Ding Dong Bell

Ding, dong, bell,
Pussy's in the well.
Who put her in?
Little Johnny Flynn.
Who pulled her out?
Little Tommy Stout.
What a naughty boy was that,
To try to drown poor pussy cat,
Who ne'er did him any harm,
But killed all the mice in the farmer's barn.

This rhyme was first published in 1580

The phrase Ding, Dong Bell was used by Shakespeare in some of his plays. There does not appear to be any historical or political message in this rhyme but it has been altered over the years. The most notable change was Little Tommy Stout saving the cat that drowned in earlier versions.