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CAMPSONG DIKKI BIRD
HIGH IN A TREE A DIKKI BIRD
BIM SALA BIM BAM BA SALA DU SALA BIM.
HIGH IN A TREE A DIKKI BIRD SAT.
BENEATH HIM SAT A FURRY BLACK
BIM SALA BIM BAM BA SALA DU SALA BIM.
BENEATH HIM SAT A FURRY BLACK CAT.
HE SAID FOR DINNER I SHALL HAVE
BIM SALA BIM BAM BA SALA DU SALA BIM.
HE SAID FOR DINNER I SHALL HAVE YOU.
THEN ALL AT ONCE THE DIKKI BIRD
BIM SALA BIM BAM BA SALA DU SALA BIM.
THEN ALL AT ONCE THE DIKKI BIRD FLEW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
James Callow Keyword(s): DELAYED COMPLETION ; NONSENSE REFRAIN
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad, Song, Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
FEE, FI, FO, FUM. I SMELL THE BLOOD OF AN ENGLISHMAN.
BE HE LIVE OR BE HE DEAD
ILL BREAK HIS BONES TO BAKE MY BREAD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THIS WHENEVER HE HEARS A GREEN GIANT COMMERCIAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.642 |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
LIFT YOUR FEET AND HANDS AS YOU GO OVER THE RAILROAD TRACKS OR YOU
WILL BE THE FAT LADY ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 02-27-1979
COUNTING OUT RHYME
MY MOTHER AND YOUR MOTHER LIVE ACROSS THE STREET, EIGHTEEN NINETEEN
BROADWAY STREET. EVERY NIGHT THEY HAVE A FIGHT AND THIS IS WHAT
THEY SAY, ICKI BICKI SODA CRACKER ICKIBICKI BOO ICKI BICKI SODA
CRACKER OUT GOES YOU.
Submitter comment:
THE CHILDREN SIT IN A CIRCLE AND THE CALLER TOUCHES ONE FOOT
FOR EACH WORD HE SAYS. THE LAST PERSON TOUCHED WITHDRAWS HIS
FOOT. THIS CONTINUES UNTIL ONLY ONE PERSON IS LEFT. HE THEN IS IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MILFORD
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
IF A SHOP OWNER DOES NOT PLEASE THE FIRST CUSTOMER HE HAS IN THE
MORNING, HE WILL HAVE BAD LUCK FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT THIS SUPERSTITION IS BELIEVED WIDELY AMONG
JEWISH PEOPLE. SHE TOLD ME THAT HER FATHER USED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
SHOP OWNERS WHO BELIEVED IN THIS SUPERSTITION BY MAKING IT A POINT
TO BE THE FIRST CUSTOMER OF THE DAY AND HAGGLING OVER THE PRICE
OF SOME ITEM IN ORDER TO GET A GOOD BUY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck |
PROSE ROUND ; FORMULA TALE
THE NARRATOR RELATES A STORY OF HIS OWN DEATH (BY WHATEVER CAUSE),
AND ADDS: THEY BURIED ME IN THE SAND, AND THE SAND TICKLED, AND I
LAUGHED} I LAUGHED SO HARD I THOUGHT I'D DIE. AND DIE I DID. THEY
BURIED ME IN THE SAND, AND THE SAND TICKLED, ETC.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: CA00001968
PROSE ROUND ; FORMULA TALE
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT. WE WERE ALL SITTING AROUND THE
CAMPFIRE WHEN SUDDENLY UNCLE JOE WALKED UP, AND SOMEONE CALLED OUT
"UNCLE JOE, TELL US A STORY}" AND HE BEGAN: "IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY
NIGHT. WE WERE ALL SITTING AROUND THE CAMPFIRE WHEN SUDDENLY UNCLE
GEORGE WALKED UP, AND SOMEONE CALLED OUT, "UNCLE GEORGE, TELL US A
STORY}" (THIS IS REPEATED, USING A DIFFERENT NAME EACH TIME.)
