# Did You Ever See a Lassie?
1895-1900 
USA or Scotland
# Lyrics
Did you ever see a lassie,
A lassie, a lassie?
Did you ever see a lassie,
Go this way and that?
Go this way and that way,
Go this way and that way.
Did you ever see a lassie,
Go this way and that?
Did you ever see a laddie,
A laddie, a laddie?
Did you ever see a laddie,
Go this way and that?
Go this way and that way,
Go this way and that way.
Did you ever see a laddie,
Go this way and that?
# History and Meaning
The nursery rhyme "Did You Ever See a Lassie?" is thought to have Scottish origins, based on the use of terms such as "lassie" and "laddie." However, the song was first collected in the United States in the late 19th century and wasn't found in Great Britain until the mid-20th century.
It is believed that the words to the song may have been brought over by Scottish immigrants or Scottish-Americans. The tune of the song is the same as "Oh du lieber Augustin," a song written in Germany or Vienna in the late 17th century. The rhyme was first published in 1909 in the book "Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium" by Jessie Hubbell Bancroft.
# Action Game
While signing the song, kids traditionally played along with an action game:
- Players gather in a circle, moving in rhythm around a single participant in the center.
- Upon reaching the end of each verse, the group pauses, and the central player does a unique action, such as a Scottish dance routine.
- The other players imitate the movement.
- The singing continues with the next verse.
- Another child may join the player in the center, leading to the creation of an additional verse in the song ("Did you ever see some kids...").
The actions performed can range from traditional dance styles, to comical gesticulations, or imaginative displays.