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SCARCITY OF FOOD
OUR DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN TO UNEXPECTED FRIENDS AND RELATIVES
WHEN THEY POP BY. IF THEY HAPPEN TO DROP BY DURING DINNERTIME
OR BEFORE THE MEAL HAS STARTED MY PARENTS ALWAYS INVITE THEM TO
EAT WITH US. OF COURSE NOT BEING COUNTED ON IN THE MEAL
PLANNING LEAVES THE FOOD SITUATION A LITTLE SCARCE. MY MOM AND
DAD AT THAT POINT THEN WHISPER TO EACH OF THE KIDS, "FAMILY GO
EASY" AND WE KNOW NOT TO EAT A LOT.
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
THE IRISH WAILER
MY UNCLE JOHN CARROLL CAME FROM IRELAND WHERE HE HAD BEEN A
PROFESSIONAL WAILER (A PERSON WHO IS HIRED TO CRY AT FUNERALS).
HE CONTINUED HIS WAILING TRADITIONS AT THE IRISH FUNERALS IN
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO. HIS SISTER, MY MOTHER NORA, AT THE FUNERAL
OF MY AUNT MARY SAID, "JOHNNY IF YOU DARE DO ANY OF THAT WAILING
AT THIS FUNERAL, I'LL BREAK YOUR NECK." HE WASN'T THE FIGHTING
TYPE SO HE JUST PUT ON A SAD FACE AND WALKED AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1913
A FEISTY IRISHMAN
IN 1905 JOHN EMMETT SULLIVAN WAS EN ROUTE TO DETROIT FROM ANN
ARBOR. HE WAS THE OWNER OF A CIGAR FACTORY AND HAD BEEN ON A
TOBACCO PURCHASING TRIP. AFTER A BUSY DAY HE BOARDED THE
AFTERNOON TRAIN. THE TRAIN WAS COMPLETELY FILLED EXCEPT FOR ONE
SEAT WHICH HAD A CASE ON IT. JOHN ASKED THE GENTLEMAN, "MAY I
USE THIS SEAT?" "NO, THIS CASE BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE." SAID
THE SURLY GENTLEMAN. SULLIVAN STOOD FUMING THE ENTIRE TRIP. WHEN
THE TRAIN STOPPED AT DETROIT, THE GENTLEMAN PICKED UP THE CASE
AND DISEMBARKED. "ARREST THIS MAN," CALLED JOHN SULLIVAN, "HE
IS TAKING SOMEONE ELSE'S CASE." THE SELFISH MAN WAS TAKEN AWAY
BY THE POLICE.
Submitter comment:
JOHN SULLIVAN WAS AN ECCENTRIC, FEISTY MAN. HE WOULD BE MY GREAT
GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00-00-1905
THE CRAZY BROTHERS
ON THE FARM IN DAYTON, OHIO I WAS CONSTANTLY WARNED TO STAY
AWAY FROM THE ADJACENT FARM IN WHICH LIVED TWO VERY STRANGE
BROTHERS. ALL THE NEIGHBLRS WERE WARY OF THE BROTHERS AND
THEIR INVENTIONS. IT WAS NOT UNTIL THEIR FIRST AIRPLANE FLEW
THAT THE WRIGHT BROTHERS WERE ACCEPTED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A TRUE STORY AND WHEN MY GRANDMOTHER TELLS OF THE
WARNINGS THAT SHE GOT FROM HER MOTHER SHE LAUGHS WRYLY.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
"THE JAM ON GERRIES ROCK" MM
1. MM
COME ALL YOU YOUNG BOLD SHANTY BOYS, AND LIST WHILE I RELATE
THIS CONCERNING A YOUNG SHANTY BOY, AND HIS UNTIMELY FATE
CONCERNING A YOUNG SHANTY BOY SO MANLY, TRUE AND BRAVE
