WELL, you waked and call'd me early on the first, my mother dear,
As though't had been the jolliest time of all the glad new year,
For as you were aware, mother, in spite the wretched day,
I had to be Queen o' the May, mother, I had to be Queen o' the May.
You did your best for me, mother, I must say that of you;
You had my waterproof prepared, and my goloshes too;
You lent me your own muff, mother, my chilblains were so sore,
And made dear Robin bring the cover'd cart close to our door.
And yet the May-day games, mother, were not a great success;
And I, for I was Queen, alack!—got in the greatest mess;