Page:A book of nursery songs and rhymes (1895).pdf/170

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IV. This was thought by Mr. Halliwell to refer to the visit of Joanna of Castile to England in 1506.

V. THE FOX

This is traditional throughout England. It appears in 'The Opera; or, Cabinet of Song,' published by Sheafe at Edinburgh in 1832, edited by James Ballantyne. Also, Logan, 'The Pedlar's Pack,' p. 291; 'Notes and Queries,' 1854, where it is given as a Cornish song; Halliwell's 'Nursery Rhymes,' p. 84. It occurs on Broadsides by Harkness of Preston, etc.

VI. THE HERRING'S HEAD

This 'lying tale' is known and sung throughout Devon and Cornwall.

VII. MOTHER'S SONG

A West of England lullaby. The fish in the well is a purely Celtic conception. It is the mystic fish that never dies.

VIII. THE FOOLISH BOY

This song is known in every nursery through England. There are various alterations in the burden. One is:—

'Whimma whimmee wobble, O!
Jigga-jiggee-joggle, O!
Little boys a wobble, O! lived under the gloam.'

This from Somersetshire; another from Yorkshire is:—

'Withamy, widy, waddle, O!
Jack has sold his saddle, O!
Bubble ho! pretty boy, over the brow.'

See Halliwell, 'Nursery Rhymes,' p. 92, 'The Baby's Opera.'

IX. TOMMY-A-LYNN

This curious song is known throughout England, and delights children. Sometimes Bryan-a-Lynn is sung in place of Tommy-a-Lynn, sometimes he is 'a Scotchman,' sometimes 'a gentleman,' in Cornwall he is 'Harry Trewin.' It is printed in 'The Distracted Sailor's Garland'; also in Ritson's 'North Country Chorister,' 1809; also Halliwell's 'Popular Rhymes,' 1849, and his 'Nursery Rhymes.' A similar song, 'Jean de Nivelle' is sung in Gascony, where it is a dance song (Bladé, 'Poésies Populaires de la Gascoyne,' 1887); also in Canada among the French Canadians (Gagnosi, 'Chansons Populaires du Canada,'