The Traditional Games of England Scotland and Ireland Vol II by Alice Bertha Gomme

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Title: The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol II of II)
With Tunes, Singing-Rhymes, and Methods of Playing etc.

Author: Alice Bertha Gomme

Release Date: December 29, 2012 [EBook #41728]

Language: English

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Title Page

VOL. I.

ACCROSHAY-NUTS IN MAY

Medium 8vo, xix.—424 pp. With numerous Diagrams and Illustrations. Cloth uncut. 12s. 6d. nett.

Some Press Notices

Notes and Queries.—“A work of supreme importance . . . a scholarly, valuable, and delightful work.”

Spectator.—“Interesting and useful to the antiquarian, historian, and philologist, as well as to the student of manners and customs.”

Saturday Review.—“Thorough and conscientious.”

Critic (New York).—“A mine of riches to the student of folk-lore, anthropology, and comparative religion.”

Antiquary.—“The work of collection and comparison has been done with obvious care, and at the same time with a con amore enthusiasm.”

Zeitschrift für vergl. Literaturgeschichte.—“In jeder Beziehung erschöpfend und mustergültig.”

Zeitschrift für Pädagogie.—“Von hoher wissenschaftlicher Bedeutung.”

[All rights reserved]

THE

TRADITIONAL GAMES

Of England, Scotland, and Ireland
Of England, Scotland, and Ireland

WITH

TUNES, SINGING-RHYMES, AND METHODS OF PLAYING

ACCORDING TO THE VARIANTS EXTANT AND

RECORDED IN DIFFERENT PARTS

OF THE KINGDOM

COLLECTED AND ANNOTATED BY

ALICE BERTHA GOMME

VOL. II.

OATS AND BEANS-WOULD YOU KNOW

TOGETHER WITH A MEMOIR ON THE STUDY

OF CHILDREN’S GAMES

LONDON

DAVID NUTT, 270-71 STRAND

1898

Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co.

At the Ballantyne Press

PREFACE

The completion of the second volume of my Dictionary has been delayed from several unforeseen circumstances, the most important being the death of my most kind and learned friend the
Rev. Dr. Gregor. The loss which folk-lore students as a body sustained by this lamented scholar’s death, was in my own case accentuated, not only by many years of kindly communication,
but by the very special help which he generously gave me for this collection.

The second volume completes the collection of games on the lines already laid down. It has taken much more space than I originally intended, and I was compelled to add some important
variants to the first volume, sent to me during the compilation of the second. I have explained in the memoir that the two volumes practically contain all that is to be collected, all, that is to say,
of real importance.

The memoir seeks to show what important evidence is to be derived from separate study of the Traditional Games of England. That games of all classes are shown to contain evidence of
ancient custom and belief is remarkable testimony to the anthropological methods of studying folk-lore, which I have followed. The memoir fills a considerable space, although it contains only
the analytical portion of what was to have been a comprehensive study of both the analytical and comparative sides of the questions. Dr. Gregor had kindly promised to help me with the study
of foreign parallels to British Games, but before his death it became apparent that this branch of the subject would almost need a separate treatise, and his death decided me to leave it
untouched. I do not underrate its importance, but I am disposed to think that the survey I have given of the British evidence will not be materially shaken by the study of the comparative
evidence, which will now be made the easier.

I ought perhaps to add, that the “Memoir” at the end of this volume was read as a paper at the evening meeting of the Folk Lore Society, on March 16th, 1898.

I have again to thank my many kind correspondents for their help in collecting the different versions of the games.

A. B. G.

24 Dorset Square, N.W.

[v]

[vi]

LIST OF AUTHORITIES

ADDENDUM TO VOL. I.

ENGLAND.

Bedfordshire—

Bedford
Mrs. Haddon.

Berkshire—

Welford
Mrs. S. Batson.

Buckinghamshire—

Buckingham
Midland Garner.

Cambridgeshire
Halliwell’s Nursery Rhymes.

Barrington, Girton
Dr. A. C. Haddon.

Cambridge
Mrs. Haddon.

Cornwall
Miss I. Barclay.

Derbyshire
Miss Youngman, Long Ago, vol. i.

Devonshire
Miss Chase.

Chudleigh Knighton
Henderson’s Folk-lore of the Northern Counties of England.

Dorsetshire—

Broadwinsor
Folk-lore Journal, vol. vii.

Gloucestershire
Northall’s English Folk Rhymes.

Hampshire—

Gambledown
Mrs. Pinsent.

Hertfordshire—

Harpenden, Stevenage
Mrs. Lloyd.

