Draw a Pail of Water
19th Century 
England Lyrics
Draw a pail of water
For my lady's daughter.
My father's a king, and my mother's a queen,
My two little sisters are dressed in green,
Stamping grass and parsley,
Marigold leaves and daisies.
One rush! Two rush!
Pray thee, fine lady, come under my bush.
For my lady's daughter.
My father's a king, and my mother's a queen,
My two little sisters are dressed in green,
Stamping grass and parsley,
Marigold leaves and daisies.
One rush! Two rush!
Pray thee, fine lady, come under my bush.
History and Meaning
"Draw a Pail of Water" (also known as "Draw a Bucket of Water" in America) is a traditional English singing game that dates back to the 19th century.
Origins
The rhyme originated as a children's circle singing game in England. It spread to America where it became known as "Draw a Bucket of Water." The exact date of origin is unknown, but it appears in folk collections from the mid-19th century.
How the Game is Played
The game is typically played by four children:
- Four children join hands in a square, creating a "well" in the center
- As they sing, they move their arms back and forth like drawing water
- On "One rush! Two rush!" players duck under arms
- By the end, all four are intertwined in a "bush" formation
Meaning and Interpretation
The imagery in the rhyme is pastoral and fantastical:
- The "lady's daughter" suggests household work in service to a noble
- "Father's a king, mother's a queen" adds fantasy elements
- The flowers mentioned (parsley, marigold, daisies) were common in cottage gardens
Cultural Significance
The game teaches cooperation and coordination, requiring all four players to work together. Like many traditional singing games, it helped children develop social skills and physical coordination through play.