The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT

AFTER DARK, CHILDREN GATHER AROUND A STREET LIGHT.
"IT" COUNTS WHILE CHILDREN HIDE. AFTER COUNTING
TO SPECIFIED NUMBER, HE BEGINS LOOKING FOR PLAYERS
SAYING "STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT, HOPE TO SEE A
GHOST TONIGHT. ONE O'CLOCK, HE IS NOT HERE, TWO
O'CLOCK, HE IS NOT HERE, ETC." UNTIL A CHILD IS
SPIED WITH "HE IS HERE." A RACE TO THE STARTING
POINT ENSUES. IF "IT" TAPS THE PLAYER BEFORE REACHING
THE STREET LIGHT, HE IS IT AND THE GAME BEGINS.
IF NOT, HE KEEPS LOOKING FOR PLAYERS AS IN "HIDE
AND SEEK."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; MINNESOTA

James Callow Keyword(s): COUNTING

Date learned: NOT GIVEN