English & Other 155. Sir Hugh, or, The Jew's Daughter
[upcoming- for now see Child's versions]
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Bronson 25. "Little Sir Hugh"
Sharp MSS., 2085/1946. Sung by Sister Emma (about 70),
at Clewer, February 27, 1909.
1. Yesterday was a high holiday
Of all the days in the year
And all the little schoolfellows went out to play
Br-rt Sir William was not there
2. His mother she went to the jew's wife's house
And knocked loud at the ring
O little Sir William if you are here
Come let your morher in
3. He is not here the few's wife said
He is not here today
He's with his little schoolfellows out on the green
Keeping this high holiday.
4. His mother she went to the Boyne Water
That flows so dark & deep.
0 little Sir William if you are here
O pity your mother's weep.
5. O how can I pity your weep mother
And I so full of pain
For the little pen knife sticks close to my heart
And the Jew's wife has me slain
6. Go home go home my mother dear
And prepare me a winding sheet
For tomorrow morning before it is day
Your body and mine shall meet.
7. "And lay my prayer book at my head
And my grammar at my feet
That all the little schoolfellows as they pass by
May read them for my sake.
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26. "Little Sir Hugh"
Sharp, MSS., 1231/1200. Also in Sharp, JFSS, V, No. 20 (1916), p.254). Sung by James Chedgey, Bincomb-over-
Stowey, January 23, 1907.
a I/M
1. It rains it rains in merry Scotland
When the boys did play at ball
They tossed them high they tossed them low
They tossed them over the Jew's castle wall
2. Out come one of the Jew's daughters
She was dressed in a gown of green
Come here come here my Pretty little boy
You shall have your ball again
3. O no, O no, I dare not a come
Without my playmates too,
For if my mother should he standing at the door
She would cause my poor heart to rue.
4. She showed him an apple as green as grass
She showed him a gay gold ring
She showed him a cherry as red as red
And enticed this little boy in
5. She took him to the parlour door
And led him through the kitchen
And then he saw his own mother dear
She were picking of her chicken
6. Down on his bended knees he fell
Mother pardon me
For if I live to be a man
I will give thee gold in three (fee?).
7. She placed a prayer-book at his head
And a testament at his feet
She placed the Bible at his heart
And a penknife in so deep.
8. She wrapped him up in blankets warm
And tooked him to a well
Saying good bye good bye my pretty little boy
I hope you are quite well.
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Notes from Percy's Reliques of ancient English poetry; Volume 1, 1765
The Jew's Daughter — Is founded upon the supposed practice of the Jews in crucifying or otherwise murdering Christian children, out of hatred to the religion of their parents: a practice, which hath been always alleged in excuse for the cruelties exercised upon that wretched people, but which probably never happened 20 in a single instance. For if we consider, on the one hand, the ignorance and superstition of the times when such stories took their rise, the virulent prejudices of the monks who record them, and the eagerness with which they would be catched up by the barbarous populace as a pretense for plunder; on the other hand, the great danger incurred by the perpetrators, and the inadequate motives they could have to excite them to a crime of so much horror, we may reasonably conclude the whole charge to be groundless and malicious. The following ballad is probably built upon some Italian Legend, and bears a great resemblance to the Prioresse's Tale in Chaucer: the poet seems also to have had an eye to the known story of Hugh Of Lincoln, a child said to have been there murdered by the Jews in the reign of Henry III. The conclusion of this ballad appears to be wanting: what it probably contained may be seen in Chaucer. As for Mirry-- Land Town, it is probably a corruption of Milan (called by the Dutch Meylandt) Toun; since the Pa is evidently the river Po. Printed from a MS. copy sent from Scotland.