[See “[Here’s a Soldier],” vol. i. p. 206, and “[Three Dukes],” vol. ii. pp. 233-255].
A ring is formed, one child standing in the middle, all sing the words—
Which of us all do you love best, do you love best, do you love best,
Which of us all do you love best, my dilsee dollsie dee.
Which of us all do you love best, my dilsee dollsie dofficer.
The child in the centre says—
You’re all too black and ugly (three times), my dilsee dollsie dee,
You’re all too black and ugly, my dilsee dollsie dofficer.
The first verse is repeated, and the child in the centre points to one in the ring and says—
This is the one that I love best, that I love best, that I love best,
This is the one that I love best, my dilsee dollsie dee.
This is the one I love the best, my dilsee dollsie dofficer.
The centre child takes the one selected by the hand, and they stand together in the centre, while the ring dances round and sings—
Open the gates to let the bride out, to let the bride out, to let the bride out,
Open the gates to let the bride out, my dilsee dollsie dee.
Open the gates to let the bride out, my dilsee dollsie dofficer.