Bo Peep February 17, 2017 All Rhymes 0 Comments

Kitty returning the empty pocket to Lucy

Lucy Locket

Lucy Locket lost her pocket,
Kitty Fisher found it;
Not a penny was there in it,
Only ribbon round it.

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Posted in All Rhymes, Mother Goose Classics, People & Characters, Play & Action, Songs & Verses

Tagged Kitty, lost, Lucy, pocket, purse, ribbon

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Meaning

This rhyme recounts Lucy Locket losing her “pocket” (a kind of pouch worn around the waist under dresses in the 17th–19th centuries). Kitty Fisher finds it, but it turns out to be empty, containing only its ribbon or binding. The verse is simple on the surface but may contain playful or even saucy social commentary beneath.

Origin

First recorded in 1842 by James Orchard Halliwell, “Lucy Locket” is older in oral tradition and may date back to the early 18th century. Both Lucy Locket and Kitty Fisher may have been real people: Lucy Locket is mentioned in John Gay’s Beggars Opera (1728), and Kitty Fisher was a well-known courtesan of the 18th century. The rhyme is commonly sung to the tune of “Yankee Doodle,” and variations exist in both the UK and North America.

Time Period

First printed in the early- to mid-1800s, with roots in the 18th century or earlier and strong connections to the fashions and famous figures of that time.

Why It Became Popular

The catchy tune, easy lyrics, and the skipping game that often accompanies the song helped the rhyme persist for generations. Its playful double meaning and references to daily life and mischief added to its appeal for children and adults alike.

Structure and Style

Meter: Trochaic with a sing-song rhythm, shared with tunes like “Yankee Doodle”
Rhyme Scheme: AABB
Line Count: 4
Style Notes: Short, repetitive, narrative, and playful

Themes

Lost and found
Friendship and rivalry
Hidden meanings and wordplay
Social and fashion history

Language Notes

“Pocket” in this context refers to a tied pouch worn under a woman’s skirt, not a sewn-in pocket. The phrase “not a penny… only ribbon” may suggest poverty or a gentle taunt about the purse’s emptiness.

Moral or Lesson

On the surface, the rhyme playfully warns about losing personal items. Some interpretations see a deeper, even risqué, undertone referencing adult relationships or social status.

Historical or Cultural Notes

Both women named in the rhyme have links to 18th-century London society. “Pockets” were tied pouches accessed through special slits in women’s skirts—a precursor to the modern handbag. Some theories suggest the rhyme satirizes social intrigue or amorous escapades among well-known courtesans, adding a layer of adult humor to the children’s verse.

Notable Variants

Alternate versions slightly change the last line or describe the pocket as having “nothing in it, nothing in it, but a binder round it.”

Appearances in Media or Literature

Common in major nursery rhyme compilations and referenced in children’s games played with a hidden object.

Suggested Activities

Skipping Game: Use the rhyme for a group skipping or circle hiding game, mimicking the loss and finding of an object.
History Lesson: Explore the evolution of women’s fashion accessories and discuss what pockets were like in the 18th century.
Comparison Activity: Find other nursery rhymes with hidden meanings and discuss their “surface” and “secret” stories.
Creative Writing: Invent new verses using the characters or theme of lost-and-found.
Visual Arts: Draw a period-appropriate pocket and label its parts.

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Lucy Locket

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