The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HAND-CLAPPING GAME

HOW THE HANDS ARE CLAPPED:
TWO PEOPLE ARE FACING EACH OTHER.
1. EACH ONE SLAPS BOTH LEGS.
2. EACH ONE CROSSES HIS ARMS OVER HIS CHEST.
3. EACH ONE CLAPS HIS HANDS TOGETHER.
4. THEY SLAP THEIR RIGHT HANDS TOGETHER.
5. EACH ONE CLAPS HIS OWN HANDS TOGETHER.
6. THEY SLAP THEIR LEFT HANDS TOGETHER.
7. EACH ONE CLAPS HIS OWN HANDS TOGETHER.
8. THEY SLAP BOTH HANDS TOGETHER, LEFT HAND TO
RIGHT AND RIGHT HAND TO LEFT.
9. EACH ONE CROSSES HIS ARMS OVER HIS CHEST.
10. EACH ONE SLAPS BOTH LEGS.
THIS HAND CLAPPING CYCLE IS COMPLETED ONCE FOR EACH
LINE OF THE RHYME.
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME PEACHES
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME PEARS
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME FIFTY CENTS
TO WALK ME UP THE STAIRS.
I GAVE HIM BACK THE PEACHES
I GAVE HIM BACK THE PEARS
I HAVE (GAVE) HIM BACK THE FIFTY CENTS
AND KICKED HIM DOWN THE STAIRS.
I SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE PEACHES
I SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE PEARS,
I SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE FIFTY CENTS
AND KICKED HIM DOWN THE STAIRS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS GAME IN GRADE SCHOOL IN
NORTHWEST DETROIT (MICHIGAN).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-00-1967