Folksong Arrangements: Little Sir William

Easter day was a holiday of all days in the year

And all the little schoolfellows went out to play

But Sir William was not there

Mamma went to the schoolwife's house and knocked at the ring

Saying, "Little Sir William, if you are there

Pray let your mother in."

The schoolwife opened the door and said, "He is not here today

He is with the little schoolfellows out on the green

Playing some pretty play."

Mamma went to the boiling water that is so wide and deep

Saying, "Little Sir William, if you are there

Oh, pity your mother's weep."

"How can I pity your weep, mother, and I so long in pain?

For the little penknife sticks close to my heart

And the schoolwife hath me slain."

"Go home, go home, my mother dear, and prepare my winding sheet

For tomorrow morning before eight o'clock

You with my body shall meet

And lay my prayer-book at my head, and my grammar at my feet

That all the little schoolfellows as they pass by

May read them for my sake."