My entry published onto the London Shoes (londonshoes.blog) website this week, involved me adopting a slightly different approach, in terms of the subject matter – as the topic focusses on a very old children’s ‘nursery rhyme’, that has been sung by children in London, and no doubt elsewhere, for hundreds of years……. namely “Oranges & Lemons”.
My quest this week was to find out more about the origins of this rhyme and what it’s actually all about – and the significance of the ‘churches’ mentioned in the rhyme.
Just to remind those who may have forgotten it – this is how it goes:-
Oranges and lemons say the bells of St Clements
You owe me five farthings say the bells of St Martins
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 says the great bell at 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.
The first official published record of the ‘Oranges & Lemons’ nursery rhyme, dates back to 1744, when it appeared in a book entitled ‘Tom Thumbs Pretty Song Book’, but it is more than likely that the rhyme was around long before that date.
There are 6 London churches mentioned in the rhyme as we know it today, and it is said that the tune that is sung to the rhyme, mimics the peals of the bells in those churches.
There is evidence to show that there have been many versions of ‘Oranges & Lemons’ throughout the centuries, and in fact the original version had rhymes involving loads more London churches than the 6 mentioned in the rhyme commonly known today.
So what is the ‘Oranges & Lemons’ rhyme all about???
Well – there are loads of theories about the meaning of it.
One theory is that it’s a micky-take of Henry VIII matrimonial difficulties, and his way of dealing with unwanted wives – especially the concluding lines about having your head ‘chopped-off’.
Another common theory is that it is all about ‘child-sacrifice’ – not a very pleasant topic I know, but London wasn’t a particularly pleasant place back then.
Another common theory is that it is about the delicate topic of a young London maiden losing her virginity.
However, the theory that I personally would go with, is that it is a sort of public ‘warning’ to adults and children, not to ‘pilfer’ – and what would happen to them if they were ever caught ‘on-the-rob’.
So why ‘Oranges & Lemons’??
Well – as we know, back in the 16th & 17th centuries, the ‘common’ Londoner lived a life of extreme poverty, where a good healthy and nourishing diet, was a rarity.
Citrus fruits such as ‘Oranges’ and ‘Lemons’ were looked upon as being a luxury, and a bit of a ‘currency’ – particularly in terms of providing an ‘eater’ with good health.
Oranges provided valuable Vitamin C, essential to give strength and to help fight off infection.
Lemons, on the other hand, were an essential fruit to help combat ‘scurvy’ which was rife amongst the poor, particularly those that worked in the docks.
So – what is the significance of the churches mentioned in the rhyme???
Looking separately at each individual church mentioned in the rhyme – the theory behind their inclusion could very well be as follows:-
“Oranges and lemons say the bells of St Clements”
This particular line has a bit of a personal significance for me, as it namechecks my surname – and when I was at primary & junior school, kids would often mock me by reciting this line at me.
It is thought that this could be either the well-known ‘St. Clement Danes’ church or the lesser known ‘St. Clements’ church in Eastcheap.
It is most likely to be ‘St. Clements-Eastcheap’ – because back in the 16th & 17TH centuries, this church was located very near to a wharf on the Thames where cargos of citrus fruits were unloaded before being transported off to the markets.
“You owe me five farthings say the bells of St Martins”
It is firmly believed that the St.Martins church mentioned in the rhyme, relates to ‘St.Martins Orgar’ church, and not the more popularly known ‘St.Martins-in-the Fields’ church.
St.Martin Orgar – was a tiny little church down by the Monument area, which was once the place where all the back street money lenders used to hang-out.
Like loads of others, this church was destroyed by the Great Fire of London – but its ‘tower’ still remains today, and is now used as an office block.
“When will you pay me? Say the bells of Old Bailey”
There was never an actual ‘bell’ at the Old Bailey – but this refers to the church of ‘St Sepulchre-without-Newgate’ – which is a 15th century church located across the road from the Old Bailey, and what was the infamous Newgate Prison, which was once London’s main jail.
The church was rebuilt in 1878 and today it houses the ‘bell’ that was rung every time there was to be an execution. Back in the day, executions were public events, which attracted literally thousands of Londoner’s – a bit like going to a football match today – and the ringing of the bell at St. Sepulchre church would be the way of notifying the public that an execution was about to take place.
The condemned would be taken from Newgate Prison by horse & cart, through the streets of London, up to the ‘Tyburn’ gallows up near Marble Arch – which was London’s main execution site.
“When I grow rich say the bells of Shoreditch”
This refers to St. Leonard’s church in Shoreditch High Street, which was built in 1740, and is still around today.
Today, Shoreditch is one of the wealthiest districts in London, but at the time of the ‘Oranges & Lemons’ rhyme, it was most certainly one of the poorest.
The reference to St. Leonard’s church in the rhyme, could be a sort of throw-away “you’re ‘avin a laugh” comment – because, at that time, there was no way that anyone from Shoreditch was ever gonna be rich.
“When will that be? say the bells of Stepney”
The church referred to here is the magnificent ‘St.Dunstans’ in Stepney – one of the very few medieval buildings left in London.
Records show that there has been a church on or around the current site since 1029. The current building has gone through several re-builds throughout the centuries, but is still an amazing place.
At the time of the origination of the ‘Oranges & lemons’ rhyme, Stepney was just outside the City walls (still is) and it was a district where the very rich of London resided. The church itself, had strong links to mariners – and it was once known as the ‘Church of the High Seas’, and the phrase “When will that be?” could possibly refer to wives waiting for sailors to return from voyages with their fortunes – to enable them to pay off the debts they had incurred while their men were at sea.
“I do not know says the great bell at Bow”
It is said that to be a true ‘Cockney’ you have to be born within the sound of Bow Bells.
Despite what most people think, “Bow Bells” aren’t in Bow – they are in fact the bells of the church of ‘St. Mary-Le-Bow’, in Cheapside, in the City.
If you think about it, back in the day long before sky scraper buildings and motorised traffic – it would have been quite feasible to ‘hear’ the sound of the ‘St. Mary-Le-Bow’ bells, over in East London.
The sound of the ‘bells’ of St. Mary-Le-Bow have always been perceived as London’s ‘king of rings’ and a sound that everyone took notice of. Throughout the 14th/15th/16th centuries it was the evening ‘curfew’ bell – informing all Londoner’s, for their own safety, to be off the streets and back I their homes by 9pm – if you were still ‘on the street’ after that time then you could find yourself in trouble. Also, the peal of St. Mary-Le-Bow was used by the BBC when transmitting radio programmes to the troops overseas during WW2.
“Here comes a chopper to chop off your head”
It is believed that these final lines of the rhyme are just a bit of exaggerated scaremongering – as it is unlikely that anyone ever got executed for nicking a few ‘orange & lemons’ or any other light light-fingered activities….but you never know.
_____
So – having spent a busy day trekking all over the City, and then trotting off to Shoreditch and finally Stepney, to seek out these churches – I treated myself to a couple of ‘cheeky’ beers at the interesting ‘Half Moon’ pub in Stepney – a building built in 1900 as a Methodist chapel. By the late 1970’s the chapel was no more, and the building had been taken over by the “Half Moon Theatre Company”, who put on many productions throughout the years.
By the early 1990’s the theatre had closed down, and it was then converted into its current form – the ‘Half Moon’ pub, and a very pleasant place it is too, to sink a few beers.
Anyway – hope you enjoyed this piece – I certainly enjoyed researching it – and you will see that I’ve presented some of the church photos in b&w, just to give them a bit of atmosphere.

