Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 4 1886.djvu/365

Rh See how Victoria reigns o'er us! She has health, she has wealth, to adore us (!) In the merry merry month of May, All so lively, hlithe, and gay! Will you follow? will you follow? To the sound of the merry merry horn!

It is customary in Staffordshire, Cheshire, and North Shropshire to go about on the 1st November (All Saints Day—the Eve of All Souls), and sometimes also on the 2nd, begging for cakes, apples, or ale. This practice, called "souling," is now almost confined to the children, who sing or drawl the following ditties. (See Shropshire Folk-Lore, pp. 381-388.)

Here comes one, two, three, jolly boys,
 * All in a mind,

We are come a souling
 * For what we can find.

Both ale, beer, and brandy.
 * And all sorts of wine.

(Would ye be so kind, would ye be so kind?)