'TWAS ON THE JAM AT GERRIES ROCK, HE MET HIS WATERY GRAVE MM
2. MM
'TWAS ON ONE SUNDAY MORNING, AS YOU WILL QUICKLY HEAR
THE LOGS WERE PILED UP MOUNTAIN HIGH, WE COULD NOT KEEP THEM
CLEAR
OUR FOREMAN SAYS, "TURN OUT BRAVE BOYS, WITH HEARTS DEVOID OF
FEAR
WE'LL BREAK THE JAM AT GERRIES ROCK, AND FOR EDMORE TOWN WE'LL
STEER MM
3. MM
NOW SOME OF THEM WERE WILLING, WHILE OTHERS THEY WERE NOT
TO WORK ON JAMS ON SUNDAYS, THEY DID NOT THINK WE OUGHT
BUT FIVE OF OUR BRAVE CANADIAN BOYS, DID VOLUNTEER TO GO
TO BREAK THE JAM ON GERRIES ROCK, WITH THEIR FOREMAN JACK
MONROE MM
4. MM
THEY HAD NOT ROLLED OFF MANY LOGS, 'TILL THEY HEARD A CLEAR
VOICE SAY
"I'D HAVE YOU BOYS BE ON YOUR WATCH, FOR THIS JAM WILL SOON
GIVE WAY"
THESE WORDS WERE SCARCELY SPOKEN TILL THE MASS DID BREAK AND GO
IT CARRIED OFF THOSE FIVE BRAVE BOYS, AND THEIR FOREMAN YOUNG
MONROE MM
5. MM
WHEN THE REST OF OUR BRAVE SHANTY BOYS, THE SAD NEWS CAME TO
HEAR
IN SEARCH OF THEIR DEAD COMRADES, TO THE RIVER THEY DREW NEAR
WHILE SEARCHING FOR THE BODIES, WHICH FLOATING DOWN DID GO
ALL CRUSHED AND BLEEDING BY THE BANK, WAS THAT OF YOUNG MONROE MM
6. MM
THEY DRAGGED HIM FROM HIS WATERY GRAVE, BRUSHED BACK HIS RAVEN
HAIR
THERE WAS ONE FAIR FORM AMONG THEM, WHOSE SAD CRIES RENT THE
AIR
THERE WAS ONE FAIR FORM AMONG THEM, A GIRL FROM SAGINAW TOWN
WHOSE MOANS AND CRIES AROSE TO THE SKIES FOR HER TRUE LOVE
WHO'D GONE DOWN MM
7. MM
FAIR CLARA WAS A NOBLE GIRL, THE RIVERMAN'S TRUE FRIEND
WHO WITH HER WIDOWED MOTHER, LIVED AT THE RIVER'S BEND
THE WAGES OF HER OWN TRUE LOVE, THE BOSS TO HER DID PAY
THE SHANTY BOYS MADE UP FOR HER, A GENEROUS PURSE NEXT DAY MM
8. MM
THEY BURIED HIM MID SORROWS DEEP, 'TWAS ON THE FIRST OF MAY
COME ALL YOU YOUNG SHANTY BOYS, AND FOR YOUR COMRADE PRAY
ENGRAVED UPON A HEMLOCK TREE WHICH, BY THE GRAVE DID GROW
WAS THE NAME AND DATE OF THIS SAD FATE, OF OUR SHANTY BOY
MONROE MM
9. MM
FAIR CLARA DID NOT LONG SURVIVE, HER HEART WAS FILLED WITH
GRIEF
AND SCARCELY SIX MONTHS AFTER, DEATH CAME TO HER RELIEF
AND WHEN THE TIME HAD PASSED AWAY AND SHE WAS CALLED TO GO
HER LAST REQUEST WAS GRANTED TO BE LAID BY YOUNG MONROE MM
10. MM
COME ALL YOU YOUNG BOLD SHANTY BOYS, I'D HAVE YOU CALL AND SEE
TWO GREEN MOUNDS BY THE RIVER SIDE, WHERE GROWS THE HEMLOCK
TREE
THE SHANTY BOYS CLEARED FOR THE SPOT, BUT THE LOVERS THEY LAY
LOW
THERE'S HANDSOME CLARA VERNON, AND HER TRUE LOVE JACK MONROE MM MM
THIS WAS A TRUE HAPPENING. MY GRANDFATHER KNEW OF IT AT THE
TIME IT HAPPENED. YEARS AGO, IN THE LUMBERING DAYS, WHEN A
TRAGEDY WOUULD HIT, SOME ONE USUALLY MADE UP A SONG ABOUT IT. MM
