No. 7 Green Grow the Rushes, o!
New York.
In former times, the amusements of young people at their winter-evening gatherings consisted almost entirely of “playing games.” On such occasions the following rhyme was used (in eastern Massachusetts) about the beginning of the century, to select partners for the ring. Chairs were placed in a circle, and the players of one sex seated, so as to leave alternate vacant places, for which they chose occupants, singing—
“Green grow the rushes, O!
Green grow the rushes, O!
He who will my true love be,
Come and sit by the side of me.”
Those waiting to be selected sang,
“Pick and choose, but choose not me,
Choose the fairest you can see.”
This dialogue was repeated for each player until all were taken in, which, if the party was numerous, of necessity took a long time.