Skipping Rhymes

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.

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.

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!

Perhaps it was like chinese whispers and should have been another dolly but everybody sang rubber dolly instead. You know like children have to sing 'while shepherds wash their socks by night' and we always had 'most highly flavoured gravy' instead of 'favoured lady'. How screligious of us. Do you think we will be forgiven?
Thanks for reminding me of how we played Alley alleyo and for the 'best response'.

Those are interesting thoughts. It reminds me of the story in which kids from the US say "And To The Republic For Richard Stands", instead of Which It Stands ... when they say the Pledge Of Allegiance. Kids really do say some funny things.

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?

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.