The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

RED ROVER

TWO TEAMS FACE EACH OTHER. EACH TEAM FORMS A CHAIN BY LINKING ARMS.
ONE SIDE CALLS, "RED ROVER, RED ROVER, SEND JOHNNY RIGHT OVER."
JOHNNY THEN TRIES TO BREAK THE CHAIN BETWEEN THE TWO PEOPLE.
1. IF HE SUCCEEDS, HE MAY THEN CHOOSE ANY OPPOSING PLAYER TO
JOIN HIM ON HIS ORIGINAL TEAM. THIS WILL MAKE THAT CHAIN LONGER.
2. IF HE FAILS TO BREAK THE CHAIN, THEN HE MUST JOIN THE OTHER
TEAM. EACH TEAM TAKES TURNS CALLING PEOPLE OVER. THE GAME IS
PLAYED UNTIL THERE IS ONE PLAYER LEFT, WHO WHEN CALLED OVER,
FAILS TO BREAK THE CHAIN, THEREFORE ALL THE PLAYERS ARE ON ONE
SIDE. EVERYONE COMES OUT A WINNER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Date learned: 00-00-1967