There once were two players of tennis,
That one to another did menace,
They yelled and they fought,
Were so overwrought,
They could not tell hit from a miss.

“Calm down guys, lose the steam,”
The team ‘cross the net had to scream,
“We’re sorry you’re pissed,
But you seem to have missed,
That in doubles, you’re on the same team!”

Behind the Rhyme.

White sang bass and Black sang tenor
As they moved across the board.
With voices high in strident cry
Across the checks they warred.

Bishops try assassination,
And Pawns advance to Queen,
Such a crying tumult, foolish game
The world has never seen.

There are some few that already
Say how the story ends,
With standing King in Black and White
In a draw that no one wins.

Behind the Rhyme.

The West Wind warm a’blowin was,
With cherries on his cheeks.
The North Wind cold a’blowin was,
With venom in his shrieks.

On the fields below a’bounding,
Bounced a red, rubber ball.
Wind on wind they spun a’rounding,
And for it they did brawl.

It well may be they rage there still,
Above that field so white,
But I know not what there befell,
Nor who did win the fight.

Behind the Rhyme.

Lo! Lo! The cock doth crow!
Black of feather and coxcomb red,
Shrieks his cry, to the sky,
And wakes the colt from his sweet hay bed.

Neigh! Neigh! The colt doth say!
Sorrel of coat, with pure white socks,
Cock doth quell, peace impel,
To save the dreams of slumb’ring ox.

Behind the Rhyme.

Carpenter, carpenter, build me a ship?
Nay my lass, nay my lass, o’er no sea you’ll skip.
Carpenter, carpenter, can I not sail?
Nay my lass, nay my lass, you are too frail.

Carpenter, carpenter, build me a sleigh?
Nay my lass, nay my lass, you’ll lose your dray.
Carpenter, carpenter, a horse I can drive.
Nay my lass, nay my lass, as hard as you strive.

Carpenter, carpenter, build me a door!
Aye my lass, aye my lass, ask me no more.
Carpenter, carpenter, will it lock for me?
Aye my lass, aye my lass, but I’ll keep the key.

Behind the Rhyme