Here we come gathering nuts in May
Nuts in May nuts in May.
Here we come gathering nuts in May
On a cold and frosty morning.

Whom will you have for nuts in May
Nuts in May nuts in May
Whom will you have for nuts in May
On a cold and frosty morning

Well have (Mary) for nuts in May
Nuts in May nuts in May
Well have (Mary) for nuts in May
On a cold and frosty morning.

Whom will you send to fetch her away
To fetch her away to fetch her away
Whom will you send to fetch her away
On a cold and frosty morning

Well send (Alice) to fetch her away
To fetch her away to fetch her away.
Well send (Alice) to fetch her away
On a cold and frosty morning.

The players stand in two lines facing each other and holding hands with a wide space between which will admit of advancing toward each other and retreating. The first line sings the first verse advancing toward its opponents and retreating. The second line then advances and retreats and sings the second verse. The first line again advances and retreats singing the third verse naming some player who stands in the opposing line. The second line unwilling to yield a player so easily then advances and retires singing the fourth verse in which it suggests that some one be sent to take the one who has been selected for “nuts ” and the first line then advances and retires singing the last verse in which it names some player from its own side whom it considers a good match for the player whom it has called from the opposite side.

The lines then stand still while these two players advance to the center draw a mark on the ground or throw a handkerchief down to serve the purpose take hold of right hands across the line and have a tug of war. The player who is pulled across the line becomes the captured “nut” and joins the side of her captors. The game is then repeated with the change that the lines of players sing the verses that were sung by their opponents the previous time the second line of players starting with the first verse. This should be continued until all of the players have taken part in the tug of war. The line wins which gets the most “nuts.”

For large numbers of players instead of a tug of war between two players only the two lines may advance each player joining hands with the one opposite and all taking part in the tug of war. Still another method is to have the two players who are named join hands with the players of their respective sides all lined up behind them for a tug of war as in London Bridge.

A fortress is marked on the ground in the shape of a large square or oblong the size differing with the area at disposal and the number of players. It should be not less than twenty-five by forty feet in dimensions. One or more sides of this may be situated so as to be inclosed by a wall or fence. A line should be drawn five feet inside of the fortress boundaries and another five feet outside of it these mark the guard lines or limits for making prisoners. Each party should also have its prison–a small square marked in the center of the fortress for the defenders and another at some distant point for the besiegers.

The players are divided into two equal parties each under the command of a general who may order his men at any time to any part of the battle. One party of players are defenders of the fortress and should scatter over it at the beginning of the attack and keep a sharp lookout on unguarded parts at any time. The other players forming the attacking party scatter under the direction of their general to approach the fortress from different directions. This may be done in a sudden rush or deliberately before attacking. At a signal from their general the besiegers attack the fortress.

The method of combat is entirely confined to engagements between any two of the opposing players and is in general of the nature of a “tug of war.” They may push pull or carry each other so long as they remain upright but wrestling or dragging on the ground are not allowed. Any player so forced over the guard line becomes a prisoner to his opponent and is thereafter out of the game. If he be a besieger captured by a defender he is placed within the prison in the center of the fortress and may not thereafter escape or be freed unless the general should make an exchange of prisoners. Should he be a defender pulled over the outer guard line by a besieger he is taken to the prison of the attacking party subject to the same rules of escape. In the general engagement players of equal strength should compete the strong players with strong ones and vice versa . The commanders should each give general directions for this to their men before the engagement opens.

The battle is won by either party making prisoners of all of the opponents. Or it may be won by the besiegers if one of their men enters within the guard line inside the fortress without being touched by a defender. Should a player accomplish this he shouts “Holes won ” Whereupon the defenders must yield the fortress and the two parties change places defenders becoming besiegers and vice versa . The possibility of taking the fortress in this way should lead to great alertness on the part of the defenders as they should leave no point unguarded especially a fence the enemy might scale. The guard line should be drawn inside any such boundaries and a player entering in this way must of course get inside the guard line as well as over the fence. The attacking party on its part will use all possible devices for dashing into the fortress unexpectedly such as engaging the players on one side of the fort to leave an unguarded loophole for entering at another.

The attacking general may withdraw his forces at any time for a rest or for conference either general may run up a flag of truce at any time for similar purposes. Under such conditions the generals may arrange for an exchange of prisoners otherwise there is no means of freeing prisoners.