Here I sit on a cold green Bank.
The children form a ring around one of the party, who sits in the middle, and says:
“Here I sit on a cold green bank,
On a cold and frosty morning.”
Then those in the circle dance round her, singing:
“We’ll send a young man (or woman) to take you away,
To take you away, to take you away;
We’ll send a young man to take you away,
On a cold and frosty morning.”
Child. “Pray tell me what his name shall be?”
Or,
“Pray, whom will you send to take me away?”
Circle. “We’ll send Mr. —— to take you away.”
This is repeated three times with the refrain, “On a cold,” etc. 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.