Ten Little Injuns

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An American counting-out rhyme. This is the elaborated version by Septimus Winner created in 1868 for a minstrel show.

Ten little Injuns standin' in a line,
One toddled home and then there were nine;

Nine little Injuns swingin' on a gate,
One tumbled off and then there were eight.

Eight little Injuns gayest under heav'n.
One went to sleep and then there were seven;

Seven little Injuns cuttin' up their tricks,
One broke his neck and then there were six.

Six little Injuns all alive,
One kicked the bucket and then there were five;

Five little Injuns on a cellar door,
One tumbled in and then there were four.

Four little Injuns up on a spree,
One got fuddled and then there were three;

Three little Injuns out on a canoe,
One tumbled overboard and then there were two

Two little Injuns foolin' with a gun,
One shot t'other and then there was one;

One little Injun livin' all alone,
He got married and then there were none.



There is another version from 1869 by Frank J. Green titled "Ten Little N*ggers". Here is the version with the last word swapped for "soldier", as it is shown in And Then There Were None, a mystery novel by Agatha Christie.

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 travelling in ;
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 ;
A stung one of them and then there were five.

Five little soldier boys going in for law;
One got in and then there were four.

Four little soldier boys going out to sea;
A 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 sitting in the sun;
One got all frizzled up and then there was one.

One little soldier boy left all alone;
He went and hanged himself and then there were none.

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