Folklore: The Cheese

Subject: Folklore: The Cheese
From: Kaleea
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 11:49 AM

There's something I've been wondering about for years. Why do we sing "the cheese stands alone" in The Farmer In The Dell? I thought the mouse ate it. So, why is it standing? Does anybody know the answer? Is it one of those mystical cosmic questions that will perplex humankind throughout the ages?

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Cheese
From: Little Robyn
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 03:18 PM

The rat takes it.
Prior to that everyone takes the next one - the farmer takes a wife, the wife takes a child etc.
The cheese has to stand alone and then we all pat the cheese. It would get very messy if there was a little mouse in there eating!
Hey ho!
Robyn

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Cheese
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 03:29 PM

We patted the bone.

Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Cheese
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 03:42 PM

We patted the bone as well, and our Farmer was in his den, not in a dell.

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Cheese
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 04:01 PM

This game was collected in 1883 by Newell on New York Streets.
We would have to ask the ghosts of those who sang it back then why it ended that way. They might say "Stupid! 'cause it has no legs." Or they might not.

Newell, W. W., 1883, "Games and Songs of American Children," Harper.
Several reprints, inexpensive. Dover did one.