Part 21

I come with my ringle jingles Under my lady's apron strings. First comes summer, and then comes May, The queen's to be married on midsummer day. Here she sits and here she stands, As fair as a lily, as white as a swan; A pair of green gloves to draw on her hands, As ladies wear in Cumberland. I've brought you three letters, so pray you read one, I can't read one unless I read all, So pray, Miss Nancy, deliver them all.

--Sheffield (S. O. Addy).

A number of young men and women form themselves into an oval ring, and one stands in the centre. A thimble is given to one of those who form the ring, and it is passed round from one to another, so that nobody knows who has it. Then the one who stands in the centre goes to the man at the top of the oval ring and says, "My lady's lost her gold ring. Have you got it?" He answers "Me, sir? no, sir." The one in the middle says, "I think you lie, sir, but tell me who has got it." Then he points out the one who has the thimble, of which he takes possession, and then says the above lines. Then the one who was found to have had the thimble takes the place of the one inside the ring, and the game is repeated.

Halliwell gives a version of this game under the name of Diamond Ring (_Nursery Rhymes_, p. 223), but the words used consist only of the following lines:--

My lady's lost her diamond ring, I pitch upon you to find it.

In the two following games from Yorkshire and Lincolnshire there are no words used in rhymes or couplets.

One child stands in the centre of a ring, which is formed by each member clasping the wrist of his or her left hand neighbour with the left hand, thus leaving the right hand free. A thimble is provided, and is held by one of the players in the right hand. No circular movement is necessary, but as the tune is sung, the right hand of each member is placed alternately in that of their right and left hand neighbour, each performing the action in a swinging style, as if they had to pass the ring on, and in such a manner, that the one standing in the centre cannot detect it. The thimble may be detained or passed on just as the players think fit. The words are the following:--

The thimble is going, I don't know where.

Varied with

It's first over here,

Or

It's over there,

as the case may be, or rather may not be, in order to throw the victim in the centre off the scent.--West Riding of Yorkshire (Miss Bush).

The players sit in a row or circle, with their hands held palm to palm in their laps. The leader of the game takes a thimble, and going to every member of the company in turn, pretends to slip it between their fingers, or to hide it in their pinafores, saying as she does so--"I bring you my lady's thimble, you must hold it fast, and very fast indeed." Whereon each child thus addressed should assume an air of triumph suitable to the possession of such a treasure. After the whole party have gone through the farce of receiving the thimble, the girl who carried it round calls a player from the circle to discover who holds it. For every wrong guess a fine must be paid. When the searcher discovers the thimble she begins a new round of the game by taking the place of leader; and so on, till the accumulation of forfeits is sufficient to afford amusement in "loosing the tines." The game is called "Lady's Thimble."--Lincoln, Scawby and Stixwould 76 years ago (Miss M. Peacock).

The rhyme used in the Sheffield game is that used in "Queen Anne," but it appears to have no relevance to this game.

Thing done

A game described by Ben Jonson in his play of _Cynthia's Revels_ (act iv. scene 1). The passage is as follows:--

"PHANTASTE. Nay, we have another sport afore this, of 'A thing done, and who did it,' &c.

"PHILANTIA. Ay, good Phantaste, let's have that: distribute the places.

"PHANTASTE. Why, I imagine A thing done; Hedon thinks who did it; Maria, with what it was done; Anaides, where it was done; Argurion, when it was done; Amorphus, for what cause was it done; you, Philantia, what followed upon the doing of it; and this gentleman, who would have done it better. . . ."

Gifford thinks that this sport was probably the diversion of the age, and of the same stamp with our modern "Cross Purposes," "Questions," and "Commands," &c.

Thread the Needle

[Music]

--Miss Dendy.

[Music]

--Harpenden (Miss Lloyd).

I. Thread my grandmother's needle! Thread my grandmother's needle! Thread my grandmother's needle! Open your gates as wide as high, And let King George and me go by. It is so dark I cannot see To thread my grandmother's needle! _Who stole the money-box?_

--London (Miss Dendy).

