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Two in the Rope

Two in the rope, and two take end, / Both are sisters, both are friend…

In and outLong rope

Two in the rope, and two take end,
Both are sisters, both are friend,
One named (Maudie), one named (Kate)--
Two in the rope and two take end.

How to play

Two skip and two turn. Put in the names of the two skippers.

Where this rhyme comes from

Printed
1916
Where
London

We have copied these words exactly as they were printed in 1916, spelling and all. The book marks it as a skipping rhyme.

The 1916 London ancestor of our "Drip, Drop" mermaid rhyme ("Skip in the middle, one at each end").

Source: Norman Douglas, London Street Games (London: The St. Catherine Press, 1916) (public domain).

Older and newer versions

The same rhyme, changed by children over the years.

Out goes youDrip, DropDrip, drop, drip, drop
Down by the sea…

More rhymes like this

In and outOut goes youPrinted 1916I-N Spells InI-N spells in--
I was in my kitchen…In and outCountingPrinted 1898Every Morning at Eight O'ClockEvery morning at eight o'clock,
You all may hear the postman's knock…In and outPrinted 1898All In, a Bottle of GinAll in, a bottle of gin,
All out, a bottle of stout…In and outc. 1960sHad a Little Austin in 1948Had a little Austin in 1948
drove it round the corner…

Sent in by Jan B., Hazelgrove (remembered from about 1966)

In and outSitting in the KitchenSitting in the kitchen,
Doing a bit of knitting…

Sent in by Erica O.