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
(_b_) This game is now generally played like “Oranges and Lemons,” only
there is no “tug-of-war” at the end. Two children hold up their clasped
hands to form an arch. The other children form a long line by holding to
each other’s dresses or waists, and run under. Those who are running
under sing the first verse; the two who form the arch sing the second
and alternate verses. At the words, “What has this poor prisoner done?”
the girls who form the arch catch one of the line (generally the last
one). When the last verse is sung the prisoner is taken a little
distance away, and the game begins again. At Clun the players form a
ring, moving round. They sing the first and alternate verses, and
chorus, “London Bridge is broken down.” Two players outside the ring run
round it, singing the second and alternate verses. When singing “Penny
loaves’ll get stole away,” one of the two outside children goes into the
ring, the other remains and continues her part, singing the next verse.
When the last verse is sung the prisoner is released. The Berkshire game
(Miss Kimber) is played by the children forming two long lines, each
line advancing and retiring alternately while singing their parts. When
the last verse is begun the children form a ring and gallop around, all
singing this last verse together. In the Cork version (Mrs. Green) the
children form a circle by joining hands. They march round and round,
singing the verses to a sing-song tune. When singing, “If the cock
should meet a hen,” they all unclasp hands; two hold each other’s hands
and form an arch. The rest run under, saying the last verse. The “arch”
lower their hands and try to catch the last child.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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