Other versions have been sent me, but so similar to those given that it is unnecessary to give them here. The tunes vary more. In some places the game is sung to that of "Nuts in May." In Barnes the tune used was sometimes that of "Isabella," vol. i. p. 247, and sometimes the first one printed here.

The game is mentioned by Newell (_Games_, p. 88).

Whiddy

Whiddy, whiddy, way, If you don't come, I won't play.

The players, except one, stand in a den or home. One player clasps his hands together, with the two forefingers extended, He sings out the above, and the boys who are "home" then cry-

Warning once, warning twice, Warning three times over; When the c.o.c.k crows out come I, Whiddy, whiddy, wake-c.o.c.k. Warning!

This is called "Saying their prayers." The boy who begins must touch another boy, keeping his hands clasped as above. These two then join hands, and pursue the others; those whom they catch also joining hands, till they form a long line. If the players who are in the home run out before saying their prayers, the other boys have the right to pummel them, or ride home on their backs.-London (J. P. Emslie, A. B. Gomme).

See "Chickidy Hand," "Hunt the Staigie," "Stag," "Warney."

Whigmeleerie

A game occasionally played in Angus. A pin was stuck in the centre of a circle, from which there were as many radii as there were persons in the company, with two names of each person at the radius opposite to him.

On the pin an index was placed, and moved round by every one in turn, and at whatsoever person's radius it stopped, he was obliged to drink off his gla.s.s.-Jamieson.

A species of chance game, played apparently with a kind of totum.

Whip

A boy's game, called in the South "Hoop or Hoop Hide." This is a curious instance of corruption, for the name hoop is p.r.o.nounced in the local manner as hooip, whence whip.-Easther's _Almondbury Glossary_.

Whishin Dance

An old-fashioned dance, in which a cushion is used to kneel upon.-d.i.c.kinson's _c.u.mberland Glossary_.

See "Cushion Dance."

Who goes round my Stone Wall

I. Who's going round my stone wall?

n.o.body, only little Jacky Lingo.

Pray don't steal none of my fat sheep, Unless I take one by one, two by two, three by three, Follow me.

Have you seen anything of my black sheep?

Yes! I gave them a lot of bread and b.u.t.ter and sent them up there [pointing to left or right].

Then what have you got behind you?

Only a few poor black sheep.

Well! let me see.

[The child immediately behind Johnny Lingo shows its foot between her feet, and on seeing it the centre child says]

Here's my black sheep.

-Winterton, Anderby, Nottinghamshire (Miss M. Peac.o.c.k).

II. Who's that going round my stony walk?

It's only Bobby Bingo.

Have you stolen any of my sheep?

Yes! I stole one last night and one the night before.

-Enbourne School, Berks (Miss M. Kimber).

III. Who goes round this stoney wa'?

Nane but Johnnie Lingo.

Tak care and no steal ony o' my fat sheep away!

Nane but ane.

-Galloway (J. G. Carter).

IV. Who goes round my pinfold wall?

Little Johnny Ringo.

Don't steal all my fat sheep!

No more I will, no more I may, Until I've stol'n 'em all away, Nip, Johnny Ringo.

-Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

V. Who's that walking round my sandy path?

Only Jack and Jingle.

Don't you steal none of my fat geese!

Yes, I will, or No, I won't. I'll take them one by one, and two by two, and call them Jack and Jingle.

-Barnes, Surrey (A. B. Gomme).

VI. Who runs round my pen pound?

No one but old King Sailor.

Don't you steal all my sheep away, while I'm a wailer!

Steal them all away one by one, and leave none but old King Sailor.

-Raunds (_Northants Notes and Queries_, i. p. 232).

VII. Who's that walking round my walk?

Only Jackie Jingle.

Don't you steal of my fat sheep; The more I will, the more I won't, Unless I take them one by one, And that is Jackie Jingle.

-Hersham, Surrey (_Folk-lore Record_, v. 85).

VIII. Who's going round my sunny wall to night?

Only little Jacky Lingo.