THE JAM, WHICH IS SANG OF IN THE SONG THE JAM ON GERRIES ROCK,
WAS WHEN THE LOGS WHICH WERE BEING FLOATED DOWN THE RIVER,
WOUULD JAM UP. THE CAUSE OF THIS WOULD BE THAT ONE OR TWO
LOGS WOULD TURN SIDEWAYS, INSTEAD OF FLOATING END FIRST DOWN
THE RIVER. YOU SEE THE MEN WOULD CUT THESE LOGS IN THE WIN-
TER TIME, AND THEY WERE HAULED BY SLEIGH TO A RIVER AND PILED
ON THE BANK, AND THEN IN THE SPRING, WHEN THE ICE MELTED IN
THE RIVERS, AND THE WATER WAS HIGH, THE LOGS WERE DUMPED INTO
THE RIVER AND FLOATED DOWN STREAM TO A LUMBER MILL, WHERE THEY
WERE SAWED INTO LUMBER. I SAW THIS ALL HAPPEN WHEN I WAS A
CHILD AT MICHELSON, HERE IN ROSCOMMON COUNTY.
Submitter comment:
IT IS INTERESTING THAT THIS INFORMANT BELIEVES THAT THIS
INCIDENT HAPPENED IN MICHIGAN AND THAT HER GRANDFATHER KNEW
IT. MANY OTHER ACCOUNTS OF THIS SAME INCIDENT IN VERY SIMILAR
SONGS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN OTHER LUMBERING AREAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
James Callow Keyword(s): LUMBERJACK ; SYMPATHETIC DEATH
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad, Song, Verse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- FO50 BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00001930S
MICHIGAN-I-O
COME ALL YOU JOLLY LUMBERMEN,
WHEREVER YOU MAY BE,
I PRAY YOU PAY ATTENTION
AND LISTEN UNTO ME.
'TIS OF SOME JOLLY LUMBERMEN
WHO DID AGREE TO GO
AND SPEND THE WINTER PLEASANTLY
IN MICHIGAN-I-O. MM
'TWAS EARLY IN THE SEASON,
THE FALL OF 'SIXTY-THREE,
A PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL
ONE MORNING CAME TO ME.
SAID HE, "MY BRISK YOUNG FELLOW,
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO
AND SPEND A WINTER PLEASANTLY
IN MICHIGAN-I-O?" MM
THEN I MADE HIM THIS REPLY
AND UNTO HIM DID SAY,
"MY GOING OUT TO MICHIGAN
DEPENDS UPON THE PAY.
IF YOU WILL PAY GOOD WAGES
AND PASSAGE TO AND FRO,
I THINK I'LL GO ALONG WITH YOU
TO MICHIGAN-I-O." MM
'TWAS BY THIS KIND PERSUASION
THAT HE HIRED QUITE A TRAIN,
TWENTY-FIVE OR THIRTY,
BOTH YOUNG AND ABLE MEN.
WE HAD A PLEASANT VOYAGE,
THE WAY WE HAD TO GO,
AND WE LANDED SAFE IN SAGINAW
IN MICHIGAN-I-O. MM
BUT HERE OUR PLEASURES ENDED,
AND TROUBLES THEY BEGAN.
WAYNE AND BRIGHT'S AGENTS
THEY CAME A-SAILING IN
AND LED US TO A COUNTRY--
THE WAY I DO NOT KNOW--
UP THE TOBACCO RIVER
IN MICHIGAN-I-O. MM
TO TELL HOW WE DID SUFFER
IS BEYOND THE ART OF MAN;
TO GIVE A GOOD DESCRIPTION
I'LL DO THE BEST I CAN:
OUR BOARD THE DOGS WOULD LAUGH AT;
OUR BED IT WAS THE SNOW.
GOD GRANT THERE IS NO MEANER PLACE
THAN MICHIGAN-I-O. MM
BUT NOW THE WINTER'S OVER,
AND HOMEWARD WE ARE BOUND;
AND IN THIS CURSED COUNTRY
NO LONGER WE'LL BE FOUND.
