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We have placed this Nursery Rhyme, There was a little man, in our category 'Lost Lyrics of an Old Nursery Rhyme'. Can you help us identify the the place of origin or history of this lesser known children's nursery rhyme? Alternatively, do you know of any Nursery Rhymes that we might include in this unusual section? Can you remember a nursery rhyme that we have not included? Please e-mail us with any suggestions and become part of our Nursery Rhyme site (we will credit you with any additions!) Help us to maintain our history and heritage through the words and lyrics of the humble Nursery Rhyme. Contact us at webmaster@rhymes.org.uk we'd love to hear from you!

Help us to maintain our history and heritage through the words and lyrics of old Nursery Rhymes like 'There was a little man'

There was a Little Man
Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history

There was a little man
Who wooed a little maid;
And he said; "Little maid, will you wed, wed, wed?
I have little more to say

So will you ay or nay?
For the least said is soonest men-ded, ded, ded."
Then the little maid replied:
"Should I be your little bride

Pray what must we have for to eat, eat, eat?
Will the flame that you’re so rich in
Light a fire in the kitchen?
Or the little God of Love turn the spit, spit, spit?"

Alternative words: Our thanks go to Anna for these alternative words
Alternative Words to 'There was a Little Man'

There was a little man,
Who wooed a little maid,
And he said, "Little maid, will you wed, wed, wed?
I have little more to say,
So will you, yea or nay,
For the least said is soonest mended-ded, ded, ded."

Then the little maid she said,
Little sir, you've little said,
To induce a little maid for to wed, wed,wed,
You must say a little more,
And produce a little ore,
Ere I to the church will be led, led,led

Then the little man replied,
If you'll be a little bride,
I will raise me love notes a little higher, higher, higher,
Though I little love to prate,
Yet you'll find my heart is great,
With the little God of Love all on fire, fire, fire

The little maid replied,
"Should I be your little bride,
Pray, what must we have for to eat, eat, eat?
Will the flame that you're so rich in
Light a fire in the kitchen?
Or the little God of Love turn the spit, spit, spit?"

Then the little man he sighed,
And some say a little cried,
And his little heart was big with sorrow, sorrow, sorrow,
I'll be your little slave,
And if the little that I have,
Be too little, little dear, I will borrow, borrow, borrow.

Then the little man so gent,
Made the little maid relent,
And set her little soul a-thinking, king, king,
Though his little was but small,
Yet she had his little all,
And could have of a cat but her skin, skin, skin.

There was a Little Man
Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history