Childrens Skipping and Ball Games Songs and Others
These were usually sung by young girls and very rarely by boys as any who did were considered " cissys " .
For the skipping games a large heavy rope was needed and this was usually "borrowed " by some Father who worked in the Shipyard or some other workplace . They were a valued commodity and hard to come by ~ washing lines were no substitute . It was tied to a local Lampost and the girls would begin their game . Boys could join in provided they took their turn in "torning the rope ". In this context they would sing the songs as it was considered "OK" . Most of the songs here are from the recollections of South Shields author James Kirkup in his book "The Only Child " (Pergamon Press ) .
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"My Fathers a Midnight Mechanic, He works in the middens by night And when he comes home in the morning He`s covered with Turkish Delight" |
Skipping game. All in together girls, Never mind the weather, girls ! There`s a lad around the corner, Got his eye on Alice Horner |
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Skipping game. I am a Girl Guide dressed in blue, These are the actions I must do, Salute to the Captain, Bow to the Queen, And turn my back , To the boy in green. |
A wall game using two balls Two little sausages, Frying in the pan, One went Pop, And the other went Bang ! |
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A wall game using two balls Please Mrs. Bunny, Is your Bunny coming out, With his hand in his pocket, And his shirt hanging out. |
Skipping game. Jelly on a plate, Jelly on a plate, Wibble wobble wibble wobble, Jelly on a plate. |
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Skipping or Ball Game One, two, three O`Leary , I saw me Aunty Mary , Sitting on the Lavortory , Eating chocolate biscuits . |
A "choosing" game using clenched fists that were knocked on top of another persons clenched fists . Ickle , ockle , black bockle, Fishes in the sea, If you want a pretty maid, Please chose me. |
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A double skipping rope game with actions ~ you had to be a very good skipper to do this one . Teddy bear , teddy bear , Touch the ground , Teddy bear , teddy bear , Turn around , Teddy bear , teddy bear , Walk upstairs , Teddy bear , teddy bear , Say your prayers, Teddy bear , teddy bear , Turn down the light, Teddy bear , teddy bear , Say good night. |
A Skipping game . Bobby Shaftoe`s gone to sea , Silver buckles on his knee , When he comes back , He`ll marry me , Bonny Bobby Shaftoe. Bobby Shaftoe`s bright and fair , Combing down his yellow hair , He`ll have me for ever mair, Bonny Bobby Shaftoe. |
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