The Colour

(The following lines are partly original, 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
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."