THE BALLAD OF SIR HUGH, ETC.
The fact mentioned by your correspondent C. Clifton Barry, at p. 357., as to the affinity of Midland songs and ballads to those of Scotland, I have often observed, and among the striking instances of it which could be adduced, the following may be named, as well known in Northamptonshire:
"It rains, it rains, in merry Scotland;
It rains both great and small;
And all the schoolfellows in merry Scotland
Must needs go and play at ball.
"They tossed the ball so high, so high,
And yet it came down so low;
They tossed it over the old Jew's gates,