Jack Be Nimble

Jack Be Nimble is a nursery rhyme that was first recorded in 1815. There has been a tradition of candle leaping in England for a very long time. It was both a sport and a way of telling fortunes.

The person who could leap over a lit candle without the flame blowing out was considered to be going to have good luck over the next year.

One of the places where candle leaping was most popular was in Buckinghamshire, where the lace makers of Wendover used to practice it on the feast of their patron saint, St. Catherine on November 25th.  

Jack Be Nimble Lyrics

Jack be nimble,
Jack be quick,
Jack jump over
The candlestick

Jack Be Nimble Music Sheet