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HOW MANY MILES TO BABYLON |
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Elder belder, limber lock,
Three wives in a clock ;
Sit and sing, and call a spring,
O-u-t spells out. The boy who bends down is supposed to be undergoing a great penalty." Strutt (Sports, p. 394) describes this game, and gives an illustration which is here reproduced from the original MSS. in the Bodleian.
This game may have originated from a custom at funerals of practising spells for the safe and speedy passage of the departing spirit to its destination, or from divination mysteries to foretell who would be the next among the mourners to follow the dead bod)'- to the grave. The spirit of prophecy was believed to exist in a dying person. See M Handy Croopen."
How many Miles to Babylon
I. King and Queen of Cantelon, How many miles to Babylon ? Eight and eight and other eight. Will I get there by candle-light ? If your horse be good and your spurs be bright. How mony men have ye ? Mae nae ye daur come and see.
— Chambers' Popular Rhyines, p. 124 ;
Mactaggart's Gallovidian Encyclopedia.
II. How many miles to Babylon ?
Three score and ten.
Will we be there by candle-light ?
Yes, and back again.
Open your gates and let us go through.
Not without a beck and a boo.
There's a beck, and there's a boo,
Open your gates and let us go through.
—Nairn, Scotland (Rev. W. Gregor).
III. How far to Banbury Cross ? Four score and ten. Can I get there by candle-light ? Yes, if your legs are long and light. |
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