The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE SAINT MICHAEL DRAMATIC GAME

THE INFORMATION PRESENT IS IN THE COLLECTOR'S OWN WORDS. BEFORE THE
GAME BEGINS IT IS CHOSEN: EITHER BY A COUNTING OUT RHYME OR BY
SOMEONE VOLUNTEERING. THE GAME FEATURES CHILDREN AGES 6-10 GROUPING
THEMSELVES IN A CIRCLE AROUND IT. FACING IT, AND HOLDING HANDS, THE
CHILDREN BEGIN REVOLVING AROUND IT
(IT IS IN CENTER OF A CIRCLE)
IN A CLOCKWISE FASHION. THE CIRCLE USUALLY CONSISTS OF 10 TO 12 PLA
YERS. AFTER SEVERAL REVOLUTIONS
IT ABRUPTLY BEGINS SINGING IN SPANISH
THE WORDS ARE:
A LA RUEDA DE SAN MIGUEL, TODOS TIEN SU CAJA DE MIEL.
A LO MADURO, A LO MADURO, QUE SE VOLTEE (IT NAMES A PERSON FROM CIR
CLE) DE BURRO. TRANSLATED THE WORDS ARE: EVERYONE GET IN SAINT MICHA
EL'S CIRCLE, EVERYONE HAS A BOX OF HONEY, TURN AROUND, TURN AROUND,
(NAME OF CHILD IT SELECTS) AND MAKES A DONKEY FACE. THE CHILD
BY IT, MUST NOW FACE AWAY FROM IT AND CIRCLE IT BACKWARDS WHILE STILL
HOLDING HANDS WITH THE OTHER PLAYERS. THE GAME CONTINUES
UNTIL ALL PLAYERS HAVE BEEN CALLED BY IT, AND
THE LAST PLAYER CALLED IS THE NEW IT.
(CIRCLE)
MICHAEL'S
INFORMANT

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LIVED IN A SMALL TOWN IN MEXICO WHEN SHE PLAYED OUT
THIS GAME. THE TOWN, SABINAS HIDALGO NUEVO LEON, STILL EXISTS AND THE
GAME IS STILL PLAYED OUT. THE INFORMANT SANG OUT PORTIONS OF THE GAME
WHILE THE COLLECTOR RECORDED IT.
DONKEY FACE IS FUNNY OR CLOWN-LIKE FACE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT