in games—Encircling a church—Well worship in games—Tug-of-war games—Alarm bell ringing—Passing under a yoke—Creeping through holed stones in games—Under earth sods—Customs in “winding up” games—Tree worship in games—Awaking the earth spirit—Serpentine dances—Burial of maiden—Guessing, a primitive element in games—Dramatic classification—Controlling force which has preserved custom in games—Dramatic faculty in mankind—Child’s faculty for dramatic action—Observation of detail—Children’s games formerly an amusement of adults—Dramatic power in savages—Dramatic dances among the savage and semi-civilised—Summary and conclusion. CHILDREN’S GAMES Oats and Beans and Barley [Music] —Madeley, Shropshire (Miss Burne). [Music] —_Northants Notes and Queries_, ii. 161 (R. S. Baker) [Music] —Sporle, Norfolk (Miss Matthews). I. Oats and beans and barley grow! Oats and beans and barley grow! Do you or I or any one know How oats and beans and barley grow? First the farmer _sows_ his seed, Then he _stands_ and takes his ease, _Stamps_ his foot, and _claps_ his hands, Then _turns round_ to view the land. Waiting for a partner, waiting for a partner! Open the ring and take one in! Now you are married you must obey, You must be true to all you say, You must be kind, you must be good, And help your wife to chop the wood! —Much Wenlock (Burne’s _Shropshire Folklore_, p. 508). II. Oats and beans and barley grow! Does you or I or any one know Where oats and beans and barley grow? So the farmer sows his seed; So he stands and takes his ease; Stamps his foot and claps his hands, And turns him round to view the lands. Waiting for a partner! waiting for a partner! Now young couple you must obey, You must be true in all you say, You must be wise and very good, And help your wife to chop the wood. —Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy). III. Does you or I, or anie one knowe Where oates and beanes and barlie growe? Where oates and beanes and barlie growe? The farmer comes and sowes ye seede, Then he standes and takes hys ease, Stamps hys foote, and slappes hys hand, And turnes hym rounde to viewe ye land. Waiting for a partner, Waiting for a partner, Open the ringe and take mee in, Make haste and choose youre partner. Now you’re married you must obey, Must bee true to alle you saye, Must bee kinde and verie goode, And helpe your wyfe to choppe ye woode. —Raunds (_Northants Notes and Queries_, i. 163).