Part 25
I. Here comes the lady of the land, With sons and daughters in her hand; Pray, do you want a servant to-day?
What can she do?
She can brew, she can bake, She can make a wedding cake Fit for you or any lady in the land.
Pray leave her.
I leave my daughter safe and sound, And in her pocket a thousand pound, And on her finger a gay ring, And I hope to find her so again.
--_Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries_, i. 133.
II. There camed a lady from other land, With all her children in her hand-- Please, do you want a sarvant, marm?
Leave her.
I leaves my daughter zafe and zound, And in her pocket a thousan pound, And on her finger a goulden ring, And in her busum a silver pin. I hopes when I return, To see her here with you. Don't'e let her ramble; don't'e let her trot; Don't'e let her car' the mustard pot.
The Mistress says softly--
She shall ramble, she shall trot, She shall carry the mustard pot.
--_Dorset County Chronicle_, April 1889; _Folk-lore Journal_, vii. 228.
III. Here comes an old woman from Baby-land, With all her children in her hand. Pray take one of my children in.
[Spoken] What can your children do?
[Sung] One can bake, one can brew, And one can bake a lily-white cake. One can sit in the parlour and sing, And this one can do everything.
--Tong, Shropshire (Miss R. Harley).
IV. Here comes a poor woman from Baby-land With three small children in her hand. One can brew, the other can bake, The other can make a pretty round cake. One can sit in the garden and spin, Another can make a fine bed for the king; Pray, ma'am, will you take one in?
--Halliwell's _Nursery Rhymes_, p. 72.
V. Here is a poor widow from Sandy Row, With all her children behind her. One can knit and one can sew, And one can make the winder go. Please take one in.
Now poor Nellie she is gone Without a farthing in her hand, Nothing but a guinea gold ring. Good-bye, Nellie, good-bye!
--Belfast (W. H. Patterson).
VI. Here comes an old woman from Baby-land, With six poor children by the hand. One can brew, one can bake, And one can make a lily-white cake; One can knit, one can spin, And one can make a bed for a king. Please will you take one in? [choose out one]
Now poor ---- she is gone Without a farthing in her hand, Nothing but a gay gold ring. Good-bye! Good-bye! Good-bye, mother, good-bye!
--Isle of Man (A. W. Moore)
VII. Here comes a poor widow from Sandalam, With all her children at her hand; The one can bake, the other can brew, The other can make a lily-white shoe; Another can sit by the fire and spin, So pray take one of my daughters in.
The fairest one that I can see Is pretty [Mary] come to me.
And now poor [Mary] she is gone Without a guinea in her hand, And not so much as a farthing. Good-bye! Good-bye, my love, good-bye!
--Forest of Dean, Gloucester (Miss Matthews).
VIII. Here comes an old woman from Cumberland, With seven poor children in her hand; One can sing, the other can sew; One can sit up in the corner and cry, Alleluia! Choose the fairest you can see. The fairest one that I can see is ----, come to me. Now my daughter ---- gone, A thousand pound in her pocket and a gold ring on her finger. Good-bye, mother, good-bye!
--Berkshire (Miss Thoyts, _Antiquary_, xxvii. 254).
IX. There was an old woman from Sandyland With all her children in her hand. One can knit and one can sow [sew], One can make a lily-white bow. Please take one in.
When all the children have been taken in, the Old Woman says--
There was an old woman from Sandiland With no children by the hand. Will you give me one?
--Ballynascaw School, co. Down (Miss C. N. Patterson).
(_b_) The first Dorsetshire game is played as follows:--Two girls are chosen, the one to represent a lady and the other a mother, who is supposed to be taking her children out to service. She has one or more of them in each hand, and leads them up to the lady, saying or singing the first verse. The dialogue then proceeds, and the verse is repeated until all the children are similarly disposed of. A few days are supposed to pass, after which the mother calls to see her children, when the lady tells her she cannot see them. At last she insists upon seeing them, and the children are all "sat down" behind the lady, and the mother asks one child what the lady has done to her; and she tells her "that the lady has cut off her nose, and made a nose-pie, and never give her a bit of it." Each one says she has done something to her and made a pie, and when all have told their tale "they all turn on her and put her to prison."
The second Dorsetshire game somewhat differs. One child takes seven or eight others whom she pretends are her children. Another child, presumably a mistress in want of servants, stands at a distance. The first child advances, holding the hand of her children, saying the first verse. The dialogue is concluded, and as the woman and her children are supposed to be out of hearing, the last couplet is said or sung. This process is gone through again until the mistress has engaged all the children as her servants, when she is supposed to let them all out to play with the mustard pots, which are represented by sticks or stones, in their hands.
