The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 1 of 2) / With Tunes, Singing-Rhymes and Methods of Playing etc.

by Alice Bertha Gomme

I.

Betsy Blue came all in black,
Silver buttons down her back.
Every button cost a crown,
Every lady turn around.
Alligoshi, alligoshee,
Turn the bridle over my knee.

—Middleton (Burne’s Shropshire Folk-lore, p. 523).

II.

Barbara, Barbara, dressed in black,
Silver buttons all up your back.
Allee-go-shee, allee-go-shee,
Turn the bridle over me.

—Shepscombe, Gloucestershire (Miss Mendham).

III.

All-i-go-shee, alligoshee,
Turn the bridle over my knee.
My little man is gone to sea,
When he comes back he’ll marry me.

—Warwickshire (Northall’s Folk Rhymes, p. 394).

IV.