A circle is formed, and the children sing the first four lines. One chooses a partner, and they dance round in the ring.
Three Dukes.
In a version of the [Three Dukes], collected by Dr. A. C. Haddon, the first lines are—
Here comes one duke a riding by, a riding by,
A riding by (repeat).
Rasima, Tasima, Tisima tay;
Pray what is your will, sir?
My will is to get married.
Will any of my fair daughters do?
They’re all as stiff as pokers.
We can bend as well as you, sir.
The duke goes round, chooses one, and sings—
I go to the kitchen, I go to the hall,
I pick the fairest one of all (as previous versions).
—Girton Village, Cambridgeshire (Dr. A. C. Haddon).