Warney

Wally, wally wallflower,Growing up so high—All ye young ladiesYou must all die.Excepting ——,She’s the best of all—She can hop, and she can skip,She can turn the mangle,Oh my, fie for shame,Turn your back to the wall again.

—Barnes, Surrey (A. B. Gomme).

VI.

Wall flowers, wall flowers, growing up so high,We are all children, and we shall all die.Excepting ——, she’s the youngest child,She can hop, she can skip,She can turn the wedding ring,Fie, fie, fie for shame,Turn your face to the wall again.

—Nottingham (Miss Youngman).

VII.

Wally, wally wall-flower,A-growen up so high,All we children be sure to die.Excepting [naming the youngest]’Cause she’s the youngest,Oh! fie! for shame! fie! for shame!Turn your back to the wall again.

—Symondsbury, Dorset (Folk-lore Journal, vii. 215).

VIII.

Wall-flowers, wall-flowers, growing up so high,We are all living, and we shall all die.Except the youngest here [naming her].Turn your back to overshed. (?)

(This last line is repeated three times.)

—Symondsbury, Dorset (Folk-lore Journal, vii. 215).

IX.

Wall-flowers, wall-flowers, growing up so high!We shall all be maidens, [and so] we shall all die![13]ExceptingAlice Gittins, she is the youngest flower,She can hop, and she can skip, and she can play the hour!Three and four, and four and five,Turn your back to the wall-side!

Or,

She can dance and she can sing,She can play on the tambourine!Fie, fie! fie, for shame!Turn your back upon the game!

—Ellesmere, Berrington, Wenlock (Shropshire Folk-lore, p. 513).

Willie, willie wall-flowers, growing up so high!We are all fair maids, we shall all die!Excepting little ——, and she’s the youngest here,Turn your head towards the south, and she’s the one to bear,The willie, willie wallflowers.

Or,

Oh! for shame, fie, for shame, turn yourself to the wall again—

—Sporle, Norfolk (Miss Matthews).

XI.

Wall-flowers, wall-flowers, growing up so high!We are all ladies, we must all die!Excepting ——, who is the prettiest child.Fie, for shame, fie, for shame, turn your back to the wall again.

—Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire (Miss Winfield)

XII.

Wall-flowers, wall-flowers, growing up so high!We’re all ladies, and we shall all die!Excepting [naming smallest child in ring],She can hop, and she can skip, and she can play the organ!Oh! for shame, fie, for shame,Turn your back upon our game.

—Enbourne School, Berks. (Miss M. Kimber).

XIII.

Wall-flowers, wall-flowers, growing up so high!We are all pretty maidens, we all have to die!Except ——, she’s the youngest girl,Ah! for shame, ah! for shame,Turn your back to us again.I’ll wash you in milk,I’ll dress you in silk,I’ll write down your name,With a gold pen and ink.

—Earls Heaton (Herbert Hardy).

XIV.

Oh flower, oh flower, growing up so high!We are all children, we have all to die!Except ——, she the youngest gay,Oh! for shame, fie, for shame,Turn your back against the wall.

—Beddgelert (Mrs. Williams).

XV.

Wall-flowers, wall-flowers, growing up so high!We are all little, and we’ve got to die!Excepting ——, and she’s the only one,Oh! for shame, fie, for shame,Turn your back to the wall again.

—Cowes, Isle of Wight (Miss E. Smith).

XVI.

Little Molly white-flower, we are all maidens,And we shall all die, except Polly Pegg,She’s the best of all,She can hop, and she can skip, and she can turn the candlestick!Oh! fie, for shame,Turn your back to the wall.

—Hanbury, Staffordshire (Miss Edith Hollis).

XVII.

Wall-flowers, wall-flowers, growing up so high!We are all playmates, we shall all die!Excepting ——, for she’s the youngest flower,Cry shame, cry shame,And turn your face to the wall again.

—Sheffield (S. O. Addy).

XVIII.

Wall-flower, wall-flower, growing up so high!All the pretty maidens shall not die!Excepting ——, she is the youngest child,Oh! for shame, fie, for shame!Turn your back to the wall again.

—Dean, near Salisbury (Mrs. C. Brough).

XIX.

