The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THIS GAME IS COMMONLY CALLED "REDLIGHT-GREENLIGHT"
AND ANY NUMBER OF CHILDREN MAY PLAY. ONE PERSON
STANDS FAR AWAY (MAYBE 80 FEET OR SO) FROM THE OTHER
CHILDREN WHO ARE IN A LINE. HE HAS HIS BACK TURNED TO
THEM AND HE YELLS OUT, "GREENLIGHT," AND THEY ALL RUN,
WALK, OR TRY TO SNEAK UP BEHIND HIM. THE LEADER THEN
YELLS OUT, "REDLIGHT," MEANING FOR THEM TO STOP, AND
HE TURNS AROUND AS SOON AS HE SAYS IT. ALL THOSE HE
SAW MOVING, HE SENDS BACK TO THE STARTING LINE AND THE
OTHERS STAY IN THEIR NEW POSITION. THE GAME CONTINUES
IN LIKE MANNER UNTIL ONE PERSON FROM THE GROUP GETS
ALL THE WAY TO THE FINISH AND TAGS THE CALLER.
THEN THAT PERSON BECOMES THE CALLER. (SEE DIAGRAM)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Date learned: 00001950S