The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland Volume I Part 49

Here I sit on a Cold Green Bank

Here I sit on a cold green bank On a cold and frosty morning.

We'll send a young man [_or_ woman] to take you away, To take you away, We'll send a young man to take you away, On a cold and frosty morning.

Pray tell me what his name shall be? [_or_]

Pray, whom will you send to take me away?

We'll send Mr. -- to take you away.

The children form a ring around one of the party, who sits in the middle, and says the two first lines. Then those in the circle dance round her, singing the next four lines. This is repeated three times, with the refrain, "On a cold," &c., after which the dancing and singing cease, and the child is asked, "Sugar, sweet, or vinegar, sour?" Her answer is always taken in a contrary sense, and sung, as before, three times, whilst the children circle round. The one in the middle then rises to her feet. The boy (or girl) named advances and kisses her, they change places, and the game begins again.-Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 56-57).

Here stands a Young Man

I. Here stands a young man who wants a sweetheart, With all his merry maids round him;

He may choose from east, he may choose from west, He may choose the prettiest girl that he loves best.

Now this young couple is married together, We propose they kiss each other.

-Glapthorn (_Northants Notes and Queries_, i. 214, A. Palmer).

II. Here stands a young lady [la.s.s] who wants a sweetheart, Wants a sweetheart, wants a sweetheart, And don't know where to find one, find one, find one.

Choose the prettiest that you loves best.

Now you're married I wish you joy, First a girl and then a boy, Seven years after son and daughter, Pray you come to kiss together.

-Longcot, Berks.h.i.+re (Miss I. Barclay).

(_b_) A ring is formed by the players joining hands, one child standing in the centre. The ring dance round singing the first four lines. At the fourth line the child in the centre chooses one from the ring, who goes into the centre with her. The marriage formula or chorus is then sung, the two kiss, and the one who was first in the centre joins the ring, the second one choosing another in her turn. Played by both boys and girls.

See "Sally Water," "Silly Old Man."

Here we go around, around

[Music]

Our shoes are made of leather, Our stockings are made of silk, Our pinafores are made of calico, As white as any milk.

Here we go around, around, around, And we shall touch the ground.

-Barnes and London Streets (A. B. Gomme).

A ring is formed by the children joining hands. They walk round singing the first four lines. They then dance round quickly and sit down suddenly, or touch the ground with their clothes.

A version of this game from Liphook, Hants, almost identical in words, has been sent by Miss Fowler, and another from Crockham Hill, Kent, by Miss Chase.

Here's a Soldier

Here's a soldier left his lone [_qy._ alone], Wants a wife and can't get none.

Merrily go round and choose your own, Choose a good one or else choose none; Choose the worst or choose the best, Or choose the very one you like best.

What's your will, my dilcy dulcy officer?

What's your will, my dilcy dulcy dee?

My will is to marry, my dilcy dulcy officer; My will is to marry, my dilcy dulcy dee.

Come marry one of us, my dilcy dulcy officer; Come marry one of us, my dilcy dulcy dee.

You're all too old and ugly, my dilcy dulcy officer; You're all too old and ugly, my dilcy dulcy dee.

Thrice too good for you, sir, my dilcy dulcy officer; Thrice too good for you, sir, my dilcy dulcy dee.

This couple got married, we wish them good joy, Every year a girl and a boy, And if that does not do, a hundred and two, We hope the couple will kiss together.

-Annaverna, co. Louth (Miss R. Stephen).

(_b_) One child stands in the middle, the others dance round singing.

The one in the middle chooses another before the four last lines are sung. Then the rest dance round singing these lines, and kiss each other.

(_c_) It is evident that these words comprise two distinct games, which have become mixed in some inexplicable fas.h.i.+on. The first six lines and the last four are one game, a ring form, with the marriage formula and blessing. The other portion of the game is a dialogue game, evidently having had two lines of players, questions being asked and answers given. It is, in fact, a part of the "Three Dukes" game. The first part is a kiss-in-the-ring game, a version of "Here stands a Young Man,"

"Silly Old Man," and "Sally Water."

Hewley Puley

Take this, What's this?

Hewley Puley.

Where's my share?

About the kite's neck.

Where's the kite?

Flown to the wood.

Where's the wood?

The fire has burned it.

Where's the fire?

The water's quenched it.

Where's the water?

The ox has drunk it.

Where's the ox?

The butcher has killed it.

Where's the butcher?

The rope has hanged him.

Where's the rope?

The rat has gnawed it.

Where's the rat?