WE'LL GO BACK TO OUR SWEETHEARTS,
TELL OTHERS NOT TO GO
TO A GOD-FORSAKEN COUNTRY
CALLED MICHIGAN-I-O.
Submitter comment:
MRS. TOWNE HEARD THIS SONG FROM SOMEONE IN HOUGHTON LAKE.
SHE DOES NOT REMEMBER WHO IT WAS, HOWEVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
James Callow Keyword(s): DISCONTENT ; LUMBERJACK
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C230 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Serious condemnation Scorn Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
Date learned: 00001930S
THE GARRISH RAILROAD
COME ALL YOU THAT FOLLOW LUMBERING, OH GOD IT'S ALL FOR GAIN
AND THINK OF YOUR DEAD COMRADE, WHO LIES SLEEPING IN HIS GRAVE.
FOR HE WAS THE NOBLEST YOUNG MAN, CUT DOWN IN ALL HIS BLOOM.
'TWAS ON THE GARRISH RAILROAD, HE MET HIS FATAL DOOM. MM MM
'TWAS ON ONE THURSDAY MORNING, THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF JUNE.
THIS YOUNG MAN WHO WAS WITH US, WAS AS FRESH AS A ROSE IN
BLOOM.
IT WAS HIS WILL TO MAKE THIS FATAL RIDE, IN ANSWER TO GOD'S
CALL.
'TWAS BETWEEN TWO LOADED CARS OF LOGS, HE MET WITH HIS
FATAL FALL. MM MM
THOSE WHO WERE COMING BEHIND HIM, THEY SAW HIS CRUSHING FATE.
THEY HURRIED TO ASSIST HIM, BUT ALAS', THEY WERE TOO LATE.
WHEN THEY SAW HIS MANGLED BODY, IT STRUCK THEIR HEARTS WITH
FEAR.
AND THE LAST WORDS THAT HE UTTERED WERE, "OH, MY MOTHER DEAR." MM MM
TWO DOCTORS CALLED, THEY CAME IN HASTE, BUT IT WAS TO NO AVAIL
FOR GOD'S CALL CAME, IT WAS FULFILLED, ALL EARTHLY POWERS
MUST FAIL.
THEY WATCHED HIS HEAVY BREATHING, WHILE THE TEARS STOOD IN HIS
EYES
FOR THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, POOR FELLOW HE MUST DIE. MM MM
THE LUMBER WAGON WAS HIS HEARSE, THE LUMBERING SOUND HIS KNELL.
LIKE HE, HIMSELF, WHO QUICKLY SIGHED, IT FLOURISHED AND SOON
DIED.
THE LOFTY PINES HIS MOURNERS WERE, WHILE THROUGH THEM SUNSHINE
PEEP.
THEY TRAIL LONG WITH THEIR COMRADE, TO HIS EVERLASTING SLEEP. MM MM
NO MOTHER'S CRIES NOR SIGHS WERE HEARD, NO SISTER'S TEARS WERE
SHED,
NO FATHER THERE TO SAY, "ALAS, AND NOW MY SON IS DEAD,"
NO FLOWERS SCATTERED ON HIS GRAVE, NO FUNERAL SERMON PRAYED,
NO TOMBSTONE THERE TO MARK THE PLACE, WHERE THIS LUMBERING
BOY WAS LAID. MM MM
THIS YOUNG MAN'S MOTHER, SHE WILL WAIT, HER SON'S COMING TO
APPEAR,
BUT SHE WILL WATCH AND WAIT IN VAIN, FOR FOOTSTEPS SHE WILL
NOT HEAR
UNTIL SHE GETS TO THAT FAIR LAND, WHERE TRUTH AND PEACE SHE'LL
SEE
TO REST IN PEACE AND HAPPINESS, THROUGH OUT ETERNITY. MM MM
NELSON SMITH WAS THE YOUNG MAN'S NAME, FROM CANADA HE CAME O'ER
TO MEET WITH HIS UNTIMELY DEATH, ALAS LIKE MANY MORE.
