The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

JOHNNY, MAY I CROSS YOUR BRIDGE?

THE GAME IS PLAYED ON A LAWN. ALL THE CHLDREN EXCEPT
ONE, WHO IS JOHNNY, ARE ON ONE SIDE OF THE LAWN.
JOHNNY IS AT THE OTHER.
ONE CHILD: JOHNNY, MAY I CROSS YOUR BRIDGE?
JOHNNY: NOT UNLESS YOU HAVE (A COLOR) ON.
IF THE CHILD HAS THE COLOR ON, HE MAY WALK TO THE OTHER
SIDE OF THE LAWN. IF NOT, HE MUST RUN ACROSS AND TRY
NOT TO GET CAUGHT. PLAY CONTINUES FROM ONE SIDE TO
THE OTHER UNTIL ALL THE CHILDREN BUT ONE ARE CAUGHT.
THIS CHILD BECOMES "IT" OR JOHNNY.

Submitter comment: KAREN LEARNED THIS FROM AND PLAYED IT WITH NEIGHBOR
CHILDREN IN NORTHWEST DETROIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-00-1967