A Poem Full of Puns
There are different versions of this poem. In early versions it's called "Questions". The earliest version we've found is from 1894. You can find that version in the Notes.
A Poem Full of Puns
Poem
Do ships have eyes when they go to sea?
Are there springs in the oceans bed?
Does the jolly tar (1) flow from a tree?
Does a river lose its head (2)?
Are fishes crazy when they go in Seine (3)?
Can an old hen sing her lay (4)?
Can you bring relief to a window pane?
Or mend the break of day?
What sort of a vegetable is a policeman's beat?
Is a newspaper white when it is read?
Is a baker broke when he's making dough?
Is an undertaker's business dead?
Is the wallpaper store a good hotel?
(Because of the borders there?)
Would you paint a rabbit on a bald man's head,
Just to give him a bit of hare?
If you ate a square meal, would the corners hurt?
Can you dig with the ace of spades?
Would you throw a rope to a lemon.
Just to give a lemonade?
Notes
(1) Tar means a sailor. The Jolly Tar also an establishment that opened as an inn in 1855.
(2) A River Head is British English for the source of the river's water.
(3) In Seine (the river) - the pun is on the word "insane".
(4) Lay can refer to a song or tune.
*****
Here's a version from 1894 from "Pick-me-up" (Vol. 5, London)...
Do ships have eyes when they go to sea?
Are there springs in the ocean's bed?
Does a "jolly tar" ooze from a tree?
Can a river lose its head?
What kind of food is a watchman's beat?
Can an old loom sing its lay?
Can a poem trip without its feet?
What notes does a gambler play?
Will a blacksmith's vice condemn his soul?
Can a book be white and read?
To whom does the church bell pay its toll?
Who shingles a watershed?
If a minstrel boy can sing his lay,
Can a ship sing her "lay-to"?
Do tigers ask for grace when they prey?
Can a bugle note come due?
Is "Father Time" a noted thief
For stealing the hours away?
Can you give a window-pane relief?
Can you mend the break of day?
Will a foreign clime make anyone tired?
Is a mountain climb like May?
Can a haul of fish for balls be hired?
Can donkeys feed on a brae?
Is a purchase made when shoes are soled?
Can an axe the rainbow hue?
If I keep on twisting the tale I've told,
Pray what will your readers do?
Comments
Check out an American poem with puns called Have You Ever Seen?
![Watch](https://www.mamalisa.com/images/ml_images/watchEnglish.png)
Do ships have eyes when they go to sea?
Are there springs in the ocean bed?
Does the Jolly Tar flow from a tree?
Can a river lose its head?
Could you bring relief to a window pane?
Or mend the break of day?
Would you paint a rabbit on a bald man's head,
Just to give him a bit of hare?
If you ate a square meal would the corners hurt?
Can you dig with the Ace of spades?
Would you throw a rope to a drowning lemon,
Just to give a lemon aid?
Thanks!