"Ring--a--round--a--rosy!"
Cheeks just like a posy;
Eyes that twinkle with delight,--
Could there be a fairer sight?
Little feet that dance in glee;
Voices singing merrily.
Won't you stop a little while?
At my question you will smile:
"Rosy I have never seen,--
Tell me, is she some fair queen?
Have your lily hands now crowned her,
While you formed a ring around her?
"Why 'draw buckets of water
For my lady's daughter'?
Has she spoiled her pretty dress?
Ah! to wash her face, I guess!
Very hard 'tis to unravel
What is meant, dears, by 'green gravel.'
Then, you say, 'How barley grows
You, nor I, nor nobody knows;'
Oats, peas, beans, too, you include:
If the question be not rude,
Darlings, tell why this is done."
"Ha! ha!" laugh they; "it's such fun!"