False Knicht and the Wee Boy- McGill (NB) pre1911
[From British Ballads From Maine; Barry, Eckstrom and Smyth 1929; sent in by Mrs. James McGill of Chamcook, New Brunswick, who was originally from Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland where she learned songs and ballads from her grandmother and family. She moved to New Brunswick about 1911 and still sang in Scots diction. She learned this ballad in Galloway.
Barry quotes this nursery rhyme as a riddling equivalent:
The Man in the Wilderness
The man in the wilderness asked me
How many strawberries grew in the sea.
I answered him, as I thought good,
As many as red herrings grew in the wood.
This was published in 1833 in Boston (The Only True Mother Goose Melodies) and was surely known much earlier. I see the the association but do not consider it part of Child No. 3. Coffin references it, I believe incorrectly, in his 1950, The British Traditional Ballads in North America.
Compare to McPherson's version (Scotland to Ohio to Oklahoma- Moore 1964) who also has the blue tail sheep verses. See also Child A last two verses.
R. Matteson Jr. 2014]
1 "O whaur are ye gaun?"
Quo' the Fause knicht upon the road.
"A'm gaun tae the schule,"
Quo' the wee boy, an' still he stude.
2 "What's that on your back ?"
Quo' the Fause Knicht upon the road.
"A' weel, it's ma buke,"'
Quo' the wee boy, an' still he stude.
3 "What's that ye've gat in your airm?"
Quo' the Fause Knicht upon the road.
"A' weel, it's ma peat,"[1]
Quo' the wee boy, an' still he stude.
4 "Wha's aucht thae sheep?"
Quo' the Fause Knicht upon the road.
"They're mine an' ma mither's,"
Quo' the boy, an' still he stude.
5 "Hoo many o' them are mine?"
Quo' the Fause Knicht upon the road.
"A' thae that hae blue tails,"
Quo' the wee boy, an' still he stude.
6 "I wish ye were on yon tree,"
Quo' the Fause Knicht upon the road.
"An' a guid ladder under me,"
Quo' the wee boy an' still he stude.
7. "An' the ladder for tae bre'k,"
Quo' the Fause Knicht upon the road.
"An' you for tae fa' doon"'
Quo' the wee boy, an' still he stude.
8. "I wish ye were in yon sea,"
Quo' the Fause Knicht upon the road.
"An' a gude bottom[2] under me,"
Quo' the wee boy, but still he stude.
9. "An' the bottom for tae break,"
Quo' the Fause Knicht upon the road.
"An' ye to be drooned,"
Quo' the wee boy, an' still he stude.
1. peat-, 'carried to school as a contribution to the firing."-Child. [like a piece of coal, it's used put into fire to warm the classroom]
2. boat