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LITTLE
boy, pretty boy, where was you born ? In Lincolnshire, master : come blow the cow's horn. A half-penny pudding, a penny pie, A shoulder of mutton, and that love I.
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WHEN
I was a little boy, I had but little wit, It is some time ago and I've no more yet ; Nor ever ever shall, until that I die, For the longer I Iive, the more fool am I.
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/ p.203 /
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CROSS patch, Draw the latch, Sit by the fire and spin ; Take a cup, And drink it up, Then call your neighbours in.
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ROCK-A-BYE, baby, thy cradle is green ; Father's a nobleman, mother's a queen ; And Betty's a lady, and wears a gold ring ; And Johnny's a drummer, and drums for the king.
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SHAKE
a leg, wag a leg, when will you gang ? At midsummer, mother, when the days are lang.
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HOW many miles is it to Babylon ? Threescore miles and ten. Can I get there by candle-light ? Yes, and back again ! If your heels are nimble and light, You may get there by candle-light.
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| [ The following stanza is of very considerable antiquity, and is common in Yorkshire. —See Hunter's Hallamshire Glossary, p.56.] |
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LADY-COW, lady-cow, fly thy way home, Thy house is on fire, thy children all gone, All but one that ligs under a stone, Fly thee home, lady-cow, ere it be gone.
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LADY-bird ! Lady-bird ! Fly away home, Your house is on fire, Your children will burn.
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SING
jigmijole, the pudding-bowl, The table and the frame ; My master he did cudgel me For kissing of my dame.
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HERE stands a fist, Who set it there ? A better man than you, sir, Touch him if you dare !
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