Down in the Valley

Down in the valley where the green grass grows, / Dear little (Lily) she grows like a rose…

Down in the valley where the green grass grows,
Dear little (Lily) she grows like a rose.
She grows, she grows, she grows so sweet--
Come little (Violet) and grow at her feet.

How to play

Call the second skipper in by name.

Where this rhyme comes from

Printed: 1916
Where: London

We have copied these words exactly as they were printed in 1916, spelling and all. It is one of the London girls' chants Douglas lists alongside their skipping, clapping and ring games.

Source: Norman Douglas, London Street Games (London: The St. Catherine Press, 1916) (public domain).

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Send a letter, love…Call a friend inIn and outPrinted 1916Callings In and Callings OutCallings in and callings out--
I call (Rosie) in…Call a friend inCountingJump With MeI like coffee, I like tea,
I like (person's name) to jump with me…Call a friend inRudePrinted 1916Light the Fire, BlacksmithLight the fire, blacksmith, show a pretty light,
In comes (Nellie), dressed in white…Call a friend inRudeKiss the Bin ManI’d rather scrub the dishes,
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