Father Goose, His Book L. Frank Baum
edited by
Introduction THERE is a fascination in the combination of jingling verse and bright pictures that always appeals strongly to children. The ancient “Mother Goose Book” had these qualities, and for nearly two centuries the cadences of its rhymes have lingered in the memories of men and women who learned them in childhood. The author and illustrator of “Father Goose” have had no intent to imitate or parody the famous verse and pictures of “Mother Goose.” They own to having followed, in modern fashion, the plan of the book that pleased children ages ago—and still pleases them. These are newer jingles and pictures for children of today, and intended solely to supplement the nursery rhymes of our ancestors.
Father Goose Old Mother Goose became quite new, And joined a Woman's Club; She left poor Father Goose at home To care for Sis and Bub. They called for stories by the score, And laughed and cried to hear All of the queer and merry songs That in this book appear. When Mother Goose at last returned For her there was no use; The goslings much preferred to hear The tales of FATHER GOOSE.
Why? Why does the doggy bark, papa, Why does the doggy bark? The reason why, if you must know, Is that the little dog can't crow, And so he has to bark. Why does the rooster crow, papa? Why does the rooster crow? The reason why I'll tell to you; Because the rooster cannot mew, And so he has to crow. Why does the kitten mew, papa, Why does the kitten mew? The reason why I'm forced to say Is that the kitten Can not bray, And so she has to mew.
Why does the donkey bray, papa, Why does the donkey bray? The reason for the donkey's bray Is that the beast was born that way, And so, he has to bray.
Did You Ever See a Rabbit? Did you ever see a rabbit climb a tree? Did you ever see a lobster ride a flea? Did you ever? No, you never! For they simply couldn't do it, don't you see! Did you ever see a fire burn with snow? Did you ever climb a ladder down below? Did you ever? No, you never! For these things cannot happen, don't you know? Did you ever see a ship sail on the land? Did you ever hold a mountain in your hand? Did you ever? No, you never! For it really can't be done, you understand.
To Walk Jim Jones To walk Jim Jones was not contented, And so an airship he invented; He sailed away One Summer day And people say He won't return very soon, For Jim Jones sailed up to the moon.
Clockwork Man Now, once I owned a funny man, A clockwork was inside him; You'd be surprised how fast he ran When I was there beside him. He was the pride of all the boys Who lived within our town; But when this man ran up a hill He always would run down!
Tick Tock “TickTock! TickTock!” Don't you hear our friend the clock? With his pendulum so swinging All the day he's softly singing “TickTock!” TickTock!” Can't you hear our friend the clock?
This Bold Boy This bold boy had done no wrong; His hair had simply grown too long. So Auntie placed the bowl just so To see how far the shears could go. Now the boy is full of glee; His hair is nicely cut, you see; And Auntie gives her head a bob, To see how well she did the job.
There Was a Goose There was a Goose in Syracuse And full of fun was he; He met a Clown and bought his gown And thought a clown he'd be. But for his jokes the little folks Had very little use: And when the Clown danced up and down They thought he was a Goose!
Mister Jinks Have you seen Mister Jinks, Mister Jinks, Mister Jinks, Have you seen him when he's walking down the street? He nods and then he winks And most everybody thinks That is smile is really beautiful and sweet. Have you seen Mister Jinks, Mister Jinks, Mister Jinks, Have you seen him when he's walking down the lane? He's full of fun and folly, He's round and fat and jolly, And we're always glad to see his face again.
Little Barelegs Runs Little Barelegs runs and races all the day; Birds and butterflies she chases far away. In the brook she wades, and wishes She could hook the little fishes Just to cook them in her dishes while at play.
Who's Afraid? Who's afraid? Ev'ry Goblin, known of old, Perished years ago, I'm told. Ev'ry Witch, on broomstick riding, Has been burned or is in hiding. Burglars dare not venture near When they know that papa's here. Lions you now only see Caged in the menagerie. And the Grizzly Bear can't hug When he's made into a rug— Who's afraid?
