Children's songs -- United States; Games with music
A row of hats of various sizes, and belonging to both sexes, are placed
on the floor. The leader picks up the first hat, and puts it on his
own head, marching and singing the verse. He then takes up the next
hat, and places it on the head of any one he pleases; the person chosen
stands behind him, and they once more march, singing. The process is
continued, until all the company are arranged in line:
King Arthur was King William's son,
And when the battle he had won,
Upon his breast he wore a star,
And it was called the sign of war.
_Orange, New Jersey._
The following rhyme is exceedingly familiar, throughout the Middle and
Southern States, as a kissing-round:
King William was King James's son, And all the roy-al race he run; Upon
his breast he wore a star, And it was called the sign of war.
King William was King James's son,[63]
And all the royal race he run;
Upon his head he wore a star.
Star of the East,
Star of the West,
Star of the one you love the best.
If she's not here don't take her part,
But choose another with all your heart.
Down on the carpet you must kneel,
As the grass grows on the field,
Salute your bride, and kiss her sweet,
And rise again upon your feet.
The round is also familiar in Ireland. We learn from an informant that
in her town it was formerly played in a peculiar manner. Over the
head of a girl, who stood in the centre of a ring, was held a shawl,
sustained by four others grasping the corners. The game then proceeded
as follows:
King William was King George's son--
_From the Bay of Biscay, O!_
Upon his breast he wore a star--
_Find your way to English schools._
Then followed the game-rhyme, repeated with each stanza, "Go choose you
East," etc. King William is then supposed to enter--
The first girl that I loved so dear,
Can it be she's gone from me?
If she's not here when the night comes on,
Will none of you tell me where she is gone?
He recognizes the disguised girl--
There's heart beneath the willow-tree,
There's no one here but my love and me.
"He had gone to the war, and promised to marry her when he came back.
She wrapped a shawl about her head, to see if he would recognize her."
This was all the reciter could recollect; the lines of the ballad were
sung by an old woman, the ring answering with the game-rhyme.
_Waterford, Ireland._
The round now in use in the town whence this comes, but where the
ballad is not at present known, begins:
King William was King George's son--
_From the Bay of Biscay, O!_
Upon his breast he wore a star--
_Point your way across the sea._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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