Hot dumpling sellers in old London used to cry out “Diddle Diddle Dumpling” when selling their wares.
John, from the “Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son John” verse, sounds as he may have been a bit diddled the night before, and probably not from eating dumplings!
It was first published around 1797 in The Newest Christmas Boxm London.
“Diddle, Diddle Dumpling” Lyrics
Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son John,
Went to bed with his trousers on;
One shoe off, one shoe on,
Diddle, diddle dumpling my son John!
“Diddle Diddle Dumpling”
Alternative Version
Diddle diddle dumpling, my son John
Went to bed with his britches on.
One shoe off, and one shoe on;
Diddle diddle dumpling, my son John.
Deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son John,
Went to bed with his stockings on;
One shoe off, and one shoe on,
Deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son John.