XVII. Here comes a duke a-riding, a-riding, a-riding; Here comes a duke a-riding to the ransy, tansy, tay!
For one of your fairy [? fair] daughters, &c.
[Another version is played by the duke announcing that he wants a wife. The circle of maids and duke then reply to each other as follows:--
I choose the fairest of you all, The fairest one that I can see Is ----, come to me.
--Clapham Middle-class Girls School (Mrs. Herbertson)].
XVIII. Here comes the duke a-riding, With my rantum, tantum, tantum, tee! Here comes the duke a-riding, With my rantum, tantum, tee!
What does the duke a-riding want? With his rantum, tantum, tantum, tee, &c.
The youngest and fairest daughter you've got, &c.
XIX. Here comes a duke a-riding, a-riding, a-riding; Here comes a duke a-riding, a ransom, tansom, tee!
You're all so black and so browsy. You sit in the sun and get frowsy, With golden chains about your necks, You're all so black and so browsy.
[There is more of this, but it has been forgotten by my authority.]
--Thos. Baker, junr. (_Midland Garner_, N. S., ii. 32).
XX. Here comes a duke a-riding, With a ransom, tansom, titta passee! Here comes a duke a-riding, With a ransom, tansom, tee!
Pray what is your good will, sir? With a ransom, tansom, titta passee! Pray what is your good will, sir? With a ransom, tansom, tee!
Through the gardens and through the hall, With a ransom, tansom, titta passee! I choose the fairest of you all, With a ransom, tansom, tee!
XXI. There came three dukes a-riding, ride, ride, riding; There came three dukes a-riding, With a tinsy, tinsy, tee!
Come away, fair lady, there is no time to spare; Let us dance, let us sing, Let us join the wedding ring.
--West of Scotland (_Folk-lore Record_, iv. 174).
XXII. Here come three dukes a-riding, A-riding, a-riding.
They will give you pots and pans, They will give you brass; They will give you pots and pans For a pretty lass.
XXIII. Here come four dukes a-riding, Ring a me, ding a me, ding.
What is your good will, sirs? Ring a me, ding a me, ding.
XXIV. Here come three dukes a-riding, With me rancy, tansy, tissimy tee, Here come three dukes a-riding, With a ransom, tansom, tissimy tee. Here come three dukes a-riding, With a ransom, tansom, tissimy tee.