Three Little Mice Sat Down to Spin
"My Irish grandmother used to sing this to me when I was a child. It has a moral to it about vanity and how it can lead to trouble. As with many old nursery rhymes it is a bit gruesome but it was supposed to be used as a learning device." -Lizabeth
Three Little Mice Sat Down to Spin
Nursery Rhyme
Three little mice sat down to spin
Pussy came by and she peeped in
What are you doing my little friends?
We're making coats for gentlemen
May I come in and bite off your threads?
Oh no gentle pussy, you'd bite off our heads
Little mice you're very wise
I love your whiskers and big brown eyes
Your house is the prettiest house I've seen
I'm sure there is room for both you and for me
The mice were so pleased, they opened the door
And pussy, she left them all dead on the floor.
Comments
"The modern versions of this omit the latter part, probably so to not upset little ears. My uncle used to always say when he was little 'naughty pussy - sing it again'." -Lizabeth
Six little mice sat down to spin.
Pussy passed by and she peeped in.
"What are you doing my fine little men?"
"We're weaving coats for gentlemen."
"Can I come in and cut off your threads?"
"Oh no, Mistress Pussy, you'd bite off our heads."
Said pussy, "I think you're wonderfully wise,
I love your long whiskers and your round black eyes."
The mice were so pleased that they opened their doors.
And pussy soon laid them all dead on the floor!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Lizabeth Souness for sharing this nursery rhyme with us and for commenting on it!
