No. 17 King Arthur Was King William’s Son
A row of hats of various sizes, and belonging to both sexes, are placed on the floor. The leader picks up the first hat, and puts it on his own head, marching and singing the verse. He then takes up the next hat, and places it on the head of any one he pleases; the person chosen stands behind him, and they once more march, singing. The process is continued, until all the company are arranged in line:
King Arthur was King William’s son,
And when the battle he had won,
Upon his breast he wore a star,
And it was called the sign of war.
Orange, New Jersey.
The following rhyme is exceedingly familiar, throughout the Middle and Southern States, as a kissing-round:
King William was King James’s son, And all the roy-al race he run; Upon
his breast he wore a star, And it was called the sign of war.
King William was King James’s son,63
And all the royal race he run;
Upon his head he wore a star.
Star of the East,
Star of the West,
Star of the one you love the best.
If she’s not here don’t take her part,
But choose another with all your heart.
Down on the carpet you must kneel,
As the grass grows on the field,
Salute your bride, and kiss her sweet,
And rise again upon your feet.
The round is also familiar in Ireland. We learn from an informant that in her town it was formerly played in a peculiar manner. Over the head of a girl, who stood in the centre of a ring, was held a shawl, sustained by four others grasping the corners. The game then proceeded as follows:
King William was King George’s son—
From the Bay of Biscay, O!
Upon his breast he wore a star—
Find your way to English schools.
Then followed the game-rhyme, repeated with each stanza, “Go choose you East,” etc. King William is then supposed to enter—
The first girl that I loved so dear,
Can it be she’s gone from me?
If she’s not here when the night comes on,
Will none of you tell me where she is gone?
He recognizes the disguised girl—
There’s heart beneath the willow-tree,
There’s no one here but my love and me.
“He had gone to the war, and promised to marry her when he came back. She wrapped a shawl about her head, to see if he would recognize her.” This was all the reciter could recollect; the lines of the ballad were sung by an old woman, the ring answering with the game-rhyme.
Waterford, Ireland.
The round now in use in the town whence this comes, but where the ballad is not at present known, begins:
King William was King George’s son—
From the Bay of Biscay, O!
Upon his breast he wore a star—
Point your way across the sea.
In the year 1287, Folke Algotson, a high-born Swedish youth, carried off to Norway (at that time the refuge of such boldness) Ingrid, a daughter of the “law-man” or judge of East Gothland, who was betrothed to a Danish noble. Popular ballads attached themselves to the occurrence, which are still preserved. The substance of that version of the story with which we are concerned is as follows: A youth loves a maid, who returns his affection, but in his absence her friends have “given” her to another. He rides to the wedding ceremony with a troop of followers. The bride, seeing him approach, and wishing to test his affection, calls on her maidens to “take off her gold crown, and coif her in linen white.” But the hero at once recognizes his love, mounts with her on horseback, and flees to Norway.
We cannot believe the resemblance to be accidental, and look upon our rhymes as a branch from the same ancient—but not historical—root.