The Traditional Children's Games of England Scotland
& Ireland In Dictionary Form - Volume 2

With Tunes(sheet music), Singing-rhymes(lyrics), Methods Of Playing with diagrams and illustrations.

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	WHEN I WAS A YOUNG GIRL                  371
	they all walk round in ring form, two by two, arm in arm ; for having a baby, they each "rock" and "hush" a pretended baby; when the baby dies, each pretends to cry; when the husband dies, they throw their aprons or handkerchiefs over their heads and faces; for " keeping a donkey," each child pre­tends to beat and drive the child immediately in front of her; for " washerwoman," each pretends to wash or wring clothes; for a u beggar," each drops curtseys, and holds out her hand as if asking alms, putting on an imploring countenance. The Barnes' version is played in the same way, with the addi­tion of holding the hands together to represent a book, as if learning lessons, for "schoolgirl"; pretending to hold a cane, and holding up fingers for silence, when a "teacher"; when " my husband did beat me," each pretends to fight ; and for " my husband died," each child walks round joyfully, waving her handkerchief, and all calling out Hurrah ! at the end; the other verses being acted the same as at Piatt. The Liphook version is much the same: the children beckon with their fingers when "wanting a sweetheart"; kneel down and pre­tend to pray when " at church "; prod pretended " clothes " in a wash-tub with a " dolly " stick when " I did peggy " is said; and mourn for the "husband's" death. In the Hanbury game, the children dance round or shake themselves for " flounces "; hold up dresses and walk nicely for " lady "; bow to each other for " gentlemen "; pretend to mend shoes when " cobblers " ; brush shoes for " shoeblack "; clap hands when the " husband " dies; and kneel when they are " parsons." In the Ogbourne game, the children "hold up their dresses as ladies do" in the first verse; take off their hats repeatedly when "gentlemen"; pretend to cry when "schoolgirls"; walking round, swinging their arms, and looking as cocky as possible, when " schoolboys "; patting each other's backs when "schoolmasters "; clapping hands for " schoolmistresses "; stooping down and walking on all fours for a " donkey " ; and brushing shoes for " shoeblack." In the Shropshire games at Berrington, each child " walks demurely " for a good girl; puts finger on lip for " naughty girl" ; walks two and two, arm in arm, for " courting "; holds on to her dress for "married"; whips the "baby," and cries when it dies. In