Jamieson (_Dictionary_) gives this as "Rollie-poly," a game of nine-pins, called also _Kayles_. The name "Rollie-poly" was given to it because it was played with a pole, or cudgel, by which the pins were knocked over. In the West of Scotland, where this game was in great repute in olden times, it formed one of the chief sports of Fastern's-e'en, and was a favourite amusement at fairs and races. The awards for successful throwing were generally in the form of small cakes of gingerbread, which were powerful incentives to the game, and never failed to attract players in response to the cry, "Wha'll try the lucky Kayles?"
A rude game. A cazzie, or cassie, is unexpectedly thrown over the head of a person. When thus blindfolded he is pressed down, and buckets of water are thrown upon the cassie till the victim is thoroughly saturated.--Jamieson's _Dictionary_.
See "Carrying the Queen a Letter," "Ezzeka."
I. Rosy apple, lemon, or pear, Bunch of roses she shall wear; Gold and silver by her side, I know who will be the bride. Take her by her lily-white hand, Lead her to the altar; Give her kisses,--one, two, three,-- Mrs. (child's name) daughter.
--Hersham, Surrey (_Folk-lore Record_, v. 58).
II. Rosy apple, lemon, and pear, A bunch of roses she shall wear; Gold and silver by her side, Choose the one shall be her bride. Take her by her lily-white hand, Lead her to the altar; Give her kisses,--one, two, three,-- To old mother's runaway daughter.
--Symondsbury, Dorsetshire (_Folk-lore Journal_, vii. 210).
III. Rosy apple, lemon, and a pear, A bunch of ribbons she shall wear; Gold and silver by her side, I know who will be her bride. Take her by the lily-white hand, Lead her over the water; Give her kisses,--one, two, three,-- For Mrs. ---- daughter.
--Maxey, Northants. (Rev. W. D. Sweeting).
IV. Rosy apple, lemon, and a pear, Bunch of roses you shall wear; Gold and silver by your side, I know who shall be a bride. Take her by the lily-white hand, Lead her 'cross the water; Give her kisses,--one, two, three,-- For Mrs. (So-and-so's) daughter.
V. Rosie had an apple and a pear, A bunch of roses she shall wear; Gold and silver by her side, I knows who shall be her bride. Take her by the lily-white hand, Lead her across the water; Give her a kiss, and one, two, three, Old Mother Sack-a-biddy's daughter!