"If wishes were horses, beggars would ride" is a proverb and nursery rhyme, first recorded about 1628 in a collection of Scottish proverbs, which suggests if wishing could make things happen, then even the most destitute people would have everything they wanted. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 20004.
Lyrics
Common newer versions include:
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
If turnips were watches, I'd wear one by my side.
If "ifs" and "ands" were pots and pans,
There'd be no work for tinkers' hands.And also:
If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.
If turnips were swords, I'd have one at my side.
If "ifs" and "ands" were pots and pans,
There'd be no work for tinkers' hands.A shorter variant:
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
If turnips were bayonets, I'd wear one by my side.A funny variant:
If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.
If horse turds were biscuits, they'd eat 'til they died....