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

VII.

Poor Mary sits a-weeping, a-weeping, a-weeping,
Poor Mary sits a-weeping on a bright summer’s day.

Pray tell me what you are weeping for, weeping for, weeping for,
Pray tell me what you are weeping for on a bright summer’s day?

I’m weeping for a sweetheart, a sweetheart, a sweetheart,
I’m weeping for a sweetheart on a bright summer’s day.

Poor Mary’s got a shepherd’s cross, a shepherd’s cross, a shepherd’s cross,
Poor Mary’s got a shepherd’s cross on a bright summer’s day.

—Berkshire (Miss Thoyts, Antiquary, xxvii. 254).

VIII.

Mary sits a-weeping, a-weeping, a-weeping,
Mary sits a-weeping, close by the sea-side.

Mary, what are you weeping for, weeping for, weeping for,
Mary, what are you weeping for, close by the sea-side?

I’m a-weeping for my sweetheart, my sweetheart, my sweetheart,
I’m a-weeping for my sweetheart, close by the sea-side.