II. Open your gates as wide as I, [high?] And let King George's horses by; For the night is dark and we cannot see, But thread your long needle and sew.

--Belfast (W. H. Patterson).

III. Thread the tailor's needle, The tailor's blind, so he can't see; So open the gates as wide as wide, And let King George and his lady pass by.

--Bocking, Essex (_Folk-lore Record_, iii. 170).

IV. Thread my grandmother's needle, Thread my grandmother's needle; It is too dark we cannot see To thread my grandmother's needle.

--Harpenden (Mrs. Lloyd).

V. Thread the needle, Thread the needle, Nine, nine, nine, Let King George and I pass by.

--Liphook, Hants (Miss Fowler).

VI. Open the gates as wide as wide, And let King George go through with his bride; It is so dark, we cannot see To threaddle the tailor's needle.

--Parish _Dictionary of the Sussex Dialect_.

VII. Brother Jack, if ye were mine, I would give you claret wine; Claret wine's gude and fine-- Through the needle-e'e, boys!

--_Blackwood's Magazine_, August 1821.

VIII. Through the needle-e'e, boys, One, two, three, boys.

--Ross-shire (Rev. W. Gregor).

IX. Hop my needle, burn my thread, Come thread my needle, Jo-hey.

--Lincoln (C. C. Bell).

X. Come thread a long needle, come thread, The eye is too little, the needle's too big.

--Hanbury, Staffs. (Miss Edith Hollis).

XI. Thread the needle thro' the skin, Sometimes out and sometimes in.

--Warwickshire, Northall's _Folk Rhymes_, 397.

XII. Open the gates as wide as the sky, And let King George and his lady go by.

--Ellesmere, Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 321.

(_b._) The children stand in two long rows, each holding the hands of the opposite child, the two last forming an arch. They sing the lines, and while doing so the other children run under the raised arms. When all have passed under, the first two hold up their hands, and so on again and again, each pair in turn becoming the arch. Mrs. Lloyd (Harpenden version) says the two first hold up a handkerchief, and the children all run under, beginning with the last couple. In the London version (Miss Dendy) the "last line is called out in quite different tones from the rest of the rhyme. It is reported to have a most startling effect." The Warwickshire version is played differently. The players, after passing under the clasped hands, all circle or wind round one of their number, who stands still.

(_c._) In some cases the verse, "How many miles to Babylon?" is sung before the verses for "Thread the needle," and the reference made (_ante_, vol. i., p. 238) to an old version seems to suggest the origin of the game. This, at all events, goes far to prove that the central idea of the game is not connected with the sewing needle, but with an interesting dance movement, which is called by analogy, Thread the needle. It is, however, impossible to say whether the verses of this game are the fragments of an older and more lengthy original, which included both the words of "How many miles to Babylon" and "Thread the needle," or whether these two were independent games, which have become joined; but, on the whole, I am inclined to think that "Thread the needle," at all events, is an independent game, or the central idea of an independent game, and one of some antiquity.

This game is well illustrated by custom. At Trowbridge, in Wilts, a game, known as "Thread the needle," used to be the favourite sport with the lads and lasses on the evening of Shrove Tuesday festival. The vocal accompaniment was always the following:--

Shrove Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, when Jack went to plough, His mother made pancakes, she didn't know how; She tipped them, she tossed them, she made them so black, She put so much pepper she poisoned poor Jack.

--_Notes and Queries_, 5th series, xi. p. 227.

At Bradford-on-Avon, as soon as the "pancake bell" rang at eleven A.M., the school children had holiday for the remainder of the day, and when the factories closed for the night, at dusk the boys and girls of the town would run through the streets in long strings playing "Thread the needle," and whooping and hallooing their best as they ran, and so collecting all they could together by seven or eight o'clock, when they would adjourn to the churchyard, where the old sexton had opened the churchyard gates for them; the children would then join hands in a long line until they encompassed the church; they then, with hands still joined, would walk round the church three times; and when dismissed by the old sexton, would return to their homes much pleased that they "Clipped the Church," and shouting similar lines to those said at Trowbridge.

