(b) A ring is formed by the children joining hands. One child kneels in the centre, covering her face with her hands. The ring dances round, and sings the first two verses. The kneeling child then takes her hands from her face and sings the next verse, still kneeling. While the ring sings the next verse, she rises and chooses one child out of the ring. They stand together, holding hands while the others sing the marriage formula, and kiss each other at the command. The ring of children dance round quickly while singing this. When finished the first “Mary†takes a place in the ring, and the other child kneels down (Barnes and other places). AtEnborneschool, Newbury (Miss Kimber), this game is played by boys and girls. All the children in the ring sing the first two verses. Then the boys alone in the ring sing the next verse; all the ring singing the fourth. While singing this the kneeling child rises and holds out her hand to any boy she prefers, who goes into the ring with her. When he is left in the ring at the commencement of the game again, a boy’s name is substituted for that of “Mary.†There appears to be no kissing. In theLiphook version(Miss Fowler), after the girl has chosen her sweetheart the ring breaks, and the two walk out and then kneel down, returning to the ring and kissing each other. A version identical with that ofBarnesis played by the girls of Clapham High School. All tunes sent me were similar tothat given.
(c) The analysis of the game rhymes is onpp. 56-60.
This analysis shows that the incidents expressed by the rhymes are practically the same in all the versions. In the majority of the cases the weeping is depicted as part of a ceremony, by which it is known that a girl desires a lover; she is enabled then to choose one, and to be married. The marriage formula is the usual one in theBarnes’ version, but follows another set of words in three other versions. In the caseswhere the marriage is neither expressed by a formula, nor implied by other means (WintertonandForest of Dean), the versions are evidently fragments only, and probably at one time ended, as in the other cases, with marriage. But in three other cases the ending is not with marriage. TheEarls HeatonandScottish versionsrepresent the cause of weeping as the death of a father, the Berkshire version introduces the apparently unmeaning incident of Mary bearing a shepherd’s cross, and theSouth Devon versionrepresents the cause of weeping the death of a lover at sea. It is obvious that at places where sailors abound, the incident of weeping for a sailor-lover who is dead would get inserted, and the fact of this change only occurring once in the versions I have collected, tells all the more strongly in favour of the original version having represented marriage and love, and not death, but it does not follow that the marriage formula belongs to the oldest or original form of the game. I am inclined to think this has been added since marriage was thought to be the natural and proper result of choosing a sweetheart.
(d) The change in some of the verses, as in theCambridge version, is due to corruption and the marked decadence now occurring in these games. No. 13 in the analysis is from the game “Pretty little girl of mine,†and Nos. 42-3 “Ring o’ Roses.â€
I.
Here’s an old widow who lies alone,Lies alone, lies alone,Here’s an old widow who lies alone,She wants a man and can’t get one.Choose one, choose two, choose the fairest.The fairest one that I can seeIs [Mary Hamilton], come unto me.Now she is married and tied to a bag,She has got a man with a wooden leg.
Here’s an old widow who lies alone,Lies alone, lies alone,Here’s an old widow who lies alone,She wants a man and can’t get one.Choose one, choose two, choose the fairest.The fairest one that I can seeIs [Mary Hamilton], come unto me.Now she is married and tied to a bag,She has got a man with a wooden leg.
—Belfast (W. H. Patterson).
II.
There was an old soldier he came from the war,His age it was sixty and three.Go you, old soldier, and choose a wife,Choose a good one or else choose none.Here’s a poor widow she lives her lone,She hasn’t a daughter to marry but one.Come choose to the east, choose to the west,And choose the very one you love best.Here’s a couple married in joy,First a girl and then a boy,Seven years after, and seven years come,Pree[1]young couple kiss and have done.
There was an old soldier he came from the war,His age it was sixty and three.Go you, old soldier, and choose a wife,Choose a good one or else choose none.
Here’s a poor widow she lives her lone,She hasn’t a daughter to marry but one.Come choose to the east, choose to the west,And choose the very one you love best.
Here’s a couple married in joy,First a girl and then a boy,Seven years after, and seven years come,Pree[1]young couple kiss and have done.
—Belfast (W. H. Patterson).
III.
There was a poor widow left alone,And all her children dead and gone.Come, choose you east,Come, choose you west,Take the man you love best.Now they’re married,I wish them joy,Every year a girl or a boy,I hope this couple may kiss each other.
