Water-colour illustration and mixed media Sing a song of sixpence, A pocket full of rye; Four and twenty blackbirds Backed in a pie. When the pie was opened The birds began to sing; Wasn't that a dainty dish To set before the King? The King was in the counting-house Counting out his money; The queen was in the parlor Eating bread and honey. The maid was in the garden Hanging out the clothes, When down came a blackbird And snapped off her nose.