—Much Wenlock (Burne’s Shropshire Folklore, p. 508).

II.

Oats and beans and barley grow!
Does you or I or any one know
Where oats and beans and barley grow?

So the farmer sows his seed;
So he stands and takes his ease;
Stamps his foot and claps his hands,
And turns him round to view the lands.
Waiting for a partner! waiting for a partner!

Now young couple you must obey,
You must be true in all you say,
You must be wise and very good,
And help your wife to chop the wood.

—Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy).

III.

Does you or I, or anie one knowe
Where oates and beanes and barlie growe?
Where oates and beanes and barlie growe?
The farmer comes and sowes ye seede,
Then he standes and takes hys ease,
Stamps hys foote, and slappes hys hand,
And turnes hym rounde to viewe ye land.
Waiting for a partner,
Waiting for a partner,
Open the ringe and take mee in,
Make haste and choose youre partner.

Now you’re married you must obey,
Must bee true to alle you saye,
Must bee kinde and verie goode,
And helpe your wyfe to choppe ye woode.

—Raunds (Northants Notes and Queries, i. 163).