What is the origin of the lines "here comes a candle to light you to bed, and here comes a chopper to chop off your head" from the nursery rhyme 'Oranges and Lemons'?

The 'Great Bells of Bow' were used to time the executions at Newgate prison, which for many years were done by means of beheading. The unfortunate victim would await execution on 'Death Row' and was informed by the warder, the night before the execution "here comes the candle to light you to bed" of their imminent fate and to make their peace with God! The executions commenced when the bells started chiming at nine o'clock in the morning. When the bells stopped chiming then the executions would be finished until the following day!
http://www.powerfulwords.info/nursery_rhymes/oranges_and_lemons.htm

According to an article in my newspaper today (Tuesday), Chris Roberts, a social historian, has researched 24 nursery rhymes, including "Oranges and Lemons".
He concludes that virtually all of them are full of sexual innuendo. "Oranges and Lemons" is, in fact a lewd song about a couple's wedding night. "Candle etc." is a reference to the new bride tempting the groom, while "here comes a chopper" alludes to the bride losing her virginity.

Make of it what you will, but I think it says more about Chris Roberts than it does about nursery rhymes!!

The book is "Heavy Words Thrown Lightly" by Chris Roberts is published by Foot and Mouth Publications. December 2003.
Another reference is Iona Opie's Oxford "Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes" for those who are interested.

K :)

Fosse4 writes:

Best site I've found on this is
http://www.powerfulwords.info/nursery_rhymes/oranges_and_lemons.htm

Deleted in error - McG