A Man of Words and not of Deeds
Nursery Rhyme
Lyrics, Origins and History

The inspiration of the nursery rhyme  'A man of words and not of deeds' might have originated in the words of the Elizabethan author John Fletcher 1579-1625 - John Fletcher was born Rye, Sussex, and buried in St. Saviour's, Southwark. He was a contemporary of William Shakespeare.The quotation "Deeds, not words" can be found in the  Lover's Progress (act III, sc. 6) by the Elizabethan playwright, John Fletcher.

This interesting picture, by the artist Faed, is a representation of William 'Shakespeare and Friends'. Those featured from left to right in this fascinating picture are:
Sylvester, Selden, Beaumont,Dorset, Camden, John Fletcher, Sir Francis Bacon, Ben Jonson, John Donne, William Shakespeare, Sir Walter Raleigh, the Earl of Southampton, Sir Robert Cotton, and Dekkar

A Man of Words and not of Deeds

Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history

A man of words and not of deeds
Is like a garden full of weeds
And when the weeds begin to grow
It's like a garden full of snow
And when the snow begins to fall
It's like a bird upon the wall
And when the bird away does fly
It's like an eagle in the sky
And when the sky begins to roar
It's like a lion at the door
And when the door begins to crack
It's like a stick across your back
And when your back begins to smart
It's like a penknife in your heart
And when your heart begins to bleed
You're dead, and dead, and dead indeed.

A Man of Words and not of Deeds

Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history

Nursery Rhymes Index     Lost Lyrics of Old Nursery Rhymes
Nursery rhyme lyrics and possible origins may vary according to location