KNITTING is the maid o' the kitchen, Milly, Doing nothing sits the chore boy, Billy: "Seconds reckoned, Seconds reckoned; Every minute, Sixty in it. Milly, Billy, Billy, Milly, Tick-tock, tock-tick, Nick-knock, knock-nick, Knockety-nick, nickety-knock," -- Goes the kitchen clock. Closer to the fire is rosy Milly, Every whit as close and cosy, Billy: "Time's a-flying, Worth your trying; Pretty Milly -- Kiss her, Billy! Milly, Billy Billy, Milly, Tick-tock, tock-tick, Now -- now, quick -- quick! Knockety-nick, nickety-knock," -- Goes the kitchen clock. Something's happened, very red is Milly, Billy boy is looking very silly; "Pretty misses, Plenty kisses; Make it twenty, Take a plenty. Billy, Milly, Milly, Billy, Right -- left, left -- right, That's right, all right, Knockety-nick, nickety-knock," -- Goes the kitchen clock. Weeks gone, still they're sitting, Milly, Billy; O, the winter winds are wondrous chilly! "Winter weather, Close together; Wouldn't tarry, Better marry. Milly, Billy, Billy, Milly, Two -- one, one -- two, Don't wait, 'twon't do, Knockety-nick, nickety-knock," -- Goes the kitchen clock. Winters two have gone, and where is Milly? Spring has come again, and where is Billy? "Give me credit, For I did it; Treat me kindly, Mind you wind me. Mister Billy, Mistress Milly, My -- O, O -- my, By-by, by-by, Nickety-knock, cradle rock," -- Goes the kitchen clock. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 52 by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN ON AN OLD MUFF by FREDERICK LOCKER-LAMPSON GEORGE CRABBE by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON OLD KING COLE by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 30 by ALFRED TENNYSON |