The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

OLIVER TWIST

THIS GAME IS DESIGNED FOR ONE PERSON AND IS PLAYED WITH A BALL OF AN
SIZE. AS A LINE OF THE FOLLOWING RHYME IS SAID, THE BALL IS BOUNCED
AGAINST A BUILDING, AND CAUGHT BEFORE IT CAN BOUNCE ON THE GROUND.
IN THE LINES WHICH MENTION THE PARTS OF THE BODY, THE APPROPRIATE
ACTION IS MADE. FOR THE LAST LINE, THE BALL IS THROWN UNDER THE LEG
OF THE PLAYER. THE BALL SHOULD NEVER BOUNCE ON THE GROUND. MM
OLIVER TWIST,
TELL ME THIS,
IS IT A CRIME,
TO MAKE A MISS,
TOUCH MY KNEE,
TOUCH MY TOE,
TOUCH THE GROUND,
AND UNDER WE GO}

Submitter comment: THIS GAME WAS LEARNED IN MY EARLY CHILDHOOD FROM A CLOSE NEIGHBOR IN
DETROIT. ON SUMMER DAYS, NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN OFTEN PLAYED IT
AGAINST THEIR OWN HOUSE WHEN A PLAYMATE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 02-12-1980 ; 00-00-1968