Games and songs of American children

A lively anthology gathers the songs, rhymes and games that children across the United States have handed down for generations, often without any adult direction. The editor presents each piece with a brief historical note, showing how American childhood play both mirrors ancient English and continental European traditions and develops its own distinctive flavor. Accompanying melodies, set down from children’s own recitations, let listeners hear exactly the tunes that once echoed in schoolyards and backyards.

The collection is organized into themed sections—love‑games, work‑play, humor, flower oracles, animal verses and countless chase and guessing games—offering a vivid snapshot of the imagination and inventiveness of young folk. Contributions from informants in nearly every older state ensure a broad regional taste, while the appendix supplies the scholarly references for the curious listener. It feels like flipping through a timeless scrapbook of America’s childhood, where every rhyme can spark a memory or a new game.