The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

JUMP-ROPE RHYME

I WENT DOWNTOWN
TO SEE MISS BROWN.
SHE GAVE ME A NICKEL
TO BUY A PICKLE.
THE PICKLE WAS SOUR
SHE GAVE ME A DOLLAR
TO BUY A FLOWER.
ON THE FLOWER WAS A BEE
THE BEE STUNG ME.
HOW MANY STINGS DID I GET?

Submitter comment: THE ROPE IS TWIRLED AT NORMAL RATE UNTIL THE CLOSE OF THE LAST LINE,
WHEN THE SPEED OF THE ROPE IS INCREASED. (KNOWN AS HOT PEPPERS.)
THEN THE JUMPER COUNTS A NUMBER FOR EACH SUCCESSIVE JUMP, EACH
REPRESENTING A BEE'S
STING. AS SOON AS THE JUMPER MISSES, HER TURN IS
OVER.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

Date learned: 09-00-1973