The Cats They Sit The cats they sit upon the fence At night, And show they hav'n't any sense Of right, By making such a noise They wake the girls and boys And caterwaul till they commence To fight.
A Sailor from China There once came a sailor from China, And he fell in love with Aunt Dinah. And he laughed till he cried And he cried till he sighed: “Oh , why wont you have me, Aunt Dinah?” Then you should have heard old Aunt Dinah Reply to this sailor from China, Saying “Sir don't you see I could never agree With a sailor that once lived in China.”
If Johnny Had No Eye If our Johnny had no eye Not a single thing he'd spy; If our Johnny had no nose He could never smell the rose; If our Johnny had no ear Not a thing could Johnny hear; And his mouth is made to talk, And his feet are made to walk 'Tis no wonder that I say Johnny's made a funny way!
Sally Dance Have you seen little Sally Dance the Ostrich Dance? The dainty way she does it Will surely you entrance. With the left foot here, And the right foot there, And the ostrich feathers waving In her golden hair: She's Surely very charming— You'll see it at a glance— When little Sally dances In the Ostrich dance.
Old Mister Micklejohn Old Mister Micklejohn Had a leg of hickory on; He went hippity, He went hoppity, Hip, hip, hop, To the baker's shop. Bought a loaf and ate it up, Bought some tea and drank a cup. Then went hippity, Hip, hip, hoppity, Home again from the baker's shop.
Baby Found a Feather Baby found a feather in the hall; Baby saw the masks upon the wall; She tickled first a chin Till it began to grin, And wondered why the other one did bawl.
Jack Lantern A pumpkin in pies We all of us prize; And surely no pumpkin a boy would affright. But a jacklantern light Is a terrible sight And scares all the children that walk out at night.
A Bumble Bee A BumbleBee was buzzing On a yellow hollyhock When came along a turtle Who at the be did mock. Saying, “prithee, Mr. Bumble,” Why make that horrid noise? It's really distracting, And every one annoys.” “I'm sorry,” said, quite humble, The buzzing, droning Bee, “The noise is just my bumble, And natural, you see. And if I didn't buzz so, I'm sure that you'll agree I'd only be a big fly, And not a BumbleBee.”
Grandpa's Head Grandpa's head is rather bald, Bald the baby's too; Grandpa has n't many teeth, Baby has a few. Grandpa sits within his chair All the livelong day, Watching baby sitting there Busy at his play.
Uncle Dick Gave Me a Dolly Uncle Dick gave me a dolly, Funny doll, as you can see; 'Twas an Injun, so he called my Dolly “Aborrigine.” Dolly's made of rags and patches, Can't be broke by girls like me; So I think he'll last Forever— Funny “Aborigine.”
Captain Bing Captain Bing was a Pirate King, And sailed the broad seas o'er; On many a lark he sailed his bark Where none had sailed before, And filled his hold so full of gold That it would hold no more. The sea was smooth, and so, forsooth, They took a bit of leisure, And all the crew. good men and true A hornpipe dance for pleasure And had their fling, while Captain Bing Kept watch above the treasure. The wind it blew, and all the crew Were sorry that it blew so; If they were wrecked they might expect To share the fate of Crusoe, And ride the spars like jolly tars— All shipwrecked men must do so. The gale it roared, and all on board Began to say their prayers, And Captain Bing commenced to sing, To drown his many cares But when he found that he had drowned,
It took him unawares.
I Had a Dog I had a dog whose head was red. He always slept upon his bed. He always ate what he was fed And barked whene'er a word was said.
Little Tommy Toddlekin Little Tommy Toddlekin, He fell Down and bumped his shin; Hurt him sadly. Cried quite badly, Now his shin is well again.
Organ Grinder Have you seen the Organ Grinder With a monkey on a string? He stands upon the sidewalk And makes the music ring. And all the little children Around him dance and play And have a merry time Before he goes away. The monkey climbs the houses To windows everywhere, And gathers all the pennies The children have to spare.
Master Bunny Master Bunny looks so funny When he's sitting at his ease. Little Dick declares the trick Any audience will please.
