Games and songs of American children

by Unknown

Had I as many eyes as the stars in the skies,
And were I as old as Adam,
I'd fall on my knees, and kiss whom I please,
Your humble servant, madam.

In Boston, half a century since, this ran—

As many wives as the stars in the skies,
And each as old as Adam, etc.

In Georgia, at the present day—

Many, many stars are in the skies,
And each as old as Adam, etc.

(5.) The following is yet more inane, yet it furnishes a curious example of correspondence—

"—— —— languishes."
"For whom?"
"For —— ——."

This is not much more crude than the French equivalent.[52]

(6.) We may add that the familiar American game, known as "Pillow," or "Pillows and Keys" (why keys?), in which a player kneels on a pillow and solicits a kiss, is no doubt a descendant of the "Cushion Dance," alluded to by old dramatists.