Variations.--A pretty variation in this game, adapting it to the modern city environment, with which many city children are more familiar than they are with village life, is to substitute for the words "Round and round the village" and "In and out the windows" the words, "Round and round the city" (presumably on elevated or subway trains) and "In and out the stations" or "In and out the subway." While this tampering with a traditional form of the game is questionable, there is no doubt that children much enjoy playing about things related to their own experiences. A gradual and probably unconscious adaptation to environment is one of the manifestations of the folk-lore spirit.
This is one of the very old traditional games, based on village customs. Mrs. Gomme traces it to the periodical village festivals at which marriages took place. In some of these it was customary for the young people to go through the houses in procession.
This is a favorite game with very little children. For large numbers each verse may be repeated as needed to complete the winding or unwinding of the line.
Hand in hand you see us well Creep like a snail into his shell, Ever nearer, ever nearer, Ever closer, ever closer, Very snug indeed you dwell, Snail, within your tiny shell.
Hand in hand you see us well Creep like a snail out of his shell. Ever farther, ever farther, Ever wider, ever wider. Who'd have thought this tiny shell Could have held us all so well.
Hand in hand you see us well Creep like a snail into his shell, Ever nearer, ever nearer, Ever closer, ever closer, Very snug indeed you dwell, Snail, within your tiny shell. ]
The players all stand in line holding hands; while singing the first verse they wind up in a spiral, following the leader, who walks in a circle growing ever smaller until all are wound up, still holding hands. The leader then turns and unwinds, until all are again in one long line.
This "winding up" is a very old traditional feature in games, and is supposed to have originated in tree worship.
1. Medicine ball 2. Basket ball 3. Volley ball 4. Association and Soccer football (round) 5. Intercollegiate and Rugby football (prolate spheroid) 6. Gas ball 7. Playground ball 8. Baseball (outdoor) 9. Tennis ball 10. Handball 11. Handball (official American, leather covered) 12. Golf ball ]