A Man of Words and not of deeds.

The inspiration of the nursery rhyme 'A man of words and not of deeds' might have originated in the words of the Elizabethan author John Fletcher 1579-1625 - John Fletcher was born Rye, Sussex, and buried in St. Saviour's, Southwark. He was a contemporary of William Shakespeare. The quotation "Deeds, not words" can be found in the Lover's Progress (act III, sc. 6) by the Elizabethan playwright, John Fletcher.

A Man of Words and Not Deeds

A man of words and not of deeds 

Is like a garden full of weeds

And when the weeds begin to grow 

It's like a garden full of snow 

And when the snow begins to fall 

It's like a bird upon the wall 

And when the bird away does fly 

It's like an eagle in the sky 

And when the sky begins to roar 

It's like a lion at the door 

And when the door begins to crack 

It's like a stick across your back 

And when your back begins to smart

It's like a penknife in your heart 

And when your heart begins to bleed 

You're dead, and dead, and dead indeed.