The Carrion Crow

1

A carrion crow sat on an oak,
Derry, derry, derry, decco;
A carrion crow sat on an oak,
Watching a tailor shaping his cloak.
Heigh-ho! the carrion crow,
Derry, derry, derry, decco.

2

"O wife, bring me my old bent bow,"
Derry, derry, derry, decco;
"O wife, bring me my old bent bow,
"That I may shoot yon carrion crow."
Heigh-ho! the carrion crow,
Derry, derry, derry, decco.

3

The tailor shot, and he missed his mark,
Derry, derry, derry, decco;
The tailor shot, and he missed his mark,
And shot his old sow right through the heart
Heigh-ho! the carrion crow,
Derry, derry, derry, decco.

4

"O wife, bring brandy in a spoon,"
Derry, derry, derry, decco;
"O wife, bring brandy in a spoon,
"For our old sow is in a swoon."
Heigh-ho! the carrion crow,
Derry, derry, derry, decco.

Walter Crane

Walter Crane was an English artist and book illustrator, considered to be one of the most prolific and influential children's book creators of his generation. Born on August 15, 1845, and passing away on March 14, 1915, he was part of the Arts and Crafts movement and is known for his innovative contributions to children's literature. His work often combined art and poetry, aiming to educate and delight young readers.

Walter Crane

Aiken Drum

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

The Ass And The Lap Dog

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

The Peacock's Complaint

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

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Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

English

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Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

Nursery Rhyme. CLXXVI. Songs.

    A carrion crow sat on an oak,
        Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do,
    Watching a tailor shape his cloak;
        Sing heigh ho, the carrion crow,
        Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do.

    Wife, bring me my old bent bow,
        Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do,
    That I may shoot yon carrion crow;
        Sing heigh ho, the carrion crow,
        Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do.

    The tailor he shot and missed his mark,
        Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do,
    And shot his own sow quite through the heart;
        Sing heigh ho, the carrion crow,
        Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do.

    Wife, bring brandy in a spoon,
        Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do,

Unknown

The Crow & The Pitcher

How the cunning old Crow got his drink
When 'twas low in the pitcher, just think!
Don't say that he spilled it!
With pebbles he filled it,
Till the water rose up to the brink.

Use Your Wits

Walter Crane

An Alphabet Of Old Friends.

A

A carrion crow sat on an oak,
Watching a tailor shape his cloak.
"Wife, bring me my old bent bow,
That I may shoot yon carrion crow."
The tailor he shot and missed his mark,
And shot his own sow quite through the heart.
"Wife, wife, bring brandy in a spoon,
For our old sow is in a swoon."

B

Ba, ba, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes, marry, have I,
Three bags full.

One for my master,
One for my dame,
But none for the little boy
That cries in the lane.

C

Hen.    Cock, cock, I have la-a-ayed!
Cock. Hen, hen, that's well sa-a-ayed!
Hen.    Although I have to go bare-footed every day-a-ay!
Cock. (Con spirito.) Sell your eggs and buy shoes!
                 ...

Walter Crane

An Alphabet Of Old Friends

A

A carrion crow sat on an oak,
Watching a tailor shape his cloak.
"Wife, bring me my old bent bow,
That I may shoot yon carrion crow."
The tailor he shot and missed his mark,
And shot his own sow quite through the heart.
"Wife, wife, bring brandy in a spoon,
For our old sow is in a swoon."


B

Ba, ba, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes, marry, have I,
Three bags full.
One for my master,
One for my dame,
But none for the little boy
That cries in the lane.


C

Hen.    Cock, cock, I have la-a-ayed!
Cock. Hen, hen, that's well sa-a-ayed!
Hen.    Although I have to go bare-footed every day-a-ay!
Cock. (Con spirito.) Sell your eggs and buy shoes!
Sell your e...

Walter Crane

Nursery Rhyme. CLXXVII. Songs.

        [Another version from MS. Sloane, 1489, fol. 17, written in the time of Charles I.]

    Hic hoc, the carrion crow,
    For I have shot something too low:
    I have quite missed my mark,
    And shot the poor sow to the heart;
    Wife, bring treacle in a spoon,
    Or else the poor sow's heart will down.

Unknown

The Little Cock-Sparrow

1

A little cock-sparrow sat on a high tree,
A little cock-sparrow sat on a high tree,
A little cock-sparrow sat on a high tree,
And he chirrupped, he chirrupped so merrily.
He chirrupped, he chirrupped, he chirrupped, he chirrupped,
He chirrupped, he chirrupped, he chirrupped, he chirrupped,
A little cock-sparrow sat on a high tree,
And he chirrupped, he chirrupped so merrily.

2

A naughty little boy with a bow and arrow,
Determined to shoot this little cock-sparrow;

3

For this little cock-sparrow would make a nice stew,
And his giblets would make a nice little pie too.

4

"Oh, no," says cock-sparrow, "I won't make a stew,"
And he fluttered his wings, and away he flew.

Walter Crane