"Nuts in May" is a singing game played by children with the aim of pairing a boy and girl from within two teams of participants.

[1] In form, the song is close to "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush"; it shares the same tune and the same final line.

Gomme (1894-1898)[9] who reported variant versions collected from around Britain and Ireland, and speculated on the origin of the game.

Gomme’s preference for the original wording is "knots (flower posies) of may-[blossoms]", in which she follows Northall's suggestions, and refers the game to former May Day ceremonies – which took place early in the morning.

poem “Corinna’s going a’ Maying”, with its references to gathering white-thorn blossoms, and choosing a marriage partner,[10] describes 17th century rural customs that might lie at the base of what eventually has become a childhood game.