Mr David Bullett of Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England sent the following query about King William Was King Jame's Son, a song sung by youn Pansy Richardson in the early 1900's. Please see a response to this question in the Bullfrog Jumped Q&A section.

I have been having a conversation with friends discussing the songs and games we played as children at parties around 1955.
A game that sprung to my mind, over the 50ish years since then, was played to the song " King William was King James' son ".Refered to on your web site.
A song I had completely forgotten about and I started to rethink what it might be about.
This ignited my curiosity so I did a google and one of the only references was your site, the words of the song are slightly different and to the best of my memory are as follows:-

King William was King James son
All the royal races won
Upon his breast he wore a star
Pointing to the Russian war

Look to the east Look to the west
Chose the one that you love best
If she's not there to take your part
Chose another from in your heart

Down on this carpet you must kneel
As the grass grows round your heel
Salute your Bride and kiss her sweet
Rise again upon your feet.

As children in Huddersfield, we played the game as describe and of course didn't think too deeply about the meaning of it.

I am not too sure about the first two lines of the second verse as memory is not accurate and which Russian war I do not know.Also is King William , William of Orange?
which would give it an Irish connection.

I know nothing more myself as yet but I will make further enquiries.

Best Regards

Mr David Bullett
Huddersfield
Yorkshire
England