[“[Ghost at the Well],” vol. i. p. 149.]
One player acts as mother, and sends off one of the other players (her daughters) to take a message. She comes back, pretends to be frightened, and says she can’t go, as there’s something “chap, chap, chappin’.” The mother sends another daughter with her this time, telling them “It’s only your father’s breeks, drap, drap, drappin’.” These two return in the same way, saying again “There’s something chap, chap, chappin’.” Another daughter is now sent with the other two, the mother saying “Its only the ducks, quack, quack, quackin’.” They all come back again more frightened saying the same thing. Then the mother and all the others go together to see what the matter is. They come upon another player who has been sitting apart making a noise with a stone. They all cry out “The deil’s amo’ the dishes,” and there is a great chase.—Aberdeen (Rev. Dr. Gregor).
Dig for Silver.
Dig for silver, dig for gold,
Dig for the land that I was told.
As I went down by the water side
I met my lad with a tartan plaid.
My wee lad is a jolly sailor,
And shall be for evermore.
(Name of boy) took the notion
To go and sail on the ocean.
He took poor (name of girl) on his knee,
And sailed across Kilmarnock sea.
Stop your weeping, my dear ——,
He’ll come back and marry you.
He will buy you beads and earrings,
He will buy you a diamond stone,
He will buy a horse to ride on,
When your true love is dead and gone.
What care I for the beads and earrings,
What care I for the diamond stone,
What care I for the horse to ride on,
When my true love is dead and gone.
—Laurieston School, Kircudbrightshire (J. Lawson).
Another version is—
Billy Johnston took a notion
For to go and sail the sea;
He has left his own true love
Weeping on the Greenock quay.
I will buy you beads and earrings,
I will buy you diamonds three,
I will buy you beads and earrings,
Bonny lassie, if you marry me.
What care I for beads and earrings,
What care I for diamonds three,
What care I for beads and earrings,
When my own true love is far from me.
—Perth (Rev. Dr. Gregor).
Compare with this “[Keys of Heaven],” p. 437, and “[Paper of Pins],” p. 450.