Volume Ii Part 90 (1/2)

This is the one that I love best, that I love best, that I love best, This is the one that I love best, my dilsee dollsie dee.

This is the one I love the best, my dilsee dollsie dofficer.

The centre child takes the one selected by the hand, and they stand together in the centre, while the ring dances round and sings-

Open the gates to let the bride out, to let the bride out, to let the bride out, Open the gates to let the bride out, my dilsee dollsie dee.

Open the gates to let the bride out, my dilsee dollsie dofficer.

The children then unclasp hands, and the two children walk out. Another child goes in the centre and the game is begun again, and continued until the ring is too small for dancing round. Sometimes, instead of this, the two children return to the ring singing, ”Open the gates and let the bride in,” and then they take places in the circle, while another goes in the centre.-(Dr. A. C. Haddon.)

Doagan.

An extraordinary game, which was played by Manx children sixty years ago. A rude wooden representation of the human form was fastened on a cross, and sticks were thrown at it, just after the fas.h.i.+on of the modern ”Aunt Sally.” But it is quite possible that this game, taken in connection with the following very curious words which the children repeated when throwing the sticks, is a survival of a more serious function-

Shoh dhyt y Doagan.

”This to thee, the Doagan.”

Cre dooyrt y Doagan?

”What says the Doagan?”

Dar y chrosh, dar y chron, ”Upon the cross, upon the block,”

Dar y maidjey beg, jeeragh ny cam, ”Upon the little staff, straight or crooked,”

Ayns y cheylley veg s.h.i.+d hoal, ”In the little wood over yonder.”

My verrys oo yn kione jeh'n Doagan, ”If thou wilt give the head of the Doagan,”

Verym y kione jeeds er y hon.[16]

”I will give thy head for it.”

Mr. Moore writes that Kelly, who gives these words in his Dictionary, says that Doagan was a play, and that it refers to the head of Dagon being broken off. Does he mean the Philistine G.o.d of that name? As he is capable of seeing a reference to the G.o.d, Baal, in the Manx word for May-day, Boaldyv, it is quite possible that his imagination may lead him so far!-Isle of Man (A. W. Moore).

[16] Manx Society, vol. xiii. p. 63.

Down in Yonder Meadow.

[Vol. i. p. 99; ii. p. 323; ”All the Boys,” i. 2-6.]

Down in yonder meadow where the green gra.s.s grows, Where (name of girl) she bleaches her clothes; She sang, she sang, she sang so sweet, She sang (name of boy) across the street.

He kissed her, he kissed her, he bought her a gown, He bought her a gown and a guinea gold ring, A guinea, a guinea, a guinea gold ring, A feather for the church and a pea-brown hat.

Up the streets and down the streets the windows made of gla.s.s, Oh, isn't (name of girl) a braw young la.s.s.

But isn't (name of boy) as nice as she, And when they get married I hope they will agree.

Agree, agree, I hope they will agree, And when they get married I hope they will agree.

-Laurieston School, Kirkcudbrights.h.i.+re (J. Lawson).

Down in yonder meadow where the green gra.s.s grows, Where so and so (a girl's name) she bleaches her clothes; She sang, and she sang, and she sang so sweet, Come over (a boy's name), come over, come over the street.

So and so (same girl's Christian name) made a pudding so nice and sweet, So and so (same boy's Christian name) took a knife and tasted it.