player is called out after another, desired to choose a lover, kissed or embraced, and promised all kinds of good fortune.
(i.)—The first of these is the well-known Sally Water (or Walker). A party of children forms a circle, in the middle of which one of them, a girl, kneels alone; the rest, taking hands, slowly move round and sing:
“Sally, Sally Water,
Sprinkle in the pan;
Rise, Sally, rise, Sally, (she rises.)
And choose a young man.
Choose [or bow] to the east,
Choose [or bow] to the west,
And choose [or bow to] the pretty girl [or young man]
That you love best.”
Another version has :
“Choose for the best one,
Choose for the worst one,
Choose for the pretty girl
That you love best.”
The girl in the centre then selects her favourite, who is taken by her within the circle, where they kiss each other, the rest moving round in a circle the while. In some parts of Dorset they here sing:
“And now you’re married I wish you joy;
First a girl and then a boy;
Seven years after son and daughter;
And now, young people, jump over the water.”
The one that first knelt down now rejoins the circle, leaving the one she had chosen in the centre, who in turn, in response to the same invitation by the chorus, chooses his or her favourite. This is repeated until the whole party have had their turn, or are tired out before. (Symondsbury.)
(ii.)—Little Girl of mine.
This is similar to “Sally Water,” and played in the same way.
Chorus: “Here’s a pretty little girl of mine,
