Page:Singing games.djvu/28

As they say "Governor's daughter," they all squat down, and the last one down stands apart and whispers, to whichever one she chooses, the name or initials of some boy, or girl. We will suppose the last one down was a girl named Daisy Norton, and that she gave the name of Georgie Miller. She then returns and takes her place in the ring, with her face outside, Then all go round, and sing:

"Georgie Miller, so they say,
Goes a-courting night and day,
Sword and pistol by his side,
And Daisy Norton's to be his bride;
Takes her by the lily-white hand,
And leads her over the water,—
Here's a kiss, and there's a kiss
For Mr. Norton's daughter."

Then the couple stand in the middle of the ring, and the players go round, singing, to the tune of Water, Water, Wild-flowers:

"He knocks at the door, and he picks up a pin,
And asks if Miss Norton is within.
She's neither in nor is she out,
For she's up in the parlor walking about.
Down she comes as white as milk,
A rose in her bosom, as soft as silk.
She takes off her glove, and shows me a ring;
To-morrow, to-morrow, the wedding will begin!"

At the last line the ring breaks up, and all clap hands and dance about.

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GREEN GROW THE RUSHES, O!

Chairs are placed in a circle. Girls seat themselves so that a vacant chair is left between each one; after which the girls sing:

"Green grow the rush -- es, O! Green grow the rush -- es, O! He who will my true -- love be, Come and sit by the side of me!"

The tune is an ancient one.

Each girl has decided beforehand which boy she desires to sit beside her, and if the wrong boy sits down, she sings, and the others join in:

"Pick and choose, but choose not me,
Choose the fairest you can see."

But if the right boy sits in the right place, they sing:

"Give her a kiss and let her go,
Green grow the rushes, O!"

When all are chosen the boys take possession of the chairs and select the girls who shall sit in the vacant places beside them.

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