University of Virginia Library

THE ELFIN KNIGHT—J

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Communicated by Rev. F. D. Huntington, Bishop of Western New York, as sung to him by his father in 1828, at Hadley, Mass.; derived from a rough, roystering “character” in the town.

1

Now you are a-going to Cape Ann,
Follomingkathellomeday
Remember me to the self-same man.
Ummatiddle, ummatiddle, ummatallyho, tallyho, follomingkathellomeday

2

Tell him to buy me an acre of land
Between the salt-water and the sea-sand.

3

Tell him to plough it with a ram's horn,
Tell him to sow it with one peppercorn.

4

Tell him to reap it with a penknife,
And tell him to cart it with two mice.

5

Tell him to cart it to yonder new barn
That never was built since Adam was born.

6

Tell him to thrash it with a goose quill,
Tell him to fan it with an egg-shell.

7

Tell the fool, when he's done his work,
To come to me, and he shall have his shirt.