If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride

Posted by ESC on September 05, 2001

In Reply to: If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride posted by Pam on September 05, 2001

: This phrase I read somewhere and cannot for the life of me remember where it was. It goes on to say "if 'somethings' were 'somethings' I'd wear one by my side" and there is, I think, a whole poem possibly. Anyone heard of it, or know where it's from?

In a previous discussion (search the archives under "wishes") Bruce researched and found that this is a Mother Goose rhyme.

IF WISHES WERE HORSES

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
If turnips were watches, I would wear one by my side.
And if "ifs" and "ands"
Were pots and pans,
There'd be no work for tinkers!

• If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride Pam 09/05/01

See also: the meaning and origin of 'If wishes were horses then beggers would ride'.