Lady on Yonder Hill- children (Suffolk) 1893 Layard
[Gomme's title. From: Children's Games communicated by Miss Nina Layard Ipswich in Suffolk Folk-lore, Issue 37, Part 2 edited by Lady Eveline Camilla Gurdon, 1893. Reprinted by Gomme in the book, Dictionary of British Folk-lore, Volume 1 as one of two versions of the game song, "Lady on Yonder Hill." This version of "Lady on Yonder Hill" is obviously related (see Baskervill," Wooing plays") to the English "wooing plays" of the 1800s and 1900s. Gommes notes follow.
R. Matteson 2017]
Theses notes by Gomme: In the Suffolk game the children form a ring, a boy and girl being in the centre. The boy is called a gentleman and the girl a lady. The gentleman commences by singing the first verse. Then they say alternately the questions and answers. When the gentleman says the lines commencing, "Stab me," he pretends to stab the lady, who falls on the ground. Then he walks round the lady and sings the last verse, "Rise up," and lifts up the lady. In the Derbyshire game only three children play, the lover, lady, and fairy. The girl stands a little distance oft". The lover says the first four lines, then approaches the lady, falls on one knee, and says the next line. The lady replies, and retires further away. The lover then falls on the ground and says the next line. As this is said the good fairy appears, touches the fallen lover with her hand, and he is immediately well again.
Lady on Yonder Hill
VIII.
Make a Ring.
All join hands, enclosing a boy and girl, the boy standing a distance from the girl. The boy is called a gentleman, and the girl a lady.
Gentleman: "There stands a lady on yonder hill,
Who she is I cannot tell;
I'll go and court her for her beauty
Whether she answers me yes or no.
Madam I bow vounce to thee."
Lady: 'Sir, have I done thee any harm?'
Gentleman: 'Coxconian.'
Lady: 'Coxconian is not my name, 'tis Hers and Kers and Willis and Cave.'
Gentleman: 'Stab me Ha! Ha! little I fear, over the waters there are but nine, I'll meet you a man alive. Over the waters there are but ten, I'll meet you there five thousand.'
Then the gentleman pretends to stab the lady, and she falls on the ground. Then he walks round the lady and sings:
'Rise up, rise up, my pretty fair maid,
You're only in a trance;
Rise up, rise up, my pretty fair maid,
And we will have a dance.'
Then he lifts up the lady and the game is finished.