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN INVOLVING NAMES ; INTERESTING COMBINATION OF ROUND AND CHAIN TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: CA00001968
Joke
THIS STORY IS TOLD WITH THE INTENTION OF MAKING SOMEONE FEEL FOOLISH
OR UNCOMFORTABLE. THE STORY GOES: A MAN AND HIS DOG WALK INTO THIS
RESTAURANT AND SIT DOWN AT A TABLE. A WAITRESS WALKS UP AND ASKS
"WHAT'LL YOU HAVE?" AND THE MAN SAYS "I'LL HAVE A STEAK, WELL DONE,
SOME MASHED POTATOES, AND A SALAD. AND BRING ME A PIECE OF APPLE PIE
FOR MY DOG." THE WAITRESS REPLIES, "I'M SORRY SIR, WE DON'T HAVE ANY
APPLE PIE, WILL PEACH PIE DO?"
AT THIS POINT SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO ARE "IN" ON WHAT IS HAPPENING LAUGH
HYSTERICALLY. OF COURSE, THE OUTSIDER DOESN'T, AND PREFERABLY SOME
OF THE CONSPIRATORS DON'T EITHER. THE NARRATOR EXPRESSES DISBELIEF
THAT THE POINT OF THE STORY WAS MISSED, AND ASKS THAT SOMEONE ELSE
TELL IT("MAYBE I DIDN'T TELL IT WELL."). THE CONSPIRATORS TAKE TURNS
TELLING THE STORY AND EACH TIME ANOTHER PERSON JOINS IN THE LAUGHTER
("I GET IT NOW}"). FINALLY ONLY THE OUTSIDER IS LEFT CONFUSED OVER
THE MEANING OF THE STORY.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSURD ; DOG ; JOKE ; Pie ; Pointless ; POTATO ; RIDDLE ; Waitress
James Callow Keyword(s): BRUNVAND ; SHAGGY DOG STORY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: CA00001970
CHURCH CUSTOM
ON THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY (JAN. 6), IT IS A CUSTOM AMONG ROMAN
CATHOLICS TO HAVE A PIECE OF CHALK BLESSED BY A PRIEST AND TO WRITE
OVER AN ENTRANCE TO THEIR HOUSE THE INITIALS OF THE THREE KINGS IN
THE FOLLOWING MANNER: FIRST, THE FIRST TWO NUMBERS OF THE YEAR ARE
WRITTEN, THEN A CROSS, THEN K (FOR KASPAR), CROSS, M (MELCHIOR),
CROSS, B (BALTAZAR), CROSS, THEN THE LAST TWO NUMBERS OF THE YEAR.
FOR EXAMPLE, FOR THE YEAR 1979: 19 + K + M + B + 79.
IF THIS IS DONE, IT WILL PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM BEING STRUCK BY
LIGHTNING IN THE COMING YEAR.
Submitter comment:
THE SPELLINGS OF THE NAMES OF THE KINGS ARE AS GIVEN TO ME BY MY
INFORMANT.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 02-17-1979
PRACTICAL JOKE
THE FOLLOWING WAS A POPULAR PRACTICAL JOKE IN ENGLAND IN THE EARLY
1920'S.
A PIECE OF FRESH COW OR HORSE MANURE WOULD BE PLACED ON THE THUMB
LATCH OF THE VICTIM'S DOOR (A THUMB LATCH IS A KIND OF DOOR HANDLE
WHICH IS GRASPED WITH THE FINGERS WHILE A LATCH IS PUSHED DOWN WITH
THE THUMB) AND A THORN FROM A NEARBY HEDGEROW WOULD BE STOOD UP IN
IT. THIS IS USUALLY DONE AT DUSK, SO THE VICTIM WHO WILL OPEN
THE DOOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE THUMB LATCH CLEARLY. WHEN THE
VICTIM PUSHES HIS THUMB INTO THE MANURE HE IS STABBED BY THE THORN,
AND HIS NATURAL REACTION TO THE PAIN IS TO PLACE HIS THUMB IN HIS
MOUTH AND SUCK ON IT.
Submitter comment: MY FATHER RECALLS THIS FROM THE TIME HE LIVED IN CORNWALL.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-17-1979
ANIMAL
IF YOU EAT A HOG'S EYE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE COLOR
OF THE WIND.
