LESSON 16 RILLOBY-RILL

RILLOBY-RILL

GRASSHOPPERS four a-fiddling went,

Heigh-ho! never be still!

They earned but little towards their rent ［1］

But all day long with their elbows bent

They fiddled a tune called Rilloby-rilloby,

Fiddled a tune called Rilloby-rill.

Grasshoppers soon on Fairies came,

Heigh-ho! never be still!

Fairies asked with a manner of blame,

Where do you come from, what is your name? What do you want with your Rilloby-rilloby, What do you want with your Rilloby-rill?

Madam, you see before you stand,

Heigh-ho! never be still!

The old Original Favourite Grand

Grasshopper's Green Herbarian ［2］ Band,

And the tune we play is Rilloby-rilloby,

Madam, the tune is Rilloby-rill."

Fairies hadn't a word to say,

Heigh-ho! never be still!

Fairies seldom are sweet by day,

But the Grasshoppers merrily fiddled away,

Oh, but they played with a willoby-rilloby,

Oh, but they played with a willoby-will!

Fairies slumber and sulk at noon,

Heigh-ho! never be still!

But at last the kind old motherly moon

Brought them dew in a silver spoon,

And they turned to ask for Rilloby-rilloby,

One more round of Rilloby-rill.

—SIR HENRY NEWBOLT

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［1 ］ rent: The money paid for the use of a house.

［2 ］ herbarian: Grass-eating.