Huntingdonshire—

St. Neots
Miss Lumley.

Kent
Miss L. Broadwood.

Lancashire—

Manchester
Miss Dendy.

Liverpool
Mrs. Harley.

Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Folk-lore.

Lincolnshire—

Brigg
Miss J. Barker.

Spilsby
Rev. R. Cracroft.

London
Dr. Haddon, A. Nutt, Mrs. Gomme.

Blackheath
Mr. M. L. Rouse.

Hoxton
Rev. S. D. Headlam.

Marylebone
Mrs. Gomme.

Middlesex
Mrs. Pocklington-Coltman.

Norfolk
Mrs. Haddon.

Hemsby
Mrs. Haddon.

Northumberland
Hon. J. Abercromby.

Oxfordshire
Miss L. Broadwood.

Staffordshire
Halliwell’s Nursery Rhymes.

Wolstanton
Miss Bush.

Suffolk
Mrs. Haddon.

Woolpit, near Haughley
Mr. M. L. Rouse.

Surrey—

Ash
Mrs. Gomme.

Sussex—

Lewes
Miss Kimber.

Worcestershire—

Upton on Severn
Miss. L. Broadwood.

Yorkshire
Miss E. Cadman.

SCOTLAND.

Notes and Queries. Pennant’s Voyage to the Hebrides.

Aberdeenshire—

Aberdeen
Mr. M. L. Rouse.

Aberdeen Training College
Rev. Dr. Gregor.

Corgarff, Fraserburgh, Meiklefolla,
Rosehearty, Tyrie
Rev. Dr. Gregor.

Argyllshire—

Connell Ferry, near Oban
Miss Harrison.

Banffshire—

Cullen, Macduff
Rev. Dr. Gregor.

Berwickshire
A. M. Bell (Antiquary, vol. xxx.).

Elgin and Nairn—

Dyke
Rev. Dr. Gregor.

Strichen

Forfarshire—

Forfar
Rev. Dr. Gregor.

Kincardineshire—

Banchory
Rev. Dr. Gregor.

Kircudbrightshire—

Auchencairn
Miss M. Haddon.
Dr. A. C. Haddon.

Crossmichael
Rev. Dr. Gregor.

Galloway
Mr. J. G. Carter.

Dalry

Kirkcudbright
Mr. J. Lawson.

Laurieston

New Galloway
Rev. Dr. Gregor.

Linlithgowshire—

Linlithgow
Mrs. Jamieson.

Perthshire—

Auchterarder
Miss E. S. Haldane.

Perth
Rev. Dr. Gregor.

Ross-shire
Rev. Dr. Gregor.

Wigtonshire—

Port William School
Rev. Dr. Gregor.

IRELAND.

Carleton’s Stories of Irish Peasantry.

Cork—

Cork
Mr. I. J. Dennachy.

Down—

St. Andrews
Miss H. E. Harvey.

Dublin—

Dublin
Mrs. Coffey.

Howth
Miss H. E. Harvey.

[vii]

[viii]

[ix]

Kerry—

Kerry
I. J. Dennachy.

Waterville
Mrs. B. B. Green.

Leitrim—

Kiltubbrid
Mr. L. L. Duncan.

Waterford—

Waterford
Miss H. E. Harvey.

WALES.

Roberts’ Cambrian Popular Antiquities.

LIST OF GAMES

Oats and Beans and Barley.
Obadiah.
Odd or Even.
Odd-man.
Old Dame.
Old Roger is Dead.
Old Soldier.
Oliver, Oliver, follow the King.
One Catch-all.
Oranges and Lemons.
’Otmillo.
Over Clover.

Paddy from Home.
Paip.
Pallall.
Pally Ully.
Pat-ball.
Pay-swad.
Pednameny.
Peesie Weet.
Peg and Stick.
Peg-fiched.
Peggy Nut.
Peg-in-the-Ring.
Peg-top.
Penny Cast.
Penny Hop.
Penny Prick.
Penny Stanes.
Phœbe.
Pick and Hotch.
Pi-cow.
Pigeon Walk.
Pig-ring.
Pillie-Winkie.
Pinch.
Pinny Show.
Pins.
Pirley Pease-weep.
Pitch.
Pitch and Hustle.
Pitch and Toss.
Pit-counter.
Pits.
Pize Ball.
Plum Pudding.
Plum Pudding and Roast Beef.
Pointing out a Point.
Poncake.
Poor and Rich.
Poor Mary sits a-weeping.
Poor Widow.
Pop Goes the Weasel.
Pop-the-Bonnet.
Poppet-Show.
Port the Helm.
Pots, or Potts.
Pray, Pretty Miss.
Pretty Little Girl of Mine.
Pretty Miss Pink.
Prick at the Loop.
Prickey Sockey.
Prickie and Jockie.
Priest-Cat (1).
Priest-Cat (2).
Priest of the Parish.
Prisoner’s Base.
Puff-the-Dart.
Pun o’ mair Weight.
Punch Bowl.
Purposes.
Push in the Wash Tub.
Push Pin.
Push the Business On.
Puss in the Corner.
Pussy’s Ground.
Pyramid.

