St Dunstan's, Stepney (London)

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  Bakerloo_BadBoy

  This is the church that is refered to in the childrens nursery rhyme, Oranges and Lemons from the line: "When will that be? say the bells of Stepney" The original childrens nursery rhyme is sung thus: "Oranges and lemons" say the Bells of St. Clement's" "You owe me five farthings" say the Bells of St. Martin's" "When will you pay me?" say the Bells of Old Bailey" "When I grow rich" say the Bells of Shoreditch" "When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney" "I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow" "Here comes a Candle to light you to Bed" Here comes a Chopper to Chop off your Head" Chip chop chip chop - the Last Man's Dead." Each church refered to in the rhyme has some connection with what is being sung about it. St Dunstan's has always had a long traditional link with the sea and it was once known as the 'Church of the High Seas'. Many sailors were buried in the churchyard. The phrase "When will that be?" could possibly refer to wives waiting for sailors to return from voyages with their fortunes, when their 'boat came in'.

  17 years ago | reply | hide comment