Clements Lane – London EC4. The location of St. Clements Church – as mentioned in the opening line of ‘Oranges & Lemons’

>”Oranges and lemons say the bells of St Clements”< ‘St. Clements-Eastcheap’ – back in the 16th & 17th centuries, this church was located very near to a wharf on the Thames where cargos of citrus fruits were unloaded before being transported off to the markets.

A view of the inside of St. Clements church-Eastcheap – unfortunately, I was not allowed to go inside the church as it is undergoing being renovation

Me – in St. Clements Court – next to St.Clements church

A plaque at the site of what was the old St.Martin Orgar church – Eastcheap

>“You owe me five farthings say the bells of St Martins”< St. Martin Orgar – was a tiny little church down by the Monument area of the City, which was once the place where all the back street money lenders used to hang-out. Like loads of others, this church was destroyed by the Great Fire of London – but its ‘tower’ still remains today, and is now used as an office block

Another view of the old bell tower of St.Martins Orgar church – just down the road from the Monument and not far from the Thames, and the wharfs where ‘citrus’ fruits were unloaded

>“When will you pay me? Say the bells of Old Bailey”< ‘St Sepulchre-without-Newgate’ – which is a 15th century church located across the road from the Old Bailey, and what was the infamous Newgate Prison, which was once London’s main jail

Another view of ‘St Sepulchre-without-Newgate’ church

A plaque on display inside St. Sepulchre’s-without-Newgate church – that explains the bell ringing process that took place on the evening before an execution

The ‘execution bell’ on display inside ‘St Sepulchre-without-Newgate’

Inside ‘St Sepulchre-without-Newgate’ church

>“When will you pay me? Say the bells of Old Bailey”< The Old Bailey – directly opposite ‘St Sepulchre-without-Newgate’ church – and the site of the old Newgate Prison

A plaque on one of the exterior walls of the Old Bailey – commemorating the former site of Newgate Prison

A wall situated inside a private garden at the back of the Old Bailey – the only remaining part of the old Newgate Prison, that was demolished in 1777.

