ID: 1580
Date: 1875
Title: Pretty Little Girl of Mine
Gender: Female 
Classification: Circle game 
Rhyme: 

Oh, this pretty little girl of mine,
She cost me many a bottle of wine.
A bottle of wine or anything too,
To see what my little girl can do.

Down on the carpet she shall kneel,
While the grass grows in the field.
Stand upright upon your feet,
And choose the one you love so sweet.
(Partner is chosen at this stage)

Now you're married you must obey,
You must be true to all you say.
You must be kind, you must be good,
And help the wife to chop the wood.

(Tahataki, Otago, 1875)

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 ALTERNATIVE FINAL VERSES:
Now you're married we wish you joy,
First a girl and then a boy.
Seven years after, seven years to come,
Pray young couple, kiss and be done.
(Pray young couple, kiss together.)
(Play and cuddle and kiss together.)

(Christchurch, 1880; Nelson, 1890; Hawkes Bay, 1920 (Sutton-Smith, 1959:13-14))

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Background Info: Compare with the marriage game "Poor Sally is a-weeping".

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Keywords: marriage game, traditional game 
Location: Various NZ 
Group size: 6 
Incidence: 4