Jenny Jones.

Isabella, fare ye wella; Isabella, fare ye wella; Isabella, farewell!

One player then leaves the ring singing—

“I’m off to the Indies,” &c.

The ring all sing—

“Over the mountains” (as above) six times, ending with—

“Isabella, Isabella, farewell” (as above).

The player who had previously left the ring returns singing, “I’m come back from the Indies,” &c.

A ring is formed, one player kneels in the centre, the players in the ring fix their eyes steadily on the kneeling girl all the time.—Fochabers, N.E. Scotland (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

In the next version the words of each verse are:—

Isabella, farewella, &c.Back from London, &c.Go to London, &c.Pull the brooch off my bosom, &c.Pull the ring off my finger, &c.

—Laurieston School, Kircudbrightshire (J. Lawson).

[Vol. i. pp. 260-283.]

The versions printed here vary, it will be seen, from those printed invol. i., principally in the words used towards the end of the game, the earlier portions being very similar. The first one is an exceedingly interesting variant, the funeral details being fuller, and the idea of the spirit of the dead or Ghost surviving also.

The first lines of each verse are as follows:—

I’ve come to see Jenny Jones,How does she do?She is washing, &c., you can’t see her now.I’ve come to see Jenny Jones, &c.She is scrubbing, &c., you can’t see her now.I’ve come to see, &c.She is ill, &c.I’ve come to see, &c.She’s very ill, &c.I’ve come to see, &c.She’s dying, &c.I’ve come to see.She’s dead.We’ll come in blue, blue, blue. Will that suit?Blue is for sailors, &c. That won’t suit.We’ll come in red, &c.Red is for soldiers, &c.We’ll come in white, &c.White is for weddings, &c.We’ll come in black, &c.Black is for mourning, &c. That will suit.

They then take up Jenny Jones, and carry her to a little distance off, lay her on the ground, and all stand round. One child stands over the grave, and while sprinkling Jenny with dust, says—

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.If God won’t have you, the devil must.

Then Jenny jumps up and runs after the other children, who try to escape. The one she catches is “Jenny” next time.—Barrington (Dr. A. C. Haddon).

In another version called “Georgina” one player selected to act as Georgina kneels down against a wall, and the others stand round to conceal her. Two go apart to act as callers, while another stands near the group as mother. The callers come forward and say—

We came to see Georgina, &c.And how is she to-day?She’s upstairs washing, &c.,And you can’t see her to-day.Farewell, ladies.

They then retire, but return in a little while, and put the question as before. She is then “starching,” said as above; and next time she is “ironing,” the fourth time the mother’s answer is, “She fell downstairs and broke her arm, and you can’t see her to-day;” the fifth time, “Two doctors are at her;” the sixth, she is “worse;” and the seventh, she is “dead.” The two callers remain when this reply is given. At this point Georgina makes a noise by rapping two stones together. The two at once exclaim, “Oh! mother, mother, what’s that knocking?” and she answers, “The coach going by.” The knocking is repeated, and the question, and she says, “The wall falling down.” On the knocking being heard a third time, she tells them to “take a candle and look.” They pretend to do so, and “Georgina” starts up to chase them. They all run off shouting, “The Ghost.”—Strichen and Fochabers (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

I came to see Georgina, Georgina, Georgina,I came to see Georgina, and how is she to-day?She’s upstairs ironing.I came to see Georgina, &c. (as above).She fell downstairs and broke her muckle toe.I’m very sorry to hear that, &c.She’s dead.Bad news, bad news, bad news to-day.What shall we dress her in? &c.Dress her in red.Red is for the soldier, and that won’t do, &c.What shall we dress her in? &c.Dress her in blue.Blue is for the sailor, &c.What shall we dress her in? &c.Dress her in white.White is for the angels, that will do, &c.Mother, mother, what’s that? &c.A gig running past.Mother, mother, what’s that? &c.The boys playing at marbles.Mother, mother, what’s that? what’s that? what’s that?Mother, mother, what’s that?Georgina’s ghost!!

Ending with a general stampede.

—Nairnshire (Mrs. Jamieson).

