Actually, on checking, the exact words I know are a bit different but sentiment the same. They are as follows, so this is a Worcestershire derived version from my family use. There was once a little rabbit in a family of six, Such a troublesome young fellow, full of naughty little tricks, And he would not mind his mother,nor his father nor his aunt And I hardly like to tell you that sometimes he said "I shan't" One day this little rabbit was at mischief in the field And he did not see a sportsman lay behind the hedge concealed And his mother called "Come quickly or I'm sure you will be shot" But that naughty little fellow stood quite rooted to the spot. Well she'd hardly got the words out when Bang Bang was heard the sound And this naughty little rabbit lay quite dead up the ground And the huntsman came and took him and 'this many days gone bye Since the naughty little fellow was made into a pie. Now the moral to this story is never say I shan't And be sure to mind your mother and your father and your aunt. And if you're very lucky, are good and never lie, You may grow strong and healthy and not end in a pie! So a little different and the third verse is rather different but the moral verse was present. Hope this helps and long may the little rabbit from his family of six live on in folk memory! Paul
|