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.

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