We’ve come to see poor Janet,And how is she to-day?She’s up the stairs washing,She can’t come down to-day.Very well, we’ll call another day.We’ve come to see poor Janet,And how is she to-day?She’s up the stairs ironing, &c.Well, we’ll call, &c.We’ve come to see poor Janet, &c.She’s fallen downstairs and broken her horn toes, &c.Poor Janet, we’ll call, &c.We’ve come, &c.She’s dead, &c.What’s she to be dressed in?Red.That’s for soldiers; that won’t do.Blue.That’s for sailors; that won’t do.White.That will do.

—Rosehearty (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

Played in usual way until the end. Janet is then carried off and laid down on the ground, but she starts up and chases them.

Many other versions have been sent me, but none with different features. The best is one from Mr. J. G. Carter, Dalry, Galloway, called “Jenny Jo,” but presenting no fresh details, and where white is used for the burial. Four children stand on one side with Jenny at their back, the other players on the opposite. She is buried with great mourning. In a version from Hemsby (Mrs. Haddon) the words are the same, except: “White is the colour for weddings,” and black is for funerals. Then Jenny is carried to the grave, the other children walking behind two by two; they kneel round Jenny, and have a good cry over her. Another version from Laurieston School (Mr. J. Lawson), called “Jerico,” very similar to above, gives two additional verses. The first lines are, “Carry a poor soldier to the grave,” and “Now the poor mother’s weeping at the grave.” In one version, after Jenny has been carried to her grave, the children stand round and sprinkle earth over her, and say, “Dust and dust, dust and dust,” and then pretend to strew flowers. This I got in London. Another version from North Scotland begins, “I come to seeGeneva” continues in usual way until “she is lying” instead of “ill”; then “she’s dying,” followed by “she’s dead”; then the funeral. In another version Dr. Haddon sent me, the game is only a fragment. After “Jenny Jo’s dead and gone, all the day long,” they continue, “Pipes and tobacco for Jenny Jo” (repeat twice), “Pipes and tobacco for Jenny Jo, all the day long.”

[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 forthe 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.—Dyke (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

A form of “Warney,” “Whiddy.”

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

Here come two bold, jolly lads,Just new come from the shore: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.

[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.

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.

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 givenpost(p. 450), as “Paper of pins,” are interesting fragments probably of one and the same game.

[Seevol. 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, Middlesex, is called “Fly Whip.”

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

[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—

Please take one in,Please take one in.

The one in front picks out one and places her at her back, and she lays hold of her dress, then all sing—

Now for poor (girl’s name who has been chosen), she is gone,Without her father (? farthing) in her hand,She has lost her guinea gold ring,Good-bye, good-bye,Good-bye, good-bye.

The widow shakes hands with the girl. This is repeated till all are taken out and the widow is left by herself. She cries, and tries to take back her daughters. All run off.

—Cullen (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

Another Isle of Man version varies slightly, beginning, “We’re three young mothers from Babylon,” and continuing in a similar way to the one invol. i. p. 315—

One can wash, and one can sew,Another can sit by the fire and spin,The other can make a fine bed for the king,Please, ma’am, to take one in.

The queen then says—

Come, my dearest . . . and give me your hand,And you shall have the nicest things in all this pleasant land.

The girls are thus gradually chosen.

—Isle of Man (A. W. Moore).

Here’s a poor widow from Babylon,Six poor children left alone,One can bake, and one can brew,And one can shape, and one can sew.One can sit by the fire and spin,And one can make a bed for a king;Come Tuesday east, come Tuesday west,Come choose the one that you love best.

—Galloway, N. B. (J. G. Carter).

[Vol. i. pp.133,327, 328.]

The chief rules of this game, obtaining in N.E. Scotland in Dr. Gregor’s boyhood, were:—The boy that stooped his back was called “the bull,” pronounced “bill.” The bull was not to “horn,”i.e., throw up his back when the player placed his hands on it to leap over, or to bend his back down, and that the player was to lay his hands on the bull’s back quite flat, and not to “knockle,”i.e., drive the knuckles into it. The best way to play was:—A line was drawn beside the bull, over which the heel of the player must not pass. All the players, the one after the other in succession, leaped over the bull. The one last over called out, “Fit it,”i.e., foot it, which meant that the bull had to measure from the line a breadth and a length of his foot. This done he stooped, and all the players went over as before, and another breadth and length of foot were added. This went on as long as the players thought they were able to leap over the bull. When they thought they could not do so, the last player called out, “Hip it,”i.e., take a hop. This done, the bull put himself into position, and each player now took a hop from the line to the bull, and then went over him. Here the same process of footing was gone through as before, as long as the players were able to go clear over the bull. Then came a step with as much footing as was considered safe, and then came a jump with so much footing. It was now with the players “hip, step, an’ jump,” and over the bull. Then more “fitin’,” and perhaps another “hip,” and so on—two hips, two steps, two jumps, and a flying leap over the bull. It was not often the game reached this point. Some one of the players had failed to pass right over the bull and caused him to fall, or had overstepped the line. When any player did either the one or the other, he had to become bull.—Keith (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

This is a fuller and more complete description than that of “Foot and Over” (vol. i. p. 133).

