The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1904-09-07

Dance DER my lady Lee;
London Bridge is falling down
With gay lady"
The game itself, however, does not belong excli-
sively to the English people 1t has been played in
Holland, France, Germany and other countries for
hundreds OF years; and it is believed that the two
keepers Of the bridge originally represented the
good angel" and the dad angel" and that the game
was symbolic of the struggle between good and evil
This NEUROLOGICAL Specification lends new interest
to the game in the estimation of those students who
look upon many of our song games valuable fig
ments of ancient folklore
There another song game, familiar in y,1r
childhood, which very closely resembled London
Bridge" 1t was called, Draw pail of water" In
this game, two players represented the interlacing
branches of bush, by holding their clasped hands
high aloft, as in London Bridge" while a chain of
little folk grasping another by the skirts of their
dresses danced under the boughs, all singing:
Draw pail of water
For my ladys daughter;
My fathers king, my mothers queen
My two little sisters dressed in green"
Then the players above interrupted quickly
'One rush, two rush,
Pray thee, fine lady, come under my bu.h!'
At this point the branches descended and the cap
cnlIQ was carried OH prison, and the
ended like that of London Bridge"
Other singing games were "The Needles Eve"
Come, Philanders, let's be- a-marching," "Open
your gates as high the slly' ring around the
Rosie" and Con the carpet here we stand" These
games, in my childhood, were considered well
enough for the little tots but were looked upon
with disdain by the mature youths from seven to
twelve and by all spirited girls who enjoyed good
game of romp and merriment. We preferred Ion
don Bridge" 'Pm on the Kings Land" "Old Mother
Tipsey-Toes," and "How many miles to Babylon?"
There also another play of mingled sentiment
and action which always appealed to our girsh
fancy. This was the time-worn but ever popular
game, eve three suitors out of Spain" 1t had a
touch of romance and dash of adventure which
gave it an unusual fascination. At the opening of
this game, of the older girls pensonated the
queen-mother who, with gilt-paper crown upon
her head sat in a chair of state while all her dauph
tersthe more the merrier-were stationed on either
hand Then the three suitors out of Spain" attired
in cloaks and plumes and all of splendid finery
solemnly advanced, singing:
1--WE are the three suitors out of SPAIN
Come to court your daughter Jane"
The queen-mother responded:
'My daughter Jane is yet too Young
To be courted by your fattering tongue"
Whereupon the suitors haughti1y replied
"Be she young or be she old
1t is for gold she must be sold.
So fare you well, my lady gay,
| must return another day."
The singing then continued between the mother
ard the suitors:
Come back, come back you Spanish knight,
Your boots and spurs very bright"
"My boots and spurs they count you nought,
For in this town they were not bought"
Come back, come back you Spanish knight,
And choose the fairest in your sight"
"This is too black and that too brown
And this the farest in the town.