The other versions are played as follows:--The children form a line, the one in the middle being the mother, or widow; they advance and retire, the mother alone singing the first verse. One child, who is standing alone on the opposite side, who has been addressed by the widow, then asks [not sings] the question. The mother, or widow, sings the reply, and points to one child when singing the last line, who thereupon crosses over to the other side, joining the one who is standing alone. This is continued till all have been selected. The Ballynascaw version (Miss Patterson) is played in a similar way. One child sits on a bank, and the others come up to her in a long line. The "old woman" says the first five lines. No question is asked by the "lady," she simply takes one child. The "old woman" shakes hands with this child, and says good-bye to her. When all the children have been "taken in" by the one who personates the "lady," the "old woman" says the other three lines, and so one by one gets all the children back again. The Berkshire version (Miss Thoyts) is said, not sung, and is played with two leaders, "old woman" and "lover." As the lover chooses a child, that one is sent behind him, holding round his waist. Each child as she goes says, "Good-bye, mother, good-bye," and pretends to cry. Finally they all cry, and the game ends in a tug of war. This tug is clearly out of place unless only half the children are selected by one side. Miss Thoyts does not say how this is done.
(_c_) This game is called "School-teacher" in Belfast. The corruption of "Lady of the Land," to "Babyland," "Babylon," and "Sandiland," is manifest. It appears to be only fragmentary in its present form, but the versions undoubtedly indicate that the origin of the game arises from the practice of hiring servants. Mr. Halliwell has preserved another fragmentary rhyme, which he thinks may belong to this game.
I can make diet bread Thick and thin, I can make diet bread Fit for the king; (No. cccxliv.)
which may be compared with the rhyme given by Chambers (_Popular Rhymes_, p. 136), and another version given by Halliwell, p. 229.
If these rhymes belong to this game it would have probably been played by each child singing a verse descriptive of her own qualifications, and I have some recollection, although not perfect, of having played a game like this in London, where each child stated her ability to either brew, bake, or churn. It is worth noting that the Forest of Dean and Berkshire versions have absorbed one of the "selection" verses of the love-games. Mr. Halliwell, in recording the _Nursery Rhymes_, Nos. cccxliii. and cccxliv., as quoted above, says, "They are fragments of a game called 'The Lady of the Land,' a complete version of which has not fallen in my way." Mr. Udal's versions from Dorsetshire are not only called "The Lady of the Land," but are fuller than all the other versions, though probably these are not complete. Mr. Newell (_Games_, pp. 56-58) gives some versions of this game. He considers the original to have been a European game (he had not found an English example) in which there were two mothers, a rich and a poor one; one mother begging away, one by one, all the daughters of the other.
(_d_) This game no doubt originates from the country practice of hiring servants at fairs, or from a dramatic "Hirings" being acted at Harvest Homes. The "Good-bye" of mother and daughters belongs, no doubt, to the original game and early versions, and is consistent with the departure of a servant to her new home. The "lover" incident is an interpolation, but there may have been a request on the part of the "mother" to the "lady" not to allow the girl followers or sweethearts too soon. As to the old practice of hiring servants, Miss Burne has noted how distinctly it stamps itself upon local custom (_Shropshire Folklore_, pp. 461, 464). That the practice forms the groundwork of this game is well illustrated by the following descriptive passage. "They stay usually two or three dayes with theire friends, and then aboute the fifth or sixth day after Martynmasse will they come to theire newe masters; they will depart from theire olde services any day in the weeke, but theire desire (hereaboutes) is to goe to theire newe masters eyther on a Tewsday or on a Thursday; for on a Sunday they will seldome remoove, and as for Monday, they account it ominous, for they say--
Monday flitte, Neaver sitte;
but as for the other dayes in the weeke they make no greate matter. I heard a servant asked what hee could doe, whoe made this answeare--
I can sowe, I can mowe, And I can stacke; And I can doe, My master too, When my master turnes his backe."
--Best's _Rural Economy of Yorks._, 1641; _Surtees Society_, pp. 135-136.
In _Long Ago_, ii. 130, Mr. Scarlett Potter mentions that in South Warwickshire it was customary at harvest-homes to give a kind of dramatic performance. One piece, called "The Hiring," represents a farmer engaging a man, in which work done by the man, the terms of service, and food to be supplied, are stated in rhymes similar to the above. See "Lammas."
