Our family has a "song" which reminds me of the versions on this board. It has been passed through the generations since the 1700's in Ashe Co. North Carolina. My grandmother said it was a song, but the tune had been lost prior to 1910 with our branch of the family in Southern Indiana. Her father recited it, making it almost a ghost story, instead of a children's game song.


Old Crummy's dead and laid in his grave
Um Hm laid in his grave

An apple tree grows over his head
Um Hm grows over his head

The apples begin to drap
Um Hm begin to drap

An old woman comes picking em up
Um Hm comes picking em up

Old Crummy raised and give her a knock
Um Hm give her a knock

The horse is on the laurel hill, bridle and saddle on the shelf

If you want any more you must sing it yourself