—Wakefield, Yorks. (Miss Fowler).
King William was King David’s son,
And all the royal race is run;
Choose from the east, choose from the west,
Choose the one you love the best.[5]
Down on this carpet you shall kneel,
While the grass grows in yond field;
Salute your bride and kiss her sweet,
Rise again upon your feet.
—Hanging Heaton, Yorks. (Herbert Hardy).
On the carpet you shall kneel, while the grass grows at your feet;
Stand up straight upon your feet, and choose the one you love so sweet.
Now Sally is married, life and joy, first a girl and then a boy;
Seven years after, seven years ago, three on the carpet, kiss and go.
—Hanbury, Staffordshire (Miss Edith Hollis).
I had a bonnet trimmed wi’ blue.
Why dosn’t wëare it? Zo I do;
I’d wëare it where I con,
To tëake a walk wi’ my young mon.
My young mon is a-gone to sea,
When he’d come back he’ll marry me.
Zee what a purty zister is mine,
Doan’t ’e think she’s ter’ble fine?
She’s a most ter’ble cunnèn too,
Just zee what my zister can do.
On the carpet she can kneel,
As the grass grow in the fiel’.
Stand upright upon thy feet,
And choose the prettiest you like, sweet.