Oranges and Lemons

The Lyrics of the English Nursery Rhyme of Churches:

Oranges and Lemons

Oranges and lemons,

Say the bells of St. Clement's.

You owe me five farthings,
Say the bells of St. Martin's.

When will you pay me?
Say the bells of Old Bailey.

When I grow rich,
Say the bells of Shoreditch.

When will that be?
Say the bells of Stepney.

I do not know,
Says the great bell of Bow.

Here comes a candle to light you to bed,
And here comes a chopper to chop off your head!


This rhyme is used in the book to display the loss of rituals that were once shared by the people, ironically, now only those doomed to die know the lines.
Although these are the words, Orwell oddly says "You owe me three farthings."

This rhyme has been alluded to many times since its origin including in the 1951 "Scrooge," a Supertramp song, and a Clash song. A drink mixture of oranges and lemon soda is also known as a St. Clements.