Traces the histories of singing games such as ring a ring o' roses, oranges and lemons and others, and is an exposition both of the workings of folklore, and of the perennial ways of young children when left to play on their own. Each of the 150 games is described in historical detail.

The singing game; chains and captives - thread and needle, grandy needles, through the needle-ee, how many miles to Babylon?, winding up the clock, the big ship sails, oranges and lemons, London bridge, watch and chain; match-making - the lusty wooer, a duke a-riding, three brethren out of Spain, three brethren come from Spain (Scots version), six virgins, three sailors, widow from Babylon, green grass; mating - King William, pretty little girl of mine, down by the riverside, all the boys in our town, the wind blows high, Johnny the sailor boy, I'll give to you a paper of pins, wallflowers (2), up the street and down the street; wedding rings - merry-ma-tansie, gentle John, Glasgow ships, uncle John (1), uncle John (2), oh dear doctor, rosy apple, Sally Water, Isabella, lady on the mountain, oats and beans and barley grow, the farmer's in his den; cushion dances - jolly sailors, silly old man, pray, pretty miss, bee baw babbity, best bed's a feather bed. (part contents)