Moses supposes his toeses are roses
"Moses supposes his toeses are roses" is a piece of English-language nonsense verse and a tongue-twister.
Lyrics
A version published in 1888, described as "causing much distress of mind to the habitue of Minnetonka", runs:[1]
- Moses supposes his toeses are roses;
- Moses supposes erroneously,
- For nobody's toeses are roses or posies,
- As Moses supposes his toeses to be.
In 1895, a slightly different version was published:[2]
- If Moses supposes his toeses are roses,
- Then Moses supposes erroneously;
- For nobody's toeses are posies or roses,
- As Moses supposes his toeses to be.
A variation from 1944 has:[3]
- Moses supposes his toeses are roses,
- but Moses supposes erroneously.
- For Moses he knowses his toeses aren't roses
- as Moses supposes his toeses to be.
In 1952, this last version was used as the basis for a song in the musical Singin' in the Rain.
Cultural references
- The musical Singin' in the Rain includes a song based on a variation of the tongue-twister.
References
- ^ "[no title]". Mower County Transcript. xxi (23). Austin, MN: 1. 1888-08-22.
{{cite journal}}: Cite uses generic title (help) - ^ Anonymous (1895). Precious Nonsense. New York: Francis and Newton. p. 31.
- ^ El M. (1944-10-08). "After All". Hutchison News-Herald. Hutchison, KS: 4.
