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one for sorrow

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jaysto | 17:59 Sun 09th Jul 2006 | Phrases & Sayings
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what is the full version
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There are several versions, here are two:

One for sorrow, two for mirth,
Three for a wedding, four for a birth,
Five for silver, six for gold,
Seven for a secret not to be told.
Eight for heaven, nine for hell,
And ten for the devil's own sel'.

Or more commonly:

One for sorrow, two for joy;
Three for a girl, four for a boy;
Five for silver, six for gold;
Seven for a secret, never to be told;
Eight for a wish, nine for a kiss;
Ten for a bird that's best to miss.
I think I remember reading somewhere (I think it was an interview with Susan Stranks) that the second version you quote was made up for the intro to the kids' TV programme "Magpie". I have run across more traditional versions on the lines of your first example.

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one for sorrow

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