Water, water wall-flower, growing up so high,We are all maidens, we must all die,Except ——, the youngest of us all.She can laugh, and she can dance, and she can play at ball;Fie! fie! fie for shame! turn your face to the wall again.

—Connell Ferry, near Oban (Miss Harrison).

XX.

Water, water wall-flower, growing up so high,We are all maidens, we must all die.Except ——, she’s the youngest of them all;She can dance, she can sing,And she can dance the wedding ring (or “Hieland fling”)Fie! fie! fie for shame!Turn your back to the wall again.

—Galloway (J. G. Carter).

XXI.

Wall-flowers, wall-flowers,Growing up so high;All ye young maidensAre all fit to die.Excepting ——, and she’s the worst of all,She can hop, and she can skip,And she can turn the candlestick.Fye! fie! for shame,Turn your face to the wall again.

—(Suffolk County Folk-lore, p. 67.)

XXII.

Wall-flowers, wall-flowers, growing up so high,All you young ladies will soon have to die;Excepting ——, and she’s the best of all.She can dance, she can skip, she can turn the mangle quick;Hi, ho! fie for shame! turn your back to the wall again.

—Cambridge (Mrs. Haddon).

XXIII.

Wally, wally wall-flower, growing up so high,We are all maidens, and we shall die;All except the youngest one, and that is [child’s name].Choose for the best, choose for the worst,Choose the one that you love best.Now you’re married, I wish you joy,First a girl and then a boy,Seven years after son and daughter,Now, young couple, kiss together.

Now you’re married, I wish you joy,First a girl and then a boy,Seven years after son and daughter,Now, young couple, kiss together.

—Hersham, Surrey (Folk-lore Record, v. 84).

XXIV.

Wally, wally wall-flowers,Growing up so high;We’re all ladies,We shall all die.Excepting little ——,She’s the only one;She can hop, she can skip,She can play the herald,Fie! fie! fie for shame!Turn your back to the wall again.

—Deptford, Kent (Miss Chase).

XXV.

Water, water wall-flower,Growing up so high;We are all maidens,And we must all die.—— is the youngest,She must kick,And she must fling,And she must turn the sofa;Fie! fie! fie, for shame!Turn your back to the wall again.

XXVI.

Except ——, and she’s the youngest one,She can hop, and she can skip,She can turn the sofa;Oh fie! fie! fie, for shame!Turn your back to the wall again.

—Cullen and Nairn (Rev. W. Gregor).

XXVII.

She can skip, she can dance,She can ding us all o’er.

—Aberdeen (Rev. W. Gregor).

XXVIII.

Green, green grovers, growing up so high,We are all maidens,And we must all die;Except ——, the youngest of us all,She can dance, and she can sing,She can dance the Hieland fling;Fie! fie! fie, for shame!Turn your back to us again.

—Nairn (Rev. W. Gregor).

XXIX.

Water, water, well stones,Growing up so high,We are all maidens,And we must all die.Except ——,She’s the youngest of us all,She can dance, she can sing,She can dance the “Hielan’ Fling,”[14]Oh fie, fie, for shame,Turn your back to us again.

—Dyke (Rev. W. Gregor).

XXX.

Here’s a pot of wall-flowers,Growing up so high;We’re all maidens, and we shall die.Excepting [girl’s name],She can hop, and she can skip,And she can play the organ.Turn your back, you saucy Jack,You tore your mother’s gown.

—Northants (Rev. W. Sweeting).

XXXI.

Wall-flowers, wall-flowers, growin’ up so high,Neither me nor my baby shall ever wish to die,Especially [girl’s name], she’s the prettiest flower.She can dance, and she can sing, and she can tell the hour,With her wee-waw, wy-waw, turn her face to the wall.

—Howth, Dublin (Miss H. E. Harvey).

Or,

Turn your back to all the game.

—Bonmahon, Waterford (Miss H. E. Harvey).

XXXII.

Sally, Sally, wall-flower [or Waters],Springing up so high,We’re all fair maids,And we shall all die.Excepting [girl’s name],She’s the fairest daughter,She can hop, and she can skip,She can turn the organ.Turn your face toward the wall,And tell me who your sweetheart’s called.Mr. Moffit is a very good man,He came to the door with his hat in his hand,He pulled up his cloak, and showed me the ring;To-morrow, to-morrow, the wedding begins.First he bought the frying-pan,Then he bought the cradle,And then one day the baby was born,Rock, rock the cradle.

