If I must have any, I will have this,
So come along, my pretty miss!
—Chirbury (Shropshire Folk-lore, p. 517).
Here come three dukes a-riding,
A-riding, a-riding;
Here come three dukes a-riding,
With a rancy, tancy, tee!
Pray what is your good will, sirs?
Will, sirs, will, sirs?
Pray what is your good will, sirs?
With a rancy, tancy, tee!
My will is for to marry you,
To marry you, to marry you;
My will is for to marry you,
With a rancy, tancy, tee!
You’re all so black and blousey (blowsy?),
Sitting in the sun so drowsy;
With silver chains about ye,
With a rancy, tancy, tee!
Or,
[With golden chains about your necks,
Which makes you look so frowsy.]
Walk through the kitchen, and through the hall,
And pick the fairest of them all.