The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 2 of 2): With Tunes, Singing-Rhymes, and Methods of Playing etc.Gomme, Alice Bertha
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The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 2 of 2): With Tunes, Singing-Rhymes, and Methods of Playing etc.
Gomme, Alice Bertha
Folklore -- Great Britain; Games -- Great Britain
Now you’re married, we wish you good joy,
First a little girl, and then a little boy;
Seven years after, seven years to come,
Seven years of plenty, and kiss when you done.
—Norfolk (Mrs. Haddon).
(_c_) A ring is formed by the children joining hands. One girl kneels or
sits down in the centre, and covers her face with her hands as if
weeping. The ring dances round and sings the words. The child in the
centre rises when the command is given, and chooses a boy or girl from
the ring, who goes into the centre with her. These two kiss together
when the words are said. The child who was first in the centre then
joins the ring, the second remaining in the centre, and the game
continues.
All versions of this game are played in the same way, except slight
variations in a few instances. Kissing does not prevail in all the
versions. In the Earls Heaton game, the child who kneels in the centre
also pretends to weep and dries her tears before choosing a partner.
Miss Burne, in _Shropshire Folklore_, says the girl kneels
disconsolately in the middle of the ring. In the Stixwould version, the
child stands in the centre holding in her hands something resembling a
saucer; she then pretends to “knock it in a mortar,” and gives the
saucer to the one whom she chooses. This one exchanges places with her.
In the Northants version, at the words “clash the bells,” the children
dash down their joined hands to imitate ringing bells. Addy, _Sheffield
Glossary_, says one girl sits in the middle weeping. When the girl has
chosen, the young man remains in the centre, and the word “Sally” is
changed to “Billy,” or some other name, and “man” to “girl.” In the
Beddgelert version, the centre child wipes her eyes with a handkerchief
in the beginning of the game. Several other versions have been sent me,
all being the same as those printed here, or varying so slightly, it is
unnecessary to repeat them.
(_d_) The analysis of the game-rhymes is as follows:—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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