As I Was Walking Through the City (Spanish Lady)
As I was walking through the City, / Half past eight o’clock at night…
As I was walking through the City,
Half past eight o’clock at night,
There I met a Spanish lady
Washing out her clothes at night.
First she rubbed them, then she scrubbed them,
Then she hung them out to dry,
Then she laid her hands upon them,
Said: I wish my clothes were dry.
How to play
Act out the rubbing, scrubbing and hanging out.
Where this rhyme comes from
- Printed
- 1916
- Where
- London
We have copied these words exactly as they were printed in 1916, spelling and all. It is one of the London girls' chants Douglas lists alongside their skipping, clapping and ring games.
Douglas calls it "an old one" in 1916. The Spanish lady comes back in our "Spanish Lady" rhyme.
Source: Norman Douglas, London Street Games (London: The St. Catherine Press, 1916) (public domain).
Older and newer versions
The same rhyme, changed by children over the years.
More rhymes like this
Lady, lady, pick it up…ActionsPrinted 1916Charlie, Arlie, Stole Some BarleyCharlie, Arlie, stole some barley,
Out of a baker’s shop…ActionsPrinted 1916Half a Pint of PorterHalf a pint of porter,
Penny on the can…ActionsPrinted 1898Lady, Lady, Drop Your HandkerchiefLady, lady, drop your handkerchief,
Lady, lady, pick it up…ActionsIn and outafter 1947One Little Man in a Flying SaucerOne little man in a flying saucer
Flew round the world one day…
Sent in by Lynne M.
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