The Riddle Song- Creech (KY) 1933 Niles B
[From the Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles, 1961. Niles lists his B version after his A version which is Child No. 1, Riddles Wisely Expounded. Niles C version is the related Piri-miri-dictum Domini.
R. Matteson 2012]
The Riddle Song- Wilma Creech (Pine Mountain, KY) 1933 Niles B
I gave my love a cherry that hath no stone
I gave my love a chicken that hath no bone
I gave my love a thimble that hath no end
I gave my love a baby that's no cryin'.
How can there be a cherry that hath no stone?
How can there be a chicken that hath no bone?
How can there be a thimble that hath no end?
How can there be a baby that's no crying?
A cherry when it's a-blooming it hath no stone
A chicken when it's pipping, it hath no bone
A ring while it's a-rolling, it has no end
A baby when it's a-sleeping, there's no cryin'.