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WALLFLOWERS |
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that now this maiden can be nothing but a ° looker on " or "candle-holder" in the world. The meaning has evidently been forgotten for a long time, as other expressions, such as "she can turn the organ," have had to be adopted to "make sense " of the words.
Aubrey (Remaines of fudaisme) p. 45) mentions the sport called " Dancing the Candlerush," played by young girls; in Oxford called "Leap Candle," which consisted of placing a candle in the middle of the room and " dancing over the candle back and forth " saying a rhyme. This may be the " dance " referred to in the rhymes.
The tune of most versions is the same. It is pretty and plaintive, and accords with the idea of mourning and grief. The Rev. W. D. Sweeting says the tune in Northants seems to be lost. The game is sung to a sort of monotone.
Northall gives a version from Warwickshire similar to several given here, and Mr. Newell (Games and Songs of American Children) gives a version and tune which is similar to that of Hurstmonceux, Surrey.
See " Green Grass."
Warney
I'm the wee mouse in the hole in the wa',
I'm come out to catch you a'.
One of the players starts with clasped hands to catch another. When this is done they join hands—each one, on being caught, going into the number to form a chain. If the chain breaks no one can be caught.—Laurieston School, Kirkcudbright (J. Lawson).
See " Stag," " Whiddy."
Way-Zaltin
A sort of horse-game, in which two boys stand back to back with their arms interlaced ; each then alternately bends forward, and so raises the other on his back with his legs in the air. This term, too, is sometimes used for see-sawing.—Elworthy's West Somerset Words. Barnes (Dorset Glossary) calls this game " Wayzalt." Holloway (Diet. Prov.) says, in Hants the game is called "Weighing."
See "Weigh the Butter." |
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