Nursery Rhyme - How Many Miles to Babylon?

Question

Anyone got any ideas on the meaning of this nursery rhyme, "How Many Miles to Babylon?"?

How many miles to Babylon?
Three score and ten, sir.
Will I get there by candle light?
Yes, and back again, sir.
If your feet are nimble and light,
You can get there by candle light.

I've researched the meaning of Babylon, both Biblical and metaphorical, but still can't quite interpret this. Anyone care to venture?

Answer 1

I have found a web page (below) which claims that this a degenerate version of the rhyming dialogue for a very old children's game, which involved running from one place to another and back again. The game is now completely lost, and the rhyme has become distorted into mere nonsense.