The Colour

(The following lines are partly made up, partly remembered from a
Wessex folk-rhyme)

"What shall I bring you?
Please will white do
Best for your wearing
   The long day through?"
"--White is for weddings,
Weddings, weddings,
White is for weddings,
   And that won't do."
"What shall I bring you?
Please will red do
Best for your wearing
   The long day through?"
" --Red is for soldiers,
Soldiers, soldiers,
Red is for soldiers,
   And that won't do."
"What shall I bring you?
Please will blue do
Best for your wearing
   The long day through?"
"--Blue is for sailors,
Sailors, sailors,
Blue is for sailors,
   And that won't do.
"What shall I bring you?
Please will green do
Best for your wearing
   The long day through?"
"--Green is for mayings,
Mayings, mayings,
Green is for mayings,
   And that won't do."
"What shall I bring you
Then?  Will black do
Best for your wearing
   The long day through?"
"--Black is for mourning,
Mourning, mourning,
Black is for mourning,
   And black will do."