Quaker.
Quaker’s Wedding.
Queen Anne.
Queen Mary.
Queen of Sheba.

Ragman.
Rag-stag.
Rakes and Roans.
Rakkeps.
Range the Bus.
Rax, or Raxie-boxie, King of Scotland.
Relievo.
Religious Church.
Rigs.
Ring.
Ring a Ring o’ Roses.
Ring by Ring.
Ringie, Ringie, Red Belt.
Ring-me-rary.
Ring-taw.
Rin-im-o’er.

[xi]

[xii]

Robbing the Parson’s Hen-Roost.
Rockety Row.
Roll up Tobacco.
Roly-poly.
Ronin the Bee.
Rosy Apple, Lemon and Pear.
Roundabout, or Cheshire Round.
Round and Round the Village.
Round and Round went the Gallant Ship.
Round Tag.
Rounders.
Rounds.
Row-chow-Tobacco.
Rowland-Ho.
Rumps.
Rusty.

Sacks.
Saddle the Nag.
Saggy.
Sailor Lad.
Sally go Round the Moon.
Sally Water.
Sally Sober.
Salmon Fishers.
Salt Eel.
Save All.
Say Girl.
Scat.
Scop-peril.
Scotch-hoppers.
Scots and English.
Scratch Cradle.
Scrush.
Scurran-Meggy.
See-Saw.
See-Sim.
Shame Reel, or Shamit Dance.
She Said, and She Said.
Shepherd and Sheep.
Shepherds.
Shinney, or Shinty, or Shinnops.
Ship.
Ship Sail.
Shiver the Goose.
Shoeing the Auld Mare.
Shue-Gled-Wylie.
Shuttlefeather.
Shuvvy-Hawle.
Silly Old Man.
Skin the Goatie.
Skipping.
Skyte the Bob.
Smuggle the Gig.
Snail Creep.
Snapping Tongs.
Snatch Apple.
Snatch Hood.
Soldier.
Solomon.
Sort’em-billyort’em.
Sow-in-the-Kirk.
Span Counter.
Spang and Purley.
Spangie.
Spannims.
Spawnie.
Spinny-Wye.
Splints.
Spurn point.
Spy-arm.
Stacks.
Stag.
Stagging.
Steal the Pigs.
Stealy Clothes.
Steik and Hide.
Sticky-stack.
Sticky Toffey.
Stiff Police.
Stik-n Snael.
Stocks.
Stones.
Stool-ball.
Strik a Licht.
Stroke.
Stroke Bias.
Sun and Moon.
Sunday Night.
Sun Shines.
Sweer Tree.
Swinging.

Tait.
Teesty-Tosty.
Teter-cum-Tawter.
Tee-to-tum.
Thimble Ring.
Thing done.
Thread the Needle.
Three Days’ Holidays.
Three Dukes.
Three Flowers.
Three Holes.
Three Jolly Welshmen.

[xiii]

Three Knights from Spain.
Three Little Ships.
Three Old Bachelors.
Three Sailors.
Through the Needle Eye, Boys.
Thun’er Spell.
Tick.
Tickle me Quickly.
Ticky Touchwood.
Tig.
Time.
Tip it.
Tip-Cat.
Tip-tap-toe.
Tiring Irons.
Tisty Tosty.
Titter-totter.
Tit-tat-toe.
Tods and Lambs.
Tom Tiddler’s Ground.
Tops.
The Totum, or Tee-to-tum.
Touch.
Tower of London.
Town Lovers.
Trades.
Trap, Bat, and Ball.
Tray-trip.
Tres-acre.
Tribet.
Trippit and Coit.
Trip and Go.
Trip-trout.
Troap.
Troco, Trucks.
Troule-in-Madame.
Trounce-Hole.
Troy Town.
Truncher.
Trunket.
Truss.
Tuilyie-wap.
Turn, Cheeses, Turn.
Turn Spit Jack.
Turn the Ship.
Turn the Trencher, or, My Lady’s Toilet.
Turvey.
Tutt-ball.
Twelve Days of Christmas.
Twelve Holes.

