TRADITIONAL NAMES [sic].
By Monte.
In every neighborhood where chil-
dren gather in play they become fa-
miliar with the old singing games or
street games, as they are called. They
are handed down from generation to
generation and are as much a part
of childhood as play itself.
There is a negative air about some
of them which of late years has been
eliminated and many of them have
changed so much that it is hard to
trace them to their origin.
The "stole my watch," etc., verse
and "off to prison" verse may be
omitted and thus children may be
led to look on the better side.
The verses below are more mod-
ern:
London bridge will soon swing 'round
Soon swing 'round, soon swing 'round
London bridge will soon swing 'round
You must keep away.
Two children form the "bridge."
Other children join hands and pass
under the bridge.
Down the gates now slowly fall,
Slowly fall, slowly fall,
Down the gates now slowly fall,
One child is caught today.
Arms forming the bridge slowly
descend and capture one child, who
is led away to choose a side.
Off to choose which you like best,
You like best, you like best,
Off to choose which you like best,
Off so merrily!
The singing continues till all the
children are on either side, then there
is a "tug of war" to see which is the
stronger. One side may be Yale, the
other Harvard, or the sides may be
different schools at home.
Fruits and vegetables may be used
for naming sides. All this is in the
children's hands