The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #95986   Message #3537930
Posted By: Jim Dixon
15-Jul-13 - 11:40 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Oliver Cromwell (Buried & dead)
Subject: Lyr Add: OLD ROGER IS DEAD (children's game)
From an article, "Old Berkshire School-Games," by Emma Elizabeth Thoyts, in The Antiquary, Vol. 27 (London: Elliot Stock, June, 1893), page 255:

Game 17.—Old Roger.

This is another great favourite among the games. The ring is formed round a child who lies upon the ground, while another waits outside the magic circle until it is her turn to join the game.

Old Roger is dead
And lies in his grave—
    Heigho! lies in his grave!

There grows a great apple-tree
Over his head—
    Heigho! over his head!

The wind it do blow,
And the apples do fall—
    Heigho! the apples do fall!

There came an old woman
A-picking them up—
    Heigho! a-picking them up!

Old Roger got up,
And he gave her a knock—
    Heigho! gave her a knock!

And the old woman
Went off hibble de hop—
    Heigho! hibble de hop!