Those who'd like to hear it sung by a real child may find it on the recently re-released album (now in CD forematand available at my website)of, "Jean Ritchie Field Trip," first released in 1954. "Orange and Lemon" is cut # 12, and the note says:

Driving through Devonshire, we...called upon George Endicott, postmaster in a little Dartmoor village...we were well received, Mr. Endicott singing until far into the night... his small daughter Dianne said that she would like to sing. After the...fine but very robust singing by her father, Dianne's little game song was in complete contrast, her voice sweet and clear as only a child's voice can be. We have left on the record her charmingly-given directions for playing, "Orange and Lemon..."

The "matching" gamesong from Kentucky which follows, "Orange and Lemon," is our family's, "Needles Eye." You know, "Needles eye doth supply thread that runs so truly- many a a bow as I let go because I wanted you-ly..." We also had the well-known, "London Bridge." Before automobiles were common, folks usually walked when crossing rivers, so the bridges in the KY mountains were flimsy, usually swinging bridges hanging high above the water- but in flood time these could be washed out, a very great hardship. So, our words (these learnt from Uncle Jason Ritchie), went,

   London's Bridge is washed away,
    Dance round, you ladies all-
   London's Bridge is washed away,
    T'ma heigh! Get out o' the way!