Topsy-Turvy World

BY WILLIAM BRIGHTY RANDS

IF the butterfly courted the bee,    

  And the owl the porcupine;    

If churches were built in the sea,    

  And three times one was nine;    

If the pony rode his master,          

  If the buttercups ate the cows,    

If the cats had the dire disaster    

  To be worried, sir, by the mouse;    

If mamma, sir, sold the baby    

  To a gypsy for half a crown;         

If a gentleman, sir, was a lady,—    

  The world would be Upside-down!    

If any or all of these wonders    

  Should ever come about,    

I should not consider them blunders,          

  For I should be Inside-out!    

William Brighty Rands (24 December 1823, Chelsea, Middlesex — 23 April 1882 at the age of 58, East Dulwich, London) was a British writer and one of the major authors of nursery rhymes of the Victorian era. He studied from age 8 to 13. He was mostly self taught. He joined parliament but left due to poor health. His pen names are Matthew Browne, Henry Holbeach, T. Talker. (Wikipedia)