baldy burned incense to get him some hair. + + When he found in three days all his hair had returned, + He the god gave a coat and more incense he burned; + When he found in three days all his hair had dropped out, + He upset the god and he kicked him about. + + Then the god became angry and took up a sword, + And made into dippers that bald-headed gourd. + + + + +THE KING WILL WANT YOU + + + When the leaves are green, + And full of life, + The king will want you + For his wife. + + When the leaves are yellow + From time and tide, + The king will want you + For his bride. + + + + +DON'T STEAL + + + If you steal a needle, + Or steal a thread, + A pimple will grow + Upon your head; + If you steal a dog + Or steal a cat, + A pimple will grow + Beneath your hat. + + + + +THE SHREW + + + All over the ground the old black woman rolled, + And for not buying powder her husband did scold; + He bought her some powder, which she would not use, + And for not buying hemp him she'd soundly abuse; + He bought her some hemp, but she only got worse, + And scolded because he had not bought a horse; + He bought her a horse but she never would feed it, + And scolded because 'twas a clothes-press she needed; + He bought her a clothes-press, but nothing she packed, + And scolded because twas a rope that she lacked; + He bought her a rope and she hung herself dead, + And frightened her husband near out of his head. + + + + +A MISTAKE + + + A scarred-eyed man, + He went to the fair, + He picked up a turnip + And thought it was a pear; + He took a big bite, + But found it was bitter, + And, oh, what a pity, + He threw it in the gutter. + + + + +THE BLIND MAN + + + Old Mr. blind man, come here quick, + I see you carry a feeling-stick; + To the river side you take your way, + And feed the froggies every day; + A frog, one day, stuck out his head, + And bit your toe, I've heard it said. + + + + +A TRAGEDY IN THREE ACTS + + + A small boy came from the south of the farm, + With a bamboo basket upon his arm, + With mutton bones was the basket filled, + From a sheep which his folks that day had killed. + + A monkey came from a pile of stones + To steal that boy's fresh mutton bones, + But a big, spotted dog followed close at his heels, + To bite a bad monkey whenever he steals. + + A half of a brick lay there on the road, + It upset the boy and he spilt out his load, + The dog bit the monkey, the monkey ran away, + The boy broke his basket and cried all day. + + + + +PULLING THE SAW + + + We pull the big saw, + And we push it out straight, + There's a Punch and a Judy + At grandmother's gate, + Our sisters and brothers + Invite to the show, + And all of us, even + The baby, shall go. + + + + +THISTLE-SEED + + + Thistle-seed, thistle-seed, + Fly away, fly, + The hair on your body + Will take you up high; + Let the wind whirl you + Around and around, + You'll not hurt yourself + When you fall to the ground. + + + + +THE LITTLE STUDENT + + + While raking the hay on the mountain, + A student came riding along, + He was riding a dapple-gray pony, + And singing a scrap of a song. + + To the home of his bride he was going, + But her father and mother were out, + And he saw, as he pushed the door open, + The girl he was thinking about. + + Her cheeks were as pink as a rose-bud, + Her teeth were as white as a pearl, + Her lips were as red as a cherry, + Most truly a beautiful girl. + + + + +THE FIVE FINGERS + + + A great big brother, + And a little brother, so, + A big bell tower, + And a temple and a show, + And little baby wee wee, + Always wants to go. + + + + +THE FIVE FINGERS + + + This one's old, + This one's young, + This one has no meat, + This one's gone + To buy some hay, + And this one's on the street. + + + + +OLD MOTHER WIND + + + Old Mother Wind + Come this way, + And make our baby + Cool to-day. + + + + +WASH + + + Wash your face, you little tease, + And you'll be free from all disease; + Wash your head, your face, and throat, + And you shall have a red silk coat. + + + + +EIGHT BALD-HEADS + + + A bald-head is sick, + And the second's afraid, + The third calls a doctor, + The fourth gives him aid. + + By the fifth he is borne, + By the sixth he is buried, + The seventh comes crying + Because he is worried. + + When asked by an eighth, + Why it was that he cried, + He said, "In my home, + A dear bald-head has died." + + "Come, bury him quickly, + I fear a great hoard + Of the seeds of his spirit + Will spring from his gourd." + + + + +TURNING THE MILL + + + The big dog's gone to the city, + The little dog's run away, + The egg has fallen and broken, + And the oil leaked out, they say, + But you be a roller, + And hull with power, + And I'll be a mill-stone + And grind the flour. + + + + +SWALLOW'S NEST + + + Pat, pat, + A swallow's nest we'll make, + And if we pat some money out + We'll buy ourselves a cake. + + + + +THE LOCUST TREES + + + The locust trees, + See how they grow! + Here in their shade + We will have a show. + + Other people's children + All have come, + But my little girl + Is still at home. + + Just as I speak, + She is coming along, + Riding a donkey + And singing a song. + + Her parasol open + She holds in her hand, + Her hair is done up + In a neat little band. + + + + +THE WEDDING + + + Beat the drum, beat the drum, + We're coming in a chair, + Who will clear the way + For the girl that's coming here? + Beat the drum, beat the