—Barnes and London Streets (A. B. Gomme).
A ring is formed by the children joining hands. They walk round singing the first four lines. They then dance round quickly and sit down suddenly, or touch the ground with their clothes.
A version of this game from Liphook, Hants, almost identical in words, has been sent by Miss Fowler, and another from Crockham Hill, Kent, by Miss Chase.
Here’s a Soldier
Here’s a soldier left his lone [qy. alone],
Wants a wife and can’t get none.
Merrily go round and choose your own,
Choose a good one or else choose none;
Choose the worst or choose the best,
Or choose the very one you like best.
What’s your will, my dilcy dulcy officer?
What’s your will, my dilcy dulcy dee?
My will is to marry, my dilcy dulcy officer;
My will is to marry, my dilcy dulcy dee.
Come marry one of us, my dilcy dulcy officer;
Come marry one of us, my dilcy dulcy dee.