The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GOING DOWNTOWN

GAME STARTS WITH A LINE OF PLAYERS. LEADER SAYS:
"I'M GOING DOWNTOWN TO SMOKE MY PIPE,
I WON'T BE BACK 'TIL SATURDAY NIGHT.
I'LL WHIP YOU BLAC, I'LL WHIP YOU BLUE,
ESPECIALLY YOU MY DAUGHTER SUE.
(THE LEADER CHOOSES SOMEONE TO BE SUE).
THE LEADER THEN LEAVES THE GROUP. A WITCH COMES
ALONG AND GIVES EACH MEMBER OF THE GROUP THE NAME
OF A COLOR AND STEALS ONE OF THE MEMBERS (SUE).
THE LEADER RETURNS: "WHERE'S SUE?"
GROUP ANSWERS: "THE WITCH TOOK HER."
THE WITCH RETURNS. THE LEADER CALLS OUT COLORS AND
THE WITCH CHASES THE MEMBER WHO RESPONDS TO HER
GIVEN COLOR. A MEMBER WHO IS NOT CAUGHT BECOMES
THE MOTHER, AND THE GIRL WHO WAS "SUE" IS NOW THE
WITCH.

Submitter comment: THIS GAME HAS MANY VERSIONS IN DIFFERENT NEIGH-
BORHOODS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Date learned: 02-20-1970