The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland Volume I Part 74

Knapsack

One boy takes another by the feet, one foot over each shoulder, with his head downwards and his face to his back, and sets off running as fast as he can. He runs. .h.i.ther and thither till one or other of the two gets tired.-Keith (Rev. W. Gregor).

Knights

Two big boys take two smaller ones on their shoulders. The big boys act as horses, while the younger ones seated on their shoulders try to pull each other over. The "horses" may push and strike each other with their shoulders, but must not kick or trip up with their feet, or use their hands or elbows. The game is usually won by the Horse and Knight who throw their opponents twice out of three times (G. L. Gomme). Strutt (_Sports_, p. 84) describes this, and says, "A sport of this kind was in practice with us at the commencement of the fourteenth century." He considers it to bear more a.n.a.logy to wrestling than to any other sport.

He gives ill.u.s.trations, one of which is here reproduced from the original MS. in the British Museum. The game is also described in the Rev. J. G. Wood's _Modern Playmate_, p. 12.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Knocked at the Rapper

The girl who spoke of this game, says Miss Peac.o.c.k, could only remember its details imperfectly, but as far as she recollects it is played as follows:-The players dance round a centre child, leaving one of their number outside the circle. The dancers sing to the one in their midst-

Here comes --, He knocked at the rapper, and he pulled at the string, Pray, Mrs. --, is -- within?

At "is -- within," the child outside the circle is named. The centre child says-

O no, she has gone into the town: Pray take the arm-chair and sit yourself down.

The ring of children then sing-

O no, not until my dearest I see, And then one chair will do for we.

Then all sing-

My elbow, my elbow, My pitcher, and my can: Isn't -- -- a nice young girl?

Mentioning the supposed sweetheart.

Isn't -- -- as nice as she?

Mentioning the outside child.

They shall be married when they can agree.

Then the inside and outside children each choose a companion from the circle, and the rest repeat:-

My elbow, my elbow, &c.

When the words have been sung a second time, the four children kiss, and the two from the circle take the places of the other, after which change the game begins again.-North Kelsey, Lincolnshire (Miss M. Peac.o.c.k).

Knor and Spell

See "Nur and Spell."

Lab

A game of marbles (undescribed).-Patterson's _Antrim and Down Glossary_.

See "Lag."

Lady of the Land

[Music]

-Tong, Shropshire (Miss R. Harley).

I. Here comes the lady of the land, With sons and daughters in her hand; Pray, do you want a servant to-day?

What can she do?

She can brew, she can bake, She can make a wedding cake Fit for you or any lady in the land.

Pray leave her.

I leave my daughter safe and sound, And in her pocket a thousand pound, And on her finger a gay ring, And I hope to find her so again.

-_Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries_, i. 133.

II. There camed a lady from other land, With all her children in her hand- Please, do you want a sarvant, marm?

Leave her.

I leaves my daughter zafe and zound, And in her pocket a thousan pound, And on her finger a goulden ring, And in her busum a silver pin.

I hopes when I return, To see her here with you.

Don't'e let her ramble; don't'e let her trot; Don't'e let her car' the mustard pot.

The Mistress says softly-

She shall ramble, she shall trot, She shall carry the mustard pot.

-_Dorset County Chronicle_, April 1889; _Folk-lore Journal_, vii. 228.

III. Here comes an old woman from Baby-land, With all her children in her hand.

Pray take one of my children in.

[Spoken] What can your children do?

[Sung] One can bake, one can brew, And one can bake a lily-white cake.

One can sit in the parlour and sing, And this one can do everything.