26 OLD DORSET SONGS. 



Come, I will sing to you. 



What will you sing to me ? 

 I will sing you three oh ! 



What may your three oh be ? 

 Three of them are thrivers, 



Two of them are lily-white babes, clothed all in green oh ! 

 One and one is all alone, and evermore shall be so. 



These three verses indicate the plan of the song, each new 

 number being followed by the whole of those that have gone 

 before, and are sung by both people. The other numbers are as 

 follows : 



Four are the Gospel preachers. 



Five are the flamboys all in a row. 



Six are the six bold waiters. 



Seven are the seven stars in the sky. 



Eight are the Gabriel angels. 



Nine and nine of the brightest shine ; 



Ten are the Ten Commandments. 



Eleven and eleven went to heaven. 



Twelve are the twelve Apostles. 



For this version I am indebted to the Rev. W. Miles Barnes. 



The other version is known as " Green Grow the Rushes, oh !" 

 and it is also sung by two persons. 



GREEN GROW THE RUSHES, OH ! 



I'll sing you one oh ! 



Green grow the rushes, oh ! 



What is your one oh ? 



One and one is all alone, and evermore shall be so. 



I'll sing you two, oh ! 



Green grow the rushes, oh ! 



What is your two, oh ? 



Two, two for the lily-white boys, clothed all in green, oh ! 



One and one is all alone, and evermore shall be so. 



