And what he sang was this, for he was too happy either to make a song of his own or to sing sense.
It was one out of Mr.Raymond's book.
THE TRUE STORY OF THE CAT AND THE FIDDLE Hey, diddle, diddle! The cat and the fiddle! He played such a merry tune, That the cow went mad With the pleasure she had, And jumped right over the moon.
But then, don't you see?
Before that could be, The moon had come down and listened.
The little dog hearkened, So loud that he barkened, "There's nothing like it, there isn't." Hey, diddle, diddle! Went the cat and the fiddle, Hey diddle, diddle, dee, dee! The dog laughed at the sport Till his cough cut him short, It was hey diddle, diddle, oh me! And back came the cow With a merry, merry low, For she'd humbled the man in the moon.
The dish got excited, The spoon was delighted, And the dish waltzed away with the spoon.
But the man in the moon, Coming back too soon From the famous town of Norwich, Caught up the dish, Said, "It's just what I wish To hold my cold plum-porridge!" Gave the cow a rat-tat, Flung water on the cat, And sent him away like a rocket.
Said, "O Moon there you are!" Got into her car, And went off with the spoon in his pocket Hey ho! diddle, diddle! The wet cat and wet fiddle, They made such a caterwauling, That the cow in a fright Stood bolt upright Bellowing now, and bawling; And the dog on his tail, Stretched his neck with a wail.
But "Ho! ho!" said the man in the moon-- "No more in the South Shall I burn my mouth, For I've found a dish and a spoon.".