We won’t take your pots and pans,
We won’t take your brass,
We won’t take your anything
For a pretty lass.
Stepping up the green grass,
Thus, and thus, and thus;
Will you let one of your fair maids
Come and play with us?
We will give you gold and silver,
We will give you pearl,
We will give you anything
For a pretty girl.
Yes!
Come, my dearest [Mary],
Come and play with us,
You shall have a young man
Born for your sake.
And the bells shall ring
And the cats shall sing,
And we’ll all clap hands together.
—Addy’s Sheffield Glossary.
Up and down the green grass,
This, and that, and thus;
Come all you fair maids
And walk along with us.
Some will give you silver,
Some will give you gold,
Some will give you anything
For a pretty lass.
Don’t you think [boy’s name]
Is a handsome young man?
Don’t you think Miss [child who has been choosing]
Is as handsome as he?
Then off with the glove
And on with the ring;
You shall be married
When you can agree.