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The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
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African-American Children's hand clapping game

This game is played with a hand clap. The words to the game
must keep the beat of the clap. Rhythm is a very important
part in keeping the game going.
Hands up to eighty-five (clap clap)
gonna get (clap clap)
names of (clap clap)
(any fruit, color, city, state, people, anything selected.)
No hesitation (clap clap)
No demonstration (clap clap)
so let's go (clap clap)
starting with (say person's name). (clap clap)
ending with (say person's name) (clap clap)
So lets go! (clap clap)

Submitter comment: The children are in a circle when playing this game and the
chosen topic is shouted out by each child as their turn comes
in the circle. I've watched my daughter and her friends play
games for hours. The children often add foot movement and hip
movements as they keep time with the rhythm of the game. Any
person causing a break in the timing is out of the game.
Players cannot duplicate objects or subject matters already
called by any other player in the game. If there is a
hesitation or pause by a players, loss for words or a wrong
topic called, that player is eliminated from the game. The
winner is the last person left in the circle. Each time a
person is out the caller of the game has the option to select
a new topic or keep the old one. Children most often use
fruit, colors and cities as the topic for this game.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: 00-00-1989

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