Do The Jump Rope Double Dutch With It Song

If you’ve ever tried to remember the “do the jump rope double dutch with it song,” you’re not alone. That classic chant “Double Dutch with it” evokes nostalgic playground memories for many, but the full lyrics and history can be surprisingly elusive.

This article is your complete guide. We’ll cover the song’s origins, break down the exact lyrics and moves, and explain how it became a staple of childhood. You’ll learn everything you need to know, from the basic rhythm to teaching it to a new generation.

The “Double Dutch with it” song is more than just a rhyme. It’s a cultural artifact from the heyday of street play. It belongs to a tradition of call-and-response chants that turned skipping rope into a competitive and artistic sport.

Its popularity peaked in the 1980s and 1990s, often heard on blacktops and playgrounds across the country. The song is specifically designed for Double Dutch, where two ropes are turned in opposite directions.

The chant provides a critical rhythmic structure for the jumper. It dictates the timing of jumps and the sequence of tricks or steps that the performer must execute. Without the song, the complex coordination required feels much harder.

The Origins And History Of The Chant

Pinpointing the exact origin of the “Double Dutch with it” song is tricky. Like most playground chants, it was passed down orally. Children learned it from older siblings or friends, often with slight regional variations in the lyrics.

It shares DNA with African American vernacular traditions, hip-hop, and the broader jump rope rhyme canon. The chant’s structure—a lead caller and a group response—is a classic feature of these communal activities.

The song likely gained wider exposure through media. It appeared in movies, television shows featuring street culture, and possibly even early music videos that drew from urban dance trends. This helped cement its place as *the* Double Dutch anthem for a certain era.

Key Cultural Touchstones

1980s Hip-Hop Influence: The chant’s rhythm and cadence mirror the emerging hip-hop music of the time.
Double Dutch as Sport: The formalization of Double Dutch leagues gave songs like this a competitive platform.
Playground as a Cultural Hub: Before digital entertainment, the playground was where trends were set and shared.

Complete Lyrics And Breakdown

Here are the most commonly accepted lyrics for the core “do the jump rope double dutch with it song.” Remember, you might here slight differences, but this is the standard version.

The Main Chant:

(Caller): Double Dutch with it!
(Group/Response): Do the Double Dutch with it!
(Caller): Double Dutch with it!
(Group/Response): Do the Double Dutch with it!
(All): Now slide, slide, baby, slide it to the left!
Now slide, slide, baby, slide it to the right!
Now criss-cross!
Now turn around!
Now touch the ground!

The chant then typically repeats from the top. The caller can improvise or add new commands after the “touch the ground” line, like “Now do the splits!” or “Now jump real high!”

What Each Lyric Means for the Jumper

“Double Dutch with it / Do the Double Dutch with it”: This is the entry and steady jumping phase. The jumper finds the rhythm of the two ropes.
“Slide it to the left/right”: The jumper shifts their entire body weight to the left or right while continuing to jump, often moving across the plane of the ropes.
“Criss-cross”: The jumper crosses their arms in front of their body while jumping. This is a classic trick that requires precise timing.
“Turn around”: The jumper performs a 180-degree or 360-degree turn mid-air while maintaining the jump rhythm.
“Touch the ground”: The jumper quickly touches the ground with one or both hands between jumps, a move requiring great agility and balance.

Step-by-Step Guide To Performing The Song

Knowing the lyrics is one thing; executing them is another. Follow these steps to perform the song correctly, whether you’re a jumper or a turner.

Step 1: Gather Your Equipment and Team

You need a long jump rope, or preferably two identical long ropes. You need at least three people: two turners and one jumper. The turners must be able to turn the ropes in opposite, eggbeater-style rhythms smoothly.

Step 2: Master the Basic Double Dutch Jump

Before adding the song, the jumper must get comfortable with the basic entry and jump. The turners start turning the ropes. The jumper stands just outside the ropes, timing the “tic-toc” sound.

