We can bend as well as you, sir; as you, sir; as you, sir;
We can bend as well as you, sir;
Ransam, tansam, tisum ma tea!

Go through the kitchen, and through the hall,
And take the fairest of them all;

The fairest one that I can see is “——,”
So come to me.

—Oxfordshire version, brought into Worcestershire (Miss Broadwood).

V.

Here come three dukes a-riding, a-riding, a-riding;
With a ransom, tansom, titty foll-la!
With a ransom, tansom, tay!

And pray what do you want, sirs? want, sirs? want, sirs?
With a ransom, tansom, titty foll-la!
With a ransom, tansom, tay!

I want a handsome wife, sir; wife, sir; wife, sir;
With a ransom, tansom, titty foll-la!
With a ransom, tansom, tay!

I have three daughters fair, sir; fair, sir; fair, sir;
With a ransom, tansom, titty foll-la!
With a ransom, tansom, tay!

They are all too black and too browny,
They sit in the sun so cloudy;
With a ransom, tansom, titty foll-la!
With a ransom, tansom, tay!