THE COLOUR
Reading edition
(The following lines are partly made up, partly remembered from a Wessex folk-rhyme)
“What shall I bring you? Please will white do Best for your wearing The long day through?” “—White is for weddings, Weddings, weddings, White is for weddings, And that won’t do.”
“What shall I bring you? Please will red do Best for your wearing The long day through?” “ —Red is for soldiers, Soldiers, soldiers, Red is for soldiers, And that won’t do.”
“What shall I bring you? Please will blue do Best for your wearing The long day through?” “—Blue is for sailors, Sailors, sailors, Blue is for sailors, And that won’t do.
“What shall I bring you? Please will green do Best for your wearing The long day through?” “—Green is for mayings, Mayings, mayings, Green is for mayings, And that won’t do.”
“What shall I bring you Then? Will black do Best for your wearing The long day through?” “—Black is for mourning, Mourning, mourning, Black is for mourning, And black will do.”