History of 'Draw a Bucket of Water' (kids' game)

Subject: History of 'Draw a Bucket of Water'
From: GUEST,Melody179
Date: 13 Sep 00 - 09:28 PM

HELP! I need some backround or history information on the American folk tune "Draw a Bucket of Water", ANY kind of information would be appreciated! Please include a source, its for a class Thanks! Melody179

Subject: ADD: Draw a Bucket of Water
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Sep 00 - 09:55 PM

Hmmm. Can't find much. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Song Index says it's in an anthology called "Old Songs and Singing Games," which I don't have. Another book to check would be The Singing Game, by Iona and Peter Opie (don't have that, either). Maybe somebody here who has those books will check them for you.
However, I did find a brief entry in a book called Games and Songs of American Children (William Wells Newell, 1883 & 1903):

Four girls cross hands, and pull in a rhythmical movement against each other while singing, one pair changing the position of their hands from above to below that of the other pair at the words, "Here we go under," etc.

Draw a bucket of water
For my lady's daughter
One in a rush
Two in a rush
Here we go under the mulberry bush.
(this is how it was played in New York)

In Massachusetts, this was a ring game:

Draw a pail of water
For my lady's daughter
Give her a ring and a silver pin,
And pay for my lady's pop under.

At the last words, the girl within the ring endeavors to pass under the hands of one of the couples.

JRO

Subject: RE: Help: History of 'Draw a Bucket of Water'
From: GUEST,Melody179
Date: 13 Sep 00 - 10:05 PM

Thanks so much! Even a little bit helps tremendously. It is very hard to locate information for this song! Thanks again, Melody179

Subject: RE: Help: History of 'Draw a Bucket of Water'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Sep 00 - 10:07 PM

Hi, Melody -watch this thread for a couple of days.Maybe somebody will post more information.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Help: History of 'Draw a Bucket of Water'
From: Brendy
Date: 13 Sep 00 - 10:21 PM

I don't know if this is about the same song, or not. Try clicking ~ Here ~ . I hope it is of some help.

B.

Subject: RE: Help: History of 'Draw a Bucket of Water'
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 14 Sep 00 - 04:58 PM

I learned this from Gerry Armstrong at the OTSFM many moons ago: (she said she got it direct from Bessie Hawes Lomax, whose book you can find great stuff in) as:

Draw me a bucket of water
For my oldest daughter
We got none in the bunch, four outside,
Draw me under, Sister (Sally).

Start as Joe described above. Two pairs of hands, seesawing arms across (parallel to floor). It works best if the 4 players are of ruighly equal height.

After the first sing-through, one side pair of arms -- any side pair -- is lifted up and one player comes under and inside.

Then you sing:

----
----
We got one in the bunch, three outside,
Draw me under, Sister (Sally).

Continue until all four players are "inside." They will now have woven a basket (bucket) with their arms. All lean back, giving weight (dancers will understand this term - it requires a modicum of trust), and then jump in a circle singing, "Frog in a bucket and can't get out, Frog in a bucket and can"t get out."

I use this all the time. The kids love it and usually collapse on the floor giggling.

(sigh.) I learned several play-parties from Gerry, all of which are gems.

Subject: RE: History of 'Draw a Bucket of Water' (kids' game)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 10 - 07:26 PM

Draw me a bucket of water for my only duagter theres one in the pot and 3 out the pot and you go under sisster sally.Draw me a bucket of water for my only daughter theres 2 in the pot and 2 out the pot you go under sisster sally.Draw me a bucket of water for my only daughter theres 3 in the pot 1 out the pot you go under sister sally.Draw me a bucket of water for my only daughter theres 4 in the pot and none out the pot you go under sisster sally.Frong in the bucket and we camt get them out frog in the bucket and we cant get them out.YEAHHH1

Subject: RE: History of 'Draw a Bucket of Water' (kids' game)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 06:32 PM