"I just looked up this rhyme because I also remember it from my childhood. My grandfather used it and it has come down my family ever since. I have never heard it anywhere else. My memory of it is as follows..." -Jon Hayter

Notes

Notice the similarity between this rhyme and Here Goes My Lord.

*****
Nancy Galea wrote:

My father used to recite this to us while bouncing us on his knees. Our version was a little different, it goes like this:

The Lord and the Lady
Went out in the park
To get a little airing
Before it got dark.

The lady went canter canter canter canter.
The Lord went trot trot trot trot trot.
Alongggg came a BIG man
Who had too much ginger ale and he went……
Galloping galloping galloping galloping!

His ancestors were mostly Scottish with an Irish great grandma and a French great-grandmother.

I'd love to hear if you ever find out more about the origins of the rhyme.

Sincerely,

Nancy

If anyone knows more about the origins of this rhyme or if you'd like to share your family's version, please email me. Thanks! -Mama Lisa

Game Instructions

This game is played with a child (not too young and not a baby) on your lap facing you with his/her legs wrapped around your legs for support.

Jon gave the game instructions as follows:

On "Amble amble" - Little bounces with your legs.
On "Gallop a gallop" - Big ones!
Then open your legs. While supporting the child, lean the child back (safely!) with their legs still wrapped round yours and still supporting them.

Comments

"I'm from England but this tale came from my grandfather who was chief of police in part of India for many years. My father and all his siblings were born there and returned to England later. And coincidentally 1880s would also have been my grandfathers era." -Jon

In the recording below, Jon recites the last line slightly different from above. He says, "Into the ditch he went!"

Download

Thanks to Jon Hayter for reciting this for us!

Thanks and Acknowledgements

Thanks to Jon Hayter for sharing this rhyme with us!