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WHIDDY—WHIGMELEERIE |
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distaff drawing out the thread and winding it again on the spindle; another walking and arranging the threads for the spindle; another throwing the shuttle and seeming to weave " (Itinerary of Wales, chap. ii.).
For the significance of some of the pantomimic actions used, I may mention that in Cheshire for a couple to walk " arm-inarm " is significant of a betrothed or engaged couple.
Other versions have been sent me, but so similar to those given that it is unnecessary to give them here. The tunes vary more. In some places the game is sung to that of " Nuts in May." In Barnes the tune used was sometimes that of " Isabella," vol. i. p. 247, and sometimes the first one printed here.
The game is mentioned by Newell (Games, p. 88).
Whiddy
Whiddy, whiddy, way,
If you don't come, I won't play.
The players, except one, stand in a den or home. One player
clasps his hands together, with the two forefingers extended,
He sings out the above, and the boys who are " home"
then cry— Warning once, warning twice,
Warning three times over;
When the cock crows out come I,
Whiddy, whiddy, wake-cock. Warning !
This is called " Saying their prayers." The boy who begins
must touch another boy, keeping his hands clasped as above.
These two then join hands, and pursue the others; those whom
they catch also joining hands, till they form a long line. If the
players who are in the home run out before saying their prayers,
the other boys have the right to pummel them, or ride home
on their backs.—London (J. P. Emslie, A. B. Gomme).
See "Chickidy Hand," "Hunt the Staigie," "Stag,"
uWarney."
Whigmeleerie
A game occasionally played in Angus. A pin was stuck in the centre of a circle, from which there were as many radii as there were persons in the company, with two names of each person |
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