This is Roud 1047.
JENNY JONES
We've come to see Miss Jenny Jones,
Miss Jenny Jones, Miss Jenny Jones,
We've come to see Miss Jenny Jones.
And how is she today?
Miss Jenny is a-washing, a-washing, a-washing,
Miss Jenny is a-washing.
You can't see her today.
We've come to see Miss Jenny Jones,
Miss Jenny Jones, Miss Jenny Jones,
We've come to see Miss Jenny Jones.
And how is she today?
Miss Jenny is a-starching, a-starching, a-starching,
Miss Jenny is a-starching.
You can't see her today.
We've come to see Miss Jenny Jones,
Miss Jenny Jones, Miss Jenny Jones,
We've come to see Miss Jenny Jones.
And how is she today?
Miss Jenny is ironing, ironing, ironing,
Miss Jenny is ironing.
You can't see her today.
We've come to see Miss Jenny Jones,
Miss Jenny Jones, Miss Jenny Jones,
We've come to see Miss Jenny Jones.
And how is she today?
Miss Jenny is a-sweeping, a-sweeping, a-sweeping,
Miss Jenny is a-sweeping.
You can't see her today.
We've come to see Miss Jenny Jones,
Miss Jenny Jones, Miss Jenny Jones,
We've come to see Miss Jenny Jones.
And how is she today?
Poor Jenny is ill, is ill, is ill,
Poor Jenny is is ill.
You can't see her today.
We've come to see Miss Jenny Jones,
Miss Jenny Jones, Miss Jenny Jones,
We've come to see Miss Jenny Jones.
And how is she today?
Poor Jenny is dying, is dying, is dying,
Poor Jenny is is dying.
You can't see her today.
What shall we dress her in,
What shall we dress her in,
What shall we dress her in,
Dress her in today?
Blue!
Blue is for sailors,
Blue is for sailors,
Blue is for sailors,
So that will never do.
What shall we dress her in,
What shall we dress her in,
What shall we dress her in,
Dress her in today?
Red!
Red is for firemen,
Red is for firemen,
Red is for firemen,
So that will never do.
What shall we dress her in,
What shall we dress her in,
What shall we dress her in,
Dress her in today?
Green!
Green is for forsaken,
Green is for forsaken,
Green is for forsaken,
So that will never do.
What shall we dress her in,
What shall we dress her in,
What shall we dress her in,
Dress her in today?
Pink!
Pink is for babies,
Pink is for babies,
Pink is for babies,
So that will never do.
What shall we dress her in,
What shall we dress her in,
What shall we dress her in,
Dress her in today?
Black!
Black is for mourners,
Black is for mourners,
Black is for mourners,
So that will never do.
What shall we dress her in,
What shall we dress her in,
What shall we dress her in,
Dress her in today?
White!
White is for dead people,
White is for dead people,
White is for dead people,
So that will surely do.
I dreamt I saw a ghost last night,
A ghost last night, a ghost last night
I dreamt I saw a ghost last night
Under the apple tree.
NOTES
This game needs no introduction. It is familiar to the oldest inhabitant. Versions of it may be found in England, Scotland, Ireland, going back to a very early date. Doubtless the original name of the leading character was Jenny Jo, Jo being an old English word meaning lover or sweetheart. From this it has gone through various stages of corruption until it has been modernized into Jenny Jones!
Directions for Playing "Jenny Jones"
One child takes the part of the mother, and is seated. Another, representing Jenny Jones, stands or reclines near her. The rest of the players join hands in a line and move backwards and forwards before the mother, singing the words. The mother replies, and the questions are repeated until one has been asked for each day in the week. The news that Jenny is dead is received with great grief; and then proceeds the discussion as to the burial costume, some one suggesting blue, red, green, pink, etc. At the last verse, the ring breaks up, pursued by the ghost of Miss Jenny Jones.
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