Mabel, Mabel, Lay the Table

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 "a very naughty one" and gives only the beginning. The same lines lead into "salt, mustard, vinegar, pepper" in our version.

Source: Norman Douglas, London Street Games (London: The St. Catherine Press, 1916) (public domain).