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

I’m weeping for a sweetheart,
A sweetheart, a sweetheart;
I’m weeping for a sweetheart,
On a bright summer’s day.

Oh, pray get up and choose one,
And choose one, and choose one;
Oh, pray get up and choose one,
On a bright summer’s day.

Now you’re married, you must obey;
You must be true to all you say.
You must be kind, you must be good,
And help your wife to chop the wood.

—Sporle, Norfolk (Miss Matthews).

V.

Poor Mary sat a-weeping, a-weeping, a-weeping,
Poor Mary sat a-weeping, down by the sea-side.

By the side of the river, by the side of the river,
She sat down and cried.

Oh, pray get up and choose one, and choose one, and choose one,
Oh, pray get up and choose one, down by the sea-side.

Now you’re married, I wish you joy;
Father and mother you must obey;
Love one another like sister and brother,
And pray, young couple, come kiss one another.

—Colchester (Miss G. M. Frances).