The children then unclasp hands, and the two children walk out. Another child goes in the centre and the game is begun again, and continued until the ring is too small for dancing round. Sometimes, instead of this, the two children return to the ring singing, “Open the gates and let the bride in,” and then they take places in the circle, while another goes in the centre.—(Dr. A. C. Haddon.)
Doagan.
An extraordinary game, which was played by Manx children sixty years ago. A rude wooden representation of the human form was fastened on a cross, and sticks were thrown at it, just after the fashion of the modern “Aunt Sally.” But it is quite possible that this game, taken in connection with the following very curious words which the children repeated when throwing the sticks, is a survival of a more serious function—
Shoh dhyt y Doagan.
“This to thee, the Doagan.”
Cre dooyrt y Doagan?
“What says the Doagan?”
Dar y chrosh, dar y chron,
“Upon the cross, upon the block,”
Dar y maidjey beg, jeeragh ny cam,
“Upon the little staff, straight or crooked,”
Ayns y cheylley veg shid hoal,
“In the little wood over yonder.”
My verrys oo yn kione jeh’n Doagan,
“If thou wilt give the head of the Doagan,”
Verym y kione jeeds er y hon.[16]
“I will give thy head for it.”
Mr. Moore writes that Kelly, who gives these words in his Dictionary, says that Doagan was a play, and that it refers to the head of Dagon being broken off. Does he mean the Philistine god of that name? As he is capable of seeing a reference to the god, Baal, in the Manx word for May-day, Boaldyv, it is quite possible that his imagination may lead him so far!—Isle of Man (A. W. Moore).
[16] Manx Society, vol. xiii. p. 63.