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A
DAYS
OF THE WEEK
FORTUNETELLING
RHYME
by
Bard
Judith
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This short counting rhyme is about a century old,
and comes from the Manthrian peasants and farmers, who say that one can
foretell a child's basic nature by the day of the week upon which he or
she was born. Note that they, with stolid cynicism, attribute a nature
exactly opposite that which one might expect: a child born on the day
named after money and its affairs will be a spendthrift, for example.
Some farmwomen still take this old superstition so seriously that the
Manthrian herbwives and Baveras'Wills continue to do a good trade in
'Babe-bringer Draughts', or labour-inducing tinctures, which they swear
when taken properly will bring the babe on the day desired. Most of these
draughts contain nothing more powerful than Black Raspberry, Wombloose,
Mithril Birch sap and the like, which if they do fail to induce labour on
the day desired, at the very least will do no harm... |
A Prayday child is rebel or flirt,
While a Washday child loves earth and dirt.
Payday's babe in his purse hath a hole,
Midsday's child seeks things of the soul.
On Gamesday born - will never win,
Bakeday birth fates a child too thin -
But a Fastday tot will surely thrive,
Double chins ere he comes to wive.
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A
BIRD
FORETELLING
RHYME
by
Bard
Judith
(Collected
Near Marcogg)
One for death and two for birth,
Three for wind and four for earth,
Five for fire, six for rain,
Seven's joy and eight is pain,
Nine to go, ten back again!
A COUNTING-IN
RHYME
by
Bard
Judith
(As sung throughout central Santhala)
This STICK will TELL the ONE we CHOOSE
To BE the LORD in SHINing SHOES
To RUle LANDS both NEAR and FAR
The STICK says YOU will BE King THAR!
A COUNTING-OUT
RHYME
by
Bard
Judith
(From the Aurora Fields area)
Under the ocean, green and deep
Lie the fishes fast asleep,
Under the arm and over the shoe,
Tap on the head, and out goes YOU!
A FLOWER-PETAL
FORETELLING
CHANT
by
Bard
Judith
(Heard near Carmalad from a group of young women)
He'll LEAVE me
He'll LOVE me
He'll BED me
He'll WED me.
He'll LEAVE me
He'll LOVE me....
(repeated, until only one petal is left to predict the girl's future)
A BIRD
COUNTING
SONG
by
Bard
Judith
(As sung in Dasai)
One bird weeping, two birds love,
Three for Eyasha’s flower above,
Four the Hammerlord will storm,
Five a babe will soon be born.
Six to lay and seven to hatch
Eight brings fish in, nine no catch,
Ten bodes well for harvest time,
More than ten, start o’er the rhyme!
A SKIPPING
CHANT
by
Bard
Judith
(Composed by Bardavos children)
Rope goes up and rope goes down,
Swing it, swing it, round an' round,
(Ana) run out and (Maevie) run in,
Gimme a kiss an' I'll give ye a pin.
Rope goes up and rope goes down,
Swing it, swing it, round an' round,
Point yer toes and touch yer knees,
Lift yer skirts, and jump as ye please!
(repeated, with different children's names as they jump in)
A FINGER
PLAY
by
Bard
Judith
(Sung by mothers with their
babies. From Chylikis)
Thumb's a sturdy Thergerim,
Pointer's noble Human king,
Longelf stands so proud and tall,
Ringer sings like Halflings small,
Baby is a Brownie wee,
Clap your hands and tickle me!
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