>“When I grow rich say the bells of Shoreditch”< Me – outside ‘St. Leonards’ church – Shoreditch-N16

St. Leonard’s church in Shoreditch High Street, which was built in 1740, and is still around today

Another view of St. Leonards – Shoreditch

The old bell tower of St. Leonard’s church in Shoreditch High Street

Me – at the back of St. Leonards church – Shoreditch

>“When will that be? say the bells of Stepney”< St. Dunstan’s Church – Stepney

St.Dunstan’s – Stepney Records show that there has been a church on or around the current site since 1029. The current building has gone through several re-builds throughout the centuries, but is still an amazing place. (“When will that be? say the bells of Stepney”)

Another view of St.Dunstan’s church – Stepney

The bell tower of St. Dunstan’s church – Stepney

Another view of St.Dunstan’s church – Stepney

A view from Stepney – showing how close the ‘City of London’ would have been, and still is to St. Dunstan’s church. (“When will that be? say the bells of Stepney”)

>“I do not know says the great bell at Bow”< “St.Mary-Le-Bow” church – Cheapside

>“I do not know says the great bell at Bow”< St.Mary-Le-Bow church – Cheapside

A view of the bell tower of St. Mary-Le-Bow church – Cheapside

Inside – St.Mary-Le-Bow, Cheapside (I do not know, says the great bell of Bow)

Me – preaching to my ‘flock’ inside St. Mary-Le-Bow church (I do not know, say the great bells of Bow)

Inside – St.Mary-Le-Bow, Cheapside (I do not know, says the great bell of Bow)

Me – delivering a sermon to no one – inside St.Mary-Le-Bow church, Cheapside – (I do not know, says the great bell of Bow)

>Here comes a chopper to chop off your head< A traffic island up at Marble Arch – the site of the “Tyburn Tree” – which was once London’s main execution site. Condemned prisoners would be transported by horse & cart from Newgate Prison to Tyburn, to meet their fate – whilst thousands of blood thirsty Londoner’s would look on

A close-up of the flagstone near Marble Arch, that commemorates the site of the ‘Tyburn Tree’ – one of London’s most popular execution sites.

‘Half Moon’ pub in Stepney – a building built in 1900 as a Methodist chapel. By the late 1970’s the chapel was no more, and the building had been taken over by the “Half Moon Theatre Company”, who put on many productions throughout the years. By the early 1990’s the theatre had closed down, and it was then converted into its current form – the ‘Half Moon’ pub, and a very pleasant place it is too, to sink a few beers.

Me – neckin’ down a ‘cheeky’ one in the ‘Half Moon’ pub, Stepney
Really interesting Geoff you certainly bring history to life
Very well put together and love the pictures of churches – some of the best architecture in the country
Really enjoyed reading this-well researched and great pics too!
Thank you for this article. I just finished reading 1984 where the Bells of Saint Clemens is mentioned. Brought back memories of living in London in the 50s and attending the Miss Mitford Colmers School for Young Ladies (which I certainly was not). And the rhyme sprang into my head. I’m hoping to visit London once again and I will go to see these churches.
Hello Wallis,
Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to contact my London Shoes website.
I’m glad that you enjoyed this ‘Oranges & Lemons’ blog – it was certainly a bit of an unusual one to do, but it was great fun and really interesting seeking out all the churches mentioned in the famous old nursery rhyme.
I hope that some day you get the chance to re-visit this wonderful City and enjoy all it’s fantastic historical sights.
Kind regards…….GEOFF (London Shoes)
Just discovered your blog when I was researching workhouses…love the section on churches. As I was born in Barts hospital in 1981, well within the sound of the bow bells, I am indeed a “true cockney” ..Also one of the final generation to be born there as I believe the maternity unit closed in 1986 or thereabouts.
Hello Sarah,
I just wanted to thank you for taking the time and trouble to contact my London Shoes website – really appreciate it,mand I’m glad that you enjoyed my ‘Oranges & Lemons’ blog.
Also, thank you for sharing your own personal connections/experience of Barts Hospital – I’m sure that there will be many people viewing this blog in the future, who may share the same experience as you, and may wish to add their comments.
I’ve published around 200 blogs on my London Shoes website (www.londonshoes.blog) and I also publish my work on other social media portals such as Facebook & Twitter – so feel free to check out some of my past blog work, as I think you may well enjoy it.
In fact ‘Barts’ is one of the topics on my (extensive)’To Do’ list – so keep an eye out for that one in the future.
Once again – many thanks – kind regards
GEOFF (LONDON SHOES)
Hi Geoff,
Thanks for your reply, I’ll look forward to seeing any future posts on Bart’s..there are two particularly interesting and very very old churches there , at Bartholomew the Great, and st Bartholomew the Less (I think!) that you will I’m sure be interested in! It’s a gorgeous old hospital I’m quite proud to have been born there in such a historical place.
Sarah
Bart’s is definitely high on my ‘To Do’ list Sarah – I’m looking forward to getting back out ‘on the road’ for my weekly ‘London Shoes’ treks, once things have calmed down a bit and I can get stuck into some non-essential travel :-))