The next that steps in is Lord Nelson, you see With a bunch of blue ribands tied on to his knee, With a star on his breast like silver do shew, And he comes a’paste-egging with his jolly crew. Fol di-diddle dol-di-day. IV. The next that steps in is a lady so gay, Who from her own country has run far away, With the red cap and feathers that look very fine, And all her delight is in drinking red wine. Fol di-diddle dol-di-day. VI. The Master and Mistress that sit by the fire, Put your hand in your pocket, that’s all we desire; Put your hand in your pocket, and pull out your purse, And give us a trifle--you’ll ne’er be any worse. Fol di-diddle dol-di-day. VII. Some eggs and strong bacon we’ll never deny, For the eggs we can suck while the bacon doth fry. Now all ye young lasses, just mind what ye are about, If you give nought, we’ll take nought, so we’ll bid you good night. Fol di-diddle dol-di-day. MAYING The “Mayers” went about singing and soliciting alms for some weeks before the first of May. The following is a portion of one of their songs, and a variant may be found in Halliwell’s _Palatine Anthology_, which was given to him by Ormerod, the Cheshire historian. The tune taken down by Egerton Leigh, and given in his book of poems, is terribly mutilated, but I have reconstructed it by the aid of a very similar Lancashire tune. It is undoubtedly old, and the commencement on the supertonic is very quaint. The words are distinctly above the average of old ballads: [Music: CHESHIRE MAYING SONG] CHESHIRE MAY SONG I All on this pleasant evening together come are we, For the summer springs so fresh, green, and gay, To tell you of a blossom that buds on every tree, Drawing near to the merry month of May. II Rise up, the master of this house, all in your chain of gold, For the summer springs so fresh, green, and gay; We hope you’re not offended, this night we make so bold, Drawing near the pleasant month of May. III Oh! rise, the mistress of this house, with gold upon your breast, For the summer springs so fresh, green, and gay; And if your body be asleep, we hope your soul’s at rest, Drawing near to the merry month of May. &c. &c. In the Halliwell-Phillipps’ version each verse ends with “Oh this is pleasant singing, Sweet May flower is springing, And summer comes so fresh, green, and gay.” In Chester and surrounding villages the children still carry round May garlands, and generally a small child bedecked with ribbons, but the old May songs are no longer used.