E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Ring a Ding-ding.
Ring a ding-ding, ring a ding-ding!
The Parliament soldiers are gone to the king;
Some they did laugh, and some they did cry,
To see the Parliament soldiers go by.”
The reference is to the several removals of Charles I. from one place of captivity to another, till finally he was brought to the block. The Parliament party laughed at their success, the Royalists wept to see the king thus treated.