There was a poor widow left alone,And all her children dead and gone.Come, choose you east,Come, choose you west,Take the man you love best.Now they’re married,I wish them joy,Every year a girl or a boy,I hope this couple may kiss each other.
—Nairn (Rev. W. Gregor).
(b) One child is chosen to act the part of the widow. The players join hands and form a circle. The widow takes her stand in the centre of the circle in a posture indicating sorrow. The girls in the circle trip round and round, and sing the first five lines. The widow then chooses one of the ring. The ring then sings the marriage formula, the two kiss each other, and the game is continued, the one chosen to be the mate of the first widow becoming the widow in turn (Nairn).
(c) This game is probably the same as “Silly Old Man.†Two separate versions may have arisen by girls playing by themselves without boys.[Addendum]
[1]Sometimes “pray,†but “pree†seems to be the Scotch for taste:—“pree her moo†= taste her mouth = to kiss.
[1]Sometimes “pray,†but “pree†seems to be the Scotch for taste:—“pree her moo†= taste her mouth = to kiss.
Half a pound of tup’ny rice,Half a pound of treacle;Mix it up and make it nice,Pop goes the weasel.
Half a pound of tup’ny rice,Half a pound of treacle;Mix it up and make it nice,Pop goes the weasel.
—Earls Heaton (Herbert Hardy).
(b) Children stand in two rows facing each other, they sing while moving backwards and forwards. At the close one from each side selects a partner, and then, all having partners, they whirl round and round.
(c) An additional verse is sometimes sung with or in place of the above in London.
Up and down the City Road;In and out the Eagle;That’s the way the money goes,Pop goes the weasel.
Up and down the City Road;In and out the Eagle;That’s the way the money goes,Pop goes the weasel.
—(A. Nutt).
Mr. Nutt writes: “The Eagle was (and may be still) a well-known tavern and dancing saloon.â€
A game in which two, each putting down a pin on the crown of a hat or bonnet, alternately pop on the bonnet till one of the pins crosses the other; then he at whose pop or tap this takes place, lifts the stakes.—Teviotdale (Jamieson). The same game is now played by boys with steel pens or nibs.
See “Hattie.â€
See “Pinny Show.â€
This is a boys’ game. Any number may join in it. The players join hands and stand in line. The leader, generally a bigger boy, begins to bend round, at first slowly, then with more speed, drawing the whole line after him. The circular motion is communicated to the whole line, and, unless the boys at the end farthest from the leader run very quickly, the momentum throws them off their feet with a dash if they do not drop their hold.—Keith, Nairn (Rev. W. Gregor).
Throwing a ball against a wall, letting it bounce and catching it, accompanied by the following movements:—
1. Simply three times each.
2. Throw, twist hands, and catch.
3. Clap hands in front, behind, in front.
4. Turn round.
5. Beat down ball on ground three times, and catch.
6. Again on ground and catch (once) at end of first “pot,†and twice for second “pot.â€
—Hexham (Miss J. Barker).
[Addendum]
I.
Priperty Miss, will you come out,Will you come out, will you come out?Priperty Miss, will you come outTo help us with our dancing?No!The naughty girl, she won’t come out,She won’t come out, she won’t come out;The naughty girl, she won’t come outTo help us with our dancing.Priperty Miss, will you come out,Will you come out, will you come out?Priperty Miss, will you come outTo help us with our dancing?Yes!Now we’ve got another girl,Another girl, another girl;Now we’ve got another girlTo help us with our dancing.
Priperty Miss, will you come out,Will you come out, will you come out?Priperty Miss, will you come outTo help us with our dancing?
No!
The naughty girl, she won’t come out,She won’t come out, she won’t come out;The naughty girl, she won’t come outTo help us with our dancing.
Priperty Miss, will you come out,Will you come out, will you come out?Priperty Miss, will you come outTo help us with our dancing?
Yes!
Now we’ve got another girl,Another girl, another girl;Now we’ve got another girlTo help us with our dancing.
—Fochabers (Rev. W. Gregor).
II.
