The Kitchen Clock

Knitting is the maid o' the kitchen, Milly,

Doing nothing, sits the chore-boy, Billy:

"Seconds reckoned,

Seconds reckoned,

Every minute,

Sixty in it;

Milly, Billy,

Billy, Milly,

Tick-tock, tock-tick,

Nick-knock, knock-nick,

Knockety-nick, nickety-knock,"—

Goes the kitchen clock.

Closer to the fire is rosy Milly,

Every whit as close and cozy, Billy:

"Time is flying,

Worth your trying;

Pretty Milly,

Kiss her, Billy!

Milly, Billy,

Billy, Milly,

Tick-tock, tock-tick,

Now—now, quick—quick!

Knockety-nick, nickety-knock,"—

Goes the kitchen clock.

Something 's happened, very red is Milly,

Billy boy is looking very silly:

"Pretty misses,

Plenty kisses;

Make it twenty,

Take a plenty;

Billy, Milly,

Milly, Billy,

Right-left, left-right,

That 's right, all right,

Knockety-nick, nickety-knock,"—

Goes the kitchen clock.

Weeks gone, still they are sitting, Milly, Billy;

O, the winter winds are wondrous chilly!

"Winter weather,

Close together;

Would n't tarry,

Better marry;

Milly, Billy,

Billy, Milly,

Two, one—one, two,

Don't wait, 't won't do,

Knockety-nick, nickety-knock,"—

Goes the kitchen clock.

Winters two have gone, and where is Milly?

Spring has come again, and where is Billy?

"Give me credit,

For I did it;

Treat me kindly,

Mind you wind me;

Mister Billy,

Mistress Milly,

My—O, O—my,

By-by, by-by,

Nickety-knock, cradle rock,"—

Goes the kitchen clock.