As the last line is said, the players all raise their arms without unclasping the hands and place them around their companions, who stoop to step inside. They will then be standing in a circle with arms around each other's waists. The game finishes by dancing in this position around in a ring, repeating the verse once more.
The illustration shows in the left-hand group the pulling backward and forward; in the rear (center) group the lifting of hands and stooping under; and in the right-hand group the position for dancing around while repeating the verse.
DUCK DANCE (THE)
I saw a ship a-sailing, a-sailing on the sea;
And oh, it was laden with pretty things for me.
There were comfits in the cabin, and apples in the hold;
The sails were made of silk, and the masts were made of gold.
Four and twenty sailors that sat upon the deck
Were four and twenty white mice with chains about their necks.
The captain was a duck with a packet on his back,
And when the ship began to move the captain cried quack! quack!
The players hold hands and circle rapidly while singing. After the last verse one of the players breaks the circle and with his next neighbor raises his hand high to form an arch, calling "Bid, bid, bid!" which is the call for ducks. The player on the opposite side of the break in the circle proceeds to pass under this arch, the entire circle following, all holding hands and answering "Quack! quack! quack!"
When all have passed through, the two players at the opposite end of the line raise their hands and cry, "Bid, bid, bid!" while the two who first made the arch pass through, drawing the line after them, and calling "Quack! quack! quack!" This passing of the ducks under the gateway is continued during one or two repetitions of the music. The players should repeat "Bid, bid, bid!" and "Quack, quack, quack!" in rhythm during all of this latter part of the play.
FARMER IN THE DELL
10 to 30 or more players.