Mythology & Folklore

Ring me (1), ring me (2), ring me rary (3)

by Anonymous (English nursery rhymes) traditional; recorded 17th–19th century

From The Nursery Rhymes of England, collected by J. O. Halliwell (London: Warne; first ed. 1842; this printing 1886)

Mythology & Folklore

Ring me (1), ring me (2), ring me rary (3),
As I go round (4), ring by ring (5),
A virgin (6) goes a maying (7),
Here's a flower (8), and there's a flower (9),
Growing in my lady's garden (10),
If you set your foot awry (11),
Gentle John will make you cry (12),
If you set your foot amiss (13),
Gentle John (14) will give you a kiss.

This [lady or gentleman] is none of ours,
Has put [him or her] self in [the selected child's] power,
So clap all hands, and ring all bells, and make the wedding o'er.

✦ ✦ ✦

Halliwell's class: Games.

MLA

Anonymous (English nursery rhymes). “Ring me (1), ring me (2), ring me rary (3).” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-nursery-rhymes/311/.

Chicago

Anonymous (English nursery rhymes). “Ring me (1), ring me (2), ring me rary (3).” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-nursery-rhymes/311/.

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