The Bells of St. Clements

Nursery Rhymes

The Bells of St. Clements

St Clements is a small church situated in St. Clements Lane, Eastcheap.

There have been three Churches on the site starting with the first in the 11th Century when the church is mentioned in a confirmation of grants to Westminster Abbey in 1067.

The original old Church was rebuilt in the 15th Century.

The second church was destroyed in 1666 during the Great Fire of London

The existing church was rebuilt in 1687 by Sir Christopher Wren (the great architect of St Paul's Cathedral).

The "Oranges and lemons" refer to the citrus fruits unloaded at the nearby wharves.

The Bells of St. Clements

"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. Clements

Nursery Rhymes - Lost Lyrics and Origins

Nursery Rhyme Index

Back to Rhyme

Note: A Rhymes lyrics and the perceived origins of some Nursery Rhymes vary according to location

Privacy Statement

Cookie Policy