Mr. Green Oh, have you seen Mr. Green? He is neither fat nor lean, Laughs and cries Smiles and sighs Eats and drinks Reads and thinks. Coughs and sneezes When he pleases Walks and ambles, Skips and gambols, Slumbers deep When asleep, Tears his clothes Where 'ere he goes, Always found where he is seen— Funny man is Mr. Green!
Elephant An elephant to a city went— Poor old elephant! And lived his life beneath a tent, Eating, drinking, thinking, blinking, With his trunk chain aclinking, Dreaming of the jungle cool, Juicy leaves and rippling pool— Poor old elephant!
Kitty Klymer Kitty Klymer had a dress. Gingham dress, all white and blue; Tried to pick a watercress, Tore her dress an inch or two! Home she ran, and in distress Took a thread and needle, too, Neatly mended her torn dress— Now it is as good as new.
LeeHiLungWhan LeeHiLungWhan Was a little Chinaman. Wooden shoes with pointed toes, Almond eyes and tiny nose. Pigtail long and slick and black, Clothes the same both front and back. Funny little Chinaman, Le*HiLungWhan. *Corrected in the sixth edition, but remains inThe Songs of Father Goose.
Little Nigger Boy There was a little nigger boy Hadn't any shoes; He heard his mammy shoo the hens And saved the shoos to use. There was a little nigger boy Hadn't any hat; He wore instead a cabbage leaf, It was so big and flat. There was a little nigger boy Hadn't any collar; And when the copper collared him Nigger boy did holler. There was a little nigger boy Hadn't any hose; He bought a pear, but couldn't wear It as you may suppose.* There was a little nigger boy Hadn't any coat; So he tried to borrow one From a nanny goat. *This stanza replaces the original third in
the sixth edition.
John Harrison Hoy John Harrison Hoy Was a cute Yankee boy, With a face that was freckled and red; “Each American boy Is a King,” said young Hoy, “For a crown always grows on his head.”
Polly Wants a Cracker “Polly wants a cracker!” The parrot loud did shout. “Here's a cracker, Polly,” Said little Dickey Stout. Poll took the cracker quickly, Not knowing it was loaded, But while she held it tightly It suddenly exploded. Polly gave an awful cry Of mingled pain and rage. She flew away from Dickey And hid within her cage.
Baby Pulled the Pussy's Tail Baby pulled the pussy's tail— Naughty boy! Pussy gave a painful wail Struggle hard without avail; Still the baby pulled her tail— Naughty boy! Pussy raised her little paw— Angry cat! Gave the baby's face a claw! Scratched his cheek till it was raw— Awf'lest scratch you ever saw— Think of that!
Patsy Bedad Patsy Bedad Was a bright Irish lad Who loved to work hard at his ease; “When I grow up,” said he, “I'll a gentleman be, For then I shall join the Police.”
Caterpillar I knew a Caterpillar Which crawled to see a miller, To ask if he would deign To sell a load of grain. But when he came to buy He became a Butterfly, So he couldn't use the grain And he flew away again.
Ding a Ling Dingalingalingling! Can't you hear the bell ring? First the man who sells the milk, Then a lady dressed in silk, Next a beggar asking bread, Glad to work when he is fed; Tingalingalingling! Can't you hear the bell ring? Now the gas man after money, Then a peddlar peddling honey; Then a plumber, then a drummer, Selling books to read in summer, Tingalingalingling! Can't you hear the bell ring?
Quite a Trick It's quite a trick ball to kick And very hard to catch it: Yet children say they love to play. And nothing else can match it.
Come Into Our Store Will you come into our store and spend your money? Will you come into our store and buy some honey? We have gingerbread and pies, And a host of naughty flies Think that eating up our stock is very funny!
The Bandit The Bandit is a handsome man, In operas he sings; He wears a wig and fierce moustache And many other things. He looks just like a robber bold, When on the stage he stands: Real bandits lived in times of old In distant, foreign lands.
