The aim of the
singers is to keep exact time, counting a beat for each omitted
syllable, and any one whose voice breaks in when all should be silent,
pays a forfeit. The same can be done with "John Brown's Body," repeating
the first verse and omitting syllable after syllable at the end of the
first line until there is nothing left to sing but the chorus.
THE SNAIL
Holding hands, the children form a line, singing the following words;
they wind up in a spiral, following the first child, who is the largest
one, and represents the snail's head. The others huddle together to
form the shell into which the snail creeps. The motion is slow, for
the saying "creeps like a snail," is proverbial.
Hand in hand you see us well,
Creep like a snail into his shell,
Ever nearer, ever nearer,
Ever closer, ever closer.
Very snug indeed you dwell,
Snail, within your tiny shell.
Hand in hand you see us well,
Creep like a snail out of his shell,
Ever farther, ever farther,
Ever wider, ever wider,
Who'd have thought this tiny shell,
Could have held the snail so well?
With the last verse the creeping out of the shell is accomplished.
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