Uncle John is Ill in Bed.
Up the Streets.

Wadds and the Wears (1).
Wadds and the Wears (2).
Waggles.
Wallflowers.
Warney.
Way-Zaltin.
We are the Rovers.
Weary.
Weave the Diaper.
Weigh the Butter.
When I was a Young Girl.
Whiddy.
Whigmeleerie.
Whip.
Whishin Dance.
Who goes round my Stone Wall.
Widow.
Wiggle-Waggle.
Wild Boar.
Wild Birds.
Willie, Willie Wastell.
Wind up the Bush Faggot.
Wind, The.
Wink-egg.
Witch, The.
Witte-Witte-Way.
Wolf.
Wolf and the Lamb.
Would you know how doth the Peasant.

[xiv]

ADDENDA

A’ the Birdies.
All the Boys.
American Post.
As I was Walking.
Auld Grannie.

Ball.
Bannockburn.
Black Doggie.
Bonnet Ridgie.
Button.

Canlie.
Carry my Lady to London.
Cat and Dog Hole.
Catch the Salmond.
Chicken come Clock.
Chippings, or Cheapings.
Chucks.
Churning.
Codham, or Codhams.
Colley Ball.

Dan’l my Man.
Deil amo’ the Dishes.
Dig for Silver.
Dillsee Dollsie Dee.
Doagan.
Down in Yonder Meadow.
Draw a Pail of Water.
Drop Handkerchief.
Dumb Crambo.
Dump.

Eendy, Beendy.

Farmer’s Den.
Fire on the Mountains.
Fool, Fool, come to School.
French Jackie.

Galloping, Galloping.
Gallant Ship.
Galley, Galley Ship.
Glasgow Ships.
Granny’s Needle.
Green Gravel.
Green Grass.
Green Grass (2).

Heap the Cairn.
Hear all!
Hen and Chickens.
High Windows.
Hot Cockles.
Hulla-balloo-ballee.

Isabella.

Jenny Jones.
Jockie Rover.
Jolly Lads.
Jolly Miller.

Keys of Heaven.
Kick the Block.

Lady of the Land.
Leap-Frog.
London Bridge.
Lubin, Looby Loo.

Magician.
Mannie on the Pavement.
Merry-ma-Tanza.
Milking Pails.
My Delight’s in Tansies.

Namer and Guesser.
Needle Cases.
Nuts in May.

Odd Man.
Old Cranny Crow.
Old Johanny Hairy, Crap in!

Paper of Pins.
Pickie.
Poor Widow.

Queen Anne.

Rashes.

Sally Water.
Shuffle the Brogue.
Soldiers, Soldiers.

Three Dukes.
Three Knights.
Tug of War.

We are the Rovers.
When I was a Young Girl.

[xv]

ANALYSIS OF “MEMOIR”

Children’s games, a definite branch of folk-lore—Nature of material for the study—Games fall into one of two sections—Classification of the games—Under
customs contained in them—Under implements of play—Skill and chance games—Importance of classification—Early custom contained in skill and chance
games—In diagram games—Tabu in game of “Touch”—Methods of playing the games—Characteristics of line form—Of circle forms—Of individual form—Of
the arch forms—Of winding-up form—Contest games—War-cry used in contest games—Early marriage customs in games of line form—Marriage by capture—
By purchase—Without love or courtship—Games formerly played at weddings—Disguising the bride—Hiring servants game—Marriage customs in circle games
—Courtship precedes marriage—Marriage connected with water custom—“Crying for a young man” announcing a want—Marriage formula—Approval of
friends necessary—Housewifely duties mentioned—Eating of food by bride and bridegroom necessary—Young man’s necessity for a wife—Kiss in the ring—
Harvest customs in games—Occupations in games—Funeral customs in games—Use of rushes in games—Sneezing action in game—Connection of spirit of dead
person with trees—Perambulation of boundaries—Animals represented—Ballads sung to a dance—Individual form games—Hearth worship—Objection to giving
light from a fire—Child-stealing by witch—Obstacles in path when pursuing witch—Contest between animals—Ghosts in games—Arch form of game—Contest
between leaders of parties—Foundation sacrifice 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

[Play version 1, version 2]

Music Oats and Beans and Barley Madeley

—Madeley, Shropshire (Miss Burne).

[Play]

Music Oats and Beans and Barley Northants

—Northants Notes and Queries, ii. 161 (R. S. Baker)

[Play]

Music Oats and Beans and Barley Sporle

—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,

[1]

[2]

[3]