In heaven is a dance;
Alleluia!
There dance all the maids;
Benedicamus Domino--
Alleluia!
It is for Amelia;
Alleluia!
We dance like the maids;
Benedicamus Domino--
Alleluia!
Such touching customs show the profound original earnestness
underlying the modern child's play, as well as the primitive religious
significance of the dance. In England, too, it was the practice for the
bearers of a virgin to be maids, as a ballad recites:
A garland fresh and faire
Of lilies there was made,
In signe of her virginity,
And on her coffin laid.
Six maidens, all in white,
Did beare her to the grave.
No. 12.
_Down She Comes as White as Milk._
This round is remarkable for being introduced, wherever it occurs, by
a stanza with a different melody, whereby the ballad is turned into
a game. By this introduction the hero and heroine of the action are
selected.
"Little Sally Waters," or "Uncle John," having been first played, the
round proceeds about the couple standing in the ring:
He knocks at the door, and picks up a pin,
And asks if Miss ---- is in.
She neither is in, she neither is out,
She's in the garret a-walking about.
Down she comes as white as milk,
A rose in her bosom, as soft as silk.
She takes off her gloves, and shows me a ring;
To-morrow, to-morrow, the wedding begins.[53]
_Concord, Mass._ (_before 1800_).
The version now played in New York streets is corrupt, but has a
spirited melody:
[Illustration]
Wa-ter, wa-ter, wild-flowers, grow-ing up so high;
We are all young la-dies, And we are sure to die,
Ex-cept-ing Su-sie Al-len, She is the fin-est flow-er.
Fie, fie, fie for shame; Turn about and tell your beau's name.