[Aetherwing]

I've heard multiple versions of this rhyme as well. 'Hive' and 'gate' for five & eight, for instance. Linguistic drift can make for interesting versions of many familiar songs. The version you present, Jon, is, well, extremely rife with physicality. I'm not sure what the titular Old Man is up to, but I find his behavior extremely disturbing and highly suspect. Looking at this rhyme as you present it, it is easy to view the Old Man and his bizarre actions in a very insane sort of light. Knick-knack on my spine? No way, not happening. That sounds *terrible*.-Jimmy