The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #28733   Message #2446216
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
20-Sep-08 - 09:01 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: The Alphabet Song variations
Subject: Lyr Add: TOM THUMB'S PICTURE ALPHABET (1744)
TOM THUMB'S PICTURE ALPHABET
^^
A was an archer, who shot at a frog;
B was a butcher, and had a great dog.

C was a captain, all covered with lace;
D was a drunkard, and had a red face.

E was an esquire, with pride on his brow;
F was a farmer and followed the plough.

G was a gamester, who had but ill luck;
H was a hunter, and hunted a buck.

I was an innkeeper, who loved to carouse;
J was a joiner, who built up a house.

K was King William, once governed this land;
L was a lady, who had a white hand.

M was a miser, and hoarded up gold;
N was a nobleman, gallant and bold.

O was an oyster girl, who went about town;
P was a parson, and wore a black gown.

Q was a queen, who wore a silk slip;
R was a robber, and wanted a whip.

S was a sailor, and spent all he got;
T was a tinker, and mended a pot.

U was a usurer, a miserable elf;
V was a vintner, who drank all himself.

W was a watchman, and guarded the door;
X was expensive, and so became poor.

Y was a youth, that did not love school;
z was a zany, a poor harmless fool.

"The earliest known nursery rhyme book "Tommy Thumb's (Pretty) Song Book" was published 'for the Diversion of all Little Masters and Misses' in 1744," in two tiny volumes. Note in Opie and Opie, "The Oxford Nursery Rhyme Book," 1955 (reprinted with corrections 1957, 1960).

I couldn't find this alphabet rhyme in Mudcat, although there are references to it in thread 28733: Alphabet
This particular rhyme is not known before that date.