Another mode of playing leap-frog is: the players stand with their backs to the leapers, and only bend the head and the leaper’s hands are placed between the shoulders. Instead of running a few yards in front, each player advances only afew feet, leaving just as much room as to allow the player scope to fall and spring again. This mode requires considerable agility and practice. The higher the leap, so much the greater the fun.—Keith (Rev. Dr. Gregor.)

[Vol. i. pp. 333-350.]

In the following versions of the game only the first lines of each verse are given, as said by each side. Descriptions of method of playing were not in all cases sent me. They are probably the same as those given under this game in vol. i., which is for two players to form an arch by holding up their joined hands, and the other players running under it.

(1.)

London Bridge is falling down, &c., my fair lady.What will it take to build it up? &c.Needles and pins will build it up, &c.Needles and pins will not hold, &c.Bricks and mortar will build it up, &c.Bricks and mortar will wash away, &c.Silver and gold will build it up, &c.Silver and gold will be stolen away, &c.We will set a watchman to watch all night, &c.What if the watchman falls asleep, &c.We will set a dog to bark, &c.See the robbers passing by, &c.What have the robbers done to you? &c.They have broke my locks and stole my gold, &c.Off to prison they must go, &c.What will you take to set them free? &c.

—Perth (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

(2.)

London Bridge is broken down,Build it up with lime and stone;Lime and stone will build and break;Set an old man to watch all night.Perhaps this man will run away,Ten times the wedding day.

—Tyrie (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

(3.)

Broken bridges falling down, falling down, falling down, my fair lady.What will you give to mend it up? &c.

Those running under the arch say—

A guinea gold ring will mend it up, &c.

The two players say no.

A pin I’ll give to mend it up.No!A thousand pounds to mend it up;This will waste away, my fair lady;We’ll mend it up with golden pins, my fair lady,For golden pins will never rust, never rust, my fair lady.

—Fochabers, N.E. Scotland (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

(4.)

The broken bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down,The broken bridge is falling down, my fair lady;Stones and bricks will build it up, &c.

—Nairnshire (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

(5.)

Broken bridges falling down,My fair lady, which will you have?Open the door for the king’s soldiers.What king are you?I am true to the very last one.

—Isle of Man (A. W. Moore).

Versions of this game from Scotland have been sent me, which show great similarity to those previously printed, but the game is more or less in a state of decadence. The best version is that fromPerth. One from St. Andrews, Peterhead, though only consisting of the first verse, has preserved the refrains, “Dance o’er the Lady Lee” and “With a gay lady” ofHalliwell’s version. The others commence “broken bridges.” TheIsle of Man versionis still more incomplete. A version sent me by Dr. Haddon from Barrington is similar to the one given, vol. i. p. 338-9, fromEnborne School, and is not therefore printed here.

A mirror is covered with a cover, and a girl or boy is taken into the room. She or he is then asked what animal or thingthey would like to see. As soon as the wish is stated, the cover is raised, and the child sees his or herself.—London (A. B. Gomme).

One player has charge of the pavement. It is his duty to keep the others off. The others try how often they can touch the wall, and when the “mannie” catches one, that one becomes “mannie.”—Aberdeen (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

[Vol. i. pp. 369-376;ii. 422-424.]

Here we go round by jingo ring, by jingo ring, by jingo ring,Here we go round by jingo ring, in a cold and frosty morning.Twice about and then we fall, and then we fall, and then we fall,Twice about and then we fall, in a cold and frosty morning.

All bend down. The one who rises up last goes into the centre of the circle, and those in the circle sing—

Choose your maidens all around, all around, all around,Choose your maidens all around, on a cold and frosty morning.

