The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

RED ROVER

RED ROVER IS A GAME WHICH REQUIRES AT LEAST SIX PEOPLE.
THERE ARE TWO TEAMS, WHICH STAND IN LINES FACING
EACH OTHER, HANDS JOINED TIGHTLY. ONE TEAM SHOUTS TO
THE OTHER, "RED ROVER, RED ROVER, LET (STINKY, OR
WHOMEVER) COME OVER." THE PERSON WHOSE NAME WAS
CALLED LEAVES HIS TEAM AND RUNS, TRYING TO BREAK THROUGH
A PAIR OF THE OTHER TEAM'S JOINED HANDS. IF HE FAILS
TO SEPARATE THE HANDS, HE JOINS THE OPPOSING TEAM.
IF HE SUCCEEDS, HE GOES BACK TO HIS OWN TEAM. THIS
CONTINUES UNTIL ONE TEAM HAS ALL THE PLAYERS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1959