The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Jump Rope Rhyme

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS SAILED THE OCEAN BLUE
IN FOURTEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-TWO.
THE WAVES WENT HIGHER AND HIGHER
AND OVER THE OCEAN BLUE.

(CHANTED BY THE CHILDREN AS THE ROPE IS SWUNG FROM SIDE TO SIDE. PARTIAL UNDERLINING INDICATES AT WHAT POINTS THE ROPE IS SWUNG.)

(ON THE WORDS "HIGHER" AND HIGHER" THE ROPE IS SWUNG HIGHER FROM SIDE TO SIDE.
ON THE WORDS "OVER" AND "BLUE" THE ROPE IS SWUNG AROUND IN THE CONVENTIONAL MANNER.)

THIS CHILD JUMPS OUT OF THE ROPE AND IT IS REPEATED FOR THE NEXT CHILD.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN GRADE SCHOOL IN NORTHWEST DETROIT.

 

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; PLAIN-JUMP

Date learned: 11-00-1967