Mr. Moffit is a very good man,He came to the door with his hat in his hand,He pulled up his cloak, and showed me the ring;To-morrow, to-morrow, the wedding begins.First he bought the frying-pan,Then he bought the cradle,And then one day the baby was born,Rock, rock the cradle.

—Hurstmonceux, Sussex (Miss Chase).

XXXIII.

Water, water, wild flowers,Growing up so high,We are all maidens,And we shall all die,Excepting [Eva Irving],And she’s the youngest of us all,And she can hop, and she can skip,And she can turn the candlestick,[Or “She can play the organ.”]Piper shame! piper shame!Turn your back to the wall again.I pick up a pin,I knock at the door,I ask for ——,She’s neither in,She’s neither out,She’s up the garden skipping about.Down come ——, as white as snow,Soft in her bosom as soft as glow.She pulled off her glove,And showed us her ring,To-morrow, to-morrow,The bells shall ring.

—Ogbourne, Wilts. (H. S. May).

XXXIV.

Water, water, wall-flowers, growing up so high,We are all maidens, and we must all die,Except ——, she’s the only one,She can dance, she can sing, she can play the organ,Fie, fie, fie for shame, turn your face to the wall again.Green grevel, green grevel, the grass is so green,The fairest young lady that ever was seen.O ——, O ——, your true love is dead,He’ll send you a letter to turn back your head.

—Laurieston School, Kirkcudbright (J. Lawson).

XXXV.

[Mary Kelly’s] stole away, stole away, stole away,[Mary Kelly’s] stole away,And lost her lily-white flowers.It’s well seen by her pale face, her pale face, her pale face,It’s well seen by her pale face,She may turn her face to the wall.

[Mary Kelly’s] stole away, stole away, stole away,[Mary Kelly’s] stole away,And lost her lily-white flowers.

It’s well seen by her pale face, her pale face, her pale face,It’s well seen by her pale face,She may turn her face to the wall.

—Belfast (W. H. Patterson).

(c) The children form a ring by joining hands. They all dance slowly round, singing the words. When the one child is named by the ring she turns round, so that her face is turned to the outside of the ring and her back inside. She still clasps hands with those on either side of her, and dances or walks round with them. This is continued until all the players have turned and are facing outwards.

This concludes the game in many places, but in others the game is continued by altering the last line of the verses, and the children alternately turning round when named until they all face inside again. In some of the versions the first child to turn her face to the wall is the youngest, and it is then continued by the next youngest, until the eldest is named. This obtains inHampshire(Miss Mendham),Nottingham,Symondsbury,Shropshire,Beddgelert,Sheffield,Connell Ferry, Oban,Hersham,Surrey,Dyke. In theLondon(Miss Chase) andSheffield versionsthe child named leaves the ring and turns with her face to a wall. In theWakefield versionMiss Fowler says a child stands in the middle, and at the fifth line all the children say their own name. At the end of the verse they all unclasp hands, and turn with their faces outside the circle; the verse is repeated, when they all turn again facing inwards, and so on over again. In the Nairn version, after all the players have turned their faces outside the ring, they all throw their arms over their heads, and turn so as to face inwards if possible without disjoining hands. The children atOgbourne, Wilts, clap hands when singing the last two lines of the verses. AtEnbourne Schoolit is the tallest child who is first named, and who turns her back; presumably the next tallest is then chosen. In theSuffolk gameone child stands outside the ring; the ring sings the first four lines, and the child outside sings the rest. AtWenlockMiss Burne says each child is summoned in turn by name to turn their heads when the last line is said. AtHurstmonceuxa girl chooses a boy after her face is turned to the wall.

(d) The most interesting point about this game is that it appears to refer to a custom or observance which particularly concerns young girls. We cannot say what the custom or observance was originally, but the words point to something in which a young maiden played the principal part. “We are all maidens” and “she’s the youngest here” runs through most of the versions. A death seems to be indicated, and it may be that this game was originally one where the death of the betrothed of the youngest maiden was announced. This would account for the “turning the face to the wall,” which is indicative of mourning and great sorrow and loss. The mention of the girl’s accomplishments may mean that being so young and accomplished she would quickly get another suitor, and this might also account for the “fie for shame!”—shame to be thinking of another lover so soon; or, on the other hand, the other maidens may regret that by the loss of her lover and betrothed this young maiden’s talents will be lost in “old maidenhood,” as she will not now be married, and this will be “a shame.” She will be, in fact, “on the shelf” or “out of sight” for the rest of her life, and through no fault of her own. The “we are all maidens” might refer to the old custom of maidens carrying the corpse of one of their number to the grave, and the words may have originally been the lament over her death.

