10 Little Indians

TEN LITTLE INDIANS, by Septimus Winner, 1868

Ten little Injuns standin' in a line,

One toddled home and then there were nine;

Nine little Injuns swingin' on a gate,

One tumbled off and then there were eight.

One little, two little, three little, four little, five little Injuns boys,

Six little, seven little, eight little, nine little, ten little Injuns boys.

Eight little Injuns gayest under heav'n,

One went to sleep and then there were seven;

Seven little Injuns cutting up their tricks,

One broke his neck and then there were six.

Six little Injuns kickin' all alive,

One kick'd the bucket and then there were five;

Five little Injuns on a cellar door,

One tumbled in and then there were four.

Four little Injuns up on a spree,

One he got fuddled and then there were three;

Three little Injuns out in a canoe,

One tumbled overboard and then there were two.

Two little Injuns foolin' with a gun,

One shot t'other and then there was one;

One little Injuns livin' all alone,

He got married and then there were none.

TEN LITTLE NIGGERS, by Frank Green, 1869

Ten little nigger boys went out to dine;

One choked his little self, and then there were nine.

Nine little nigger boys sat up very late;

One overslept himself, and then there were eight.

Eight little nigger boys traveling in Devon;

One said he'd stay there, and then there were seven.

Seven little nigger boys chopping up sticks;

One chopped himself in half, and then there were six.

Six little nigger boys playing with a hive;

A bumble-bee stung one, and then there were five.

Five little nigger boys going in for law;

One got in chancery, and then there were four.

Four little nigger boys going out to sea;

A red herring swallowed one, and then there were three.

Three little nigger boys walking in the zoo;

A big bear hugged one, and then there were two.

Two little nigger boys sitting in the sun;

One got frizzled up, and then there was one.

One little nigger boys living all alone;

He got married, and then there were none.