Old Tom Bumble

DESCRIPTION: Toe-counting rhyme, starting with the smallest toe and going to the big toe: "Little (Pea), Penny Rue, (Judy) (Whistle), Mary (Hustle/Tossle), And (Old/Big) Tom Bumble/Bumblebee."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 2024 (Piotr-Archrive), although there are many undated versions around the internet
KEYWORDS: nonballad
FOUND IN:
RECORDINGS:
Susan Waters, "Counting-Out Rhyme for Toes" (Piotr-Archive #783, recorded 01/22/2024)
NOTES [71 words]: There are many versions of this floating around the internet, if you can guess how the words are spelled. No two that I have seen are the same, although the second toe (Penny Rue/Rue/Rou) and the largest (Big/Old Tom Bumble(bee)) seem to be slightly more fixed than the others.
At least one source claims this began as a "Scandinavian" rhyme, but no one seems to know the original or which Scandinavian country it comes from. - RBW
Last updated in version 7.2
File: DPio783

Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Song List

Go to the Ballad Index Instructions
Go to the Ballad Index Bibliography or Discography