May-day
: CUSTOM RHYMES: Popular Rhymes And Nursery Tales
Rise up, fair maidens, fie, for shame,
For I've been four lang miles from hame;
I've been gathering my garlands gay;
Rise up, fair maids, and take in your May.
This old Newcastle May-day song is given by Brockett, ii. 32. At Islip,
near Oxford, the children go round the village on this day with garlands
of flowers, singing--
Good morning, missus and measter,
I wish you a happy day;
Please to smell my garland,
'Cause it is the first of May.
More
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