WE HOPE HE IS IN PARADISE, WHERE CALM HIS REST WILL BE
TO REST WITH GOD IN HAPPINESS, THROUGH OUT ETERNITY. MM MM
THIS SONG, THE GARRISH RAILROAD, HAPPENED TO A CANADIAN
BOY, AND MY GRANDFATHER, FRANK DAVIS, WAS THERE AND SAW IT
HAPPEN WHEN THE BOY WAS CRUSHED BETWEEN TWO CARS OF LOGS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
James Callow Keyword(s): FATALISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C230 |
Date learned: 00001930S
JACK HAGGERTY
MY NAME IS JACK HAGGERTY, FROM GREENVILLE I CAME.
MY VIRTUE'S DEPARTED, AT LAST I PROCLAIM.
THE STRONG DARTS OF CUPID HAVE CAUSED ME MUCH GRIEF.
MY HEART'S TORN ASUNDER, I GET NO RELIEF. MM MM
MY STORY I'LL TELL YOU WITHOUT NO DELAY,
HOW A SWEET LITTLE LASSIE, MY HEART STOLE AWAY.
SHE WAS THE BLACKSMITH'S OWN DAUGHTER, ON THE FLAT RIVER SIDE
AND I ALWAYS INTENDED TO MAKE HER MY BRIDE. MM MM
I WORKED ON THE RIVER, I EARNED QUITE A STEAK.
I WAS STEADFAST AND STEADY, I NE'ER PLAYED THE RAKE.
FROM TOP BAR TO HOUSE TOP, I WAS VERY WELL KNOWN.
THEY CALLED ME JACK HAGGERTY, THE PRIDE OF THE TOWN. MM MM
ONE DAY ON THE RIVER, A LETTER I RECEIVED.
IT CAME FROM MY TRUE LOVE, FROM ME SHE WAS RELIEVED.
SHE'D MARRIED AN OLD LOVE, SHE HAD LONG TIME DELAYED
AND THE NEXT TIME I'D SEE HER, SHE'D NOT BE A MAID. MM MM
TO HER MOTHER JANE TUCKER, I LAY ALL THE BLAME.
SHE CAUSED HER TO FORSAKE ME, GO BACK ON MY NAME.
SHE CAST OFF THE LOGGER, THAT GOD WOULD SOON TIE
AND LEFT ME A WANDERER TO THE DAY THAT I DIE. MM MM
SO ITS FAREWELL FLAT RIVER, FOR ME THERE'S NO REST.
I'LL SHOULDER MY PEEVE, AND I WILL GO WEST.
I'LL GO TO MUSKEGON, SOME COMFORT TO FIND
AND I'LL LEAVE THIS FLAT RIVER AND ITS GAY GIRLS BEHIND. MM MM
COME ALL YOU BOLD RAFTMEN, WITH HEARTS KIND AND TRUE.
DON'T DEPEND ON A WOMAN, YOU'LL GET LEFT IF YOU DO.
BUT IF YOU EVER MEET ONE WITH DARK CHESTNUT CURL,
JUST REMEMBER JACK HAGGERTY AND THE FLAT RIVER GIRL. MM MM
THE SONG JACK HAGGERTY WAS ABOUT A YOUNG MAN FROM OVER BY
THE GREENVILLE AND GRAND RAPIDS AREA. HIS GIRL, THAT HE
THOUGHT HE WAS TO MARRY, RAN OFF AND MARRIED ANOTHER. SO
THIS SONG WAS FORMED AS A WARNING TO THE OTHER RIVER BOYS
TO BEWARE OF WHAT THE GIRLS MIGHT DO TO THEM. AT THAT AGE
IN HISTORY, MANY EVENTS AND LORE WERE LEFT BEHIND IN THE
FORM OF SONGS OR POEMS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A VERY POPULAR VERSION OF A VERY POPULAR LUMBER-
JACK BALLAD. THERE ARE ABOUT SIX OTHER VERSIONS OF THIS
SHANTY-BOY BALLAD. IT IS MOST COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE FLAT
RIVER GIRL."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
Keyword(s): LINE 91900 STAKE FOR STEAK ; LINE 94300 RAFTSMEN FOR RAFTMEN
James Callow Keyword(s): LUMBERJACK
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C230 |
Date learned: 00001930S
MY DADDY AND HIS DADDY BEFORE HIM ALL LEARNED HOW
TO SWIM THE SAME WAY. WHEN I TURNED EIGHT MY DAD
TOOK ME DOWN TO THE CREEK AND TOLD ME "EITHER YOU
SWIM OR YOU DROWN" AND HE THREW ME IN THE CREEK.