Pray, pretty Miss, will you come out,Will you come out, will you come out?Pray, pretty Miss, will you come outTo help me in my dancing?No!Then you are a naughty Miss!Then you are a naughty Miss!Then you are a naughty Miss!Won’t help me in my dancing.Pray, pretty Miss, will you come out,Will you come out, will you come out?Pray, pretty Miss, will you come outTo help me in my dancing?Yes!Now you are a good Miss!Now you are a good Miss!Now you are a good Miss!To help me in my dancing.
Pray, pretty Miss, will you come out,Will you come out, will you come out?Pray, pretty Miss, will you come outTo help me in my dancing?
No!
Then you are a naughty Miss!Then you are a naughty Miss!Then you are a naughty Miss!Won’t help me in my dancing.
Pray, pretty Miss, will you come out,Will you come out, will you come out?Pray, pretty Miss, will you come outTo help me in my dancing?
Yes!
Now you are a good Miss!Now you are a good Miss!Now you are a good Miss!To help me in my dancing.
—Cornwall (Folk-lore Journal, v. 47, 48).
III.
Pray, pretty Miss, will you come out to help us in our dancing?No!Oh, then you are a naughty Miss, won’t help us with our dancing.Pray, pretty Miss, will you come out to help us in our dancing?Yes!Now we’ve got our jolly old lass to help us with our dancing.
Pray, pretty Miss, will you come out to help us in our dancing?No!Oh, then you are a naughty Miss, won’t help us with our dancing.Pray, pretty Miss, will you come out to help us in our dancing?Yes!Now we’ve got our jolly old lass to help us with our dancing.
—Sheffield, Yorks. (Folk-lore Record, v. 87).
IV.
Oh, will you come and dance with me,Oh, will you come and dance with me?No!
Oh, will you come and dance with me,Oh, will you come and dance with me?No!
[They say as above to the next girl, who says “Yes.â€]
Now we’ve got our bonny bunchTo help us with our dancing.
Now we’ve got our bonny bunchTo help us with our dancing.
—Hurstmonceux, Sussex (Miss Chase).
(b) TheScottish versionof this game is played as follows:—All the players stand in a line except two, who stand facing them. These two join hands crosswise, and then advancing and retiring, sing to the child at the end of the line the first four lines. The first child refuses, and they then dance round, singing the second verse. They sing the first verse again, and on her compliance she joins the two, and all three dance round together, singing the last verse. The three then advance and retire, singing the first verse to another child.
TheCornish versionis played differently: a ring is formed, boy and girl standing alternately in the centre. The child inthe middle holds a white handkerchief by two of its corners; if a boy he would single out one of the girls, dance backwards and forwards opposite to her, and sing the first verse. If the answer were “No!†spoken with averted head over the left shoulder, he sang the second verse. Occasionally three or four in turn refused. When the request was granted the words were changed to the fourth verse. The handkerchief was then carefully spread on the floor; the couple knelt on it and kissed: the child formerly in the middle joined the ring, and the other took his place, or if he preferred it remained in the centre; in that case the children clasped hands and sang together the first verse over again, the last to enter the ring having the privilege of selecting the next partner.
(c) Miss Courtney says (Folk-lore Journal, v. 47), that this game is quite a thing of the past. Of theHurstmonceux version, Miss Chase says, “This game is not fully remembered. It was played about 1850.†The words indicate an invitation to the dance similar to those in “Cushion Dance,†“Green Grass.â€
[Play]
Tune Pretty Little Girl of Mine Monton—Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy).
—Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy).
[Play]
Tune Pretty Little Girl of Mine Tean—Tean, North Staffordshire (Miss Burne).
—Tean, North Staffordshire (Miss Burne).
[Play]
Tune Pretty Little Girl of Mine Eccleshall—Eccleshall (Miss Burne).
—Eccleshall (Miss Burne).
[Playpart 1,part 2]
Tune Pretty Little Girl of Mine Nottingham—Nottingham (Miss Youngman).
—Nottingham (Miss Youngman).
[Playversion 1,version 2]
Tune Pretty Little Girl of Mine Hanbury—Hanbury, Staffordshire (Edith Hollis).
—Hanbury, Staffordshire (Edith Hollis).
I.
Here’s a pretty little girl of mine,She’s brought me many a bottle of wine;A bottle of wine she gave me too—See what this little girl can do.On the carpet she shall kneelAs the grass grows on the fiel’;Stand upright on your feet,And choose the one you love so sweet.Now you are married I wish you joy,First a girl and then a boy;Seven years after, son and daughter;Pray, young couple, kiss together.
