Choreographed Games Nuts In May
( Choreographed, Singing and Song, Tug of War )(Sung to the air of “Mulberry Bush”)
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 morningWell 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 morningWell 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.