Jack Sprat could eat no fat,

  His wife could eat no lean,

And so between them both,

  They lick'd the platter clean.

When Jack Sprat was young

  He dressed very smart,

He courted Joan Cole

  And he gained her heart.

Jack Sprat was the bridegroom,

  Joan Cole was the bride,

Jack said from the church

  His Joan home should ride;

But no coach could take her,

  The lane was so narrow,

Said Jack then I'll take her

  Home in a wheelbarrow.

Jack brought home his Joan,

  And she sat in a chair,

When in came his cat,

  That had got but one ear.

Then Joan went to market

  To buy her some fowls,

She bought a jackdaw,

  And a couple of owls.

Jack Sprat bought a cow,

  His Joan for to please,

For Joan she could make

  Both butter and cheese;

Or pancakes or puddings,

  Without any fat,

A notable housewife

  Was little Joan Sprat.

Joan Sprat went to brewing

  A barrel of ale,

She put in some hops,

  So it might not turn stale;

But as for the malt,

  She forgot to put that:

This is brave sober liquor,

  Said little Jack Sprat.

Jack Sprat went to market,

  And bought him a mare,

She was lame of three legs,

  And blind I declare;

Her ribs they were bare,

  For the mare had no fat;

She looks like a racer,

  Says little Jack Sprat.