What Shall I Buy?1
I’ve got a penny,
What shall I buy?
I’ll buy a—whistle,
That’s what I’ll buy.
I’ve got two pence,
What shall I buy?
I’ll buy a—pop-gun,
That’s what I’ll buy.
I’ve got three pence,
What shall I buy?
I’ll buy a—horsey,
That’s what I’ll buy.
Rut-a-tut-tuts!
Who can crack nuts?
Squirrels, can you?
“That we can, true—
Rut-a-tut-tuts,
We can crack nuts!”
Chicketty-chack,
Cracketty-crack.
“Pooh!” said the hammer,
“Silence your clamor,
Rut-a-tut-tuts—
Who can’t crack nuts?”
Notes
1 The charm of this thrilling ditty lies in allowing baby to suggest the last word of the third lines.