I've just disovered mudcat, and I've downloaded half the pages onto my computer! This stuff is so difficult to find, usually. BTW, out of interest, anyone know where I can study folklore/nursery rhyme/song origins at university? Or what the course would be called (besides 'English', because that covers a lot)?

Anyway. My mum (she's from Wimbledon, born 1957 - though she'll kill me for putting that online) learnt this song while camping as a child, and I was unable to find any lyrics online (apart from here!). But I've asked her about it, and she's found the book she wrote the songs in. It was a Colony Holidays camp for children (apparently), either in 1970 or 1971.

TO MARKET TO MARKET

To market to market went my brother Jim
But somebody threw a tomato at him
Now, tomatoes are soft and they don't hurt the skin
But this one it did, it was wrapped in a tin.

I once met a man who was tattered and torn
He was eating the grass on my front lawn
I said "If you're hungry, and in need of a snack,
The grass is much longer around at the back."

Get away
Get away
It's a jolly fine song
And I'll sing it again

Now Mary the milkmaid was milking the cow
But poor little Mary she didn't know how
- Along came the farmer and gave her the sack
So she turned - the-cow over and poured - the-milk back

Get away
Get away
It's a jolly fine song
And I'll sing it again

Oh 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
Oh 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,
Oh 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
It's a jolly fine song
And I'll sing it again