Here’s a pretty little girl of mine,She’s brought me many a bottle of wine;A bottle of wine she gave me too—See what this little girl can do.
On the carpet she shall kneelAs the grass grows on the fiel’;Stand upright on your feet,And choose the one you love so sweet.
Now you are married I wish you joy,First a girl and then a boy;Seven years after, son and daughter;Pray, young couple, kiss together.
—Symondsbury, Dorset (Folk-lore Journal, vii. 207).
II.
Oh, this pretty little girl of mine,Brought me many a bottle of wine;A bottle of wine and a guinea, too,See what my little girlcando.Down on the carpet she shall kneel,As the grass grows in the field;Stand upright on your feet,And choose the one you love so sweet.Now I’m married and wish you joy,First a girl and then a boy;Seven years after, seven years past,Kiss one another and go to your class.
Oh, this pretty little girl of mine,Brought me many a bottle of wine;A bottle of wine and a guinea, too,See what my little girlcando.
Down on the carpet she shall kneel,As the grass grows in the field;Stand upright on your feet,And choose the one you love so sweet.
Now I’m married and wish you joy,First a girl and then a boy;Seven years after, seven years past,Kiss one another and go to your class.
—Hampshire (Miss Mendham).
III.
Here’s a pretty little girl of mine,Who’s brought her bottle and glass of wine;A glass of wine and a biscuit too,See what my pretty girl will do.On the carpet she shall kneel,While the grass grows in the field;Stand upright upon your feet,Choose the one you love so sweet.When you’re married I wish you joy,First a girl and second a boy,Seven years after, son and daughter,Now, young couple, kiss together.
Here’s a pretty little girl of mine,Who’s brought her bottle and glass of wine;A glass of wine and a biscuit too,See what my pretty girl will do.
On the carpet she shall kneel,While the grass grows in the field;Stand upright upon your feet,Choose the one you love so sweet.
When you’re married I wish you joy,First a girl and second a boy,Seven years after, son and daughter,Now, young couple, kiss together.
—Gambledown, Hants (Mrs. Pinsent).
IV.
Oh! this pretty little girl of mine,Has cost me many a bottle of wine;A bottle of wine and a guinea or two,So see what my little girl can do.Down on the carpet she shall kneel,While the grass grows on her field;Stand upright upon your feet,And choose the one you love so sweet.Now you are married you must obey,Must be true in all you say;You must be kind and very good,And help your wife to chop the wood.
Oh! this pretty little girl of mine,Has cost me many a bottle of wine;A bottle of wine and a guinea or two,So see what my little girl can do.
Down on the carpet she shall kneel,While the grass grows on her field;Stand upright upon your feet,And choose the one you love so sweet.
Now you are married you must obey,Must be true in all you say;You must be kind and very good,And help your wife to chop the wood.
—Maxey (Northants Notes and Queries, i. 214).
V.
Here’s a pretty little girl of mine,She’s cost me many a bottle of wine;A bottle of wine and a guinea too,See what my little girl can do.Down on the carpet she must kneel,As the grass grows in the field;Stand upright upon her feet,And choose the one she loves so sweet.Now you’re married I wish you joy,Father and mother you must obey;Love one another like sister and brother,And pray, young couple, come kiss one another.
Here’s a pretty little girl of mine,She’s cost me many a bottle of wine;A bottle of wine and a guinea too,See what my little girl can do.
Down on the carpet she must kneel,As the grass grows in the field;Stand upright upon her feet,And choose the one she loves so sweet.
Now you’re married I wish you joy,Father and mother you must obey;Love one another like sister and brother,And pray, young couple, come kiss one another.
—Colchester (Miss G. M. Frances).
VI.
Oh! this pretty little girl of mine,She bought me many a bottle of wine,A bottle of wine she gave me too,So see what my little girl could do.Stand up, stand up upon your feet,And choose the one you love so sweet.
Oh! this pretty little girl of mine,She bought me many a bottle of wine,A bottle of wine she gave me too,So see what my little girl could do.
Stand up, stand up upon your feet,And choose the one you love so sweet.
—Liphook, Hants (Miss Fowler).
VII.
