The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CHILDREN'S GAMES - BLUEBIRD

THIS GAME IS PLAYED MOSTLY BY LITTLE GIRLS. THE CHILDREN GET INTO
A CIRCLE, AND ONE CHILD IS THE LEADER. THE LEADER WALKS IN
BETWEEN THE CHILDREN, WHO STAY IN THE CIRCLE. THE GROUP SINGS THE
FOLLOWING SONG:
BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD, IN AND OUT MY WINDOW,
BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD, IN AND OUT MY WINDOW
TAKE A LITTLE GIRL AND TAP HER ON THE SHOULDER,
TAKE A LITTLE GIRL AND TAP HER ON THE SHOULDER,
OH JOHNNY I AM TIRED.
THE LEADER TAPS A LITTLE GIRL ON THE
SHOULDER WHILE THESE TWO LINES ARE SUNG AND THIS GIRL JOINS IN
A LINE IN BACK OF THE LEADER - IT GETS CONFUSING WHEN THERE ARE MORE
KIDS IN THE LINE THAN IN THE CIRCLE, AND THE GAME USUALLY BREAKS
UP IN GIGGLES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 03-00-1982