You’re all too old and ugly, my dilcy dulcy officer;
You’re all too old and ugly, my dilcy dulcy dee.
Thrice too good for you, sir, my dilcy dulcy officer;
Thrice too good for you, sir, my dilcy dulcy dee.
This couple got married, we wish them good joy,
Every year a girl and a boy,
And if that does not do, a hundred and two,
We hope the couple will kiss together.
—Annaverna, co. Louth (Miss R. Stephen).
(b) One child stands in the middle, the others dance round singing. The one in the middle chooses another before the four last lines are sung. Then the rest dance round singing these lines, and kiss each other.
(c) It is evident that these words comprise two distinct games, which have become mixed in some inexplicable fashion. The first six lines and the last four are one game, a ring form, with the marriage formula and blessing. The other portion of the game is a dialogue game, evidently having had two lines of players, questions being asked and answers given. It is, in fact, a part of the “[Three Dukes]” game. The first part is a kiss-in-the-ring game, a version of “[Here stands a Young Man],” “[Silly Old Man],” and “[Sally Water].”[Addendum]
Hewley Puley
Take this, What’s this?
Hewley Puley.
Where’s my share?
About the kite’s neck.
Where’s the kite?
Flown to the wood.
Where’s the wood?
The fire has burned it.
Where’s the fire?
The water’s quenched it.
Where’s the water?
The ox has drunk it.
Where’s the ox?
The butcher has killed it.
Where’s the butcher?
The rope has hanged him.
Where’s the rope?
The rat has gnawed it.
Where’s the rat?
The cat has killed it.
Where’s the cat?
Behind the door, cracking pebble-stones and marrow-bones for yours and my supper, and the one who speaks first shall have a box on the ear.
—Halliwell’s Nursery Rhymes, p. 222.