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HERE COMES ONE VIRGIN |
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Then there she is for you, My a dildin, my a daldin; Then there she is for you, Lily bright and shine a'.
—Ritson (Gammer Gurtorts Garland, 1783).
Northall says this game is played after the manner of the "Three Dukes" (Folk Rhymes, p. 383). Halliwell (Nursery Rhymes; p. 98) has a version, and Rimbault (Nursery Rhymes) gives both words and tune. It is also contained in The Merrie Heart (p. 47). See "Jolly Hooper," "Jolly Rover."
Here comes One Virgin
Here comes one Virgin on her knee, On her knee, on her knee, Here comes one Virgin on her knee, Pray what will you give her ?
When did you come ?
I came by night and I came by day, I came to steal poor Edie away.
She is too old, she is too young, She hasn't learnt her virgin tongue.
Let her be old or let her be young, For her beauty she must come.
In her pocket a thousand pounds, On her finger a gay gold ring.
Good-bye, good-bye, my dear.
—Hurstmonceux, Sussex (Miss Chase).
One child stands by herself, and the rest of the players range themselves in line. The child sings the first verse and the line replies, the four succeeding verses being alternately sung. After the last line the girl tries to pull one whom she has chosen from the line toward her. If not successful, she must try again. If she is, they both stand in the middle, and commence singing the words again with—
Here come two virgins on their knees, &c.
Probably a degraded version of "Three Lords from Spain." |
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