Old Mrs. Lazibones
from MMF! Songbook

History
Old Mrs. Lazibones was written by Gerda Mayer of Chigwell, London, UK. It was first published in her book The Knockabout Show, a part of the "Poets for the Young" (Chatto & Windus, London 1978). It has appeared in many anthologies since, the latest being her own collected works, "Bernini's Cat" (IRON Press, 1999). It was first set to music by Wynn Hunt. Old Mrs. Lazibones is include in our collect by permission of the author.

Lyrics
Old Mrs. Lazibones
And her dirty daughter
Never used soap
And never used water.

Higgledy piggledy cowpat,
What d'you think of that?

Daisies from their fingernails,
Birds' nests in their hair-O,
Dandelions from their ears,
What a dirty pair-O!

Higgledy piggledy cowpat,
What d'you think of that?

Came a prince who sought a bride
Riding past their doorstep.
"Quick," said Mrs. Lazibones,
"Girl, under the water tap."

Higgledy piggledy cowpat,
What d'you think of that?

Washed her up and washed her down
Then she washed her sideways,
But the prince was far, far away,
He'd ridden off on the highways.

Higgledy piggledy cowpat,
What d'you think of that?

Sign up to receive the MakingMusicFun.net Newsletter so you don't miss a thing!