Had a Little Austin in 1948

Had a little Austin in 1948 / drove it round the corner…

Had a little Austin in 1948
drove it round the corner
and stepped upon the brake
brake didn't work
felt a silly twerp
My little Austin in 1948

Sent in by Jan B., Hazelgrove (remembered from about 1966)

How to play

On "corner" run round the person turning the rope, saying 'corner' all the way, then back in.

Where this rhyme comes from

Earliest record: c. 1960s
Sung in: UK

The submitter remembered it from around 1966. The Austin Motor Company was founded in 1905, and '1948' probably comes from the post-war Austin A40. American versions use a generic 'little car' with the same 'number 48'.

Do you know an older version, or where this rhyme comes from? Teachers can tell us with the feedback button below.

Older and newer versions

The same rhyme, changed by children over the years.

CountingIn and outBumper CarHad a little bumper car, number 48, went around the corner
and slams on the brakes…

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