The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland Volume Ii Part 99

-London (A. B. Gomme), from Scotch source.

Milking Pails.

[Vol. i. pp. 376-388.]

A version sent me by Mr. M. L. Rouse, Blackheath, is similar to those previously printed, varying only at the end. After the "wash in the river," and "the stream will carry the clothes away," the children say, "Men, you may run after them." Hereupon they all run off, but the mother does not chase them. They return, and a dialogue ensues similar to a part of "Mother, may I go out to play," follows between the mother and children:-

"Where have you been all day?"

"Working for Jack, or aunt."

"What did he give you?"

"A piece of plum-pudding as big as a flea, or a piece of bread as big as a house, and a piece of cheese as big as a mouse."

The children then run off again, come quickly back with the news that they had seen a large bull in the meadow.

"Where's the butcher?"

"Behind the stable door cracking nuts, and you may have the sh.e.l.ls." The mother then chases the children, beating all she can catch.

My Delight's in Tansies. [See "Sunday Night," vol. ii. p. 221.]

All the girls stand in a line except one who stands in front of the others. This one walks or dances backwards and forwards. All sing the words-

My delight's in tansies, O!

My delight's in bransies, O!

My delight's in a red, red rose; The colour o' my --

the name of one in the line chosen by the one in front is said. The two in front join right and left hands, and all sing-

Hey ho, my --, O!

My bonnie, bonnie --, O!

A' the warld wid I gie, For a kiss o' --, O.

My delight's in Nancy, O!

My delight's in tancy, O!

My delight's in a red, red rose, [She chooses out a girl]

Call her, oh! my (a girl's name), O!

Hey, ho, my --, O!

My bonnie, bonnie --, O!

A' the warld wad I gie For a kiss o' --, O!

-Fraserburgh (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

Namer and Guesser.

[Vol. i. p. 409.]

Another version of this game. It is begun in the same way. As each player gets his name, he or she turns their back to the namer. When all are named, and are standing with their backs to the namer, the namer calls out, "Baker, baker, your bread is burnin'," or "Bakerie, bakerie, your bread is burnin'." The guesser answers, "Will you give a corner of it to me?" or "Give me a corner of it," and takes a stand beside the namer. The namer then says-

Come, cheese me east, Come, cheese me west, Come, cheese me to "Rose."

The guesser points to one of the players. If the guess is right, the player goes to the guesser's side; if wrong, to the namer's side, when all the players except one are chosen. This one gets two names, say "Needles" and "Preens." The namer then says to the guesser, "Needles"

or "Preens"? A guess is made. This is done three times, and each time the names are changed. If the last guess is made correctly, then the player goes to the guesser, if not, to the namer. Sometimes it is decided by "the best o' three." Then comes the "tug of war." The gaining side calls out "Rotten eggs, rotten eggs!"-Fraserburgh (Rev. Dr.

Gregor).

Needle Cases.

Needle cases, needle cases, in a silver saucer.

Who shall I direct it to but Captain --'s daughter.

What will you give to tell her name, tell her name, tell her name?

A hundred pounds and a gla.s.s of wine.

(The girl's name is given, and she then asks)- What will you give to tell his name?

(The others answer)- Two hundred pounds and a gla.s.s of wine.

(Boy's name given by girl).

As I gaed down to borrow a pan, I saw her sitting kissing her man; She off with the glove and on with the ring.

To-morrow, to-morrow the wedding begins.

Clean the bra.s.s candlesticks, clean the fireside, Draw up the curtains and let's see the bride.

All the players but one stand in a circle-this one goes round with a handkerchief, singing the first lines. When the girl's name is mentioned she tells her sweetheart's name to the girl with the handkerchief, sits down in the centre, and covers her face with her hands. The one with the handkerchief goes round again, asking, "What will you give?" and the ring answers. Her name is then given, and the girl with the handkerchief again asks, "What will you give to tell _his_ name?" The ring answers again, and the sweetheart's name is then given. The girl with the handkerchief goes round again and sings the last lines, the ring singing with her. Then the one in the centre joins the ring, and the game begins again.-Aberdeen (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

Nuts in May.

[Vol. i. pp. 424-433.]

Many versions of this have been sent me, but none differ materially from those printed previously.

Odd Man.

A game played by two or three hundred persons who form a circle; every one places his stick in the ground before him, by way of barrier. A person called the odd man stands in the middle and delivers his bonnet to any one in the ring. This is nimbly handed round, and the owner is to recover it; and on succeeding, takes the place of the person whom he took it from, and that person takes the middle place.-Pennant's "Voyage to the Hebrides," p. 231.

Old Cranny Crow.

[Vol. i. p. 201; ii. pp. 404-405.]

This game resembles "Hen and Chickens," but though of that cla.s.s of game it is not, it will be seen, the usual form of "Hen and Chickens" at its conclusion. The earlier part of the game and dialogue, if any, may, however, have been similar. Mr. Rouse says: "I cannot recollect more of Old Cranny Crow than that she entices children one by one out for a walk, and steals them from their supposed mother. The mother is then invited to dine by Old Cranny Crow, and has a pie (one of her children) set before her, with pepper and salt, which she pretends to eat, and when doing so discovers it to be just like her Tommy (or other child's name). Then Cranny Crow puts another pie before her; this she discovers to be just like her Katy. She finds out all her children one by one, and they come to life again and run home."-M. L. Rouse, Blackheath. [See "Mother, mother, pot boils over," "Witch."]

Old Johanny Hairy, c.r.a.p in!

All players sit round the fire and put out their right feet. The Master of the game repeats-