At South Petherton, in South Somerset, sixty or seventy years ago, it was the practice of the young folk of both sexes to meet in or near the market-place, and there commence "Threading the needle" through the streets, collecting numbers as they went. When this method of recruiting ceased to add to their ranks, they proceeded, still threading the needle, to the church, which they tried to encircle with joined hands; and then, whether successful or not, they returned to their respective homes. Old people, who remember having taken part in the game, say that it always commenced in the afternoon or evening of Shrove Tuesday, "after having eaten of their pancakes." In _Leicestershire County Folk-lore_, p. 114, Mr. Billson records that it was formerly the custom on Shrove Tuesday for the lads and lasses to meet in the gallery of the Women's Ward in Trinity Hospital to play at "Thread the Needle" and similar games.

At Evesham the custom is still more distinctly connected with the game, as the following quotation shows:--"One custom of the town is connected with a sport called 'Thread my needle,' a game played here by the children of the town throughout the various streets at sunset upon Easter Monday, and at no other period throughout the year. The players cry while elevating their arms arch-wise--

Open the gates as high as the sky, And let Victoria's troops pass by."

--May's _History of Evesham_, p. 319.

As all these customs occur in the early spring of the year, there is reason to think that in this game we have a relic of the oldest sacred dances, and it is at least a curious point that in two versions (Bocking and Ellesmere) the Anglo-Saxon title of "Lady" is applied to the Queen.

The writer in _Blackwood's Magazine_, who quotes the rhymes as "immemorial," says: "Another game played by a number of children, with a hold of one another, or 'tickle tails,' as it is technically called in Scotland, is 'Through the needle-e'e.'" Moor (_Suffolk Words and Phrases_) mentions the game. Patterson (_Antrim and Down Glossary_) gives it as "Thread the needle and sew." Barnes (_Dorset Glossary_) calls it "Dred the wold woman's needle," in which two children join hands, and the last leads the train under the lifted arms of the first two. Holloway (_Dictionary of Provincialisms_) says the children form a ring, holding each other's hands; then one lets go and passes under the arms of two who still join hands, and the others all follow, holding either by each other's hands or by a part of their dress. "At Ellesmere," Miss Burne says, "this game was formerly called 'Crew Duck.' It now only survives among little girls, and is only played on a special day." It is alluded to in _Poor Robin's Almanack_ for 1738: "The summer quarter follows spring as close as girls do one another when playing at Thread my needle; they tread upon each other's heels." Strutt calls this "Threading the Taylor's needle." Newell (_Games of American Children_) gives some verses, and describes it as played in America.

See "How many miles to Babylon," "Through the Needle 'ee."

Three Days' Holidays

Two players hold up their joined hands, the rest pass under one by one, repeating, "Three days' holidays, three days' holidays!" They pass under a second time, all repeating, "Bumping day, bumping day!" when the two leaders strike each player on the back in passing. The third time they say, "Catch, catch, catch!" and the leaders catch the last in the train between their arms. He has the choice of "strawberries or grapes," and is placed behind one of the leaders, according to his answer. When all have been "caught," the two parties pull against each other.--Berrington (Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 522).

"Holidays," says Miss Burne, "anciently consisted of three days, as at Easter and Whitsuntide, which explains the words of this game;" and the manorial work days were formerly three a week. See "Currants and Raisins."

Three Dukes

[Music]

--Madeley, Shropshire (Miss Burne).

[Music]

--Biggar, Lanarkshire (W. Ballantyne).

[Music]

--Sporle, Norfolk (Miss Matthews).

[Music]

--Isle of Man (A. W. Moore).

I. Here come three dukes a-riding, A-riding, a-riding; Here come three dukes a-riding, With a rancy, tancy, tay!

What is your good will, sirs? Will, sirs? will, sirs? What is your good will, sirs? With a rancy, tancy, tay!

Our good will is to marry, To marry, to marry; Our good will is to marry, With a rancy, tancy, tay!

Marry one of us, sirs, Us, sirs, us, sirs; Marry one of us, sirs, With a rancy, tancy, tay!

You're all too black and greasy [or dirty], Greasy, greasy; You're all too black and greasy, With a rancy, tancy, tay!

