We originally placed this Nursery Rhyme, Three wise men of Gotham , in our category 'Lost Lyrics of an Old Nursery Rhyme'.

Our grateful thanks goes to Stephen Stagg for submitting the following information:

"The (three) wise men of Gotham is popularly attributed to the village of Gotham in south Nottinghamshire, England. It was part of a series of tales of the Gotham men which originated in a Chapbook from the early 1700's."

These tales of Gotham men were apparently common-day heroes who outwitted King John who demanded high taxes by pretending to be insane. Other English villages, called Gotham, also lay claim to being the originators of this Nursery Rhyme. Gotham City (well known to lovers of Batman) was so called implying that this was a City of Fools!

Three Wise Men of Gotham
Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history

Three wise men of Gotham
Went to sea in a bowl:
And if the bowl had been stronger
My song would have been longer

Three Wise Men of Gotham
Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history