Mistress Mason Broke a Basin Lyrics
Mistress Mason has broken a basin, and someone has to pay. In this counting-out rhyme, whoever the last word lands on is out.
Mistress Mason Broke a Basin
Mistress Mason broke a basin,
How much will it be?
Half-a-crown. Lay it down.
Out goes she!
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/mistress-mason-broke-a-basin/
- Type
- Counting Rhymes
- Tune
- Chanted counting-out rhyme
- Best for ages
- 4 to 9 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| Mistress Mason broke a basin | Point at each player in turn, one per beat. |
| How much will it be? | Keep pointing around the circle. |
| Half-a-crown. Lay it down. | Keep counting, one player per word. |
| Out goes she! | The player pointed at on she steps out. |
What Does Mistress Mason Broke a Basin Mean?
A basin is a large bowl. Mistress Mason has broken one, and the price is half-a-crown, an old British coin worth two shillings and sixpence, an eighth of a pound. "Lay it down" means pay up, and "out goes she" tells the player at the end of the count to leave the circle.
History and Origin
Robert Ford recorded the rhyme among Scottish counting-out rhymes in his early-1900s collection. The half-crown was in use in Britain for centuries until 1970, shortly before the switch to decimal money, so the price would have sounded familiar to every child.
Learning Activities
- Count out: use it to choose who is it for a game.
- Old money: look at pictures of old British coins and count how many make a pound.
- Kitchen talk: talk about what to do if something breaks: tell an adult and help tidy up safely.