"Oranges and Lemons, say the bells of St. Clement's, You owe me three farthings, say the bells of St. Martin's, When will you pay me? say the bells of Old Bailey, When I grow rich, say the bells of Shoreditch" (Orwell, 178).
These lines come from an English Nursery Rhyme that has unknown origins. It is very interesting that Orwell chose to put this apparently meaningless poem in his novel. However, his purpose is just that. This is yet another example of something from the past that had survived the Party's overthrow, giving the reader hope that this story may just have a happy ending despite their gut feeling of doom and hopelessness. It is also showing the reader that they spirit of London has survived in the people, shown by the references to different London Bell Towers.
Links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A696125
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but also consider the content of that little rhyme -- what significance is there in those particular words? locations?
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