six Magpies

six Magpies
Originally uploaded by caledonianpark.

One for anger
Two for mirth
Three for a wedding
Four for a birth
Five for rich
Six for poor
Seven for a witch
I can tell you no more.

Alternate versions of this counting rhyme include:

One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy,
Five for silver,
Six for gold,
Seven for a secret never to be told.

or

One for sorrow
Two for mirth
Three for a funeral
Four for a birth
Five for heaven
Six for hell
Seven's the Devil his own sel'

Sometimes (but rarely), three extra lines are added:

Eight for a wish
Nine for a kiss
Ten for a bird that you won't want to miss.

or

Eight for a wish
Nine for a kiss
Ten for a time of Joyous Bliss