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36q LUBIN
wheels grotesquely, singing the second line. They then sing the third line, suiting the action to the word, still beating the time; then the second again, wheeling round and clapping hands. When they say "A' feet in, and nae feet out," they all sit down with their feet stretched into the centre of the ring.
(c) The other variants which follow the Halliwell version are limited to the first verse only, as the remainder of the lines are practically the same as those given in Miss Fowler's version which is written at length, and three or four of these apparently retain only the verse given. A London version, collected by myself, is nearly identical with that of Miss Fowler, except
that the third line is " Shake your------a little, a little," instead
of as printed. This is sung to the tune given.
The incidents in this game are the same throughout. The only difference in all the versions I have collected being in the number of the different positions to be performed, most of them being for right hands, left hands, right feet, left feet, and heads; others, probably older forms, having "ears," "yourselves," &c. One version, from Eckington, Derbyshire, curiously begins with "washing hands and face," "combing hair," &c, and then continuing with the " Looby" game, an apparent " mix-up" of " Mulberry Bush " and " Looby." Three more versions, Sporle, Cornwall, and Dorsetshire, also have different beginnings, one (Dorsetshire) having the apparently unmeaning " I love Antimacassar."
(d) The origin and meaning of this game appears somewhat doubtful. It is a choral dance, and it may owe its origin to a custom of wild antic dancing in celebration of the rites of some deity in which animal postures were assumed. The Hexham version, " Here we come louping [leaping] " may probably be the oldest and original form, especially if the conjecture that this game is derived from animal rites is accepted. The term "looby," "lubin," or " luby " does not throw much light on the game. Addy (Sheffield Glossary) says, " Looby is an old form of the modern 'lubber,' a 'clumsy fellow,' 'a dolt.'" That a stupid or ridiculous meaning is attached to the word " looby " is also shown by one of the old penances for redeeming a forfeit, |
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