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Muttley Origins: Clap-a-clap-a-handies (18) Origins: Clap-a-clap-a-handies 14 Apr 07


Hey folks: Need additional verses and an origin to this rhyme/chant

Was singing this to my daughter's youngest and helping her clap with it (she's VERY young) and thought, not for the first time that there must be more verses to it. My mother used to sing it with both my sister's and my children and she learned it from her mother and aunts - so it's probably a fairly well established 'chant' or rhyme.

My main request is firstly: where did it come from (the site of the market/source of the bell is Scottish in ours but bound to be different for others.

And secondly (and more importantly)

Are there any other verses anyone is aware of?

The rhyme is 'Penny Bell' or "Clap Handies" - depending on who sings it and the verse I am conversant with goes:

Clap-a-clap-a-handies
Mother's at the well
Father's gone to Edinburgh
To buy a Penny Bell

It has the 'feel' that there should be more.

If anyone can help I would be most grateful

Muttley


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