The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

JUMP-ROPE RHYME

JOHNNY OVER THE OCEAN
JOHNNY OVER THE SEA
JOHNNY BROKE A MILK-BOTTLE
AND BLAMED IT ON ME
I TOLD MA
MA TOLD PA
JOHNNY GOT A LICKIN'
HA, HA, HA
HOW MANY LICKINS DID HE 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 ONE LICKING.
AS SOON AS THE JUMPER MISSES, HER TURN IS OVER.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

Date learned: 09-00-1973