See also Brand, vol. ii. p. 141, under “Care Cloth.”
King’s Chair
Two children join hands, by crossing their arms, so as to form a seat. A third mounts on the crossed arms, and clasps the carriers round their necks, while they move on saying—
King, King Cairy (carry)
London lairy,
Milk an bread,
In the King’s chairie.
This game is played at Keith, without the words. The words are used at Fochabers.—Rev. W. Gregor.
Jamieson says, “Lothian children, while carrying one of their number in this manner, repeat the following rhyme—
Lend me a pin to stick i’ my thumb,
To carry the lady to London town.”
He says this method of carrying is often used as a substitute for a chair in conveying adult persons from one place to another, especially when infirm. In other counties it is called “Queen’s Cushion” and “Queen’s Chair,” also “Cat’s Carriage.”
Brockett (North Country Words) says, “‘King’s Cushion,’ a sort of seat made by two persons crossing their hands, in which to place a third. The thrones on the reverses of the early Royal Seals of England and Scotland consist of swords, spears, snakes, &c., placed in the manner of a ‘King’s Cushion.’”
The method used is for both children to grasp the wrist of his left hand with the right, while he lays hold of the right wrist of his companion with his left hand. This way of hoisting or carrying is still used by schoolboys when they desire to honour a boy who has distinguished himself in the playground or schoolroom.