And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None (also known as Ten Little Indians, Ten Little Niggers and The Nigger in the Woodpile) is a detective novel by Agatha Christie first published in 1939.

The rhyme

The book's original title "Ten Little Niggers" was taken from the chorus of an American comic song, written by Septimus Winner in 1868; there are many variants of the lyrics, of which "Ten Little Injuns" is probably the most familiar to modern audiences. The song is now considered by many to be racist and offensive.

Related Topics:
American - Comic song - Septimus Winner - 1868 - Racist

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The rhyme used in the novel is as follows:

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• Ten little Indians going out to dine;

One choked his little self and then there were nine.

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• Nine little Indians sat up very late;

One overslept herself and then there were eight.

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• Eight little Indians traveling in Devon;

One said he'd stay and then there were seven.

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• Seven little Indians chopping up sticks;

One chopped himself into halves and then there were six.

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• Six little Indians playing with a hive;

A bumblebee stung one and then there were five.

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• Five little Indians going in for law;

One got in Chancery and then there were four.

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• Four little Indians going out to sea;

A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.

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• Three little Indians walking in the zoo;

A big bear hugged one and then there were two.

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• Two little Indians playing with a gun;

One shot the other and then there was one.

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• One little Indian left all alone;

She went and hanged herself and then there were none.

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