“Trump, Trump, the Key”.

First of all the children put out their two feet, then one of them goes round to the feet of each and says:

“Loora, Lára, limp the lock,

Five miles, ten o’clock,

I sit, I sit, the malix(icks) my dear,

The night of the King, dickory, dockery, back-foot pull in”.

They continue saying this until everyone’s foot is pulled in, except one. Then that person lies across some other one’s knees and he (latter presumably) thumps him on the back and says:

“Hurly, burly, trump the key,

The cow that’s shipped the market day.

Simon Nally hunt the lock,

How many horns (fingers) stand up?”

And so on it goes

Slightly different version:

A person bends down his head and some other person thumps him on the back saying:

“Hurly, burly, trump the key

The cow, the ship, the market day,

Simon Nally trump the lock

How many horns do I hold up?” etc

Names of fingers: ordóg corr-mhéar, meadhan-mhéar, sisile, laidhiricín

A few people gather together and close their fists placing same on top of one another. Somebody says:

Where is the milk that was in that churn?

All reply: “It ran down in the others”.

On putting this question to the last one he says (and all join in the chorus) “The cat drank it”.

Question: Where is the cat?        Answer (all): Under the wisp.

Q.: Where is the wisp?                 A: The fire burned it.

Q: Where is the fire?                    A: The water quenched it.  

Q.: Where is the water?               A.: The bull drank it.

Q.: Where is the bull?                  A.: The butcher killed him

Q.: Where is the butcher?         A.: The butcher is behind the door and a three penny loaf in his pocket.

Anyone who skits or laughs or talks during these proceedings will get three smacks and three pinches.

Collector: Dónal de Grás, Ardeevin N.S.

Informant: Séamus Mac Gloinn, Feirmeoir, Leitra, Aois 84

Source: Folio No. 1136, Pages 281, 282. Irish Folklore Main Manuscript Collection