A Book of Nursery Songs and Rhymes/Little St. William
LXXVII. LITTLE ST. WILLIAM
Easter day was a holiday
Of all the days in the year;
And all the little schoolfellows went to play,
But St. William was not there.
Mammy she went to the Jew-wife's house,
And loud she knocked at the ring.
Saying, Little St. William, if you be here,
Pray open, and let mother in.
The Jew's wife opened the door and said,
He has not been here to-day.
He is off with his schoolfellows on the green,
A-playing at some pretty play.
Mam my she went to Lyn water
The water was wide and deep,
Saying, Little St. William, if you be there,
O pity! your mammy does weep.
O how can I pity you, mother dear,
And I have so long been in pain?
For the little penknife sticks close in my heart,
For the Jew's wife she has me slain.
Go home, go home, my own mammy dear,
And weave me a winding-sheet;
For to-morrow morning when the church bells ring,
You will with my body meet.
And lay my prayer-book all at my head,
Lay my grammar at my feet;
That all little schoolboys, as they pass by,
May read them as is most meet.