Miss Nancy Puts on Airs Miss Nancy puts on airs When her sister's dress she wears. And thinks a grown up woman she can be. She courtesies and bows And struts in furbelows As fine as any lady you may see.
The BossieCow The BossieCow is big and red, Her eyes are round and bright,— And those great horns upon her head Are quite a horrid site. And yet the Bossie's very kind And good to us, I think: She's full of beefsteaks, you will find, And gives us milk to drink.
Standing on the Sidewalk Standing on the sidewalk, As if it were his lair, Before McFarlan's window, Was a big black Bear, His eyes were very small and fierce And wickedly did glare, A fact which all the children did deplore. But never once he left his post, In weather foul or fair, And though this may surprise you, It won't when I declare This awful brute was stuffed, And McFarlan put him there To serve as sign before his clothing store!
A Man Last Tuesday A man last Tuesday built a house Without a window in it; It had no roof, it had no floor, No doorway to go in it. It had no chimney, had no walls, Nor stairs of any kind; Because the man had built this house Entirely in his mind.
Goodness Me! Goodness me! Into the baby's mouth there goes A fat little tootsie with five little toes! Why baby does it, nobody knows. Thinks they are good to eat, I suppose— Goodness me!
Civilized Boy Pray, what can a civilized boy do now, When all the Dragons all are dead, And the Giants stout, that we have read about, Have never one a head? Now, wasn't it mean that Jack o'the Bean Should slay these monsters fast, And the other Jack should cut and hack When there weren't enough to last? The boys today are as bold as they say, As ever they were of yore; And they'd spill a flood of Dragon's Blood If Dragons lived any more.
Babies' Serenade Hear the babies' serenade: Tink a Tink a Tink! Sweetest music ever made, So the babies think. Johnnyboy will twang the string: Tum te tum tum tum! To the music's joyous swing, Lullabies he'll hum.
Dolly's Run Away Dolly's run away today, Dolly's run away! Gone from home abroad to roam And with the Gnome to play. Dolly's such a naughty girl When she does appear I am sure she must endure A scolding quite severe!
Annie Waters When Annie Waters lies asleep She's very fair to see, And mama thinks no little girl Could any sweeter be. When Annie Waters wakens up She romps with such a noise That mamma thinks she's really worse Than six or seven boys!
A Bee Flew Down A bee flew down and ate an ant, A bug he ate the bee; A hen then gobbled down the bug But failed the hawk to see. The hawk had eaten up the hen Before he saw the cat Which ate him up, but then a dog Ate pussy quick as scat! A wolf now sprang upon the dog And ate him in a trice, And then a lion ate the wolf And found him very nice. But when the lion fell asleep He said, “I really can't Imagine why that wolf should taste Exactly like an ant!
There Was a Whale There was a whale Who had no tail. And he was full of sorrow; He swam around Long Island Sound And tried a tail to borrow. “Your tale is sad And quite too bad,” The fishes all confided “But while our fins Are in our skins We'll never be divided.” But still his tail He did bewail To one fish or the other, 'Til they said “Oh Why don't you go And try to grow another!”
A Little Man Once there was a little man Who stepped upon my toes. He would not apologise And so I pulled his nose.
Buy a Goose Don't you want to buy a goose or else a gander? I've one to sell that could'nt well be grander; For his voice is loud and sweet And his meat is good to eat— To refuse to buy would surely be a slander.
Miss Nancy Brown Miss Nancy Brown she came to town, A basket by her side, All filled with mudpies neat and round That in the sun she'd dried. She wandered up and wandered down And tried to sell her pies, But only met with sneer and frown, To her intense surprise. Miss Nancy Brown she left the town And carried home her pies. And on the ground she threw them down, Which showed that she was wise.
Cootchie Cooloo Cootchie Cooloo Was a girl of Hindoo, Who was rather too large for her size; Her teeth were quite white And her nose was all right, But she had a bad squint to her eyes.