See what a pretty little girl have I,She brings me many a bottle of wi’;A bottle of wine and a biscuit too,See what a little girl can do.On the carpet she shall kneel,As the grass grows in the fiel’;Stand upright upon your feet,And choose the one you love so sweet.Now you’re married we wish you joy,First a girl and then a boy,Seven years after, son and daughter,May you couple kiss together.
See what a pretty little girl have I,She brings me many a bottle of wi’;A bottle of wine and a biscuit too,See what a little girl can do.On the carpet she shall kneel,As the grass grows in the fiel’;Stand upright upon your feet,And choose the one you love so sweet.
Now you’re married we wish you joy,First a girl and then a boy,Seven years after, son and daughter,May you couple kiss together.
—South Devon (Notes and Queries, 8th series, i. 249; Miss R. H. Busk).
VIII.
See what a pretty little girl I am,She gave me many a bottle of wine,Many a bottle of wine, and a biscuit too,See what a pretty little girl can do.On the carpet you shall kneel,Stand up straight all in the field,Choose the one that you love best.Now we are married and hope we enjoy,First a girl and then a boy,Seven years after and seven years to come,May young company kiss have done.
See what a pretty little girl I am,She gave me many a bottle of wine,Many a bottle of wine, and a biscuit too,See what a pretty little girl can do.On the carpet you shall kneel,Stand up straight all in the field,Choose the one that you love best.
Now we are married and hope we enjoy,First a girl and then a boy,Seven years after and seven years to come,May young company kiss have done.
—Holywood, Co. Down (Miss C. M. Patterson).
IX.
See what a pretty little girl I am!Brought me many a bottle o’ wine!Bottle o’ wine to make me shine!See what a pretty little girl I am!Upon the carpets we shall kneel,As the grass grows in yonder field;Stand up lightly on your feet,And choose the one you love so sweet.Now these two are going to die,First a girl, and then a boy;Seven years at afterwards, seven years ago,And now they are parted with a kiss and a go.
See what a pretty little girl I am!Brought me many a bottle o’ wine!Bottle o’ wine to make me shine!See what a pretty little girl I am!
Upon the carpets we shall kneel,As the grass grows in yonder field;Stand up lightly on your feet,And choose the one you love so sweet.
Now these two are going to die,First a girl, and then a boy;Seven years at afterwards, seven years ago,And now they are parted with a kiss and a go.
—Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy).
X.
See this pretty little maid of mine!She’s brought me many a bottle of wine;A bottle of wine, a good thing, too;See what this pretty maid can do!Down on the carpet she must kneel,Till the grass grows on her feet;Stand up straight upon thy feet,Choose the very one that you love sweet.Take her by her lily-white hand,Lean across the water;Give a kiss,—one, two, three,—To Mrs. ——’s daughter.
See this pretty little maid of mine!She’s brought me many a bottle of wine;A bottle of wine, a good thing, too;See what this pretty maid can do!
Down on the carpet she must kneel,Till the grass grows on her feet;Stand up straight upon thy feet,Choose the very one that you love sweet.
Take her by her lily-white hand,Lean across the water;Give a kiss,—one, two, three,—To Mrs. ——’s daughter.
—Suffolk (Mrs. Haddon).
XI.
See what a pretty little girl I am!They brought me many a bottle of wine—Bottle of wine to make me shine;See what a pretty little girl I am!On the carpets we must kneel,As the grass grows in yonder field;Rise up lightly on your feet,And kiss the one you love so sweet.My sister’s going to get married,My sister’s going to get married,My sister’s going to get married,Ee! Ii! Oh!
See what a pretty little girl I am!They brought me many a bottle of wine—Bottle of wine to make me shine;See what a pretty little girl I am!
On the carpets we must kneel,As the grass grows in yonder field;Rise up lightly on your feet,And kiss the one you love so sweet.
My sister’s going to get married,My sister’s going to get married,My sister’s going to get married,Ee! Ii! Oh!
—Colleyhurst, Manchester (Miss Dendy).
XII.
Or,
Seven years now, and seven to come,Take her and kiss her and send her off home.
Seven years now, and seven to come,Take her and kiss her and send her off home.
—Eccleshall, Staffs. (Miss Burne).
XIII.
On the carpet you shall kneel,As the grass grows on the field;Stand up straight upon your feet,And tell me the one you love so sweet.—— is married with a good child,First with a girl and then with a boy;Seven years after son and daughter,Play with a couple and kiss together.
