Gay go up and gay go down
To Ring the Bells of London Town
Oranges and Lemons say the Bells of St. Clements
Bullseyes and Targets say the Bells of St. Margaret's
Brickbats and Tiles say the Bells of St. Giles
Halfpence and Farthings say the Bells of St. Martin's
Pancakes and Fritters say the Bells of St. Peter's
Two Sticks and an Apple say the Bells of Whitechapel
Maids in white aprons say the Bells at St. Katherine's
Pokers and Tongs say the Bells of St. John's
Kettles and Pans say the Bells of St. Anne's
Old Father Baldpate say the slow Bells of Aldgate
You owe me Ten Shillings say the Bells of St. Helen's
When will you Pay me? say the Bells of Old Bailey
When I grow Rich say the Bells of Shoreditch
Pray when will that be? say the Bells of Stepney
I do not know say the Great Bell of Bow
Gay go up and gay go down
To Ring the Bells of London Town |
The exact date of origin is unknown but there was a Square Dance
called 'Oranges and Lemons' dating back to 1665, unfortunately there
are no known record of the lyrics which accompanied the dance but is
likely that the words were similar to that of the nursery
rhyme.
The neighbourhood names relate to some of the many churches of
London and the tune that accompanies the lyrics emulates the sound
of the ringing of the individual church bells. |
