Several versions of this game are given by Mr. E. W. B. Nicholson in his interesting little book “Goldspie,” pp. 176-184. He considers “Hilli-ballu,” “Hulla-baloo,” and similar words to be the original of the English forms “Here we dance Looby Loo,” or Lubin, and all of these to be derived from hunting cries, such as ha, là bas! loup! uttered by huntsmen to definite musical notes, possibly introduced into songs and afterwards adapted as lullabies because of their resemblance to the lulling-cries ba (= bye) and lulli.
Isabella.
Two or three versions which vary slightly in method of playing may be given. The first is played in the usual way until the last line is said, when the player turns her back to the circle facing outwards as in [Wall-flowers].
Isabella, Isabella, Isabella, farewell;
There is my hand, love, there is my hand, love, farewell!
Over the mountains, over the mountains, over the mountains, farewell!
Her love’s dead and gone, dead and gone, dead and gone!
Her love’s dead and gone, turn your back behind her.
—Perth (Rev. Dr. Gregor).
Another version is—
Isabella, fare ye wella; Isabella, fare ye wella; Isabella, farewell!
One player then leaves the ring singing—
“I’m off to the Indies,” &c.