So round the meadows we must go,
We must go, we must go,
So round the meadows we must go,
So early in the morning.
—Sporle, Norfolk (Miss Matthews).
(b) In the [Deptford version] two girls join hands, holding them up as an arch for the other players to tramp through. The first two verses are sung first by one and then by the other of the two girls. At the finish of these the girl then going through the arch is stopped, and the third, fourth, and fifth verses are sung by the two girls alternately. Then finally both girls sing the last verse, and the child is sent as prisoner behind one or other of the two girls. The verses are then begun again, and repeated afresh for each of the troop marching through the arch until all of them are placed behind one or other of the two girls. The two sides thus formed then proceed to tug against each other, and the strongest side wins the game.
The [Belfast version] is practically the same, except that the verses are not sung as a dialogue, but by all the players together, and the prisoner, when caught, has the choice of sides, by being asked, “Which will you have, a golden apple or golden pear?” and according to the answer given is sent behind one of the leaders. The [Norfolk] and [Shropshire games] are different. Miss Matthews thus describes the [Norfolk game]: “Two girls take hold of hands, and another, the prisoner, stands between them. The rest form themselves into a line opposite, and advance and retreat while singing the first verse, the gaolers singing the next verse, and so on alternately. [At the end of the last verse but one] the children break the line, form themselves into a ring, and dance round the prisoner, singing the final verse.” Miss Harley describes the [Shropshire version] as follows: “The first six verses are sung by the alternate parties, who advance and retire, tramping their feet, at first, to imitate the robbers. The last verse is sung altogether going round in a ring.” In the [Shipley version], Miss Busk says: “The children form themselves into two lines, while two or three, representing the robbers, swagger along between them. When the robbers sing the last verse they should have attained the end of the lines [of children], as during the parley they were safe; having pronounced the defiance they run away. The children in the lines rush after them, and should catch them and put them in prison.”
(c) The analysis of this game is easy. The [Deptford], [Belfast], and [Wolstanton versions] are clearly enough dramatic representations of the capture of a robber, and probably the game dates from the period of the prevalence of highway robbery. The Wolstanton version shows us that the game is breaking up from its earlier form, while the Norfolk and Shropshire versions show a fresh development into the mere game for children, apart from its original significance. The action of the game confirms this view. The [Norfolk action] seems to be the most nearly perfect in its dramatic significance, and the [Shropshire action] comes next. The action of the other games seems to have been grafted on to the superior form of “[Oranges and Lemons].” It is probable that this fact has preserved the words more completely than in the other cases, where the force of the robber action would become less and less as actual experience of robbers and robbery died out. Altogether, this game supplies a very good example of the change produced in games by changes in the actual life which gave rise to them. It is singular that the verses of this game also enter into the composition of “[London Bridge is broken down].” It is probable, therefore, that it may be an altered form of the game of “[London Bridge].” The refrain, “My fair lady,” occurs in both games.
See “[London Bridge].”
Hats in Holes
A boys’ game. The players range their hats in a row against the wall, and each boy in turn pitches a ball from a line at some twenty-five feet distance into one of the hats. The boy into whose hat it falls has to seize it and throw it at one or other of the others, who all scamper off when the ball is “packed in.” If he fails to hit he is out, and takes his cap up. The boy whose cap is left at the last has to “cork” the others, that is, to throw the ball at their bent backs, each in turn stooping down to take his punishment.—Somerset (Elworthy’s Dialect).
See “[Balls and Bonnets].”