Volume I Part 43 (2/2)

VI. Green gravel, green gravel, the gra.s.s is so green, The fairest young lady [damsel] that ever was seen.

O --, O --, your true love is dead; He's sent you a letter to turn round your head.

-Redhill, Surrey (Miss G. Hope); Lancas.h.i.+re (Mrs. Harley).

VII. Green meadows, green meadows, your gra.s.s is so green, The fairest young damsel that ever was seen; O Mary, O Mary, your sweetheart is dead; We've sent you a letter to turn back your head.

_Or_, Green gravel, green gravel, the gra.s.s is so green, and following on as above.

-Sporle, Norfolk (Miss Matthews).

VIII. Green grover, green grover, your gra.s.s is so green, The prettiest young lady that ever was seen.

O --, O --, your true love is dead; I send you this letter, so turn round your head.

-Gainford, Durham (Miss Eddleston).

IX. Green gravels, green gravels, The gra.s.s is so green, And all the pretty maidens Are not to be seen, Except -- (said twice), And she's not [?] to be seen, So I send you a letter to turn round your head.

-Hamps.h.i.+re (Miss E. Mendham).

X. Green gravels, green gravels, the gra.s.s is so green, Fine pencils, fine pencils, as ever were seen.

O Mary! O Mary! your true love is dead, And he's sent you a letter to turn round your head.

-Wales (_Byegones_, 1890).

XI. Yellow gravel, yellow gravel, The gra.s.s is so green, The fairest young lady That ever was seen.

O --, O --, Your true love is dead; I send you a letter to turn round your head.

-Cowes, Isle of Wight (Miss E. Smith).

XII. Green gravel, green gravel, the gra.s.s is so green, Said the fairest young damsel that ever I've seen.

O mother, O mother, my true-love is dead, He sent me this letter to turn round my head.

O mother, O mother, do you think this is true?

O yes, love! O yes, love!

And what shall I do?

I'll wash you in b.u.t.ter-milk, I'll dress you in silk, I'll write down your name with my gold pen and ink.

-Isle of Man (A. W. Moore).

XIII. Green gravel, green gravel, the gra.s.s is so green, The flowers are all faded and none to be seen.

O [Dolly], O [Dolly], your sweetheart is dead, He's sent you a letter to turn back your head.

Wallflowers, wallflowers, growing up so high, We are but little, and we shall have to die!

Excepting [Dolly Turner], she's the youngest girl.

O for shame, and fie for shame, and turn your back to home again.

-Madeley, Shrops.h.i.+re (Miss Burne).

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