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A -- wait -- ing for a part -- ner, A -- wait -- ing for a part -- ner; So o -- pen the ring, and choose one in, And kiss her when you get her in.

The children pause, while they sing—

Thus the farmer sows his seed, Thus he stands and takes his ease; Stamps his foot and claps his hands, And turns around to view his lands."

Stamp, clap, and turn, then join hands again and go round, singing: A-waiting for a partner, A-waiting for a partner, Open the ring and choose one in, And kiss her when you get her in." The boy chooses a girl, and the two kneel in the ring:

Now you're married, you must obey, You must be true to all you say; Live together all your life, And I'll pronounce you man and wife!"

Or this stanza:

Now you're married, you must obey, You must be true to all you say; You must be kind, you must be good, And keep your wife in kindling-wood."

THREE SPANISH KNIGHTS. In this game one of the girls is chosen as the mother, and she seats herself on a step, or bank, or any convenient place in the midst of her daughters. Three suitors come forward, saying:

Here come three knights out of Spain, We've come to court your daughter Jane." The mother replies:

My daughter Jane she is too young To be wooed by your flattering tongue." The suitors say:

Be she young, or be she old, For a price she must be sold; So fare you well, my lady gay, We'll come again another day." They move away; and then the mother says:

Turn back, turn back, you scornful knight, And rub your spurs till they are bright." The knight says:

My boots and spurs they cost you nought, For in this land they were not bought, Nor in this land will they be sold, Either for silver, or for gold; So fare you well, my lady gay, We'll come again another day." The mother says:

Turn back, turn back, you scornful knight, And choose the fairest in your sight." The knight says: The fairest one that I can see Is [Mary Barton] to walk with me."

The game then proceeds with "Here come two knights," then with three or four, till all the players are mated. 106