Hi,

"Madam" is also known as a children's song in North America-- the following examples correspond to the time of the UK versions by Gomme, published 1894.

From Lippincott's Monthly Magazine, Volume 37, 1886.

Song Games and Myth Dramas at Washington,
by W. H. Babcock

There are other ring—games in which love does not divide the interest with death, but forms the sole subject-matter. In one of these what must have been originally a dialogue is blended into a continuous song, in which all join:

Here she stands, a lovely creature;
Who she is I do not know.

Madam, I have gold and silver,
Madam, I have ships on the ocean,
Madam, I have house and land.

What care I for your gold and silver?
What care I for ships on the ocean?
What care I for house and land?
All I want is a fine young man.

Then a member of the ring is selected by the one in the middle to take his or her place.

* * * *

Journal of American Folklore, Volume 31, 1917.

"Canadian Folk-Lore from Ontario" by F.W. Waugh

Play Rhymes

A Cornwall informant quotes (Dec. 11, 1909) a version formerly heard at Colborne, Ont., which he supposes to be Irish.

"Here sits a Spanish lady,
Who she is I do not know.
Come and court her for her beauty,
Whether she say yes or no."

The next verse began, –

"Madam, I have come a-courting,
Your kind favor to obtain."

The young man set forth his qualifications: —

"Madam, I have gold and silver,
Madam, I have houses and land;
Madam, I have ships on the ocean,
And they're all at your command."

The lady then scornfully remarked,

"What care I for your gold and silver?
What care I for your houses and land?
What care I for ships on the ocean?
All I want is a nice young man."

The young man then returned, –

"Madam, I have gold, etc.,
And, besides, I'm a nice young man," —

after which they both lived happily.

* * * *

Richie