Little Sir William

Easter day was a holiday
Of all days of the year
And all the little schoolfellows went out to play
But Sir William was not there

Mamma went to the School wife house
And knocked at the ring
Saying, "Little Sir William, if you are there
Pray let your mother in."

The School wife open'd the door and said:
"He is not here today
He is with the little schoolfellows out on the green
Playing some pretty play."

Mamma went to the Boyne water
That is so wide and deep
Saying, "Little Sir William, if you are there
Oh pity your mother's weep."

"How can I pity your weep, mother
And I so long in pain?
For the little pen knife sticks close to my heart
And the School wife hath me slain

"Go home, go home, my mother dear
And prepare my winding sheet
For tomorrow morning before eight o'clock
You with my body shall meet

"And lay my Prayer Book at my head
And my grammar at my feet
That all the little schoolfellows as they pass by
May read them for my sake."