> Tim Hart and Friends > Songs > Oranges and Lemons

Oranges and Lemons

[ Roud 13190 ; Ballad Index BGMG640 ; DT ORANGLEM , ORNGLEM2 ; Mudcat 2710 , 86816 ; trad.]

Tony Wales sang a medley of four children’s singing games: The Farmer’s in His Den, Nuts in May, Poor Mary Sits A-Weeping and Orange and Lemons, in 1957 on his Folkways album Sussex Folk Songs and Ballads. Kenneth S. Goldstein noted:

Children the world over play games which are accompanied by singing. These games often involve simple activities, or are acted out. The four games sung here by Mr. Wales were learned as a boy in Sussex. They are not, however, indigenous to Sussex, or, for that matter, to England, for they are known and played all over the English-speaking world. To be sure, national and local pride and conditions affect the form of the games, but basically, aside from slight textual changes, the games axe the same wherever they are played.

Dianne Endicott of South Zeal, Devon sang Orange and Lemon in a recording made by Jean Ritchie and George Pickow that was included in 1959 on their Folkways album Field Trip—England. Jean Ritchie noted:

A children’s game, played in the lanes of London and throughout the country. Dianne’s spoken instructions are sweetly and clearly given, so I have left them on the record in case anyone wants to play the game.

Children of Britannia Row sang Oranges and Lemons on the 1972 video 70 Golden Nursery Rhymes.

Tim Hart, Maddy Prior, Melanie Harrold, Bob Johnson and John Kirkpatrick sang Oranges and Lemons in 1981 on Tim Hart and Friends’ album My Very Favourite Nursery Rhyme Record. This track was included in 1989 on their compilation CD Favourite Nursery Rhymes and Other Children’s Songs.

Barry Coope sang Oranges and Lemons in 2006 on Michael Morpurgo and Coope Boyes & Simpson’s No Masters CD Private Peaceful.

Jackie Oates sang Oranges and Lemons in 2026 on Nick Hart’s album The Real Nursery Rhyme Project.

Lyrics

Tony Wales sings Orange and Lemons

Oranges and Lemons,
Say the bells of St. Clements.
You owe me five farthings,
Say the bells of St. Martin’s.

When will you pay me?
Say the bells of Old Bailey.
When I grow rich,
Say the bells of Shoreditch.

When will that be?
Says the bells of Stepney.
I do not know,
Says the great bells of Bow.

Dianne Endicott sings Orange and Lemon

Orange and lemon,
Says the bells of St. Clemens;
I owe you five farthings,
Says the bells of St. Martins;
And when shall I pay you?
When I grow rich,
Like a little dog ditch.
Here comes a candle
To light you to bed,
Here comes a chopper
To chop off your head.
Chop! chop! chop! chop!
Last man’s head.

Spoken explanation: No. Like, there’s two that holds up the arms in an arch, and they all go through, and when it says, “Chop, chop, chop”, you put your arms around them and catch them, and then you say—you see, one person is, like, orange and the other, lemon, and you ask them which they want. Then, if you’re orange, they go behind you. And at the end, when everybody’s gone through, and they’re each behind one another, they pull and see which side wins.

Tim Hart and Friends sing Oranges and Lemons

Oranges and lemons
Said the bells of St. Clements
You owe me five farthings
Said the bells of St. Martins

When will you pay me?
Said the bells of Old Bailey
When I grow rich
Said the bells of Shoreditch

And when will that be?
Said the bells of Stepney
O I do not know
Said the great bell of Bow

Here comes a candle
To light you to bed
And here comes a chopper
To chop off your head