About the Bush, Willy
About the bush, Willy,
About the beehive,
About the bush, Willy,
I'll meet thee alive.
Then to my ten shillings
Add you but a groat,
I'll go to Newcastle,
And buy a new coat.
Five and five shillings
Five and a crown;
Five and five shillings
Will buy a new gown.
Five and five shillings,
Five and a groat;
Five and five shillings
Will buy a new coat.
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Gullen Trad. Number Rhymes (1950), 45 (no. 118).
[Gullen supposedly reflects rhymes as used in Scotland, but
this is a Northumbrian song, in Bruce & Stokoe (1882), 110,
with its pleasant tune.] 1.4 alive should be belyve, i.e.
soon.
MS
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!