On the carpet you shall kneel,As the grass grows on the field;Stand up straight upon your feet,And tell me the one you love so sweet.
—— is married with a good child,First with a girl and then with a boy;Seven years after son and daughter,Play with a couple and kiss together.
—Tean, North Staffs. (from a Monitor in the National School).
XIV.
On the carpet you shall kneel,As the grass grows in the field;Stand up, stand up upon your feet,And tell me whom you love so sweet.Now you’re married I wish you joy,First a girl, and then a boy;Seven years after son and daughter,Come, young couple, come kiss together.
On the carpet you shall kneel,As the grass grows in the field;Stand up, stand up upon your feet,And tell me whom you love so sweet.
Now you’re married I wish you joy,First a girl, and then a boy;Seven years after son and daughter,Come, young couple, come kiss together.
—Middlesex (Miss Winfield).
XV.
On the carpet you shall kneel,As the grass grows in the field;Stand up, stand up on your feet,Show the girl you love so sweet.Now you’re married I hope you’ll enjoyA son and a daughter, soKiss and good-bye.
On the carpet you shall kneel,As the grass grows in the field;Stand up, stand up on your feet,Show the girl you love so sweet.
Now you’re married I hope you’ll enjoyA son and a daughter, soKiss and good-bye.
—Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire (Miss Youngman).
XVI.
Down on the carpet you shall kneel,While the grass grows on your field;[3]Stand up straight upon your feet,And choose the one you love so sweet.Marry couple, married in joy,First a girl and then a boy;Seven years after, seven years come,Please,[4]young couple, kiss and have done.
Down on the carpet you shall kneel,While the grass grows on your field;[3]Stand up straight upon your feet,And choose the one you love so sweet.Marry couple, married in joy,First a girl and then a boy;Seven years after, seven years come,Please,[4]young couple, kiss and have done.
—Belfast (W. H. Patterson).
XVII.
On the carpet you shall kneel,While the grass grows fresh and green;Stand up straight upon your feet,And kiss the one you love so sweet.Now they’re married, love and joy,First a girl and then a boy;Seven years after, seven years ago,Now’s the time to kiss and go.
On the carpet you shall kneel,While the grass grows fresh and green;Stand up straight upon your feet,And kiss the one you love so sweet.
Now they’re married, love and joy,First a girl and then a boy;Seven years after, seven years ago,Now’s the time to kiss and go.
—Liverpool and neighbourhood (Mrs. Harley).
XVIII.
On the carpet you shall kneel,As the grass grows in the field;Stand up, stand up on your feet,And shew me the girl you love so sweet.Now Sally’s married I hope she’ll enjoy,First with a girl and then with a boy;Seven years old and seven years young,Pray, young lady, walk out of your ring.
On the carpet you shall kneel,As the grass grows in the field;Stand up, stand up on your feet,And shew me the girl you love so sweet.Now Sally’s married I hope she’ll enjoy,First with a girl and then with a boy;Seven years old and seven years young,Pray, young lady, walk out of your ring.
—Derbyshire (Folk-lore Journal, i. 385).
XIX.
On the carpet you shall kneel,Where the grass grows fresh and green;Stand up, stand up on your pretty feet,And show me the one you love so sweet.
On the carpet you shall kneel,Where the grass grows fresh and green;Stand up, stand up on your pretty feet,And show me the one you love so sweet.
—Berrington (Burne’sShropshire Folk-lore, p. 509).
[Same ending as Eccleshall version.]
[Same ending as Eccleshall version.]
XX.
On the carpitt you shall kneel,While the grass grows in the field;Stand up, stand up on your feet,Pick the one you love so sweet.
On the carpitt you shall kneel,While the grass grows in the field;Stand up, stand up on your feet,Pick the one you love so sweet.
—Wakefield, Yorks. (Miss Fowler).
XXI.
King William was King David’s son,And all the royal race is run;Choose from the east, choose from the west,Choose the one you love the best.[5]Down on this carpet you shall kneel,While the grass grows in yond field;Salute your bride and kiss her sweet,Rise again upon your feet.
King William was King David’s son,And all the royal race is run;Choose from the east, choose from the west,Choose the one you love the best.[5]
Down on this carpet you shall kneel,While the grass grows in yond field;Salute your bride and kiss her sweet,Rise again upon your feet.
—Hanging Heaton, Yorks. (Herbert Hardy).
