Posted by Caroline on July 24, 1997 at 22:42:34:
In reply to games posted by Katrina on July 23, 1997 at 18:48:49
Inko, the author, is out of contact at present, so I am going to be presumptuous and answer for her. This is how I played the games as a child.Inko might have more information than this.
Children are in pairs. One pair makes an arch, and the other pairs march through it, singing the song that goes with the game. The last line involves the arch couple shaking their arms in a chopping motion, and the other couples have to get through the arch without getting "chopped." The couple that get caught have to be the new arch.
Here's the rhyme.The "saints" refer to churches in the centre of London.
"Oranges and Lemons," say the bells of St Clement's.
"I owe you five farthings" say the bells of St Matin's.
"When will you pay me?" say the bells of Old Bailey.
"When I grow rich" say the bells of Shoreditch.
"When will that be?" say the bells of Stepney.
"I'm sure I don't know!" says the Great Bell of Bow.
Here comes the candle to light you to bed.
And here comes the chopper, to CHOP OFF YOUR HEAD!
St Clement's is the church where Lydia and Wickham were married.
St Martin-in-the-fields is near Trafalgar Square.
Old Bailey isn't a church but the Law Courts.
Shoreditch and Stepney are (traditionally)amoungst the poorest districts of London.
Bow Church (St Mary le Bow) is the one whose sound you have to be able to hear when you are born in order to be a genuine London "Cockney."
I am afraid I cannot find an on-line version of the tune for you.Sorry!
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