Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 3 1885.djvu/193

Rh before the Penzance Natural History and Antiquarian Society, one on January 24th last, which dealt with "the Folk-lore of the Sea," and one during March dealing with "Tidal Folk-lore." In the next issue of the Journal we hope to report these papers at some length. In the meantime members who live near the sea may assist investigation by collecting stories and superstitions from the fisher-folk.]

Hitchen Mayers' Song.—The following verses were written out from tradition by the coachman at Letchworth Rectory, Herts, in May, 1883. They are a corrupt version of the Hitchen Mayers' Song given by Hone: but the fact that they are still current in the neighbourhood may perhaps entitle them to a place in the Journal:—

Oh, remember us poor Mayers, ah! Ere we do begin: To lead our lives into righteousness, Or else we die in sin.

If we die in sin, what a dreadful thing! What a dreadful thing that would be For our poor souls to lie wasting away In pain and misery.

A branch of May I have brought you. And at your door it stands; It is but a sprout, but it's well budded out By the works of our Lord's hands.

The hedges and the trees are loaded with green, As green as any leaf; Our Heavenly Father watereth them With his Heavenly dew so sweet.

So sweet, so sweet as Christ loved us. And for our sins he was slain; He bid us leave off our wicked, wicked ways, And return to the Lord again.

Oh, take a Bible in your hand, And read a chapter through: And when the Day of Judgment comes, The Lord will think of you.