Thomas and Annis Met in the Dark, and Began to Talk Lyrics
Thomas and Annis meet in the dark and chat: he offers nuts, then his heart, then marriage next Sunday, and she repeats every word back.
Thomas and Annis Met in the Dark, and Began to Talk
Thomas and Annis met in the dark.
"Good morning," said Thomas.
"Good morning," said Annis.
And so they began to talk.
"I'll give you," says Thomas,
"Give me," said Annis;
"I prithee, love, tell me what?"
"Some nuts," said Thomas.
"Some nuts," said Annis;
"Nuts are good to crack."
"I love you," said Thomas.
"Love me!" said Annis;
"I prithee love tell me where?"
"In my heart," said Thomas.
"In your heart!" said Annis;
"How came you to love me there?"
"I'll marry you," said Thomas.
"Marry me!" said Annis;
"I prithee, love, tell me when?"
"Next Sunday," said Thomas.
"Next Sunday," said Annis;
"I wish next Sunday were come."
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/thomas-and-annis-met-in-the-dark/
- Type
- Mother Goose
- Tune
- Spoken in two voices, the second echoing the first
- Best for ages
- 4 to 8 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| Nuts are good to crack | Press two fists together as if cracking a nut. |
| In my heart | Put a hand on your chest. |
| I wish next Sunday were come | Fold your hands and look hopeful. |
What Does Thomas and Annis Met in the Dark, and Began to Talk Mean?
Each verse follows the same pattern: Thomas offers something, Annis repeats it back, and then she asks a question. He gives some nuts, then his affection, then his heart. He says he will marry her, and when she asks when, he says next Sunday.
Her last reply is a hopeful one: she wishes next Sunday were already here. Prithee is the old way of saying 'I pray you' or 'please'. Because she repeats his words, a two-child performance is easy.
History and Origin
In Halliwell's printing of the dialogue, Thomas and Annis each speak in turn, so the rhyme can be shared between two readers.
Learning Activities
- Echo game: one child says a line as Thomas and a friend echoes it back as Annis.
- Question words: find what, where and when in Annis's questions and ask your own.
- Days of the week: say which day comes after Sunday and which one comes before.