The Game of Snap-Dragon

raisinsI have a book called 255 Party Games to Play that was written in 1934. A very fun book of old parlour games. One that has particularly caught my interest is one called Snap-Dragon. Has anyone ever heard of this? Here is the description:

Snap Dragon is at least a century old-it was played way back in Merrie England, yet it has zip enough in it to satisfy the most hilarious of our much touted “younger set”.

Essentially a Halloween game, it can be used for any kind of a party. You need only a large pan, some alcohol, and a package of raisins. Pour the alcohol in the pan and light it with a match. Then throw the raisins into the burning liquid-and let the adventurous ones snatch out raisins as best they can.

That’s right folks, a book that encourages young children to stick their hands into fire. Man, I bet the 1930s were awesome. Ok, so it gets better. According to wikipedia, there was a snap-dragon song!

Here he comes with flaming bowl,
Don’t he mean to take his toll,
Snip! Snap! Dragon!
Take care you don’t take too much,
Be not greedy in your clutch,
Snip! Snap! Dragon!
With his blue and lapping tongue
Many of you will be stung,
Snip! Snap! Dragon!
For he snaps at all that comes
Snatching at his feast of plums,
Snip! Snap! Dragon!
But Old Christmas makes him come,
Though he looks so fee! fa! fum!
Snip! Snap! Dragon!
Don’t ‘ee fear him but be bold —
Out he goes his flames are cold,
Snip! Snap! Dragon!

4 thoughts on “The Game of Snap-Dragon

  1. Thank you!!! I was just watching a Hercule Poirot episode where,at a Halloween Party, the children were playing this. I couldn’t help think but kids were very adventurous putting their hands into the flames so fearlessly!!! And the parents were the ones who set it all up for them!!! They’d lose their kids if they did this today!!!

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