Classic Poem

“G LASGOW Ships ” is a simple but pretty game. All join hands, forming a ring, and, moving round, sing:—
Glasgow ships come sailing in,
Come sailing in, come sailing in;
Glasgow ships come sailing in
 On a fine summer morning.

You daurna set your fit upon,
Your fit upon, your fit upon;
You daurna set your fit upon,
 Or Gentle John will kiss you.

Three times will kiss you;
Four times will bliss you;
Five times butter and bread
 Upon a silver salver.

Who shall we send it to?
Send it to, send it to;
Who shall we send it to?
 To Mrs. [Thomson's] daughter.

Take her by the lily-white hand,
 Lead her o'er the water;
Give her kisses, one, two, three,
 She's the favourite daughter.

Braw news is come to town,
 Braw news is carried;
Braw news is come to town,
 [Maggie Thomson's] married.

First she got the kail-pot,
 Syne she got the ladle;
Syne she got a dainty wean,
 And syne she got a cradle. The girl named turns her back to the centre of the ring, and the game is resumed. When all in like manner have been named and have turned, the “soo's race” ensues: a hurry-scurry round—which continues until some one falls, and the game ends by all tumbling in a confused heap.