Twelve little children wished for heaven,
one preferred it so they came home only eleven.

Eleven little children went to play by the den,
one drowned himself and then there were ten.

Ten little children went past their home town sign,
one lost his way and then there were nine.

Nine little children stayed up very late,
one overslept himself and then there were eight.

Eight little children traveling to Devon,
one said he’d stay there and then there were seven.

Seven little children chopping up sticks,
one chopped himself in halves and then there were six.

Six little children learned to play knives,
the village didn’t like it so then there was five.

Five little children knocked on the door,
but the monster inside ate one and then their were four.

Four little children wanted to travel and see,
but the town folk encaged one and then their were three.

Three little children thought love to be true,
yet one was unfaithful so then there was two.

Two little children playing with guns,
one shot the other and then there was one.

… One little child was left all alone,
set himself alight and then there was none.