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ADDENDA 439 |
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One can knit, and one sew, And one can play the liligolor. The widow then says—
Please take one in, Please take one in. The one in front picks out one and places her at her back, and she lays hold of her dress, then all sing—
Now for poor (girl's name who has been chosen), she is
gone, Without her father (? farthing) in her hand, She has lost her guinea gold ring, Good-bye, good-bye, Good-bye, good-bye. The widow shakes hands with the girl. This is repeated till all are taken out and the widow is left by herself. She cries, and tries to take back her daughters. All run off.
—Cullen (Rev. Dr. Gregor).
Another Isle of Man version varies slightly, beginning, "We're three young mothers from Babylon," and continuing in a similar way to the one in vol. i. p. 315— One can wash, and one can sew, Another can sit by the fire and spin, The other can make a fine bed for the king, Please, ma'am, to take one in. The queen then says—
Come, my dearest . . . and give me your hand, And you shall have the nicest things in all this pleasant land. The girls are thus gradually chosen.
—Isle of Man (A. W. Moore).
Here's a poor widow from Babylon, Six poor children left alone, One can bake, and one can brew, And one can shape, and one can sew. One can sit by the fire and spin, And one can make a bed for a king ; Come Tuesday east, come Tuesday west, Come choose the one that you love best.
—Galloway, N. B. (J. G. Carter). |
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