Ollie Ollie Oxen Free

The Backstory…

One of my most favorite street games as a kid was “Hide ‘n Seek”…I mean, what a perfect game, right? I often engage in this evasive activity with my cousins during holiday visits or overnight stays at my best friend’s house in Huntington Beach. In honor of all my childhood family ‘n friends who never found me, this one’s for you!

Lyrics

Butterflies and pancake skies,

What a perfect playground day,

I’ve got Katy, Matty, Andrea, and Tommy, 

And the ultimate game to play,

Darn I’m it! …three, two, one!

I scream, “Ready or not, here I come!

Would I find you here,

Or would I find you there?

So many places,

Oh where could you be?

Hiding under the bed,

Or behind the maple tree,

Ollie, Ollie, oxen, free, 

Come on out no need to sneak,

Let’s play another game of hide and seek.

The rules are easy, no need for cheating,

Just get lost, so you can’t get found,

Find a really small space, and cover your face,

Remember not to make a sound…

Darn I’m it! …three, two, one!

I scream, “Ready or not, here I come!

CHORUS

Whispers and giggles,

I wish I were hiding instead…

I’d act like a pillow and stuff myself,

Underneath  my mom’s bedspread.

My wish came true, I knew, I knew,

I’d get the chance to run for cover,

Here in my hiding place, I feel my heart pump and race,

And pray I won’t be discovered…

Darn I’m it! …three, two, one!

I scream, “Ready or not, here I come!

CHORUS

©2009 Splashing Mermaid Music

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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash, edited with BeCasso