Moses supposes his toeses are roses

"Moses supposes his toeses are roses" is a piece of English-language nonsense verse and a tongue-twister.

Mother playing with infant (1913).

Lyrics

A version published in 1888, described as "causing much distress of mind to the habitue of Minnetonka", runs:[1]

Moses supposes his toeses are roses;

Moses supposes erroneously,

For nobody's toeses are roses or posies,

As Moses supposes his toeses to be.

In 1895, a slightly different version was published:[2]

If Moses supposes his toeses are roses,

Then Moses supposes erroneously;

For nobody's toeses are posies or roses,

As Moses supposes his toeses to be.

A variation from 1944 has:[3]

Moses supposes his toeses are roses,

but Moses supposes erroneously.

For Moses he knowses his toeses aren't roses

as Moses supposes his toeses to be.

In 1952, this last version was used as the basis for a song in the musical Singin' in the Rain.

Cultural references

• The musical Singin' in the Rain includes a song based on a variation of the tongue-twister.

References

1. "Untitled". Mower County Transcript. Austin, MN. xxi (23): 1. 1888-08-22.
2. Anonymous (1895). Precious Nonsense. New York: Francis and Newton. p. 31. hdl:2027/hvd.hnmih4.
3. El M. (1944-10-08). "After All". Hutchison News-Herald. Hutchison, KS: 4.