Origins: Little Pilgrim Maid / Sabbath Dress

Subject: ADD: The Little Pilgrim Maid
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Jul 14 - 01:41 AM

Airymouse asked about this song in another thread, and I didn't find any discussion of this song at Mudcat. Anybody know of other versions, or of a melody for this song?

THE LITTLE PILGRIM MAID.
(Recitation with motions.)

There was a little pilgrim maid
Who used to sit up so; (1)
I wonder if she ever laughed
Two hundred years ago.

She wore such funny little mitts, (2)
And dainty cap of silk. (3)
She had a little porringer
For her brown bread and milk.

She was so good, so very good,
Ah, me, I most despair; (4)
She never tore her Sabbath dress (5)
A-sliding down the stair.

But, then, I really try, and try
To do the best I can; (6)
P'r'aps I (7) can be almost as good
As little Puritan.

And if, when next Thanksgiving comes
I try to sit up so, (8)
Maybe I'll seem from Pilgrim land
Two Hundred years ago.

Motions
1. Hands folded in a prim manner; body erect.
2. Hands held up to show mitts.
8. Point to cap.
4. Gesture of despair.
5. Dress held out at sides.
6. Hands folded.
7. Point to self.
8. Prim position. same as (1).

-Isabell C. Woodland in Primary Education

from The Inland Educator: A Journal for the Progressive Teacher, Volumes 9-10, edited by Francis M. Stalker, Charles Madison Curry, Walter W. Storms, page 194