Comparative Studies in Nursery RhymesEckenstein, Lina
History
Comparative Studies in Nursery Rhymes
Eckenstein, Lina
Comparative literature; Nursery rhymes -- Bibliography; Nursery rhymes -- History and criticism
How shall we get her home, says Robbin to Bobbin, etc.
V
We will hire a cart, says Robbin to Bobbin, etc.
VI
Then hoist, hoist, says Robbin to Bobbin, etc.
VII
She's up, she's up, says Robbin to Bobbin, etc.
In the collection of 1783 there is an additional verse:--
So they brought her away after each pluck'd a feather,
And when they got home shar'd the booty together.
(_c._ 1783, p. 20.)
Another version of this chant from Scotland is included in Herd's
collection of songs, which goes back to 1776.[64] In this the wren "is
slayed," "conveyed home in carts and horse," and is got in by "driving
down the door cheeks." The characters in this case are Fozie Mozie,
Johnie Rednosie, Foslin 'ene, and brethren and kin. The song ends:--
VIII
I'll hae a wing, quo' Fozie Mozie,
I'll hae anither, quo' Johnie Rednosie,
I'll hae a leg, quo' Foslin 'ene,
And I'll hae another, quo' brither and kin.
[64] Herd, David, _Ancient and Modern Scottish Songs_, reprint,
1869, II, 210.
In the toy-book literature of the eighteenth century I have come across
the expression, "They sang the Fuzzy Muzzy chorus," which may be related
to these names.
Another variation of the chant sung in Carmarthenshire[65] is set in the
form of a dialogue, and the fact is insisted on that the hunt shall be
carried out in the old way in preference to the new:--
[65] Mason, M. H., _Nursery Rhymes and Country Songs_, 1877, p. 47.
I
O, where are you going, says Milder to Malder,
O, I cannot tell, says Festel to Fose,
We're going to the woods, says John the Red Nose,
We're going to the woods, says John the Red Nose.
II
O, what will you do there? says Milder to Malder....
| We'll shoot the Cutty Wren, says John the Red Nose. |
III
O, how will you shoot her....
| With cannons and guns, _etc._ |
IV
O, that will not do ...
| With arrows and bows, _etc._ |
V
O, how will you bring her home....
| On four strong men's shoulders, _etc._ |
VI
O, that will not do ...
| In waggons and carts, _etc._ |
VII
O, what will you cut her up with?...
| With knives and forks, _etc._ |
VIII
O, that will not do ...
| With hatchets and cleavers, _etc._ |
IX
O, how will you boil her?...
| In kettles and pots, _etc._ |
X
O, that will not do ...
| In cauldrons and pans, _etc._ |
XI
O, who'll have the spare ribs, says Milder to Malder,
O, I cannot tell, says Festel to Fose,
We'll give them to the poor, says John the Red Nose,
We'll give them to the poor, says John the Red Nose.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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