**

See this interesting article on Kansas Play-Party Songs by Myra E. Hull
{November, 1938 (Vol. 7, No. 4), pages 258 to 286
Transcribed by lhn; digitized with permission of the Kansas State Historical Society.

Here's Myra Hull's definition of play-party songs:
"The play party was invented for the benefit of those young people who liked to have a good time, but whose parents did not permit them to go to dances. Fifty years ago, in my native community, near Douglas, the young people were divided into three groups: those who were not allowed to attend any parties, but found their social excitement at literary societies, singing schools, spelling bees, or even in revival meetings; those who attended play parties; and those lost souls who went to dances"

-snip-

Note that the author says "young people" and not "children". If they are performed at all, play-party songs appear to have been relegated to pre-schoolers and kindergarten children, and are usually not chidlren initiated. However, in the "olden days", play-party songs were "played" by teenagers and young adults.

It's fascinating the changes that have occurred as the world turns...