The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland Volume Ii Part 101

Sally Water.

[Vol. ii. pp. 150-179.]

Sally, Sally, Walker, sprinkling in a pan, Rye, Sally; rye, Sally, for a young man, Come, choose to the east, come, choose to the west, And come choose to the very one that you love best.

The choice is made here, and the two stand in the centre as usual.

Now there's a couple married in joy, First a girl and then a boy.

-- made a pudding nice and sweet, -- took a knife and tasted it.

Taste, love; taste, love, don't say no, Next Monday morning is our marriage day.

Seven years after, seven years to come, This young man shall be kissed and be done.

-Fochabers, N. E. Scotland (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

Sally, Sally, Water, sprinkled in a pan, Rise, Sally; rise, Sally, for a young man.

Choose the best, leave the worst, Choose the prettiest you can.

Now you're married we wish you joy, First a girl and then a boy, Seven years after son and daughter, Kiss before you go over the water.

-London (Dr. A. C. Haddon, from Miss E. A. Pa.s.smore).

Played in usual way.

Shuffle the Brogue.

[See "Hunt the Slipper," vol. i. pp. 241, 242.]

The boys sat on their haunches in a circle. One of the players takes a small object, and hands it from one to another under the legs from behind. The players as they pa.s.s the brogue repeat the words-

Shuffle the brogue once, Shuffle the brogue twice, Shuffle the brogue thrice.

The object has always to be pa.s.sed along in the same direction. One player who is blindfolded has to catch it as it is pa.s.sing along. The one in whose hand it is found becomes the catcher. -Crossmichael, Kirkcudbrights.h.i.+re (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

Soldiers, Soldiers.

Soldiers, soldiers, march away, Monday morning's here again; The drums shall rattle, the pipes shall play "Over the hills and far away."

Now you're married I wish you joy, First a girl and then a boy; If one don't kiss, the other must, So kiss, kiss, kiss.

-Girton Village, Cambridges.h.i.+re (Dr. A. C. Haddon).

A circle is formed, and the children sing the first four lines. One chooses a partner, and they dance round in the ring.

Three Dukes.

[Vol. ii. pp. 233-255.]

In a version of the Three Dukes, collected by Dr. A. C. Haddon, the first lines are-

Here comes one duke a riding by, a riding by, A riding by (repeat).

Rasima, Tasima, Tisima tay; Pray what is your will, sir?

My will is to get married.

Will any of my fair daughters do?

They're all as stiff as pokers.

We can bend as well as you, sir.

The duke goes round, chooses one, and sings-

I go to the kitchen, I go to the hall, I pick the fairest one of all (as previous versions).

-Girton Village, Cambridges.h.i.+re (Dr. A. C. Haddon).

Three Knights from Spain. [Vol. ii. pp. 257-279.]

A version of this game called "Gipsies," varies slightly from those previously printed.

Here comes one gipsy come from Spain, To call upon your daughter Jane;

Our daughter Jane is far too young, To be controlled by flattering tongue.

Oh, very well, I must away; I'll call again some other day.

Come back, come back, Your tails are flag, And choose the fairest one you see.

The gipsy then chooses a girl from the line of players, and asks her to come. The girl asked replies, "No." Then the gipsy turns round and dances, saying, "Naughty girl, she won't come out (repeat), to help me in my dancing." Again the gipsy asks the girl, when she replies, "Yes,"

and goes to the gipsy, who says, "Now we have got the flower of May, the flower of May, &c., to help us with our dancing."-Auchencairn, N.

B. (Mary Haddon).

Tug-of-War Game.

Apples and oranges, two for a penny, Come all ye good scholars, buy ever so many.

Come choose the east, come choose the west, Come choose the one you love the best.

Played like "Oranges and Lemons." One child is "Apple," and another "Orange."-Ross-s.h.i.+re (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

Played in the same way is-

Pancakes and flitters is the wax of cantailers,[18]

I owe you two farthings, I'll pay you to-morrow; Here comes a candle to light you to bed, Here comes a hatchet to chop off your head.

-Isle of Man (A. W. Moore).

[18] Mr. Moore says he does not know the meaning of this word.