Skipping Rhymes
By someonesmom
@someonesmom (5761)
Canada
April 16, 2007 10:52am CST
Spring has sprung (or has it), as our weather hasn't been the greatest so far. However, this time of year often brings back fond memories for me, of my childhood.
Does anyone remember taking a skipping rope to school, and joining in the many 'skipping games' that could be played? I had both a 'one person' rope, as well as the 'full size one' used for double dutch etc.
At recess, some of my fondest memories are of these games, and the 'rhymes' that we used to say while playing them. They'd involve 2 people turning the rope, and a group of others to do the skipping.
Here are a couple of rhymes, that we skipped to ... although there are a lot more as well.
Apples, peaches, pears, and plums
Tell me when your birthday comes
*Then the months would be recited in order, and each child would 'run in' and skip when their birthday month was called.
*Then the days of the month would be counted, and you'd be expected to 'run out' when your day was mentioned.
Not last night, but the night before,
24 robbers came to my door.
This is what they said to me,
Lady turn around, turn around, turn around,
Lady touch the ground, touch the ground, touch the ground,
Lady tie your shoes, tie your shoes, tie your shoes,
Lady that'll do, that'll do that'll do.
*For the one above 'the skipper' would 'run in', and then do their best to perform the actions, and then 'run out', at the end.
I'd like to know what skipping rhymes you remember from your childhood?
If you're a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, babysitter, teacher etc. today, are these skipping games still played, complete with the rhymes, and if so, what are some of today's rhymes.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for any responses received.
3 responses
@magicalmerlin (1623)
•
16 Apr 07
Sorry but I can't alway remember the answer I want to give straight away but I need to mark this discussion so that I can find it later. It is very interesting. I have a rhyme on the tip of my tongue. I will see if I can recall it and come back later and type it. The ones you remembered were very good ones. Life was so much simpler in those days.
1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
16 Apr 07
Don't worry about coming back later and typing your rhyme, as I'm looking forward to seeing it, if you're able. Thanks for saying you find this topic interesting, as it's very kind of you. You're right too, life was a lot simpler back then, and in many ways, we were encouraged to make our own fun, and use our imaginations more.
@magicalmerlin (1623)
•
17 Apr 07
I only remembered it as I was going to bed so had to wait to post it. The one I was thinking of was actually probably a clapping rhyme - did you do that too?
My mother told me,
if I was goodie
that she would buy me
another dolly.
My auntie told her
I kissed a soldier
now she won't buy me
another dolly.
I always thought how stupid it was as if I was old enough to kiss a soldier why would I want a dolly anyway!!! I also misheard it and thought it was 'rubber' dolly - which could have a very different meaning.
I also remembered some more. Was 'Oranges and lemons' a skipping song? Did you play 'London Bridge is falling down'? I think we just walked under the arms of two children and tried not to get caught when the arms fell down.
Also, 'The good ship sails through the alley, alleyo' was that a skipping song?
How nice to reminisce.
1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
17 Apr 07
This is really great magicalmerlin, and I actually did think of clapping songs too, after I started this discussion. I'd completely forgotten about the rubber dolly clapping song, but it was one that we did as well. You've made some good points about the rhyme re:the soldier part etc. I also thought it was 'a rubber dolly,'and as you can see I think of that as the title. In fact I'm sure we 'did' say rubber dolly. Other clapping songs I remember are, down by the bay, Billy boy, and who stole the cookies from the cookie jar. Do you remember these ones?
I'm not familiar with oranges and lemons, so don't know if it's a skipping rhyme.
Yes, we used to play London Bridge just the way you mentioned. We also played The Big Ship Sails Through The Alley Alley'o, and one person would place their hand against the wall, and everyone else would join hands, and the last person in line would lead the group 'under' the person's hand against the wall (if this makes sense to you, the way I've explained it). I know it continued in a chain somehow, until everyone was turned around with their arms crossed, and the next in line would be the one the others would 'go under' next.
Other games played were, Red Rover, one called Pinch or Punch, Red Light, Green Light, and of course tag of all types.
Thanks for helping me take this wonderful trip down memory lane. Have a great day!
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
18 Apr 07
This is definitely a new one for me, and really cute too. It's a lot of years since I've skipped too, and sadly these type of rhymes etc. could be a 'lost art' these days. Thanks for sharing this.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
16 Apr 07
I don't really remember and skipping rhymns. I don't think we really had any, but I do remember playing skipping in the court yard. What found memories. Do you remember hopscotch and playing with the bowl-a-bat?
1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
16 Apr 07
I find these to be fond memories too, and I find myself looking back a lot these days, especially since joining myLot. Thanks for bringing up hopscotch. I loved to play this, both at school, and at home. I'm not sure I remember the bowl-a-bat. Can you tell me a little more about it?