Listen for the rope hitting the ground.
As the nearest rope swings toward the sky, run into the center.
Begin jumping with both feet at a steady pace, one jump per full rotation of the ropes.

Step 3: Integrate the Chant and Moves

Once the jumper is steady, the caller (often one of the turners or a fourth person) begins the song. The jumper performs each move as it is called.

Start jumping during the “Double Dutch with it” calls.
On “slide to the left,” hop your whole body left without breaking the jump rhythm.
On “criss-cross,” quickly cross and uncross your arms. Practice this without a rope first.
For “turn around,” use a small hop to pivot. Start with a half-turn.
“Touch the ground” is the hardest. Bend your knees deeply on a jump and tap the floor, then immediately rebound up.

Common Variations And Related Rhymes

The “do the jump rope double dutch with it song” has cousins. Many chants used similar structures with different commands. Here are a few popular variations you might encounter.

“Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear”: This rhyme includes commands like “touch the ground” and “turn around,” showing how themes were shared across chants.
“Cinderella, dressed in yella”: Another narrative chant that often included specific action commands for the jumper.
“Down Down Baby”: A clapping and sometimes jump rope chant with a distinct melodic structure.

The core “Double Dutch with it” framework was also adaptable. Clever callers would add new, improvised commands to test the jumper, like “Now do a spin!” or “Now jump on one leg!” This kept the game fresh and challenging.

Teaching The Song To Kids Today

In an age of screens, teaching this song is a wonderful way to encourage physical activity and cultural connection. Here’s how to introduce it.

First, break it down. Teach the lyrics as a poem or a song before adding the rope. Let kids clap the rhythm. Then, demonstrate the moves on solid ground without any ropes.

Use a single, slowly turned rope before attempting Double Dutch. This builds confidence. Let the child be the caller first, so they learn the sequence without the pressure of jumping.

Celebrate small successes. Nailing the “criss-cross” is a big deal. The goal is fun and participation, not perfection. You might even show them video clips of Double Dutch teams to inspire them.

The Role Of Music And Rhythm In Jump Rope

The song isn’t just for fun; it serves a vital mechanical purpose. The consistent, driving rhythm of the chant helps the turners maintain a steady pace. For the jumper, it acts as a mental metronome.

Knowing the song’s structure allows the jumper to anticipate changes. They know that after the slides, a criss-cross is coming. This anticipation is key to performing complex trick sequences smoothly.

This connection between chant, rhythm, and movement is foundational to many street and folk dances worldwide. The “do the jump rope double dutch with it song” is a perfect, accessible example of this tradition.

FAQ About The Double Dutch With It Song

What are the full lyrics to the “Double Dutch with it” song?

The core lyrics are: “Double Dutch with it! / Do the Double Dutch with it! (repeated) / Now slide, slide, baby, slide it to the left! / Now slide, slide, baby, slide it to the right! / Now criss-cross! / Now turn around! / Now touch the ground!” It then typically repeats.

Is there an official artist or recording of this song?

There is no single official artist. It is a traditional playground chant. However, it has been referenced and sampled in various hip-hop and pop songs over the years, which helped spread its popularity.

How do you do the moves in the song?

The moves correspond directly to the lyrics: sliding your feet left/right while jumping, crossing your arms (“criss-cross”), spinning your body (“turn around”), and quickly touching the floor between jumps (“touch the ground”).

What’s the difference between Double Dutch and single rope jumping?

Double Dutch uses two long ropes turned in opposite directions, creating a more complex jumping pattern. Single rope uses one rope, usually turned by the jumper themself. The “Double Dutch with it” song is specifically designed for the two-rope version.

Can you play the game with just two people?

It’s very difficult. Ideally, you need two turners and one jumper. However, with practice, one person can turn both ropes by attaching the other ends to fixed objects like fence posts, allowing for solo practice of the jumps and moves.

The “do the jump rope double dutch with it song” is a vibrant piece of living history. It connects generations through rhythm, play, and shared memory. Whether you’re recalling your own childhood or teaching a child today, its beat goes on.