Ten Little Soldier Boys

Ten little soldier boys went to dine;

One chocked his little self and then there were Nine

Nine little soldier boys sat up very late;

One overslept himself and then there were Eight

Eight little soldier boys travelling in Devon;

One said he'd stay and then there were Seven

Seven little soldier boys chopping up sticks;

One chopped himself in halves and then there were Six

Six little soldier boys playing with a hive;

A bumblebee stung one and then there were Five

Five little soldier boys going in for law;

One got in chancery and then there were Four

Four little solider boys going out to sea;

A red herring swalloed one and then there were Three

Three little soldier boys walking in the zoo;

A big bear hugged one and then there were Two

Two little soldier boys sitting in the sun;

One got frizzled up and then there was One

One little soldier boy left all alone;

He went and hanged himself

...and then there was NONE.

Frank Green, 1869