With reference to the words “turn the candlestick,” which occurs in six versions, “M. H. P.,” inNotes and Queries(7th ser., xi. 256), says: “Turning the Candlestick.—A candlestick in the game of ’See-saw’ is the Yorkshire name for the child who stands in the centre of the plank, and assists the motion by swaying from side to side.” Toone (Etymological Dictionary) says—Before the introduction of the modern candlestick, the custom was to have the candle held by a person appointed for that purpose, called a candle-holder, and hence the term became proverbial to signify an idle spectator.

“I’ll be a candle-holder and look on.”—Romeo and Juliet.

“A candle-holder sees most of the game.”—Ray’sProverbs.

If this should be the meaning of the phrase in these rhymes, “she can turn the candlestick” may have originally meantthat now this maiden can be nothing but a “looker on” or “candle-holder” in the world. The meaning has evidently been forgotten for a long time, as other expressions, such as “she can turn the organ,” have had to be adopted to “make sense” of the words.

Aubrey (Remaines of Judaisme, p. 45) mentions the sport called “Dancing the Candlerush,” played by young girls; in Oxford called “Leap Candle,” which consisted of placing a candle in the middle of the room and “dancing over the candle back and forth” saying a rhyme. This may be the “dance” referred to in the rhymes.

Thetuneof most versions is the same. It is pretty and plaintive, and accords with the idea of mourning and grief. The Rev. W. D. Sweeting says the tune in Northants seems to be lost. The game is sung to a sort of monotone.

Northall gives a version from Warwickshire similar to several given here, and Mr. Newell (Games and Songs of American Children) gives a version and tune which is similar to that ofHurstmonceux, Surrey.

See “Green Grass.”

[13]At Wenlock they add to the chorus:OAlice! your true love will send you a letter to turn round your head!And she can turn the handlestick.[14]Another version from Forfarshire gives “Green, green, grivers,” and “Pull the cradle string” for “Dance the Hielan’ Fling,” and one from Nairn is “Turn your back to the wall again.”

[13]At Wenlock they add to the chorus:

OAlice! your true love will send you a letter to turn round your head!And she can turn the handlestick.

[14]Another version from Forfarshire gives “Green, green, grivers,” and “Pull the cradle string” for “Dance the Hielan’ Fling,” and one from Nairn is “Turn your back to the wall again.”

I’m the wee mouse in the hole in the wa’,I’m come out to catch you a’.

One of the players starts with clasped hands to catch another. When this is done they join hands—each one, on being caught, going into the number to form a chain. If the chain breaks no one can be caught.—Laurieston School, Kirkcudbright (J. Lawson).

See “Stag,” “Whiddy.”

A sort of horse-game, in which two boys stand back to back with their arms interlaced; each then alternately bends forward, and so raises the other on his back with his legs in the air. This term, too, is sometimes used for see-sawing.—Elworthy’sWest Somerset Words. Barnes (Dorset Glossary) calls this game “Wayzalt.” Holloway (Dict. Prov.) says, in Hants the game is called “Weighing.”

See “Weigh the Butter.”

[Play]

Tune We are the Rovers Bath—Bath (A. B. Gomme).

—Bath (A. B. Gomme).

[Play]

Tune We are the Rovers Hanbury—Hanbury, Staffs. (Miss Edith Hollis).

—Hanbury, Staffs. (Miss Edith Hollis).

[Play]

Tune We are the Rovers Wrotham—Wrotham, Kent (Miss D. Kimball).

—Wrotham, Kent (Miss D. Kimball).

