From Popular Rhymes of Scotland by Robert Chambers (London and Edinburgh: W. & R. Chambers, 1870):

HOW MANY MILES TO BABYLON?

Two boys, holding each other's hands, make their arms represent a gate. A number of the others approach.

Boys. How many miles to Babylon?
Gatekeepers. Threescore and ten.
Boys. Will we be there by candlelight?
Gatekeepers. Yes, and back again.
Boys. Open your gates and let us go through.
Gatekeepers. Not without a beck and a boo.
Boys. There's a beck, and there's a boo [beck and bow], Open your gates and let us go through.

All then pass under the uplifted arms of the two gatekeepers.

This is the simplest kind of game in which the inquiry as to the distance of Babylon occurs. In another of a more complicated kind, two boys, remarkable as good runners, and personating the king and queen of Cantelon, are placed between two doons or places of safety, at one of which a flock of other boys pitch themselves. The runners then come forward, and the following dialogue takes place between them and some member of the company, all of whom are considered as knights. The romantic nature of the language is very remarkable:

Knight. King and queen of Cantelon,
How many miles to Babylon?
King. Eight and eight, and other eight.
Knight. Will I get there by candlelight?
King. If your horse be good and your spurs be bright.
Knight. How mony men have ye?
King. Mae nor ye daur come and see.

The company then break forth and make for the opposite doon with all their might, and avoiding the two runners, who pursue and endeavour to catch as many as possible. On catching any, the runner places his hand upon their heads, when they are said to be taned, and are set aside. The game is repeated and continued till all are taned.

[p.s.: I would bet "Babylon" was corrupted to "Babyland" rather than the other way round. –JD]