The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-06-04
SOME
CHILDREN'S RHYMES
The Contingent Rhymes Which
Link Distant Nations and Ages
to America of Today.

representative collection of the count
ing-out rhymes which have been cur
rent in and around Raleigh. AS
these rhymes are disappearing alto
gether too fast, it is desirable to give
at least some Of them a further lease
OF life.
Miss RoySter has also furnished an
Interesting clipping which will indi-
cate the value of children's rhymes
lIditOr.l
.Counting-out rhymes and the
methods Of choosing players for
games form one of the most interest
Ing topics in the whole study OF chill
dren's games. Such rhymes and
methods are found in use all over the
world and are prehistoric, having
children's games from the serious
practices Of adults in the childhood
Of the race. Classic literature has
innumerable references to such Gus
toms, as where in the Had the heroes
cast lots in the cap of Atrides Aga
memnon to know who shall go forth
TO battle with Hector, or choose by
similar means their places in the
funeral games for Patroclus. Many
instances Of the use of these prac-
tees are recorded in Scripture, in
Guiding the famous one of the casting
Of lots for the seamless garments.
Much collecting and investigating
have been done as to these methods,
several collections of contingent
rhymes, covering hundreds of ex-
a1nples, having been mad in the in
terests Of folklore, the history Of
magic, etc. Such rhymes are found
in Asia, Africa, Europe and America,
not to mention the Sandwich Islands
and other places presenting primitive
conditions. The largest collection
and most thorough study published
in America was that made by Mr.. H.
Darlington Bolton of the Smith
sonian Institute. These rhymes I'M
questionably originated in old super
stitions and rites, including %incanta-
tons of the old magicians and prac-
tees Of divination by lot. The dog
gerel Of contingent rhymes is often
traceable to old Latin formulas used
for these purposes, a fact that shows
the absurdity and artificiality Of
purposely manufactured rhymes.'-
Bancroft's Games for the Play
ground, Home, School and GYM
nasium."
From Bancroft:
"onery, twoery, tickery tee,
Hannibal, Crackible, ~turnablee.
Wiling, Whang, muskadan,
Strlddledum, Straddledum, twenty
Ollt
The following contingent rhyme
is famous in literary annals as hav-
ing been taught to Sir Walter Scott
before his open fire by that dainty
little maiden, Majorie Fleming:
"Wonery, twoery, tickery seven;
Aibi, crackaby, ten anO eleven;
Pin, pan, muSkydan;
1Weedle-um. tWO0dle-um,
TWenty-Wan; eerie, ourie, OWrie,
You, are, out,
Little fishes in a brook,
Father caught them with his hook
Mother fried them in a pan,
Father ate them like a man.
ANA, mama, mona, mike;
BdSSalona, bona, strike;
Hare, ware, frown, hack;
Halico, balico, wee, wo, wy, Whack!
Eenie, meenie,
MIME, mo,
Catch q niger
BY his toe;
If he hollerS.
Act him go,
Ecnic, meenie,
Mimic, mo.
one, two, three,
Nanny caught a flea.
Flea died, nanny cried,
one, two, three.
One, two,
Sky blue.
All out
Except you.
occa, bocca, bona, crocca,
Occa, bocca, boo,
Occa, bocca, bona, crocca.
out goes you.
Eggs, butter, cheese, bread,
Stick, stack stone dead.
Stick him up.
Stick him down,
Stick him in the old mans crown.