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2 to HICKETY, BICKETY |
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he sang the next verse. If he was not pleased with the girl offered him he replied in either of the three following verses. The first of the three was generally said if the girl was thought to be too old ; if bad-tempered, the second. If the lad found no fault, but wished to politely refuse, he sang the last verse. The girl then was asked in her turn, and the same formula gone through, she saying either of the three last verses given. Forfeits were demanded for every refusal, and were cried at the end of the game.
(c) Mr. Ballantyne writes : " This game was a great favourite in my father's house. This was a forfeit game, forfeits being called 'wadds.'" Chambers, Popular Rhymes, p. 124, gives a version of this game. It is practically the same as Mr. Ballan-tyne's version, with only a few verbal differences. Mactaggart says, "The chief drift of this singular game seemed to be to discover the sweethearts of one another," and such discoveries are thought valuable, but not so much as they were anciently. In any case, it appears to me that the game is an early one, or, at all events, a reflection of early custom.
Hickety, Bickety
Hickety, bickety, pease-scone, Where shall this poor Scotchman gang ? Will he gang east, or will he gang west, Or will he gang to the craw's nest ?
—Chambers (Popular Rhymes, p. 122).
One boy stands with his eyes bandaged and his hands against a wall, with his head resting on them. Another stands beside him repeating the rhyme, whilst the others come one by one and lay their hands upon his back, or jump upon it. When he has sent them all to different places he turns round and calls, "Hickety, bickety!" till they have all rushed back to the place, the last in returning being obliged to take his place, when the game goes on as before.
Chambers adds, " The l craw's nest' is close beside the eye-bandaged boy, and is therefore an envied position." Newell, Games, p. 165, refers to this game.
See " Hot Cockles." |
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