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This is a game based around an old English children's
song, called 'Oranges and Lemons', about the sounds of church bells in
various parts of London.
This is how it is played:Two children form an arch
with their arms. They determine in secret which of them shall be an 'orange'
and which a 'lemon'.
Everyone sings the 'Oranges and Lemons' song (see
below). The other children in the game, take turns to run under the arch
until one of them is caught when the arch falls at the end of the song.
The captured player is asked privately whether they will be an 'orange' or
a 'lemon' and then goes behind the original 'orange' or 'lemon' team
leader. The game and singing then starts over again. At the end of the
game there is usually 'a tug of war' to test whether the 'oranges' or 'lemons'
are stronger.
The game is similar to 'London Bridge is Falling Down'.
Oranges and lemons,
Say the bells of St. Clement's.
You owe
me five farthings,
Say the bells of St. Martin's.
When will you pay me?
Say
the bells of Old Bailey.
When I grow rich,
Say the bells of Shoreditch.
When
will that be?
Say the bells of Stepney.
I'm sure I don't know,
Says the great
bell at Bow.
Here comes a candle to light you to bed,
Here comes a chopper to chop off your head.
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