ID: 127
Date: 1905 - 2000
Title: Queenie, Queenie
Gender: Female 
Classification: Game 
Rhyme: 

Queenie, Queenie who's got the ball? 
See I haven't got it, I haven't got it, 
So Queenie, Queenie who's got the ball?

(Canterbury, 1960s; NZ ex UK, 1960s; Rotorua, 1970s; Hamilton, 1982)

--

Allabella, Allabella, who's got the ball? (Gabriella)
See I haven't, I haven't, I haven't at all.

(Christchurch, 1960s)

--

Ali baba, Ali baba, who's got the ball?
I haven't got it, in my little pocket.
Ali Baba, Ali Baba, who's got the ball?

(Scottish childhood recall,1950s)

--

Bella, bella, who's got the ball?

(Whakatane, 1970s)

--

Queenie, Queenie, who's got the ball?
Is she big or is she small?
Is she fat or is she thin?
Or is she like a rolling pin?

(Waipukurau, 2000)

--
 
Background Info: In this game, the leader, with her back to the group, throws the ball over her head to the group. The catcher hides the ball behind her back and when the leader turns around she has to guess who has the ball. If she guesses correctly, she remains Queenie for the next round.
(Personal informant)

==

Described in Turner, 1978:50. Variations include:

Queenie, Queenie, who's got the ball?
Is she fat or is she small?
Is she thin or is she tall?
Queenie, Queenie, who's got the ball?

(Melbourne, 1963)

==

Sutton Smith, 1959:51, describes details of the 'Queenie' game and the 1905 chant:

Alla Balla, who has got the ball?
See, I haven't, 
See, I haven't,
See, I haven't at all.

==

Opie, 1984:290-294, records details of the game and variations including:
Ali Baba, Ellebella Cinderella, Alabala.

==
 
Location: Various NZ, Scotland 
Group size: 8 
Incidence: 8