Old Muvver Lee- Opie (London) pre-1950
[Iona and Peter Opie (The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren, OUP 1959) give a recited version of Old Mother Lee from London (1950s or earlier): "Version recited in dead-pan manner by boy, aged about 11, Waterloo, London. At the end of each verse one finger was quietly raised pointing up to the walnut tree."
This is a version of the well-known Irish version, Weela Wallia [sic], a children's game-song.
R. Matteson 2012]
Old Muvver Lee- Opie (London) pre-1950
There was an old girl called Old Muvver Lee,
Old Muvver Lee,Old Muvver Lee,
There was an old girl called Old Muvver Lee,
Under the walnut tree.
She 'ad 'er baiby on 'er knee...
A carvin' knife was in 'er 'and...
She ran it through the baiby's 'art...
The rich red blood went runnin' dahn...
The corny cops come runnin' dahn...
They strung 'er up and 'ung 'er 'igh...