My Book of Indoor Games

by Clarence Squareman

The circle then dances round her again, singing:

"Get the key of the garden gate, the garden gate, the garden gate,

Get the key of the garden gate and open and let yourself through."

The girl inside the circle, pretending to sob, replies:

"I've lost the key of the garden gate, the garden gate, the garden gate,

I've lost the key of the garden gate, and cannot let myself through."

But the dancers dance round and round her, singing:

"Then you may stop all night within the gate, within the gate, within the gate,

You may stop all night within the gate, unless you have strength to break through."