The French, Italian, and Spanish versions of this game also represent a series of actions, sowing, reaping, etc., of which our own rhyme has retained only one stanza. There is a whole class of similar rounds, which describe the labors of the farmer, vine-dresser, etc. That such a song, danced in sowing-time, and representing the progress and abundance of the crop, should be supposed to bring a blessing on the labors of the year, is quite in conformity with what we know of popular belief, ancient and modern. When a French savant asked the peasants of La Châtre why they performed the dance of "Threading the Needle" (see No. 29), the answer was, "To make the hemp grow." It is not in the least unlikely that the original of the present chant was sung, with a like object, by Italian rustics in the days of Virgil. No. 22. _Who'll Be the Binder?_ Couples circle in a ring about a single player-- It rains, it hails, it's cold stormy weather, In comes the farmer drinking all the cider; You be the reaping-boy and I'll be the binder; I've lost my true love, and don't know where to find her. Each girl then lets go of her partner's arm, and takes the arm of the one in advance, and the solitary player endeavors meanwhile to slip into the line. The following is a variation: It snows and it blows, and it's cold frosty weather, Here comes the farmer drinking all his cider; I'll be the reaper, who'll be the binder? I've lost my true love, where shall I find her? It is played by children in New York city as a kissing-game in the ring, as follows: [Illustration] In comes the farmer, drinking all the cider; I have a true love and don't know where to find her. Go round the ring, and see if you can find her; If you cannot find her, go and choose another one. We meet our game once more in North Germany. But its prettiest form is among the Fins of the Baltic coast, where it is extremely pleasing and pastoral: Reap we the oat harvest, Who will come and bind it? Ah, perhaps his darling, Treasure of his bosom. Where have I last seen her? Yesterday at evening, Yesterday at morning! When will she come hither, With her little household, With her gentle escort, People of her village? Who has not a partner, Let him pay a forfeit! It is a remarkable fact that, even where this simple people have borrowed the dramatic idea of an amusement from their more civilized neighbors, they have developed it with a sweetness and grace which put the latter to shame. No. 23. _As We Go Round the Mulberry Bush._ [Illustration] As we go round the mulberry bush, The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush; As we go round the mulberry bush, So early in the morning. This is the way we wash our clothes, All of a Monday morning. This is the way we iron our clothes, All of a Tuesday morning.