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2o4 HERE I SIT, &c—HERE STANDS A YOUNG MAN
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 [lass] 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. |
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