The Traditional Games of England, Scotland,and Ireland.

by Alice Bertha Gomme.

VOL. II.

PREFACE

The completion of the second volume of my Dictionary has been delayed from several unforeseen circ.u.mstances, the most important being the death of my most kind and learned friend the Rev. Dr. Gregor. The loss which folk-lore students as a body sustained by this lamented scholar's death, was in my own case accentuated, not only by many years of kindly communication, but by the very special help which he generously gave me for this collection.

The second volume completes the collection of games on the lines already laid down. It has taken much more s.p.a.ce than I originally intended, and I was compelled to add some important variants to the first volume, sent to me during the compilation of the second. I have explained in the memoir that the two volumes practically contain all that is to be collected, all, that is to say, of real importance.

The memoir seeks to show what important evidence is to be derived from separate study of the Traditional Games of England. That games of all cla.s.ses are shown to contain evidence of ancient custom and belief is remarkable testimony to the anthropological methods of studying folk-lore, which I have followed. The memoir fills a considerable s.p.a.ce, although it contains only the a.n.a.lytical portion of what was to have been a comprehensive study of both the a.n.a.lytical and comparative sides of the questions. Dr. Gregor had kindly promised to help me with the study of foreign parallels to British Games, but before his death it became apparent that this branch of the subject would almost need a separate treatise, and his death decided me to leave it untouched. I do not underrate its importance, but I am disposed to think that the survey I have given of the British evidence will not be materially shaken by the study of the comparative evidence, which will now be made the easier.

I ought perhaps to add, that the "Memoir" at the end of this volume was read as a paper at the evening meeting of the Folk Lore Society, on March 16th, 1898.

I have again to thank my many kind correspondents for their help in collecting the different versions of the games.

A. B. G.

24 DORSET SQUARE, N.W.

a.n.a.lYSIS OF "MEMOIR"

Children's games, a definite branch of folk-lore-Nature of material for the study-Games fall into one of two sections-Cla.s.sification of the games-Under customs contained in them-Under implements of play-Skill and chance games-Importance of cla.s.sification-Early custom contained in skill and chance games-In diagram games-Tabu in game of "Touch"-Methods of playing the games-Characteristics of line form-Of circle forms-Of individual form-Of the arch forms-Of winding-up form-Contest games-War-cry used in contest games-Early marriage customs in games of line form-Marriage by capture-By purchase-Without love or courtship-Games formerly played at weddings-Disguising the bride-Hiring servants game-Marriage customs in circle games-Courtship precedes marriage-Marriage connected with water custom-"Crying for a young man" announcing a want-Marriage formula-Approval of friends necessary-Housewifely duties mentioned-Eating of food by bride and bridegroom necessary-Young man's necessity for a wife-Kiss in the ring-Harvest customs in games-Occupations in games-Funeral customs in games-Use of rushes in games-Sneezing action in game-Connection of spirit of dead person with trees-Perambulation of boundaries-Animals represented-Ballads sung to a dance-Individual form games-Hearth worship-Objection to giving light from a fire-Child-stealing by witch-Obstacles in path when pursuing witch-Contest between animals-Ghosts in games-Arch form of game-Contest between leaders of parties-Foundation sacrifice in games-Encircling a church-Well worship in games-Tug-of-war games-Alarm bell ringing-Pa.s.sing under a yoke-Creeping through holed stones in games-Under earth sods-Customs in "winding up" games-Tree worship in games-Awaking the earth spirit-Serpentine dances-Burial of maiden-Guessing, a primitive element in games-Dramatic cla.s.sification-Controlling force which has preserved custom in games-Dramatic faculty in mankind-Child's faculty for dramatic action-Observation of detail-Children's games formerly an amus.e.m.e.nt of adults-Dramatic power in savages-Dramatic dances among the savage and semi-civilised-Summary and conclusion.

CHILDREN'S GAMES

Oats and Beans and Barley

[Music]

-Madeley, Shropshire (Miss Burne).

[Music]

-_Northants Notes and Queries_, ii. 161 (R. S. Baker)

[Music]

-Sporle, Norfolk (Miss Matthews).

I. Oats and beans and barley grow!

Oats and beans and barley grow!

Do you or I or any one know How oats and beans and barley grow?

First the farmer _sows_ his seed, Then he _stands_ and takes his ease, _Stamps_ his foot, and _claps_ his hands, Then _turns round_ to view the land.

Waiting for a partner, waiting for a partner!

Open the ring and take one in!

Now you are married you must obey, You must be true to all you say, You must be kind, you must be good, And help your wife to chop the wood!

-Much Wenlock (Burne's _Shropshire Folklore_, p. 508).

II. Oats and beans and barley grow!

Does you or I or any one know Where oats and beans and barley grow?

So the farmer sows his seed; So he stands and takes his ease; Stamps his foot and claps his hands, And turns him round to view the lands.

Waiting for a partner! waiting for a partner!

Now young couple you must obey, You must be true in all you say, You must be wise and very good, And help your wife to chop the wood.

-Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy).

III. Does you or I, or anie one knowe Where oates and beanes and barlie growe?

Where oates and beanes and barlie growe?

The farmer comes and sowes ye seede, Then he standes and takes hys ease, Stamps hys foote, and slappes hys hand, And turnes hym rounde to viewe ye land.

Waiting for a partner, Waiting for a partner, Open the ringe and take mee in, Make haste and choose youre partner.

Now you're married you must obey, Must bee true to alle you saye, Must bee kinde and verie goode, And helpe your wyfe to choppe ye woode.

-Raunds (_Northants Notes and Queries_, i. 163).

IV. Oats and beans and barley grows, You or I or any one knows, You or I or any one knows, Where oats and beans and barley grows.

Thus the farmer sows his seed, Stamps his feet and claps his hands, And turns around to view the land.

Waiting for a partner, Waiting for a partner,

Now you are married, &c.

[same as Much Wenlock.]

-East Kirkby, Lincolnshire (Miss K. Maughan).

V. Oats, beans, and barley grows, You or I or any one knows.

Thus the farmer sows his seed, Thus he stands and takes his ease, Stamps his feet and folds his hands, And turns him round to view the lands.

Oh! waitin' for a partner, Waitin' for a partner.

Now you're married, &c.

[same as Much Wenlock.]

-Winterton (Miss Fowler).