In Pennsylvania the conversation ends:
"Where's the butcher?"
"He's behind the door cracking nuts, and whoever speaks first I'll slap his fingers,
Because I am the keeper of the keys,
And I do whatever I please."
This dialogue, based on a well-known nursery tale, has maintained itself with remarkable persistence, and even verbal identity, in several European languages. We meet it in Germany and Denmark, as well as England.
No. 76.
Robin's Alive.
This celebrated game was formerly much played in New England during the winter evenings. A stick was lighted, and passed from hand to hand. It was an object to transfer it as quickly as possible; but each player, before handing it to his neighbor, must repeat the rhyme—
The bird is alive, and alive like to be,
If it dies in my hand you may back-saddle me.
Or else, "Robin's alive," etc.
The "back-saddling" consisted in depositing the person, in whose hand the light went out, upon the back on the floor, and afterwards piling upon him (or her) chairs and other furniture.
Another formula is given in the "Girls' Own Book:"
"Robin's alive, and alive he shall be; if he dies in my hand, my mouth shall be bridled, my back shall be saddled, and I be sent home to the king's Whitehall."