The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

JOHNNY OVER THE OCEAN

TWO PEOPLE ARE HOLDING EACH END OF THE ROPE AND THEY SWING THE ROPE
BACK AND FORTH WHILE A THIRD PERSON JUMPS OVER THE ROPE. THE OTHERS
ARE SAYING WORDS; WITH EACH WORD THAT IS BEING SAID THE
THIRD PERSON JUMPS OVER THE ROPE. THE TWO ROPE HOLDERS ARE
SAYING IN A SING-SONG WAY THE FOLLOWING:
JOHNNY OVER THE OCEAN
JOHNNY OVER THE SEA
JOHNNY BROKE A BEER BOTTLE AND BLAMED IT ON ME
I TOLD POPPA
POPPA TOLD MOMMA
NOW JOHNNY IS GONNA GET A RED HOT BEATIN.
THEN AS SOON AS THE ROPE HOLDERS SAY RED HOT BEATIN THEY TURN THE
ROPE IN A COMPLETE CIRCLE VERY FAST OVER AND OVER AGAIN UNTIL THE
JUMPER STOPS OR UNTIL THE JUMPER'S FOOT TANGLES WITH THE ROPE.

Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED THIS FOLKLORE FROM HER CHILDHOOD DAYS IN HER HOME TOWN.
THIS FOLKGAME INVOLVES CHILDREN JUMPING ROPE WITH THE SOLE
PURPOSE OF COMPETING WITH THEIR OPPONENTS. THE DURATION OF
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS STRESSED IN THIS GAME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00001930'S