—Maxey, Northants. (Rev. W. D. Sweeting).
Rosy apple, lemon, and a pear,
Bunch of roses you shall wear;
Gold and silver by your side,
I know who shall be a bride.
Take her by the lily-white hand,
Lead her ’cross the water;
Give her kisses,—one, two, three,—
For Mrs. (So-and-so’s) daughter.
—Deptford, Kent (Miss Chase).
Rosie had an apple and a pear,
A bunch of roses she shall wear;
Gold and silver by her side,
I knows who shall be her bride.
Take her by the lily-white hand,
Lead her across the water;
Give her a kiss, and one, two, three,
Old Mother Sack-a-biddy’s daughter!
—Ogbourne, Wilts. (H. S. May).
Rosy apples, mellow pears,
Bunch of roses she shall wear;
Gold and silver by her side,
Tell me who shall be her bride.
Take her by her lily-white hand,
Lead her across the ocean;
Give her a kiss, and one, two, three,
Mrs. —— daughter.
—Sporle, Norfolk (Miss Matthews).