Lady on the Mountain
[Music]
--Barnes, Surrey (A. B. Gomme).
I. There stands a lady on the mountain, Who she is I do not know; All she wants is gold and silver, All she wants is a nice young man. Choose one, choose two, choose the fairest one of the two. The fairest one that I can see, Is pretty ----, walk with me.
--Barnes, Surrey (A. B. Gomme).
II. There lives a lady on the mountain, Who she is I do not know; All she wants is gold and silver, All she wants is a nice young man.
Choose one, choose two, Choose the fairest of the few.
Now you're married I wish you joy, Father and mother you must obey; Love one another like sister and brother, And pray, young couple, come kiss one another.
--Colchester (Miss G. M. Frances).
III. Here stands a lady on a mountain, Who she is I do not know; All she wants is gold and silver, All she wants is a nice young man.
Choose you east, and choose you west, Choose you the one as you love best.
Now Sally's got married we wish her good joy, First a girl and then a boy; Twelve months a'ter a son and da'ter, Pray young couple, kiss together.
--Berrington (_Shropshire Folk-lore_, pp. 509, 510).
IV. Stands a lady on the mountain, Who she is I do not know; All she wants is gold and silver, All she wants is a nice young beau. Take her by the lily-white hand, Lead her across the water; Give her kisses, one, two, three, For she is her mother's daughter.
--Shipley, Horsham (_Notes and Queries_, 8th series, i. 210, Miss Busk).
V. There stands a lady on a mountain, Who she is I do not know; All she wants is gold and silver, All she wants is a nice young man.
Now she's married I wish her joy, First a girl and then a boy; Seven years after son and daughter, Pray young couple kiss together.
Kiss her once, kiss her twice, Kiss her three times three.
--Wrotham, Kent (Miss D. Kimball).
VI. There stands a lady on the ocean [mountain], Who she is I do not know her; All she wants is gold or silver, All she wants is a nice young man.
Choose once, choose twice, Choose three times over.
Now you're married I wish you joy, First a girl and then a boy; Seven years old a son and daughter, Play and cuddle and kiss together.
Kiss her once, kiss her twice, Kiss her three times over.
--Deptford (Miss Chase).
VII. There stands a lady on the mountain, Who she is I do not know: Oh! she wants such gold and silver! Oh! she wants such a nice young man!
Now you're married I wish you joy, First a girl and then a boy; Seven years after a son and a daughter, Kiss your bride and come out of the ring.
--Berkshire (Miss Thoyts, _Antiquary_; xxvii. 254).
(_b_) A ring is formed, one child in the centre. The ring sing the first verse, and then the centre child chooses one from the ring. The chosen pair kiss when the ring has sung the second. The first child then joins the ring, and the game begins again. In the Barnes version the centre child calls one to her from the ring by singing the second verse and naming the child she chooses.
(_c_) A version from Lady C. Gurdon's _Suffolk County Folk-lore_ (p. 62) is the same as previous versions, except that it ends--
Now you're married you must be good Make your husband chop the wood; Chop it fine and bring it in, Give three kisses in the ring.
Other versions are much the same as the examples given.
(_d_) This game has probably had its origin in a ballad. Miss Burne draws attention to its resemblance to the "Disdainful Lady" (_Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 561), and Halliwell mentions a nursery rhyme (No. cccclxxix.) which is very similar. Mr. Newell (_Games_, p. 55) prints words and tune of a song which is very similar to that ballad, and he mentions the fact that he has seen it played as a round by the "Arabs of the street." He considers it to be an old English song which has been fitted for a ring game by the addition of a verse.
See "Lady on Yonder Hill."
Lady on Yonder Hill
I. Yonder stands a lovely lady, Whom she be I do not know; I'll go court her for my beauty, Whether she say me yea or nay. Madam, to thee I humbly bow and bend. Sir, I take thee not to be my friend. Oh, if the good fairy doesn't come I shall die.
--Derbyshire (_Folk-lore Journal_, i. 387).
II. There stands a lady on yonder hill, Who she is I cannot tell; I'll go and court her for her beauty, Whether she answers me yes or no. Madam, I bow vounce to thee. Sir, have I done thee any harm? Coxconian! Coxconian is not my name; 'tis Hers and Kers, and Willis and Cave. Stab me, ha! ha! little I fear. Over the waters there are but nine, I'll meet you a man alive. Over the waters there are but ten, I'll meet you there five thousand. Rise up, rise up, my pretty fair maid, You're only in a trance; Rise up, rise up, my pretty fair maid, And we will have a dance.
