The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HOW MANY MILES TO BANTRY BAY?

LEADER: HOW MANY MILES TO BANTRY BAY?
GROUP: 3,000
LEADER: MAY I GO THROUGH OUR GOLDEN GATES?
GROUP: NO! WHERE'S YOUR MAN AND WHERE'S YOUR BOAT?
LEADER: (HITS HIS CHEST) HERE'S MY MAN, (HITS THE
PERSON NEXT TO HIM) AND HERE'S MY BOAT, SO OPEN
YOUR GATES AND LET US THROUGH!
TO PLAY THIS GAME, THE CHILDREN FORM A LINE HOLDING
HANDS; THE LAST TWO CHILDREN IN THE LINE MAKE THE
BRIDGE, THE FIRST ONE IS THE LEADER. AFTER PULLING
THE LINE THROUGH THE BRIDGE, THE LEADER TAKES THE LAST
PLACE IN LINE AND THUS THERE IS A NEW LEADER TO START
THE GAME AGAIN.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAW THIS GAME BEING PLAYED BY HER
SECOND GRADE CLASS AT OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL, DEAR-
BORN HEIGHTS, MICHIGAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS

Date learned: 11-12-1970