One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
"One, Two, Buckle My Shoe"
Roud #11284 |
| Written by |
Traditional |
| Published |
1805 |
| Written |
England |
| Language |
English |
| Form |
Nursery rhyme |
"One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" is a popular English language nursery rhyme and counting-out rhyme. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 11284.
Lyrics
Common modern versions include:
- One, two,
- Buckle my shoe;
- Three, four,
- Knock at the door;
- Five, six,
- Pick up sticks;
- Seven, eight,
- Lay them straight:
- Nine, ten,
- A big fat hen;
- Eleven, twelve,
- Dig and delve;
- Thirteen, fourteen,
- Maids a-courting;
- Fifteen, sixteen,
- Maids in the kitchen;
- Seventeen, eighteen,
- Maids a-waiting
- Nineteen, twenty,
- My plate's empty.[1]
Origins and meaning
The rhyme is one of many counting-out rhymes. It was first recorded in Songs for the Nursery, published in London in 1805. This version differed beyond the number twelve, with the lyrics:
- Thirteen, fourteen, draw the curtain,
- Fifteen sixteen, the maids in the kitchen,
- Seventeen, eighteen, she's in waiting,
- Nineteen, twenty, my stomach's empty.[1]
A version published five years later in Gammer Gurton's Garland (1810) had the different lines:
- Three, four, Lay down lower ...
- Eleven twelve, Who will delve...
- Fifteen, sixten, Maidsa-kissing...
- Nineteen, twenty, My Belly's empty.[1]
According to Henry Bolton, collector of counting rhymes in the 1880s, the rhyme was used in Wrentham, Massachusetts as early as 1780.[1]
References in popular culture
- A 1940 Agatha Christie novel used the rhyme in its title and story structure. Christie's version of the rhyme has the variation "Eleven, twelve, men must delve".
- The rhyme is used in medicine as a mnemonic for dealing with reflexes.
- A form of this nursery rhyme appears in several of the A Nightmare on Elm Street (from 1984) movies being chanted by children:
- One, two, Freddy's coming for you.
- Three, four, better lock your door.
- Five, six, grab your crucifix.
- Seven, eight, gotta stay up late.
- Nine, ten, never sleep again.[2]
- During his initial promotions, WWE wrestler the Boogeyman used a variation the above song.
- David and Punchinello did that rhyme while playing balls in "Wee Sing Grandpa's Magical Toys".
Notes