The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

RED ROVER

A GAME FOR MANY PLAYERS; TEAMS ARE PICKED AND THEY LINE UP
HOLDING HANDS WITH A GOOD GRIP. THE TEAM THAT IS FIRST
HOLLERS OUT: "RED ROVER, RED ROVER, LET (PLAYER'S NAME
ON OPPOSITE TEAM) COME OVER." THIS PLAYER THEN TRIES TO
BREAK THROUGH THE CHAIN OF PEOPLE OF THE OPPOSITE TEAM.
IF HE IS SUCCESSFUL, HE GETS TO CHOOSE ONE OF THEIR
PLAYERS TO COME BACK WITH HIM TO BE A MEMBER OF HIS
ORIGINAL TEAM. IF HE FAILS, HE MUST THEN BECOME A
MEMBER OF THE OTHER TEAM. THE GAME CONTINUES UNTIL ALL
PLAYERS ARE ON ONE TEAM. OR UNTIL TIME REQUIRES,
THEN THE TEAM WITH THE MOST PLAYERS IS THE WINNER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: CHILDHOOD