THE PLAY-PARTY IN INDIANA - online book

Folk-Songs and Games with Descriptive Introduction, Notes, Sheeet music & Lyrics

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	58                          The Play-Party in Indiana. Hunt the Buffalo. This title is often given to the game noted supra as "Chase the Buffalo" and "Shoot the Buffalo." I'm A Poor Old Chimney Sweeper. Newton Jackson.
	a.           1. I'm a poor old chimney sweeper, I have but one daughter cannot keep her. 2.    Since she has resolved to marry, Go choose your lover and do not tarry. 3.    Now you have one of your own choosing, Hasten away, no time for losing. 4.    Join your right hands, 5 this broom-stick step over, And kiss the lips of your true lover. Mr. Newton Jackson, Versailles, Ind. b.     Circle dance for any number of players. All join hands to form a circle around one boy who stands in the center and sweeps the ground with a large broom. During 1, those in the ring circle left. At 2, the boy in the center circles' right inside the ring, scanning the girl players for a partner. He carries the broom in his right arm as if it were a gun, and at 3 places it on the ground between him and the girl chosen. At 4, they join right hands. At 5, each places his right foot over the broomstick and the boy kisses his partner. He steps over the broomstick, taking his partner's former place in the ring. At the same time she steps over the broomstick, picks it up, and takes his place in the center. Repeat from the beginning with the girl inside the ring. c.     Miss Hamilton (Jour. Am. Folk-lore, vol. XXVII, pp. 289-303) gives this as a game in Missouri. That variant uses the third person instead of first but otherwise there is practically no difference.