Old Brass Wagon

Old Brass Wagon is a singing game where the words tell the dancers what to do. Each call lasts for three lines, and the same last line gives the group time to get ready for the next move.

Where does this version come from?

Leah Jackson Wolford collected the six calls above in The Play-Party in Indiana, published in 1917. The song comes from a social dance tradition in which the dancers supplied the music by singing. In Wolford's instructions, the group begins by circling left and then lets go to swing with partners. Later versions use calls such as circling right or stepping in and out.

How to play with children

1. Stand in a roomy circle facing the middle. Point left so everyone knows which way to go, then walk sideways to the beat.
2. Say the new call once before singing each verse. For "swing", have everyone turn in place. For "promenade", have them face the same direction and walk around the circle.
3. Try just those three calls first. When the group knows the pattern, let a child call for everyone to stop, clap, or take a small step in and back out.

The older call "shoddish" is a form of schottische, a dance name. For a first game, use small side steps instead of teaching the old dance. For another group game with a sung cue, try Little Sally Walker.