The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland Volume Ii Part 96

Jockie Rover.

[See "Stag," vol. ii. pp. 212, 374.]

One is chosen to be Rover, and a place is marked off called "The Den,"

from which he starts, and to which he and the others caught can run for protection. He has to clasp his hands and set off in pursuit of one of the players, whom he must crown without unclasping his hands. Before he leaves the den he calls out-

Jockie Rover, Three times over, If you do not look out, I'll gie you a blover.

When he catches one he unclasps his hands, and makes for the den along with the one caught. The players close in upon them, and beat them with their caps. The two now join hands, and before leaving the den repeat the same words, and give chase to catch another. When another is caught, the three run to the den, followed by the others pelting them.

During the time they are running to catch another player, every attempt is made by the others to break the band by rushing on two outstretched arms, either from before or from behind. Every time one is taken or the band broken, all already taken rush to the den, beaten by those not taken.-d.y.k.e (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

A form of "Warney," "Whiddy."

Jolly Lads, Bold.

[Vol. i. pp. 294-296.]

Here come two bold, jolly lads, Just new come from the sh.o.r.e: We'll spend our time in drinking wine, As we have done before.

Then the ring dances round, singing-

We will have a round, and a round, We will have a pretty, pretty girl, For to dance upon the ground.

Her shoes are made of morocco, Her stockings lined with silk, Her teeth are white as anything, And her skin as white as milk.

We shall have a round, and a round, &c.

-Auchterarder, N. B. (Miss E. S. Haldane).

A ring is formed by players joining hands. Two other players dance round the ring in opposite directions, singing the first four lines while the ring stands still. Then the ring dances round singing the rest of the lines. The two outside then each take a player from the ring and begin again.

The words of the dance game, "Here we go around," vol. i. p. 205, are practically the same as the latter part of this, and suggests that this or a similar round is its original.

Jolly Miller. [Vol. i. pp. 289-293.]

This is played with the usual double ring, boys on the outside, girls inside, one child in centre. At the last a rush is made to obtain a vacant place.

He was a jolly miller, He lived by himself.

As the wheel went round, he made his wealth, One hand in his pocket, the other at his back, As the mill went round, he made his wealth.

The girls being in the inside, turn and go the opposite way; and, while doing so, sing-

A hunting we will go, A hunting we will go, We'll catch a little fox, and we'll put him in a box, And a hunting we will go.

-Auchterarder, N. B. (Miss E. S. Haldane).

In this version the "grab" appears to be lost, and the "hunting" put in before the rush for the vacant place is made.

Keys of Heaven.

I will give you a golden ring, And jewels to hang and birds to sing, If you'll be my true lover, And true love of mine.

I will give you the keys of the chest, And gold enough to dress you in church, If you'll be my true lover, And true love of mine.

I will give you the keys of even [heaven], And angels to wait upon you six and seven, If you'll be my true lover, And true love of mine.

-Marylebone (A. B. Gomme).

Children form a ring by joining hands; they dance round. One stands in centre. She chooses another from the ring after singing the words, and the two dance round together.

This game is evidently but a fragment, the proper way of playing being forgotten. It would originally have been played in line form instead of a circle, and answers of "No" or "Yes," or other verses implying negative and then affirmative, given by the chosen or selected girl.

These lines, and those given _post_ (p. 450), as "Paper of pins," are interesting fragments probably of one and the same game.

Kick the Block.

[See vol. i. p. 401.]

A small circle is made, and the stone or block is put in it. A boy stands with his foot on the stone and his eyes shut until all the other players are hid. He then tries to find them, and keep his block in its place. If one should come out when he is away from his block it is kicked out, and all the boys that were found hide again.-Laurieston School, Kirkcudbrightshire (J. Lawson).

Another version of the same game, sent me by Mr. William P. Merrick, Shepperton, Middles.e.x, is called "Fly Whip."

The same game as "Mount the Tin," played somewhat differently.

Lady of the Land.

[Vol. i. pp. 313-319.]

A number of girls stand in a line. One of them represents the widow and the other the children. Another stands in front. All sing-

There came a poor widow from Sunderland, With all her children in her hand, One can bake, and one can sew, And one can do the hilygoloo.

Please take one out.

The player who is standing alone in front of the other players chooses one from the line. The two then join right and left hands and wheel round in front, all singing-

Oh there's poor (girl's name chosen), She has gone without a farthing in her hand, Nothing but a guinea gold ring, Good-bye (girl's name), Good-bye, good-bye.

The mother shakes hands with the one chosen.

-Fraserburgh (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

Another version-

There is a poor widow from Sankelone, With all her children in her hand, One can knit, and one sew, And one can play the liligolor.

The widow then says-