This is one of the games that Mr. Newell calls "world-old and world-wide." It is found in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, etc., was played by Froissart in the fourteenth century, and by Rabelais in the fifteenth. The game is supposed to have had its source in a formula sung at the sowing of grain to propitiate the earth gods and to promote and quicken the growth of crops. Mrs. Gomme notes that the turning around and bowing to the fields and lands, coupled with pantomimic actions of harvest activities, are very general in the history of sympathetic magic among primitive peoples, from which doubtless came the custom of spring and harvest festivals.
Mrs. Gomme also points out that the choosing of the partner indicates the custom of courtship and marriage at these sowing and harvest gatherings.
ROUND AND ROUND THE VILLAGE
6 to 30 or more players.
Indoors; out of doors.
Go round and round the village,
Go round and round the village,
Go round and round the village,
Go as we have done before.
Go in and out the windows,
Go in and out the windows,
Go in and out the windows,
Go as we have done before.
Now stand and face your partner,
Now stand and face your partner,
Now stand and face your partner,
And bow before you go.
Now follow me to London,
Now follow me to London,
Now follow me to London,
As we have done before.