Origin of Children's Rhyme "Once there was a little rabbit grey"

[John Zawitoski]

Friends

I am hoping someone out in this community may be able to help me fill in the blanks, provide direction as to origins of a particular child's rhyme.

My 91 year old father used to sing this rhyme as a lullaby to me and my siblings when we were young. Unfortunately time has robbed him and my family as well as to the complete verses of the rhymes. I am hoping someone out there may be familiar with this Rhyme.

The only reference I could find via the web was a remembrance of the rhyme by an accomplished South African writer, Susan Kiguli wrote about her mother singing this to her but her post only recites bits of the rhyme.

I have assembled my memories of verses of the rhyme I remembered but its missing verses.

See Below:

Once there was a little rabbit grey
Who met a hunter on his way
(there was a part about raising his gun before the rabbit asked him to wait)

Wait a bit the, Rabbit cried
Shook his head and sadly sighed
I would like to know said he
Why set your dogs on me?
(The hunter takes out pipe but something happens before that, I just can’t remember)
Taking out his pipe to smoke
What until I light a match
You were in my Cabbage Patch
There I saw you eat and eat
Cabbage flowers leaf by leaf


This was such a treasured memory, one that I am trying to preserve and I would appreciate any help you may be able to provide
Many thanks
John

[br549]

Mine was from a grandmother who used to do some kind of hand puppet motion while she sang the tune.

Once a little rabbit grey
Met a hunter on his way.
"Wait a minute" Rabbit cried
Shook his head and sadly sighed,
"I should like to know" said he,
"Why you set your dogs on me."

Then the jolly hunter spoke
Taking out his pipe to smoke.
? match
You were in my cabbage patch.
?
?
? ground
Chased him out with a hunting hound.

[arctic bunny]

Hi, I was searching for the actual music, to cut out little rabbit shapes for a craft when I found your post. My Mom taught this to me when I was little.

Our version was:

Once a little rabbit grey
met a hunter on its way.
Wait a bit the rabbit cried
shook his head and sadly sighed.
I should like to know said he
why you set your dogs on me?
Then the jolly hunter spoke
taking out his pipe to smoke
Join me in a pleasant walk
and just listen while I talk
Wait until I light this match
YOU were in the cabbage patch.
There the farmer saw you eat
cabbage salad white and sweet.
Then he cried that rabbit thief
eats my garden leaf by leaf.
He's no business in my grounds
chase him out with hunting hounds.
So my little rabbit grey
I suggest a safer way.
If you want some garden truck
you will have much better luck
If you dine at night instead
after farmer goes to bed.

May it bring back the wonderful memories that this brings me.








Friends

I am hoping someone out in this community may be able to help me fill in the blanks, provide direction as to origins of a particular child's rhyme.

My 91 year old father used to sing this rhyme as a lullaby to me and my siblings when we were young. Unfortunately time has robbed him and my family as well as to the complete verses of the rhymes. I am hoping someone out there may be familiar with this Rhyme.

The only reference I could find via the web was a remembrance of the rhyme by an accomplished South African writer, Susan Kiguli wrote about her mother singing this to her but her post only recites bits of the rhyme.

I have assembled my memories of verses of the rhyme I remembered but its missing verses.

See Below:

Once there was a little rabbit grey
Who met a hunter on his way
(there was a part about raising his gun before the rabbit asked him to wait)

Wait a bit the, Rabbit cried
Shook his head and sadly sighed
I would like to know said he
Why set your dogs on me?
(The hunter takes out pipe but something happens before that, I just can’t remember)
Taking out his pipe to smoke
What until I light a match
You were in my Cabbage Patch
There I saw you eat and eat
Cabbage flowers leaf by leaf


This was such a treasured memory, one that I am trying to preserve and I would appreciate any help you may be able to provide
Many thanks
John