The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 2 of 2): With Tunes, Singing-Rhymes, and Methods of Playing etc.Gomme, Alice Bertha
General
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
(_b_) A ring is formed by the children joining hands. One child kneels
in the centre, covering her face with her hands. The ring dances round,
and sings the first two verses. The kneeling child then takes her hands
from her face and sings the next verse, still kneeling. While the ring
sings the next verse, she rises and chooses one child out of the ring.
They stand together, holding hands while the others sing the marriage
formula, and kiss each other at the command. The ring of children dance
round quickly while singing this. When finished the first “Mary” takes a
place in the ring, and the other child kneels down (Barnes and other
places). At Enborne school, Newbury (Miss Kimber), this game is played
by boys and girls. All the children in the ring sing the first two
verses. Then the boys alone in the ring sing the next verse; all the
ring singing the fourth. While singing this the kneeling child rises and
holds out her hand to any boy she prefers, who goes into the ring with
her. When he is left in the ring at the commencement of the game again,
a boy’s name is substituted for that of “Mary.” There appears to be no
kissing. In the Liphook version (Miss Fowler), after the girl has chosen
her sweetheart the ring breaks, and the two walk out and then kneel
down, returning to the ring and kissing each other. A version identical
with that of Barnes is played by the girls of Clapham High School. All
tunes sent me were similar to that given.
(_c_) The analysis of the game rhymes is on pp. 56-60.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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