THE WIND IS SAID TO BE RED.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER STATED THAT MY GRANDFATHER ATE A HOG'S EYE AND
SAW THE RED WIND. SHE SAID IT SCARED HIM TO DEATH.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; MILLEDGEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
FOLK BELIEFS
A SORE WILL NOT HEAL DURING DOG DAYS. DOG DAYS ARE FORTY
DAYS DURING LATE SUMMER. IT USUALLY STARTS THE LAST OF
JULY TO LATE AUGUST.
Submitter comment:
MY AUNT ALWAYS SAID THIS DURING DOG DAYS. TO A CERTAIN EXTENT IT
WAS TRUE. SORES TOOK A LONG TIME TO HEAL.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; MILLEDGEVILLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Summer BELIEF -- Measure of time Summer BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SIGNS OF THE DEVIL
IF LEAVES DANCE IN A CIRCLE WHILE THE WIND IS BLOWING THEM,
IT IS A SIGN OF THE DEVIL.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; MILLEDGEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SIGNS OF REVELATIONS
WHEN THE FIG TREES BLOOM IT IS A SIGN THAT THE WORLD IS NEARING
ITS END.
Submitter comment:
MY AUNT WATCHES THE FIG TREE THAT SHE HAS IN HER YARD CONSTANTLY
TO SEE IF IT HAS BLOOMED.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; MILLEDGEVILLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Universe BELIEF -- Origin of Characteristics of Plants BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SPANISH CUSTOM ; SPANISH VERSE
SANA QUE SANA CULITO DE RANA,
QUE POR LA MANANA YA ESTARA SANA/
GET WELL, GET WELL, LITTLE FROG ASS,
THAT BY MORNING YOU WILL BE ALL RIGHT.
THIS VERSE, IN SPANISH HOUSEHOLDS,
IS REPEATED TO SMALL CHILDREN BY
THEIR FATHER OR MOTHER TO HELP RELIEVE
THE PAIN OF A SMALL INJURY.
Submitter comment:
WHEN MY BROTHER AND SISTERS AND I WERE YOUNG AND HAPPENED
TO SKIN A KNEE OR ELBOW OR SOMETHING, MY FATHER
WOULD REPEAT THIS VERSE TO US WHILE PATTING THE KNEE,
ELBOW, ETC. IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE US FEEL BETTER.
HE ALWAYS RECITED IT IN SPANISH, AND I NEVER KNEW THE
TRANSLATION UNTIL RECENTLY.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; AGUADA
Date learned: CA00001930S
BELIEF
PUTTING AN EXTRA CANDLE ON A BIRTHDAY CAKE WILL BRING GOOD
LUCK TO THE PERSON WHO IS CELEBRATING THEIR BIRTHDAY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- P647 BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1 BELIEF -- Good luck P881.4 |
Date learned: CA00001950S
EASTERTIDE
ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER A BOY WILL MAKE A BRAID OUT OF RIBBON, AND
THEN HE GOES TO THE GIRL OF HIS CHOICE, AND SHE'LL TWIRL AROUND IN
FRONT OF HIM, AS HE HITS HER WITH THE BRAID.
THIS SEEMS TO BE ENJOYED BY EVERYONE IN THE VILLAGE
Submitter comment:
POLAND. SHE LIVED IN A SMALL VILLAGE OUTSIDE OF WARSAW.
MY INFORMANT LEARNED ABOUT THIS CUSTOM WHEN SHE WAS A SMALL GIRL IN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
CURSES
WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING DICE, MAKE AN "X" ON THE TABLE SO THAT YOUR
OPPONENT DOES NOT ROLL A PAIR, OR WHATEVER YOU ARE ROLLING.
Submitter comment:
THE "X" IS SOMETHING SIMILAR TO A CROSS, SO IT MIGHT BE A TYPE OF
BLESSING, INSTEAD OF A HEX.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
BAD LUCK
DON'T BUY BROOMS IN AUGUST. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: I THINK THAT THIS IS A VERY CRAZY BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1978
APOTHEGM
MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE. THIS IS THE GOLDEN RULE IN THE GLASS
BUSINESS.
Submitter comment: THIS HAS A VERY SIMPLE MEANING: BE CAREFUL }
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |