Fear for the whole family: a fun game with anagrams

Online I looked for a little word-game that had haunted me since it was taught by an old work colleague who printed books and was a learned lover of literature. When I searched for it online I found what I believed to be incorrect versions. I assume Chinese whispers have distorted what must be a very old anonymous game/verse.

The worst thing about the versions I’ve seen is that they water down the imagery by ruining one of the lines. I may be wrong, but I can’t find any version older than 2010 online, and I was taught by a guy that was about 70 years old, at least ten tears ago. It was taught to him when he was a kid. I’m backing my version.

So for posterity, I’ll record it here. If anyone challenges this version and has proof, or knows its source, I’d like to be informed. I’ll happily correct it as long as there’s a dependable reference to back the claim. A large amount of common modern references won’t convince me because my version dates back to at least 1940.

A game of anagrams that unlocks quite a spooky little verse…

A ____ old woman of ____ bent

Slipped on her ____ and away she went

Come my son, ____ she was heard to say

Who shall we ____ upon today?

Hint: the son’s name is ‘Levi’