We're good enough for you, sirs, You, sirs, you, sirs; We're good enough for you, sirs, With a rancy, tancy, tay!

You're all as stiff as pokers, Pokers, pokers; You're all as stiff as pokers, With a rancy, tancy, tay!

We can bend as much as you, sirs, You, sirs, you, sirs; We can bend as much as you, sirs, With a rancy, tancy, tay!

Through the kitchen and down the hall, I choose the fairest of you all; The fairest one that I can see Is pretty Miss ----, walk with me.

--Madeley, Salop (Miss Burne), 1891.

[Another Shropshire version has for the fourth verse--

Which of us will you choose, sirs?

Or,

Will you marry one of my daughters?]

II. Here comes three dukes a-riding, a-riding, With a ransome dansome day!

Pray what is your intent, sirs, intent, sirs? With a ransome dansome day!

My intent is to marry, to marry!

Will you marry one of my daughters, my daughters?

You are as stiff as pokers, as pokers!

We can bend like you, sir, like you, sir!

You're all too black and too blowsy, too blowsy, For a dilly-dally officer!

Good enough for _you_, sir! for _you_, sir!

If I must have any, I will have this, So come along, my pretty miss!

--Chirbury (_Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 517).

III. Here come three dukes a-riding, A-riding, a-riding; Here come three dukes a-riding, With a rancy, tancy, tee!

Pray what is your good will, sirs? Will, sirs, will, sirs? Pray what is your good will, sirs? With a rancy, tancy, tee!

My will is for to marry you, To marry you, to marry you; My will is for to marry you, With a rancy, tancy, tee!

You're all so black and blousey (blowsy?), Sitting in the sun so drowsy; With silver chains about ye, With a rancy, tancy, tee!

Or,

[With golden chains about your necks, Which makes you look so frowsy.]

Walk through the kitchen, and through the hall, And pick the fairest of them all.

This is the fairest I can see, So pray, Miss ----, walk with me.

--Leicester (Miss Ellis).

IV. Here come three dukes a-riding, a-riding, a-riding, Here come three dukes riding, riding, riding; Ransam, tansam, tisum ma tea (_sic_).

Pray what is your good will, sir, will, sir, will, sir? Pray what is your good will, sir? Ransam, tansam, tisum ma tea!

My will is for to marry, to marry, to marry, My will is for to marry; Ransam, tansam, tisum ma tea!

Pray who will you marry, you marry, you marry? Pray who will you marry? Ransam, tansam, tisum ma tea!

You're all too black and too brown for me, You're all too black and too brown for me, Ransam, tansam, tisum ma tea!

We're quite as white as you, sir; as you, sir; as you, sir; We're quite as white as you, sir; Ransam, tansam, tisum ma tea!

You are all as stiff as pokers, as pokers, as pokers, You are all, &c., Ransam, tansam, tisum ma tea!

We can bend as well as you, sir; as you, sir; as you, sir; We can bend as well as you, sir; Ransam, tansam, tisum ma tea!

Go through the kitchen, and through the hall, And take the fairest of them all;

The fairest one that I can see is "----," So come to me.

--Oxfordshire version, brought into Worcestershire (Miss Broadwood).

V. Here come three dukes a-riding, a-riding, a-riding; With a ransom, tansom, titty foll-la! With a ransom, tansom, tay!

And pray what do you want, sirs? want, sirs? want, sirs? With a ransom, tansom, titty foll-la! With a ransom, tansom, tay!

I want a handsome wife, sir; wife, sir; wife, sir; With a ransom, tansom, titty foll-la! With a ransom, tansom, tay!

I have three daughters fair, sir; fair, sir; fair, sir; With a ransom, tansom, titty foll-la! With a ransom, tansom, tay!

They are all too black and too browny, They sit in the sun so cloudy; With a ransom, tansom, titty foll-la! With a ransom, tansom, tay!

Go through my kitchen and my hall, And find the fairest of them all; With a ransom, tansom, titty foll-la! With a ransom, tansom, tay!

The fairest one that I can see, Is little ---- ----, so come to me.

--Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy).

VI. Here come three dukes a-riding, a-riding, a-riding; Here come three dukes a-riding, with a ransom, tansom, te!

Pray what is your intention, sir [repeat as above].

My intention is to marry, &c.

Which of us will you choose, sir, &c.

You're all too black and too browsy, &c.

We're good enough for you, sir, &c.

Through the kitchen and over the wall, Pick the fairest of us all.

The fairest is that I can see, pretty Miss ----, come to me.

--East Kirkby, Lincolnshire (Miss K. Maughan).

VII. Here come three dukes a-riding, A-riding, a-riding; Here come three dukes a-riding, With a dusty, dusty, die!

What do you want with us, sirs? [repeat as above].

We've come to choose a wife, Miss, &c.

Which one of us will you have, sirs? &c.

You're all too black and too browsy, You sit in the sun so drowsy; With a golden chain about your neck, You're all too black and too browsy.

Quite good enough for you, sirs, &c.

We walk in our chamber, We sit in our hall, We choose the fairest of you all; The fairest one that we can see Is little ---- ----, come to me.

--Wakefield, Yorks. (Miss Fowler).

VIII. Here come three dukes a-riding, a-riding, a-riding, Here come three dukes a-riding; A randy, dandy, very fine day!

And pray what is your will, sirs? &c. [as above].

We come for one of your daughters, &c.

Which one will you have, sir? &c.

They are all as black as a browsie, browsie, browsie, &c.

One can knit, and one can sew, One can make a lily-white bow; One can make a bed for a king, Please take one of my daughters in.

The fairest one that I can see Is [ ], come to me.

--Gainford, co. Durham (Miss A. Edleston).

IX. Here comes a poor duke a-riding, a-riding, Here comes a poor duke a-riding; With the ransom, tansom, tee!

Pray who will you have to marry, sir? &c.

You're all so black and so dirty, &c.

We are quite as clean as you, sir, &c.

Through the kitchen, and through the hall, Pick the fairest one of all.

The fairest one that I can see Is ----, The fairest one that I can see, With a ransom, tansom, tee!

--Sporle, Norfolk (Miss Matthews).

X. Here comes one duke a-riding, A-riding, a-riding; Here comes one duke a-riding, With a ransom, tansom, terrimus, hey!

What is your intention, sir? &c. [as above].

My intention is to marry, &c.

Marry one of us, sir? &c.

You're all too black and dirty (or greasy), &c.

We're good enough for you, sir, &c.

You're all as stiff as pokers, &c.

We can bend as much as you, sir, &c.

Through the kitchen and through the hall, I choose the fairest of you all; The fairest one as I can see Is pretty ---- ----, come to me.

Now I've got my bonny lass, Bonny lass, bonny lass; Now I've got my bonny lass To help us with our dancing.

--Barnes, Surrey (A. B. Gomme).

XI. Here comes one duke a-riding, a-riding, a-riding; Here comes one duke a-riding On a ransom, dansom bay!

You're all so black and dirty, &c.

Pray which of us will you choose, sir, &c.

Up in the kitchen, down in the hall, And choose the fairest one of all. The fairest one that I can see Is pretty Miss ----, so come to me.

--Bocking, Essex (_Folk-lore Record_, vol. iii., pt. ii., pp. 170-171).

XII. Here comes one duke a-riding, a-riding, a-riding, Here comes one duke a-riding, with a ransom, tansom, ta!

Pray which of us will you choose, sir? &c.

You're all so black and so blousey, &c.

We're quite as white as you, sir, &c.

Up of the kitchen, down of the hall, Pick the fairest girl of all; The fairest one that I can see Is ---- ----, come to me.

--Suffolk (Mrs. Haddon).

XIII. Here comes the Duke of Rideo, Of Rideo, of Rideo; Here comes the Duke of Rideo, Of a cold and frosty morning.

My will is for to get married, &c.

Will any of my fair daughters do? &c. [The word "do" must be said in a drawling way.]

They are all too black or too proudy, They sit in the sun so cloudy; With golden chains around their necks, That makes them look so proudy.