Notes and Queries, 4th S., IV, 517, as "sung in Cheshire
amongst the people" in the last century. T.W.
| 1 |
There were three ladies playing at ball,
Gilliver, Gentle, and Rosemary
There came three knights and looked over the wall.
Sing O the red rose and the white lilly |
| 2 |
The first young knight, he was clothed in red,
Gilliver, Gentle, and Rosemary
And he said, 'Gentle lady, with me will you wed?'
Sing O the red rose and the white lilly |
| 3 |
The second young knight, he was clothed in blue,
Gilliver, Gentle, and Rosemary
And he said, 'To my love I shall ever be true.'
Sing O the red rose and the white lilly |
| 4 |
The third young knight, he was clothed in green,
Gilliver, Gentle, and Rosemary
And he said, 'Fairest maiden, will you be my queen?'
Sing O the red rose and the white lilly |
| 5 |
The lady thus spoke to the knight in red,
Gilliver, Gentle, and Rosemary
'With you, sir knight, I never can wed.'
Sing O the red rose and the white lilly |
| 6 |
The lady then spoke to the knight in blue,
Gilliver, Gentle, and Rosemary
And she said, 'Little faith I can have in you.'
Sing O the red rose and the white lilly |
| 7 |
The lady then spoke to the knight in green,
Gilliver, Gentle, and Rosemary
And she said, ''Tis at court you must seek for a queen.'
Sing O the red rose and the white lilly |
| 8 |
The three young knights then rode away,
Gilliver, Gentle, and Rosemary
And the ladies they laughed, and went back to their play.
Singing O the red rose and the white lilly |
