The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 2 of 2) / With Tunes, Singing-Rhymes, and Methods of Playing etc.

by Alice Bertha Gomme

When I was a washerwoman, a washerwoman, a washerwoman,
When I was a washerwoman, how happy was I.
This way and that way, and this way and that way,
And this way and that way, and this way went I.

When I was a beggar, a beggar, a beggar,
When I was a beggar, how happy was I.
This way and that way, and this way and that way,
And this way and that way, and this way went I.

—Platt School, near Wrotham, Kent (Miss Burne).

II.

When I was a young girl, a young girl, a young girl,
When I was I young girl, how happy was I.
And this way and that way, and this way and that way, and this way and that way, and this way went I.

When I was a school-girl, a school-girl, a school-girl,
When I was a school-girl, oh, this way went I.
And this way and that way, and this way and that way, and this way and that way, and this way went I.

When I was a teacher, a teacher, a teacher,
When I was a teacher, oh, this way went I.
And this way and that way, and this way and that way, and this way and that way, and this way went I.

When I had a sweetheart, a sweetheart, a sweetheart,
When I had a sweetheart, oh, this way went I.
And this way and that way, and this way and that way, and this way and that way, and this way went I.

When I had a husband, a husband, a husband,
When I had a husband, oh! this way went I.
And this way and that way, and this way and that way, and this way and that way, and this way went I.

When I had a baby, a baby, a baby,
When I had a baby, how happy was I.
And this way and that way, and this way and that way, and this way and that way, and this way went I.