How Many Miles to Babylon?

Thread the Needle Game - Under the Arch

Quoted from The Weirs Times Online , “Ask Historian Dr. Heald” 

Thread the Needle - A group of children join hands, forming a straight line. The players at each end of the line have the following conversation: “How many miles to Babylon?” “Three score and ten.” “Can I get there by candlelight?” “Yes and back again.” “Then open the gates without more ado, and let the King and his men pass through.” The children and the one next to him at the end of the line opposite the last speaker form an arch with their joined hands, and the speaker runs under the arch while the whole line follows, still holding hands. This should be done without breaking hands. When everybody has passed through, different players are at the ends of the line, and the dialogue is repeated.