Here Is Paddy Geegan Here is Paddy Geegan, digging, Trying hard to make a well. Here is Paddy's billy goat, and Looking cross, I grieve to tell. With bowed head and eye that flashes Quickly at poor Pat he dashes. Now there's nothing more to tell— Both have fallen in the well.
Tim Jenkins Tried Tim Jenkins tried A horse to ride Which was so fond of shying That I declare High in the air The boy was quickly flying.
Rough Riders Rough Riders are The pride of war. But bucking bronchos truly Make riding rough And tough enough When they become unruly.
The Coogie Bird Oh have you heard the Coogie Bird? It sings a song that's quite absurd. It sings a song that is n't long, And the song that it sings at it flaps its wings Is “Qweeweewee” and “Qweeweewird!” Now isn't that song quite absurd, That's sung by the foolish Coogie Bird?
The Ship Will Go When breezes blow the ship will go A sailing o'er the sea; A flag apeak, she'll sail to seek Her country's enemy And win a name of glorious fame Ere she returns to me.
Donnegan There was a man named Donnegan Who wandered up and down, And always in the country stayed Unless he came to town. The people to him kindly said “What to you want, my man?” “'Tis work I want, oh, give me work!” Replied bold Donnegan. But though he wandered north and south, And traveled east and west, No work came to brave Donnegan Who passed his days at rest.
Chickens at Night Where do the chickens go at night— Heighho! Where do they go? Under the breast of their mother they rest, Finding her feathers a soft fluffy nest; And that's where the chicks go at night, Heighho! Yes, there's where the chicks go at night.
Cats Babies Have These are the cats the babies have In China, far away; They carry them where e're they go And love with them to play. When baby pulls their heads way down The cats will say “mieew,” As if they really were alive And knew the baby, too.
Sun Bear Dances The SunBear dances merrily Upon the ball so round, And has to balance warily Or fall upon the ground. To emulate a juggler great No better bear is found.
The Soldier The soldier is a splendid man When marching on parade; And when he meets the enemy He never is afraid. And when he fires his musket off He loads it up again; And when he charges on the foe Resistance is in vain. The soldier is a fearless man When he to war does go; He faces guns and never runs Unless 'tis at the foe. And when he marches home again He's called a hero bold. And many very wondrous tales Are by the soldier told.
Betsy Baker Once a girl named Betsy Baker Thought she'd like to be a Quaker; On her head she put a shaker Thinking that the shaker 'd make her Very like a real Quaker.
One Old Cat! One Old Cat! Batter's at the bat. Pitch and catch—the batter's out! Laugh and run and slide and shout— A very merry game is that. And they call it One old Cat!
Boy from Kalamazoo There was a boy from Kalamazoo Who ate too much hot celery stew. He felt quite ill But took a pill And now he feels as good as new.
Boy, A Tiny Mite There was a boy, a tiny mite, Who tried to fly a mighty kite, And then, alas! It came to pass Both boy and kite flew out of sight.
George Washington When George Washington was young And full of energy, He took his little hatchet And chopped a cherry tree. His father grew quite angry, This sorry sight to see, For he was very fond indeed Of that same cherry tree. And so he questioned Georgie: “Who did this thing?” said he. “I cannot tell a lie,” said George, “I chopped the cherry tree.” The father then wept tears of joy, At such brave honesty; “Your truthfulness is worth far more Than one small cherry tree.” And when his father walked away Georgie seized the ax with glee And hacked away 'till he had felled Another cherry tree. His father now returned in hast,
took Georgie on his knee, And said “I'll teach you to destroy My pretty cherry tree!” “Don't spank!” cried George; “I'll tell the truth, For still I'll honest be; 'Twas I, dear father, took the ax And chopped the cherry tree.” “Oh, ho!” Said Mr Washington “Unless I punish thee Thy truth will cost to me the loss Of every cherry tree!” 'Twas full a week before poor George Sat down with any ease, His father sold the hatchet And saved his cherrytrees.
Sammy Simpson Sammy Simpson all the day Loves at “Soldier Boy" to play. When it comes to candlelight He is glad to say “good night.”