So A YEAR IN A LANCASHIRE GARDEN. 



garden and the croft. There is another Lanca- 

 hire May song, from which I cannot but quote 

 a few lines, as it is but little known. The Mayers 

 come to the door and sing (or sang, rather, for the 

 custom no longer holds with us) : 



" We have been rambling all this night, 



And almost all this day ; 

 And now, returned back again, 



We've brought you a branch of May. 

 A branch of May we have brought you, 



And at your door it stands ; 

 It is but a sprout, but it's well budded out, 



By the work of our Lord's hands." 



