ID: 152
Date: 1920s -  2006
Title: Crocodile, crocodile
Gender: Male/Female 
Classification: Game 
Rhyme: 

Hey, Mr Crocodile, 
What's your favourite colour? 
If not, why not? 
Cross the golden river.

(Christchurch, 2004)

--

Crocodile, crocodile, 
Can we cross your golden river?
If not, why not?
Choose your favourite colour.

(Christchurch, 2000; Ashburton, 2006)

--

Crocodile, crocodile,
May we cross your golden river?
Only if you're wearing (red).

(Timaru, 2000)

--

Farmer, farmer, 
May we cross your golden river?
If not, why not,
What's the secret colour?

(Hamilton, 1990s; North Shore, 1990s; Rotorua, 2000 x 2 )

--

King O'Seeny,
King O'Seeny,
Can I cross your water?

(Auckland, 1940s - used with 'gates' as a truce term.)

--

Please, Jack, may we cross your golden river?
Yes, you may cross my golden river 
If you have red on you.

(NZ, 1920-1950 (Sutton-Smith, 1959:66))

--
 
Background Info: Call and response elimination game - all players wearing the colour named get to cross safely; the others have to try to pass over the line without getting tagged. 

==

Sutton-Smith, 1959:66, describes the version of "Please Jack, may we cross your golden river?" On the naming of a colour, those children wearing that colour can cross safely as described above. (1920s-1950)

==

Description in Turner, 1978:52. along with the rhyme:

Crocodile, crocodile, 
Can we cross your golden waters?
Not unless you've got red.

(Melbourne, 1964)

==
 
Location: Various NZ 
Group size: 10 
Incidence: 10