We are coming to take your land,We are the rovers!We are coming to take your land,[Though you] are the guardian soldiers!We don’t care for your men nor you,[Though you] are the rovers!We don’t care for your men nor you,For we are the guardian soldiers!We will send our dogs to bite,We are the rovers!We will send our dogs to bite,Though you are the guardian soldiers!We don’t care for your dogs nor you,Though you’re the rovers!We don’t care for your dogs nor you,For we are the guardian soldiers!Will you have a glass of wine?We are the rovers!Will you have a glass of wine?For respect of guardian soldiers!A glass of wine won’t serve us all,Though you’re the rovers!A glass of wine won’t serve us all,For we are the guardian soldiers!Will a barrel of beer then serve you all?We are the rovers!Will a barrel of beer then serve you all?As you are the guardian soldiers!A barrel of beer won’t serve us all,Though you’re the rovers!A barrel of beer won’t serve us all,For we’re gallant guardian soldiers!We will send our blue-coat men,We are the rovers!We will send our blue-coat men,Though you are the guardian soldiers!We don’t fear your blue-coat men,Though you’re the rovers!We don’t fear your blue-coat men,For we are the guardian soldiers!We will send our red-coat men,We are the rovers!We will send our red-coat men,Though you are the guardian soldiers!We don’t mind your red-coat men,Though you’re the rovers!We don’t mind your red-coat men,For we are the guardian soldiers!Are you ready for a fight?We are the rovers!Are you ready for a fight?Though you are the guardian soldiers!Yes, we are ready for a fight,Though you’re the rovers!Yes, we are ready for a fight,For we are the guardian soldiers!

We are coming to take your land,We are the rovers!We are coming to take your land,[Though you] are the guardian soldiers!

We don’t care for your men nor you,[Though you] are the rovers!We don’t care for your men nor you,For we are the guardian soldiers!

We will send our dogs to bite,We are the rovers!We will send our dogs to bite,Though you are the guardian soldiers!

We don’t care for your dogs nor you,Though you’re the rovers!We don’t care for your dogs nor you,For we are the guardian soldiers!

Will you have a glass of wine?We are the rovers!Will you have a glass of wine?For respect of guardian soldiers!

A glass of wine won’t serve us all,Though you’re the rovers!A glass of wine won’t serve us all,For we are the guardian soldiers!

Will a barrel of beer then serve you all?We are the rovers!Will a barrel of beer then serve you all?As you are the guardian soldiers!

A barrel of beer won’t serve us all,Though you’re the rovers!A barrel of beer won’t serve us all,For we’re gallant guardian soldiers!

We will send our blue-coat men,We are the rovers!We will send our blue-coat men,Though you are the guardian soldiers!

We don’t fear your blue-coat men,Though you’re the rovers!We don’t fear your blue-coat men,For we are the guardian soldiers!

We will send our red-coat men,We are the rovers!We will send our red-coat men,Though you are the guardian soldiers!

We don’t mind your red-coat men,Though you’re the rovers!We don’t mind your red-coat men,For we are the guardian soldiers!

Are you ready for a fight?We are the rovers!Are you ready for a fight?Though you are the guardian soldiers!

Yes, we are ready for a fight,Though you’re the rovers!Yes, we are ready for a fight,For we are the guardian soldiers!

—Ellesmere (Shropshire Folk-lore, p. 518).

II.

We have come for a glass of wine,We are the Romans!We have come for a glass of wine,We are King William’s soldiers!We won’t serve you with the wine,We are the Romans!We won’t serve you with the wine,We are King William’s soldiers!We will set our dogs to watch,We are the Romans!We will set our dogs to watch,We are King William’s soldiers!We don’t care for you and your dogs,We are the Romans!We don’t care for you and your dogs,We are King William’s soldiers!We will set our police to watch,We are the Romans!We will set our police to watch,We are King William’s soldiers!We don’t care for you and your police,We are the Romans!We don’t care for you and your police,We are King William’s soldiers!Are you ready for a fight?We are the Romans!Are you ready for a fight?We are King William’s soldiers!We are ready for a fight,We are the Romans!We are ready for a fight,We are King William’s soldiers!

We have come for a glass of wine,We are the Romans!We have come for a glass of wine,We are King William’s soldiers!

We won’t serve you with the wine,We are the Romans!We won’t serve you with the wine,We are King William’s soldiers!

We will set our dogs to watch,We are the Romans!We will set our dogs to watch,We are King William’s soldiers!

