The child then selects a partner, when the rest sing,
"Open the gates and let the bride out," etc.;
and the couple pass under lifted hands, circle the ring, and similarly reenter, to the words,
"Open the gates and let the bride in," etc.
We have thus a curious example of the way in which an apparently meaningless game, which might be supposed the invention of the gamins of the street, is, in fact, a degenerate form of the ancient poetry, which was brimful of grace, courtesy, and the joy of existence.
For a purpose presently to be mentioned, we must cite the corresponding Scotch rhyme, given by Chambers:
A dis, a dis, a green grass,
A dis, a dis, a dis;
Come all ye pretty fair maids,
And dance along with us.
For we are going a-roving,
A-roving in this land;
We'll take this pretty fair maid,
We'll take her by the hand.
Ye shall get a duke, my dear,
And ye shall get a drake;
And ye shall get a young prince,
A young prince for your sake.
And if this young prince chance to die,
Ye shall get another;
The bells will ring, and the birds will sing,
And we'll all clap hands together.