Hi Lighter

This is what my uncle can remember of the version he and my mother learnt as children in the 1930s (my mother remembers even less of it):

O dear what can the matter be
Three old ladies locked in a lavatory
They were there from Sunday to Saturday
Nobody knew they were there

They had all gone out to tea with the Vicar
They went in together because it was quicker
The lock of the door was a bit of a sticker
Nobody knew they were there

The first was called Elisabeth Porter
She only went in to dispose of some water
They sought her and sought her and sought her and sought her
Nobody knew she was there

The second was called Elisabeth Bender
She only went in to adjust her suspender
They...
Nobody knew she was there

Sorry for the missing line and no more verses!


A lot of it quite different from the DT version. And I have heard the first two verses often enough sung in singsongs that I think DT should really add them.

And I believe "three old ladies" is still the most common number of victims in the UK, even now.

I still think you should update the Wikipedia article ...