The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 1 of 2): With Tunes, Singing-Rhymes and Methods of Playing etc.Gomme, Alice Bertha
History
The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 1 of 2): With Tunes, Singing-Rhymes and Methods of Playing etc.
Gomme, Alice Bertha
Folklore -- Great Britain; Games -- Great Britain
In the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, “Janet Jo” is a dramatic
entertainment amongst young rustics. Suppose a party has met in a
harvest or winter evening round a good peat fire, and it is resolved to
have “Janet Jo” performed. Two undertake to personate a goodman and a
goodwife; the rest a family of marriageable daughters. One of the lads,
the best singer of the party, retires, and equips himself in a dress
proper for representing an old bachelor in search of a wife. He comes
in, bonnet in hand, bowing, and sings—
Guid e’en to ye, maidens a’,
Maidens a’, maidens a’,
Guid e’en to ye, maidens a’,
Be ye or no.
I’m come to court Janet jo,
Janet jo, Janet jo,
I’m come to court Janet jo,
Janet, my jo.
Goodwife sings—What’ll ye gie for Janet jo,
Janet jo, Janet jo?
What’ll ye gie for Janet jo,
Janet, my jo?
Wooer—I’ll gie ye a peck o’ siller,
A peck o’ siller, peck o’ siller,
I’ll gie ye a peck o’ siller,
For Janet, my jo.
Goodwife says—Gae awa’, ye auld carle!
Then sings—Ye’se never get Janet jo,
Janet jo, Janet jo,
Ye’se never get Janet jo,
Janet, my jo.
The wooer hereupon retires, singing a verse expressive of mortification,
but soon re-enters with a reassured air, singing—
I’ll gie ye a peck o’ gowd,
A peck o’ gowd, a peck o’ gowd,
I’ll gie ye a peck o’ gowd,
For Janet, my jo.
The matron gives him a rebuff as before, and he again retires
discomfited, and again enters, singing an offer of “twa pecks o’ gowd,”
which, however, is also refused. At his next entry he offers “three
pecks o’ gowd,” at which the good wife brightens up and sings—
Come ben beside Janet jo,
Janet jo, Janet jo,
Ye’re welcome to Janet jo,
Janet, my jo.
The suitor then advances gaily to his sweetheart, and the affair ends in
a scramble for kisses.—_Popular Rhymes_, pp. 141, 142.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account