Willingly Lost

"Olly olly oxen free" is a catchphrase or truce term used in children's games such as hide and seek, capture the flag, and kick the can to indicate that players who are hiding can come out into the open without losing the game or that the position of the sides in a game has changed[1] (as in which side is on the field or which side is at bat or "up" in baseball or kickball); alternatively, that the game is entirely over.

The origin of the phrase is unknown. The Dictionary of American Regional English says the phrase may be derived from all ye, all ye outs in free, all the outs in free, or possibly ”calling all the outs in free”; in other words, all who are out may come in without penalty.[2] Others speculate the phrase may be a corruption of a hypothetical and ungrammatical German phrase alle, alle, auch sind frei (all, all, also are free).[1]

A number of variations exist. "Ollyoxalls" is one such variant, said to be used in Portsmouth, England.[3] Another variant is "Ollie Ollie in come free.

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hiding neath the red oak tree

silently lying, very still

they have never, ever found me

and I know, they never will

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olly olly oxen free

they scream, hands cupped, with all their might

their call out is a guarantee

that I'm the last one found tonight

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but until their eyes are on me

until they've bent to touch my skin

I whistle out a repartee

that I am never giving in

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what fun comes with surrender

what's the point of getting lost

when faced with a true contender

I protest, with both arms crossed

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camouflaged in shifting shadows

my hands snugly over my eyes

until my will has decomposed

I can't, I won't - materialize

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the art of game, of being lost

blending in and being quiet

searching until complete exhaust

to some is unrequited

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to me, it is exhilarating

sends goosebumps up and down my spine

give up or hide, there's no debating

I'll be hiding all the time

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to quit and trust a wordy promise

when win or lose is what's at stake

I feel a bit like doubting Thomas

trusting makes my stomach ache

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their voices faint, it's getting darker

I almost go, but hesitate

this tree, my rock, my one safe harbor

I nestle in and show restraint

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the wind begins to howl around me

wildly it whispers in my ear

my loving faithful red oak tree

begins to warn, trouble is near

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the birds take flight, their wings a flutter

I close my eyes with all my might

the sky, with rain, begins to sputter

it is a dark and stormy night

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a whisper "who" is drawing nearer

the voice, not one, I recognize

the yellow eyes are getting clearer

my hiding place is compromised

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goosebumps begin to dot my body

these bumps crawl underneath my skin

the damp, cold ground is smelling soddy

I fear this night will do me in

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why did I ignore the call, surrender?

who will save me from this fate

will I be forgotten, lost forever

will morning's sun arrive too late

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given the chance, I'd take the offer

at home, a winner , tucked in my bed

but lost I'll be, hide and seeks martyr

under this red oak, I rest my head