believing as I do that the ladder possesses in itself great interest, and is well worth the attention of those interested in folk-lore. I have transmitted it to Dr. Tylor, in whose hands it will remain for preservation among other kindred relics.
NEGRO SONGS FROM BARBADOS.
Communicated by the Countess Martinengo-Cesaresco.
I.— The Introduction Song.
"I just come out before you all to let you hear me sing,
Although it never was a desire to any such thing;
But as you seem to like my song, I try and see what I can do,
But as I get to the chorus, you all must join me too:
Own, own, own, own,
You all must join me too.
"Now the cook that I had for my sweetheart,
I will tell you the reason why,
One Christmas she could bake plum-pudding,
Whilst I began at a pie:
Yea i, yea i, yea i, yea i.
Whilst I began at a pie.
"The Missus was in the cellar door.
The key I stole out,
One pocket I filled with butter,
And the other I filled with cheese:
Yea yese, yea yese, yea yese, yea yese,
The other I filled with cheese..
"Whilst I was up in the chimney top,
Sitting at my ease.
The batter began to melt, likewise
I lost my toast and cheese:
Yea yese, yea yese, yea yese, yea yese,
I lost my butter and cheese."
