The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #112655   Message #2387388
Posted By: Azizi
12-Jul-08 - 01:08 PM
Thread Name: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
Here's the lyrics and notes about a 19th century {and possibly earlier} children's ring [circle] game that mention a Canadian place name:

"A similar ring game [to "My Pretty Little Pink"] is described by JAF {Journal of American Folklore], 1892, 118, reprinted in Folklore in American, 184, as "Quebec Town." The opening lines are:

We are marching down to Quebec town,
Where the drums and fifes are beating;
The Americans have gained the day,
And the British are retreating.

The description states that the "song was sung by the whole company [of children], as it marched around one person, who ws blindfolded, and seated in a chair placed in the center of the room. He or she then selected a partner by touching one of the ring with a long stick held for that purpose". In some versions the person selected won a kiss. Tune supplied by the editors."

-snip-

These notes-including the paragraph beginning with the word "The description"-are from a reproduced page of a book I don't believe that I own. Unfortunately, this page somehow got separated from the title page & publisher of the book itself. Therefore, I'm unable to say which book it is. However, given that note and others on the two pages I have, this is from a book or chapter of a book about American children's recreational activities. That certainly narrows the field quite a bit.