The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland Volume Ii Part 35

-London (G. L. Gomme).

IV. See-saw, sacradown, Which is the way to London town?

One boot up, and the other down, And that is the way to London town.

-Halliwell's _Nursery Rhymes_, No. cccx.x.x.

V. The poor man was digging, To and fro, to and fro; And his spade on his shoulder, To and fro, to and fro.

The poor man was digging, To and fro, to and fro; And he caught the black cross, To and fro, to and fro.

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

A common game, children sitting on either end of a plank supported on its centre, and made to rock up and down. While enjoying this recreation, they sing the verse. Addy, _Sheffield Glossary_, gives Ranty or Rantypole, a plank or pole balanced evenly, upon which children rock up and down in see-saw fashion. Jamieson, _Etymological Dictionary_, gives Coup-the-Ladle as the name for See-saw in Aberdeen. Moor, _Suffolk Words and Phrases_, describes this game, and gives the same words to be sung while playing as Halliwell's above. Grose gives "Weigh," to play at See-saw. Holloway, _Dictionary of Provincialisms_, says, in Norfolk See-saw is called t.i.tti c.u.m Totter; and in Gainford, Durham, Ewiggy Shog. Halliwell gives versions of Nos. II. and III. in his _Nursery Rhymes_, and also other verses with the opening words "See-saw," namely, "See-saw, Jack-a-Daw," "See-saw, Sack-a-day;" but these are not connected with the game by Halliwell, and there is nothing in the words to indicate such a connection. Mactaggart, _Gallovidian Encyclopaedia_, calls the game "Coggle-te-Carry," but gives no verses, and Strutt calls it "t.i.tter Totter."-_Sports_, p. 303. He does not give any rhymes, except to quote Gay's poem, but it is possible that the rhyme to his game may be No. I. Brogden gives "Hightte" as the game of See-saw. The Manx version has not before been published, and Mr. Moore says is now quite forgotten in the Isle. The game is called "Shuggy-shoo" in Irish, and also "Copple-thurrish," evidently "Horse and Pig," as if the two animals were balancing against each other, and alternately becoming elevated and depressed.-_Ulster Journ. Arch._, vi. 102. The child who stands on the plank in the centre and balances it, is frequently called the "canstick" or "candlestick."

See-Sim

A children's game. If one of the party is blindfolded, it is "Blind-Sim."-Spurden's _East Anglian Glossary_.

Shame Reel, or Shamit Dance

In several counties of Scotland this was the name of the first dance after the celebration of marriages. It was performed by the bride and best man and the bridegroom and best maid. The bride's partner asked what was to be the "sham spring," and she commonly answered, "Through the world will I gang wi' the lad that lo'es me," which, on being communicated to the fiddlers, was struck up, and the dance went on somewhat punctiliously, while the guests looked on in silence, and greeted the close with applause. This dance was common in Forfarshire twenty years ago.-Jamieson's _Dictionary_.

See "Cushion Dance," "Salmon Fishers."

She Said, and She Said

This game requires two confederates; one leaves the room, and the other in the secret asks a player in the room to whisper to him whom she (or he) loved; he then calls in his companion, and the following dialogue is carried on:-

"She said, and she said!

And what did she say?"

"She said that she loved."

"And whom did she love?

Suppose she said she loved --?"

"No! she never said that, whatever she said."

An indefinite number of names are mentioned before the right one. When that came, to the surprise of the whisperer, the answer is-

"Yes! she said that."

The secret was very simple; the name of a widow or widower known to both players was always given before that whispered.-Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 50).

Shepherd and Sheep

Children choose, by "counting out," or otherwise, a Shepherd and a Wolf (or Mother Sheep, and Wolf). The Wolf goes away, and the rest of the players are the Sheep (or Lambs) and stand in a row. The Shepherd counts them-Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, &c. Then-

_Shepherd_-"What shall I bring home for you for dinner, Sunday, I'm going to market?"

Sunday chooses something-roast veal, apple tart, or anything else that she likes. Then Monday, Tuesday, and the rest choose also. Shepherd goes away, saying-

"Mind you are all good children."

The Wolf comes directly the Shepherd goes out of sight, and takes away one of the Sheep. Shepherd comes back and begins to distribute the different things-

"Sunday, Monday,--why, where's Tuesday?" (or Wednesday, as the case may be.)

The Children cry in chorus-

"Old Wolf came down the chimney and took him (or her) away."

This formula is repeated till all the children (sheep) are stolen.

The Shepherd now goes to the Wolf's house to look for his sheep-

_Shepherd_-"Good morning, have you seen my sheep?"

_Wolf_-"Yes, they went down Red Lane."

[Shepherd looks down Red Lane.]

_Shepherd_-"I've been down Red Lane, and they're not there."

_Wolf_-"I've just seen them pa.s.s, they're gone down Green Lane," &c.

These questions and answers continue as long as the children's fancy holds out; then the Shepherd comes back.

_Shepherd_-"I've looked everywhere, and can't find them. I b'lieve you've got them? I smell meat; may I go up and taste your soup?"

_Wolf_-"You can't go upstairs, your shoes are too dirty."

_Shepherd_-"I'll take off my shoes" (pretends to take them off).

_Wolf_-"Your stockings are too dirty."

_Shepherd_-"I'll take off my stockings" (suits the action).

_Wolf_-"Your feet are too dirty."

_Shepherd_-"I'll cut my feet off" (pretends to cut them off).

(Milder version, "I'll wash my feet.")

_Wolf_-"Then the blood'll run about."

(Milder version, "Then they'll wet my carpet.")