We don’t care for you and your dogs,We are the Romans!We don’t care for you and your dogs,We are King William’s soldiers!

We will set our police to watch,We are the Romans!We will set our police to watch,We are King William’s soldiers!

We don’t care for you and your police,We are the Romans!We don’t care for you and your police,We are King William’s soldiers!

Are you ready for a fight?We are the Romans!Are you ready for a fight?We are King William’s soldiers!

We are ready for a fight,We are the Romans!We are ready for a fight,We are King William’s soldiers!

—Wrotham, Kent (Miss D. Kimball).

III.

Will you have a gill of ale?We are the Romans!Will you have a gill of ale?For we are the Roman soldiers!A gill of ale won’t serve us all,We are the English!A gill of ale won’t, &c.,For we are the English soldiers!Take a pint and go your way,We are, &c. [As above.]A pint of ale won’t serve us all,We are, &c.Take a quart and go your way,We are, &c.A quart of ale won’t serve us all,We are, &c.Take a gallon and go your way,We are, &c.A gallon of ale won’t serve us all,We are, &c.Take a barrel and go your way,We are, &c.A barrel of ale will serve us all,We are, &c.

Will you have a gill of ale?We are the Romans!Will you have a gill of ale?For we are the Roman soldiers!

A gill of ale won’t serve us all,We are the English!A gill of ale won’t, &c.,For we are the English soldiers!

Take a pint and go your way,We are, &c. [As above.]

A pint of ale won’t serve us all,We are, &c.

Take a quart and go your way,We are, &c.

A quart of ale won’t serve us all,We are, &c.

Take a gallon and go your way,We are, &c.

A gallon of ale won’t serve us all,We are, &c.

Take a barrel and go your way,We are, &c.

A barrel of ale will serve us all,We are, &c.

—Lancashire: Liverpool and its neighbourhood (Mrs. Harley).

IV.

Have you any bread and wine,For we are the Romans!Have you any bread and wine,We are the Roman soldiers!Yes, we have some bread and wine,For we are the English!Yes, we have some bread and wine,We are the English soldiers!Will you give us a glass of it?For we are, &c. [As above.]Yes, we’ll give you a glass of it,For we are, &c.A glass of it won’t serve us so,For we are, &c.Then you shan’t have any at all,For we are, &c.Then we will break all your glasses,For we are, &c.Then we will go to the magistrates,For we are, &c.Then you may go to the magistrates,For we are, &c.Then let us join our happy ring,For we are, &c.

Have you any bread and wine,For we are the Romans!Have you any bread and wine,We are the Roman soldiers!

Yes, we have some bread and wine,For we are the English!Yes, we have some bread and wine,We are the English soldiers!

Will you give us a glass of it?For we are, &c. [As above.]

Yes, we’ll give you a glass of it,For we are, &c.

A glass of it won’t serve us so,For we are, &c.

Then you shan’t have any at all,For we are, &c.

Then we will break all your glasses,For we are, &c.

Then we will go to the magistrates,For we are, &c.

Then you may go to the magistrates,For we are, &c.

Then let us join our happy ring,For we are, &c.

—Hartley Wintney, Winchfield, Hants. (H. S. May).

Have you any cake and wine?For we are the English!Have you any cake and wine?For we’re the English soldiers!Yes, we have some cake and wine,For we are the Romans!Yes, we have some cake and wine,For we’re the Roman soldiers!Will you give us cake and wine? &c.No, we won’t give you cake and wine, &c.Then we’ll tell our magistrates, &c.We don’t care for your magistrates, &c.Then we’ll tell our highest men, &c.We don’t care for your highest men, &c.Turn up your sleeves and have a fight,For we are the Romans [English]! &c.

Have you any cake and wine?For we are the English!Have you any cake and wine?For we’re the English soldiers!

Yes, we have some cake and wine,For we are the Romans!Yes, we have some cake and wine,For we’re the Roman soldiers!

Will you give us cake and wine? &c.

No, we won’t give you cake and wine, &c.

Then we’ll tell our magistrates, &c.

We don’t care for your magistrates, &c.

Then we’ll tell our highest men, &c.

We don’t care for your highest men, &c.

Turn up your sleeves and have a fight,For we are the Romans [English]! &c.

—Enbourne School, Berks. (Miss M. Kimber).

VI.

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