The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

RED ROVER

I USED TO PLAY THIS GAME WHEN I WAS A CHILD. THERE
WOULD BE TWO TEAMS, EACH LINED UP, HAND IN HAND,
OPPOSITE THE OTHER. ONE TEAM WOULD CHANT "RED ROVER,
RED ROVER, SEND (THE NAME OF SOMEONE ON THE OTHER
TEAM) OVER." THAT PERSON WOULD THEN RUN AND TRY TO
BREAK THROUGH THE OTHER TEAM. IF HE SUCCEEDED HE COULD
BRING ONE PLAYER BACK TO JOIN HIS TEAM. IF HE FAILED,
HE HAD TO STAY WITH THIS TEAM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: NOT GIVEN