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JENNY JONES 281 |
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rhymes, and for the direct borrowing of the name from Scotland by the English villagers. In furtherance of this view the following passage from Chambers may be quoted :—
In the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, " Janet Jo " is a dramatic entertainment amongst young rustics. Suppose a party has met in a harvest or winter evening round a good peat fire, and it is resolved to have " Janet Jo " performed. Two undertake to personate a goodman and a goodwife; the rest a family of marriageable daughters. One of the lads, the best singer of the party, retires, and equips himself in a dress proper for representing an old bachelor in search of a wife. He comes in, bonnet in hand, bowing, and sings—
Guid e'en to ye, maidens a', Maidens a', maidens a', Guid e'en to ye, maidens a', Be ye or no.
I'm come to court Janet jo, Janet jo, Janet jo, I'm come to court Janet jo, Janet, my jo.
Goodwife sings—What'll ye gie for Janet jo,
Janet jo, Janet jo ? What'll ye gie for Janet jo, Janet, my jo ?
Wooer—I'll gie ye a peck o' siller,
A peck o' siller, peck o' siller, I'll gie ye a peck o' siller, For Janet, my jo.
Goodwife says—Gae awa', ye auld carle!
Then sings—Ye'se never get Janet jo, Janet jo, Janet jo, Ye'se never get Janet jo, Janet, my jo.
The wooer hereupon retires, singing a verse expressive of mortification, but soon re-enters with a reassured air, singing— |
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