GIROFLÉ, GIROFLA.
This game and the game of The King's Cavalier are of French origin. Though rather long, they are very pretty, and are great favorites of the children of France.
A line is formed by the players, who take hold of one another's hands. The tallest takes a position in the middle of the line and leads the singing.
A player who has remained out of the line, takes a position facing the others and begins the game by dancing up to them, singing the first verse, or Solo, as follows:
A musical score should appear at this position in the text. See Help:Sheet music for formatting instructions |
Solo. "Here's a band of pret -- ty maids! Gi -- ro -- flé, gi -- ro -- fla! Some in curls, and some braids, Gi -- ro --flé, gi -- ro -- fla!"
When the player has finished her verse, she retires to her first position, and the others advance toward her in the same way, singing the Chorus, as follows:
Chorus.
"They are fair as well as good,
Gi -- ro -- flé, gi -- ro -- fla!
And be -- have as maid -- ens should,
Gi -- ro -- flé, gi -- ro -- fla!"
The game is continued thus, Solo and Chorus alternating, until the last verse is reached. In singing this, the player must crook her fingers like claws, and try to look as frightful and threatening as possible, while the other players form a ring and dance round her, which finishes the game.
Solo.—" Give me one of them, I pray,
Giroflé, girofla!
Do not take them all away,
Giroflé, girofla!"
Chorus.—"No, indeed! I could not spare—
Giroflé, girofla!
Even one bright curl of hair,
Giroflé, girofla!"
Solo.—"I must seek the wood alone,
Giroflé, girofla!
Since you will not give me one,
Giroflé, girofla!"
Chorus.—"In the dark and lonely wood,
Giroflé, girofla!
You can have no purpose good,
Giroflé, girofla!"
