The Owl and
the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
'O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!'
Pussy said to the
Owl, 'You elegant fowl!
How charmingly sweet you sing!
O let us be married! too long we have tarried:
But what shall we do for a ring?'
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the Bong-tree grows
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose,
His nose,
His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.
'Dear pig, are you
willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?' Said the Piggy, 'I will.'
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.
Edward Lear
Most of the poems and prayers which I have used on Sundays have been religious, reflective pieces. This is the nonsense poem which my Mother used to recite for me as she prepared Sunday lunch. I love it.
I remember learning this poem when I was a child. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely! Mother recited it to me frequently, I asked for it even more frequently!
DeleteI remember learning this poem as a fairly small child and then reciting it in class on various occasions! Thanks for the memory. Catriona
ReplyDeleteThe poems we learnt as children remain so precious, don't they.
DeleteWe live across the water from Portsmouth harbour, and as we walk to the castle by the waters edge, we pass a house with a boat in the garden, it's planted up and has the theme of this poem, with everything on show. The little children love it.
ReplyDeleteThis old lady would love it too!
DeleteI love that poem, 🦉 and have taught it 🐖 to many children 🍯 over the years😸 - they love the rhythm ⛵and the nonsense 🦃and doing the different voices!🌙
ReplyDeleteI wish you had been my teacher! But mother did quite well,
DeleteI was waiting for the Sunday connection... it's a connection that goes very deep for you.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's "just" a personal connection but maybe it's about a secure childhood and thanksgiving for that.
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