--Lady C. Gurdon's _Suffolk County Folk-lore_, p. 65.
(_b_) In the Suffolk game the children form a ring, a boy and girl being in the centre. The boy is called a gentleman and the girl a lady. The gentleman commences by singing the first verse. Then they say alternately the questions and answers. When the gentleman says the lines commencing, "Stab me," he pretends to stab the lady, who falls on the ground. Then he walks round the lady and sings the last verse, "Rise up," and lifts up the lady. In the Derbyshire game only three children play, the lover, lady, and fairy. The girl stands a little distance off. The lover says the first four lines, then approaches the lady, falls on one knee, and says the next line. The lady replies, and retires further away. The lover then falls on the ground and says the next line. As this is said the good fairy appears, touches the fallen lover with her hand, and he is immediately well again.
(_c_) This is a curious game, and is perhaps derived from a ballad which had been popular from some more or less local circumstance, or more probably it may be a portion of an old play acted in booths at fair times by strolling players. It is not, as far as I can find out, played in any other counties. The lines--
Over the water at the hour of ten, I'll meet you with five thousand men; Over the water at the hour of five, I'll meet you there if I'm alive,
are portions of a dialogue familiar to Mr. Emslie, and also occur in some mumming plays. It may also be noted that the curing of illness or death from a stab is an incident in these plays, as is also the method of playing. The first lines are similar to those of "Lady on the Mountain," which see.
Lag
A number of boys put marbles in a ring, and then they all bowl at the ring. The one who gets nearest has the first shot at the marbles. He has the option of either "knuckling doon" and shooting at the ring from the prescribed mark, or "ligging up" (lying up)--that is, putting his taw so near the ring that if the others miss his taw, or miss the marbles in the ring, he has the game all to himself next time. If, however, he is hit by the others, he is said to be "killed."--Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_.
Lammas
A party of boys take a few straws, and endeavour to hold one between the chin and the turned-down under-lip, pronouncing the following rhyme--
I bought a beard at Lammas fair, It's a' awa' but ae hair; Wag, beardie, wag!
He who repeats this oftenest without dropping the straw is held to have won the game (Chambers' _Popular Rhymes_, p. 115). This game-rhyme has an interesting reference to Lammas, and it may also refer to the hiring of servants. Brockett (_North Country Words_, p. 221) says, "At a fair or market where country servants are hired, those who offer themselves stand in the market-place with a piece of straw or green branch in their mouths to distinguish them."
Lamploo
A goal having been selected and bounds determined, the promoters used to prepare the others by calling at the top of their voices--
Lamp! Lamp! Laa-o! Those that don't run shan't play-o!
Then one of the "spryest" lads is elected to commence, thus:--First touching the goal with his foot or leaning against it, and clasping his hands so as to produce the letter W in the dumb alphabet, he pursues the other players, who are not so handicapped, when, if he succeeds in touching one without unclasping his hands, they both make a rush for the goal. Should either of the other boys succeed in overtaking one of these before reaching that spot, he has the privilege of riding him home pick-a-back. Then these two boys (_i.e._, the original pursuer and the one caught), joining hands, carry on the game as before, incurring a similar penalty in case of being overtaken as already described. Each successive boy, as he is touched by the pursuers, has to make for the goal under similar risks, afterwards clasping hands with the rest, and forming a new recruit in the pursuing gang, in whose chain the outside players alone have the privilege of touching and thus adding to their numbers. Should the chain at any time be broken, or should the original pursuer unclasp his hands, either by design or accident, the penalty of carrying a capturer to the goal is incurred and always enforced. In West Somerset the pursuing boys after starting were in the habit of crying out the word "Brewerre" or "Brewarre;" noise appearing to be quite as essential to the game as speed.--_Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries_, i. 186 (1888).
Another correspondent to the same periodical (i. 204) says that an almost identical game was played at the King's School, Sherborne, some fifty years ago. It was called "King-sealing," and the pursuing boy was obliged by the rules to retain his hold of the boy seized until he had uttered--
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. You are one of the king-sealer's men.
If the latter succeeded in breaking away before the couplet was finished, the capture was incomplete.
The second game described is almost identical with "King Cæsar," played at Barnes.
About twenty years ago the game was common in some parts of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, where it was sometimes called "Chevy Chase."--_Folk-lore Journal_, vii. 233.
See "Chickidy Hand," "Hunt the Staigie," "King Cæsar," "Whiddy."
Lang Larence