The one in the centre chooses two from the ring, and retires with them a short distance away, when the name of a boy is selected as the lover. During the time the three are standing apart, those in the ring let go each other’s hands, and take hold of the sides of their dresses, and make as if they were sweeping a house, singing the while—

Swype the hoose till the bride comes hame, the bride comes hame, the bride comes hame,Swype the hoose till the bride comes hame, on a cold and frosty morning.

When the three come back, the one that was in the centre takes up the same position, and the two she picked out join those in the circle. Then all wheel round and sing—

A golden pin to tell her name, tell her name, tell her name,A golden pin to tell her name, in a cold and frosty morning.

The answer is—

—— (girl’s name is given) is her name, is her name, is her name,—— is her name, in a cold and frosty morning.

Then comes the lover’s name—

A golden watch to tell his name, tell his name, tell his name,A golden watch to tell his name, in a cold and frosty morning.

The answer is—

So-and-so is his name, is his name, is his name,So-and-so is his name, in a cold and frosty morning.

The one in the middle is then blindfolded, and all wheel round and sing—

Blindfolded dinna catch me, dinna catch me, dinna catch me,Blindfolded dinna catch me, on a cold and frosty morning.

The blindfolded tries to catch one in the ring. The ring should not break, but it is often broken by the one that is on the eve of being caught. The one caught takes her stand in the centre, and the game begins anew from that point.—Dyke (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

This is a most interesting variant of this game—blindfolding the bridegroom in order that he must first catch his bride, and her attempts to elude his caresses, are significant of early custom.

Here we go round by jing-ga-ring,Jing-ga-ring, jing-ga-ring;Here we go round by jing-ga-ring,Around the merry-ma-tansy.Three times round, and then we fall,Then we fall, then we fall;Three times round, and then we fall,Around the merry-ma-tansy.Choose your maidens all around,All around, &c.;High gates till the bride comes in,The bride comes in, &c.A golden pin to tell her name,To tell her name, &c.(Mary Anderson) is her name,Is her name, &c.Blindfold you all around,All around, &c.

Here we go round by jing-ga-ring,Jing-ga-ring, jing-ga-ring;Here we go round by jing-ga-ring,Around the merry-ma-tansy.

Three times round, and then we fall,Then we fall, then we fall;

Three times round, and then we fall,Around the merry-ma-tansy.

Choose your maidens all around,All around, &c.;

High gates till the bride comes in,The bride comes in, &c.

A golden pin to tell her name,To tell her name, &c.

(Mary Anderson) is her name,Is her name, &c.

Blindfold you all around,All around, &c.

A ring with one child in centre, who chooses one from the circle, at the end of third verse, after whispering the bride’s name togetheroutsidethe circle, they are admitted at “high gates,” when all the girls hold up their hands in arches as they dance round. All players in the ring are then blindfolded, and have to catch the child in the centre.—Nairnshire (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

Another version is—

Here we go round by jingo-ring,By jingo-ring, by jingo-ring,Here we go round by jingo-ring,And round by merry matansy.Twice about, and then we fall,And then we fall, and then we fall.Twice about, and then we fall,And round by merry matansy.

—Fochabers (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

In another version from St. Andrews and Peterhead, with same words, the players all flop down, then rise again and dance round.

Another form of words is—

Here we go round by jingo-ring,Jingo-ring, jingo-ring.Here we go round by jingo-ringIn a cold and frosty morning.Three times round, and then we fall,Then we fall, then we fall,Three times round, and then we fall,In a cold and frosty morning.

Here we go round by jingo-ring,Jingo-ring, jingo-ring.Here we go round by jingo-ringIn a cold and frosty morning.

Three times round, and then we fall,Then we fall, then we fall,Three times round, and then we fall,In a cold and frosty morning.

—Nairn (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

Another similar version from N. Scotland, locality not known.

Round about the jingo-ring, &c.Round about the jingo-ring, &c.First time is catching time, &c., round, &c.A fine gold ring to tell her name, &c.(——) is her name, &c.Third time is kissing time, &c., round, &c.

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

[Addendum]

[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 shells.” The mother then chases the children, beating all she can catch.

[See “Sunday Night,” vol. ii. p. 221.]

All the girls stand in a line except one who stands in frontof 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 gieFor a kiss o’ ——, O!

—Fraserburgh (Rev. Dr. Gregor).

[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—

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