The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GRYBAI (MUSHROOMS)

THE CHILDREN STAND COUPLE BEHIND COUPLE, SPLIT INTO TWO
LINES, FACE EACH OTHER AND HOLD HANDS WITH THEIR
PARTNERS. FROM THE BEGINNING--WHILE SINGING, THE FIRST
PART, THE CHILDREN STAND IN PLACE, BUT SWAY TO THE
SIDES ACCORDING TO THE RHYTHM AND SWAYING HANDS AT THE
SAME TIME. HOLD HANDS WHILE SINGING "MO--ORIGINAL
POSITION. TERELES, NEGAISYNKIT...." THE LAST COUPLE
GOES THROUGH EVERYONE'S UPRAISED ARMS IN "LONDON
BRIDGE" STYLE AND STEP IN FRONT OF THE FIRST COUPLE.
WHEN THEY STOP, THE NEXT LAST COUPLE DOES THE SAME
AND SO ON, UNTIL EVERYONE HAS GONE THROUGH.
THIS IS A SONG-VERSE OF ABOUT THE KING OF MUSHROOMS.
THE CHILDREN THAT ARE OUT LOOKING FOR MUSHROOMS SPOT
HIM AND UPROOT HIM. THEY BRING IT HOME TO THEIR
MOTHER WHO IS URGED TO HURRY UP AND COOK IT, AND ALL
THE OTHER MUSHROOMS THEY HAD BROUGHT HOME.
THIS CAN BE A VERY CONFUSING GAME TO THE FIRST AND
SECOND GRADERS. THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT, BUT IT
MIGHT GET A LITTLE MESSY. THE LITTLE KIDS WERE/ARE
TAUGHT FROM THE FIRST GRADE UP IN LITHUANIA AND
EVEN HERE.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A COMPETITION DANCE GAME BETWEEN TWO GROUPS.
THE ONE THAT DOES THE PASSING THROUGH, THE FASTEST
AND NEATEST, WINS.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: 03-27-1972