BACK TO RHYME

The joint dedication of St Anne's and St Agnes church was mentioned in a grant given by Westminster Abbey in 1467. The original church was devastated during the Great Fire of London in 1666 and was the eleventh church built by Sir Christopher Wren and finished in 1680 (he built 49 churches and the new St Paul's Cathedral!) The church was hit by a bomb during World War II and required extensive reconstruction. The "Kettles and Pans" refer to the utensils sold by the coppersmiths who worked nearby.

The Bells of St. Annes

"Gay go up and gay go down
To Ring the Bells of London Town
"Oranges and Lemons" say the Bells of St. Clements
"Bullseyes and Targets" say the Bells of St. Margaret's
"Brickbats and Tiles" say the Bells of St. Giles
"Halfpence and Farthings" say the Bells of St. Martin's
"Pancakes and Fritters" say the Bells of St. Peter's
"Two Sticks and an Apple" say the Bells of Whitechapel
"Maids in white aprons" say the Bells at St. Katherine's
"Pokers and Tongs" say the Bells of St. John's
"Kettles and Pans" say the Bells of St. Anne's
"Old Father Baldpate" say the slow Bells of Aldgate
"You owe me Ten Shillings" say the Bells of St. Helen's
"When will you Pay me?" say the Bells of Old Bailey
"When I grow Rich" say the Bells of Shoreditch
"Pray when will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney
"I do not know" say the Great Bell of Bow
Gay go up and gay go down
To Ring the Bells of London Town

The Bells of St. Annes