Bo Peep February 16, 2017 All Rhymes 0 Comments

A girl jumps rope at a playground while a vendor sells ice cream nearby

Ice Cream, a Penny a Lump

Ice cream, a penny a lump!
The more you eat, the more you jump.
Eeper, Weeper, Chimney sweeper,
Married a wife and could not keep her.
Married another,
Did not love her,
Up the chimney he did shove her!

Listen as male British:

Listen as female American:

Posted in All Rhymes, Daily Life & Objects, Playground

Tagged ice cream, jump, penny

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Meaning

This rhyme is a playful chant, popular in playgrounds and group games. It begins with a catchy street-cry about buying ice cream and quickly turns into comic nonsense typical of many traditional verses. Children are drawn to its rhythm and outrageous progression, which encourages giggles and imaginative recitation.

Origin

Of British origin, the opening lines echo street-song vendors who sold sweet treats to children. The rhyme likely dates from the late 19th or early 20th century and has passed into oral folklore, changing slightly as it traveled between regions and generations.

Time Period

The rhyme has been documented in folk song collections from the early 20th century and referenced in nursery rhyme anthologies throughout the decades.

Why It Became Popular

Its rhythmic chant and funny story make it ideal for playtime. The rhyme’s ability to be memorized and recited quickly, coupled with its humor, ensures its longevity in children’s culture.

First Known Publication

While primarily passed down orally, it has been included in collections of English nursery rhymes and playground songs in the 20th century.

Structure and Style

Meter: Trochaic, energetic for group chanting
Rhyme Scheme: Often pairs, AABBCC
Line Count: Typically 7
Style Notes: Repetitive, humorous, great for skipping and jumping games

Themes

Food and treats
Play and humor
Nonsense storytelling
Action rhyme
Group games

Language Notes

“A penny a lump” shows old street pricing. The rhyme uses playful words, nonsense names (“Eeper, Weeper”) and silly events to stimulate laughter and engagement.

Moral or Lesson

No direct lesson—emphasizes fun, creativity, and comic imagination during play.

Historical or Cultural Notes

Echoes real street market calls for ice cream and sweets, blending them with silly nonsense invented by children. The chant is passed on through playground play, with some verses swapped or added locally.

Notable Variants

Verses are often changed or new stanzas added, with alternative silly events or names. This encourages personal expression and creativity for play.

Appearances in Media or Literature

Included in English folk rhyme collections, schoolyard songbooks, and occasionally referenced in books discussing children’s folklore.

Suggested Activities

Jump-Rope Chant: Use the rhyme during skipping games for energetic group fun.
Street Vendor Roleplay: Pretend to sell ice cream with a “penny a lump” chorus.
Drawing Project: Illustrate a bustling market scene with ice cream sellers and children.
Create Nonsense Verses: Invent new silly events or characters to extend the rhyme.
Group Recitation: Practice chanting the rhyme together, with actions for each line.
Treat Activity: Discuss favorite treats and the history of street snacks as a connection to the rhyme’s origin.

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Ice Cream, a Penny a Lump

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