Ten Little Soldier Boys
Ten little soldier boys went out to dine;
One choked his little self and then there were nine.
Nine little soldier boys sat up very late;
One overslept himself and then there were eight.
Eight little soldier boys traveling in Devon;
One said he’d stay there and then there were seven.
Seven little soldier boys chopping up sticks;
One chopped himself in halves and then there were six.
Six little soldier boys playing with a hive;
A bumble bee stung one and then there were five.
Five little soldier boys going in for law;
One got into Chancery and then there were four.
Four little soldier boys going out to sea;
A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.
Three little soldier boys walking in the zoo;
A big bear hugged one and then there were two.
Two little soldier boys playing in the sun;
One got frizzled up and then there was One.
One little soldier boy left all alone;
He went out and hanged himself and then there were none.
Il verso finale può essere sostituito da:
One little soldier boy left all alone;
He got married and then there were none.
Questa filastrocca è conosciuta anche in altre versioni, dove invece dei Soldiers (Soldati) ci sono degli indiani (Ten Little Indians) o dei negretti (Ten Little Niggers)