origins

[mammie]

could anyone help as this has been driving me mad for a long time i would like to know the origin and meaning the rhyme i met a man upon the stairs i met a man that wasn't there i met that man again today i wish that man would go away

[valerieb1254]

Hi mammie,
Hope this is what you're looking for.
http://karenspoetryspot.blogspot.com/2007/09/a ntigonish-by-william-hughes-mearns.html
Happy New Year.
Val.

[taichiperson]

Sorry, don't know the origin, but my version is

Yesterday upon the stair
I met a man who wasn't there
He wasn't there again today
How I wish he'd go away!

Very spooky!
When you posted the question, did you not see previous similar questions? I'm sure this has been up before.

[taichiperson]

Whoops, cross posted! Nice to see the real origin!

[mammie]

Hi and thanks Valerieb 1254 and Taichiperson my nan taught me that ditty when i was a little girl and i was always scared to go up the stairs on my own just in case i met the man that wasn't there lol Happy New Year to you all x