'A'  WAS AN ARCHER-BACKGROUND

 Some nursery rhymes were used to educate children. Many of the nursery rhymes can be traced to the 17th century. In those times, the illiteracy rate especially among peasants was high. Nevertheless, some nursery rhymes, such as " 'A' WAS AN ARCHER" were used to teach children the alphabet.

The original  nursery rhyme is:

A was an archer, and shot at a frog,
B was a butcher, and had a great dog.
C was a captain, all covered with lace,
D was a drunkard, and had a red face.
E was an esquire, with pride on his brow,
F was a farmer, and followed the plough.
G was a gamester, who had but ill luck,
H was a hunter , and hunted a buck.
I was an innkeeper, who loved to bouse,
J was a joiner, and built up a house.
K was King William, once governed this land,
L was a lady, who had a white hand.
M was a miser, and hoarded up gold,
N was a nobleman, gallant and bold.
O was an oyster wench, and went about town,
P was a parson, and wore a black gown.
Q was a ween, who was fond of good flip,
R was a robber, and wanted a whip.
S was a sailor, and spent all he got,
T was a tinker, and mended a pot.
U was an usurer, a miserable elf,
V was a vintner, who drank all himself.
W was a watchman, and guarded the door,
X was expensive, and so became poor.
Y was a youth, that did not love school,
Z was a zany, a poor harmless fool.