XXII.
On the carpet you shall kneel, while the grass grows at your feet;Stand up straight upon your feet, and choose the one you love so sweet.Now Sally is married, life and joy, first a girl and then a boy;Seven years after, seven years ago, three on the carpet, kiss and go.
On the carpet you shall kneel, while the grass grows at your feet;Stand up straight upon your feet, and choose the one you love so sweet.Now Sally is married, life and joy, first a girl and then a boy;Seven years after, seven years ago, three on the carpet, kiss and go.
—Hanbury, Staffordshire (Miss Edith Hollis).
XXIII.
I had a bonnet trimmed wi’ blue.Why dosn’t wëare it? Zo I do;I’d wëare it where I con,To tëake a walk wi’ my young mon.My young mon is a-gone to sea,When he’d come back he’ll marry me.Zee what a purty zister is mine,Doan’t ’e think she’s ter’ble fine?She’s a most ter’ble cunnèn too,Just zee what my zister can do.On the carpet she can kneel,As the grass grow in the fiel’.Stand upright upon thy feet,And choose the prettiest you like, sweet.
I had a bonnet trimmed wi’ blue.Why dosn’t wëare it? Zo I do;I’d wëare it where I con,To tëake a walk wi’ my young mon.My young mon is a-gone to sea,When he’d come back he’ll marry me.Zee what a purty zister is mine,Doan’t ’e think she’s ter’ble fine?She’s a most ter’ble cunnèn too,Just zee what my zister can do.On the carpet she can kneel,As the grass grow in the fiel’.Stand upright upon thy feet,And choose the prettiest you like, sweet.
—Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset (Folk-lore Journal, vii. 208).
XXIV.
Kneel down on the carpets, we shall kneel;The grass grows away in yonder fiel’,Stand up, stand up upon your feet,And show me the one you love so sweet.Now they get married, I wish they may joyEvery year a girl or a boy;Loving together like sister and brother,Now they are coupled to kiss together.
Kneel down on the carpets, we shall kneel;The grass grows away in yonder fiel’,Stand up, stand up upon your feet,And show me the one you love so sweet.
Now they get married, I wish they may joyEvery year a girl or a boy;Loving together like sister and brother,Now they are coupled to kiss together.
—Galloway, N.B. (J. G. Carter).
(c) This game is played in the same way in all the different variants I have given, except a slight addition in theSuffolk(Mrs. Haddon). A ring is formed by the children joining hands—one child stands in the centre. The ring dances or moves slowly round, singing the verses. The child in the centre kneels down when the words are sung, rises and chooses a partner from the ring, kisses her when so commanded, and then takes a place in the ring, leaving the other child in the centre. In those cases where the marriage formula is not given, the kissing would probably be omitted.
(d) Of the twenty-four versions given there are not two alike, and this game is distinguished from all others by the singular diversity of its variants; although the original structure of the verses has been preserved to some extent, they seem to have been the sport of the inventive faculty of each different set of players. Lines have been added, left out, and altered in every direction, and in the example fromHazelbury Bryan, in Dorsetshire (No. xxiii.), a portion of an old song or ballad has been added to the game rhyme. These alterations occur not only in different counties, but in the same counties, as may be seen by theDorset,Hants,Staffordshire, andNorthantsexamples. Mr. Carter says of theGalloway gamethat the kissing match sometimes degenerates into a spitting match, according to the temper of the parties concerned. In theSuffolk version(Mrs. Haddon), at the words “Lean across the water,†the two in the centre lean over the arms of those forming the ring. These words and action are probably an addition. They belong to the “Rosy Apple, Lemon and Pear†game.
These peculiar characteristics of the game do not permit of much investigation into the original words of the game-rhyme, but they serve to illustrate, in a very forcible manner, the exactly opposite characteristics of nearly all the other games, which preserve, in almost stereotyped fashion, the words of the rhymes. It appears most probable that the verses belongedoriginally to some independent game like “Sally, Sally Water,†and that, when divorced from their original context, they lent themselves to the various changes which have been made. The minute application of modern ideas is seen in the version fromGambledown, where “A bottle of wine and a guinea, too,†becomes “A bottle of wine and a biscuit, too;†and at West Haddon, in Northamptonshire, a variant of the marriage formula is given inNorthants Notes and Queries, ii. 106, as—