The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 1 of 2): With Tunes, Singing-Rhymes and Methods of Playing etc.Gomme, Alice Bertha
History
The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 1 of 2): With Tunes, Singing-Rhymes and Methods of Playing etc.
Gomme, Alice Bertha
Folklore -- Great Britain; Games -- Great Britain
The second method of playing is best described by the Rev. Walter
Gregor, from the Nairn game, which is known as “The Gates of Babylon.”
Mr. Gregor writes as follows:—“This game may be played either by boys or
girls. Two of the players join hands, and stand face to face, with their
hands in front as if forming a gate. Each of these has a secret name.
The other players form themselves into a line by clasping each other
round the waist from behind. They go up to the two that form the gate,
and the leader asks the first question, as in version No. 2. The
dialogue then proceeds to the end. The two then lift their arms as high
as they can, still joined, and the line of players passes through. All
at once the two bring their arms down on one and make him (or her)
prisoner. The prisoner is asked in a whisper, so as not to disclose the
secret name, which of the two is to be chosen. The one so captured takes
his (or her) stand behind the one chosen. The same process is gone
through till all the players are taken captive, and have stationed
themselves behind the one or the other of the two forming the gate. The
last one of the line goes through three times. The first time the word
‘breakfast’ is pronounced; the second time ‘dinner;’ and the third time
‘supper.’ The player then chooses a side. The two sides have then a tug
of war. The game ends at this point with girls. With boys the conquered
have to run the gauntlet. The victors range themselves in two lines,
each boy with his cap or handkerchief tightly plaited in his hand, and
pelt with all their might the vanquished as they run between the lines.
The boys of Nairn call this running of the gauntlet, ‘through fire an’
watter.’”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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