One can knit, and one can sew,
One can make a lily-white bow;
One can make a bed for a king,
Please take one of my daughters in.
The fairest one that I can see
Is [ ], come to me.
—Gainford, co. Durham (Miss A. Edleston).
Here comes a poor duke a-riding, a-riding,
Here comes a poor duke a-riding;
With the ransom, tansom, tee!
Pray who will you have to marry, sir? &c.
You’re all so black and so dirty, &c.
We are quite as clean as you, sir, &c.
Through the kitchen, and through the hall,
Pick the fairest one of all.
The fairest one that I can see
Is ——,
The fairest one that I can see,
With a ransom, tansom, tee!