5. Oranges And Lemons
"Oranges and lemons" say the bells of St. Clement's, "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?" say the bells of Stepney, "I do not know" say the great bells of Bow, "Here comes a candle to light you to bed, Here comes a chopper to chop off your head, Chip chop chip chop - the last man's dead."
As charming as this rhyme begins, the nasty turn at the end is more than just childs play. The great bells of bow were used to time the executions at Newgate prison, which for many years were carried out by means of beheading. The poor soul awaiting execution would be kept on death row, and was informed by the warder the night before execution, hence here comes a candle to light you to bed. Executions commenced when the bells all started chiming, which in this rhyme is represented by the chit chat these bells seem to be enjoying, and finished when the bells stopped.