Page:A book of nursery songs and rhymes (1895).pdf/174

 Miss Mason's 'Nursery Rhymes,' and in Laurie and Marby's 'Rhymes, Jingles, and Songs.'

XXVIII. I LOVE SIXPENCE

An old song I remember as a child. I took it down again from a white-haired tanner who died three years ago. It is given by Miss Mason in her 'Nursery Rhymes,' p. 28; also in 'The Baby's Bouquet.'

XXIX. THE LITTLE DANDY

This little song appeared in 'The Convivial Companion,' by G. Woodward, n.d., but about 1763, as there is in it a song describing the Coronation of George IV. It was printed and published at Norwich. In this there are four verses: the tune is 'Darby, O.'

XXX. WIG, HAT, AND CANE

A song that appears in the garlands and song-books of the end of last century and the beginning of this.

XXXI. CHIT, CHAT

Also from the garlands and song-books of the same period as the last.

XXXII. SONG OF SPRING

Three verses out of an old song composed to the air, 'To all you Ladies now on Land.' Scraps are still to be heard sung by country singers. It is found complete in 'The Convivial Songster,' n.d., but about 1760, and in other collections of last century.

XXXIII. WINTER SONG

Two verses of an old English song, and a very pleasant one, not absolutely dead even now, though it is some 200 years old.

XXXIV. THREE CHILDREN SLIDING

A very old song. In the original it consists of twenty-one verses. It occurs in 'Merry Drollery Complete,' 1670. It was sung to 'Chevy Chase,' and to 'The Lady's Fall.' In the form in which it last comes to us there is reference to the fire on London Bridge in 1683, and the great frost on the Thames in 1684.