drum, + See, the chair is coming, + Ho'rh ho! clear the way! + Don't you hear the drumming? + + + + +THE PIG-STYE + + + On the top of a mountain + There stands a pig-stye + And the fighting of parents + Has made the child cry. + + Baby, baby, + Don't you cry, + Wait, and I'll whip + The old man by-and-by. + + + + +THE CAMEL-BACK BRIDGE + + + If you chance to be crossing + The camel-back bridge, + Each step leads you up + Till you come to the ridge. + + The lantern-grass floats + On the pond like a sail, + The silver-fish bites + At the gold-fish's tail. + + The big-bellied frog + Sitting there on the rock, + Keeps constantly calling + Wa'rh wa, wa'rh wa. + + + + +THE SENSES + + + Little eyes see pretty things, + Little nose smells what is sweet, + Little ears hear pleasant sounds, + Mouth likes luscious things to eat. + + + + +CAKE BAKING + + + We turn the cake, + The cake we bake, + We put in oil, or pork, or steak + And when 'tis done, + We'll have some fun, + And give a piece to every one. + + + + +WEDDING FEAST + + + A big cow's horn + We will blow, blow, blow, + To our sister's wedding feast + We will go, go, go. + + Who will drive the cart? + My big brother; + Who will eat the feast? + A sister of my mother. + + Who will pack her trunk? + My sister, whom you saw; + Who will light the fire? + Her own mother-in-law. + + + + +ROAST PORK + + + Roast, roast, Roast pig meat, + The second pot smells bad, + The big pot is sweet; + Come, Mrs. Wang, please, + And eat pig meat. + + + + +GOING TO TOWN + + + Up you go, down you see, + Here's a turnip for you and me, + Here's a pitcher, we'll go to town, + Oh, what a pity we've fallen down; + What do you see in the heavens bright? + I see the moon and the stars at night; + What do you see in the earth, pray tell? + I see in the earth a deep, deep well; + What do you see in the well, my dear? + I see a frog, and his voice I hear; + What is he saying there on the rock? + Get up, get up; ke'rh kua, ke'rh kua. + + + + +THE MISCHIEVOUS SISTER-IN-LAW + + + Oh the pumpkin red, oh the gourd decayed, + I am my father's mischievous maid; + I am my brother's dear little sister; + I am my sister-in-law's fly-blister. + Father, when I marry, what will you give? + A box and a ward-robe you shall receive. + + Mother, when I marry, what will you bring? + A little work-basket full of everything. + Brother, when I marry, what will come from you? + A fancy cloth towel; think that will do? + My happiness, sister, you will not mar? + I'll give a broken bottle and a little smashed jar, + And send you, you nuisance, away very far. + + + + +BUYING A LOCK + + + Oh, here we all go to buy us a lock, + What kind of a lock shall it be? + We'll buy one of silver or buy one of gold, + But what shall we use as a key? + We'll use a broom handle; if that will not do, + With a poker we'll try it alone; + But if neither the broom nor the poker will do, + We will open it then with a stone. + + + + +FORCING THE CITY GATES + + + He stuck a feather in his hat, + And hurried to the town, + And children met him with a horse, + For the gates were broken down. + + + + +HOME ON THE MOUNTAIN + + + On a very high mountain + A family dwell, + Of ten of their rooms, + Nine of them fell. + + The old man comes out + With a great deal of trouble; + His wife hobbles after, + Her body bent double. + + Their three-legged dog + Is as thin as a rail, + And their rat-fearing cat + Is minus a tail. + + + + +FAMILY NEEDS + + + You'll find whene'er the new year come, + The kitchen god will want a plum; + The girls will want some flowers new, + The boys will want some crackers, too; + A new felt cap will please papa, + And sugar-cake will please mama. + + + + +MY BOAT + + + My boat is turned up at both ends, + All storms it encounters it weathers + On its body you'll find not a board, + But covered all over with feathers. + + We daily re-load it with rice, + 'Tis admired by all whom we meet, + You will find not a crack in my boat, + But you'll find underneath it two feet: + _A duck_. + + + + +OLD GRANNY CHANG + + + Knocking, knocking, who's at the door? + Old Granny Chang, and nothing more. + + Why don't you enter, granny, dear? + The dog will bite me, child, I fear. + + What are you shaking there at your feet? + A string of garlic, good to eat. + + What are you carrying under your arm? + An old fur cloak to keep me warm. + + Why don't you put the cloak on, granny? + Fear the insects will bite me, sonny. + + Why don't your husband kill such a pest? + My husband's gone to the land of rest. + + Where is the old man's burial spot? + There, in the fire-place, under the pot. + + Why don't you cry for your husband true? + Old pot! old pan!! old man!!! boo-hoo!!!! + + + + +BLIND MAN'S BUFF + + + A peacock feather + On a plum-tree limb, + You catch me, + And I'll catch him. + + + + +THE FIVE TOES + + + This little cow eats grass, + This little cow eats hay, + This little cow drinks water, + This little cow runs away, + This little cow does nothing, + But just lie down all day; + We'll whip her. + + +[Illustration: SEVENTEEN HUNDRED BABIES] + + +_Printed in the United States of America_ + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + + +Special formatting to match illustrated pages removed. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Chinese Mother Goose Rhymes, by Various + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40425 *** |