Origins: br br Simple Simon and the pie man, according to Denslow. The verses used today are the first of a longer chapbook history first published in 1764. The character of Simple Simon may have been in circulation much longer, possibly appearing in an Elizabethan chapbook and in a ballad, Simple Simon's Misfortunes and his Wife Margery's Cruelty, from about 1685. Another possible inspiration was Simon Edy, a beggar in the St Giles area in the 18th century. br br Simple Simon Met A Pieman Nursery Rhymes For Babies br br Simple Simon met a pieman, br Going to the fair; br Says Simple Simon to the pieman, br Let me taste your ware. br Says the pieman to Simple Simon, br Show me first your penny; br Says Simple Simon to the pieman, br Indeed I have not any. br Simple Simon went a-fishing, br For to catch a whale; br All the water he had got, br Was in his mother's pail. br Simple Simon went to look br If plums grew on a thistle; br He pricked his fingers very much, br Which made poor Simon whistle.