WELL I DIDN'T WANT TO DROWN SO I LEARNED HOW TO
SWIM AND THAT'S ALSO HOW MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS
LEARNED AND HOW I TAUGHT MY KIDS.
Submitter comment:
I KNOW THAT THIS IS A TRADITION WHEN A CHILD IS
EIGHT BECAUSE MR. PHILLIPS IS MY FATHER AND THIS
IS HOW I LEARNED HOW TO SWIM WHEN I WAS EIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AGE
| Subject headings: | 686 Eighths / Eight Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 04-00-1983
WEST GERMAN DATING AND COURTSHIP CUSTOM.
IN PIRMENSENS, WHEN A GIRL DATES A BOY SHE NEVER
BRINGS HIM TO HER HOUSE NOR DOES SHE INTRODUCE HIM
TO ANY OF HER FAMILY MEMBERS. THE BOY AND GIRL MUST
MEET AT A RENDEVOUS AND GO OUT FROM THERE. IF THE
BOY MEETS ANY OF THE GIRL'S FAMILY BEFORE THEY ARE
ENGAGED, IT IS BELIEVED TO BRING BAD LUCK AND THE TWO
WILL NEVER MARRY.
Submitter comment:
LISE REALLY BELIEVES THIS. SHE IS MY MOTHER AND
DOES NOT ALLOW DATES TO COME TO OUR HOUSE UNLESS I
AM ENGAGED TO THE GUY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001970S
WHEN I WAS A KID IF I DROPPED ANYTHING ON THE GROUND
I WOULD CROSS MYSELF WITH THE OBJECT IN MY HAND AND
SAY "GOD KISS IT, DEVIL MISS IT." THIS MADE ME
BELIEVE THAT THE OBJECT WAS CLEAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SANITARY
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Favorites BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 04-00-1983
WEST GERMAN TRADITION
IN GERMANY ON A CHILD'S VERY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL HE/SHE
RECEIVES A SPECIAL PRESENT. THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD
GIVES HIM/HER A HUGE CONE FILLED WITH CANDY. THIS IS
DONE IN OREDR TO GIVE THE CHILD A GOOD PERSPECTIVE ABOUT
SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1983
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AFRAID OF THUNDER AND LIGHTENING SO
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL MY MOMMA TOLD ME THIS STORY.
SHE TOLD ME THAT ALL THE THUNDER WAS JUST SOME ANGELS
PLAYING POOL AND EVERY TIME THEY HIT A BALL WE WOULD
HEAR ITS ECHO. THE LIGHTENING WAS NOTHING MORE THAN A
PRANKSTER ANGEL CUTTING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF UP IN
HEAVEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; MATERNAL ROLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 03-00-1983
TANGLETALK
ONE BRIGHT DAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,
TWO DEAD BOYS GOT UP TO FIGHT.
BACK TO BACK THEY FACED EACH OTHER,
DREW THEIR SWORDS AND SHOT EACH OTHER.
THE DEAF POLICEMAN HEARD THE NOISE;
CAME OUT AND SHOT THE TWO DEAD BOYS.
IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THIS LIE IS TRUE,
ASK THE BLIND MAN WHO SAW IT TOO!
Submitter comment:
I COLLECTED THIS FROM SOME TWELVE YEAR OLD BOYS WHO RACED THROUGH
IT IN A SING-SONG MANNER. IT SEEMED TO ME THAT WHOEVER COULD
FINISH RECITING FIRST TOOK PRIDE IN HIS SPEED, BUT NONE OF THE
BOYS WERE VERY CONCERNED WITH ACCURACY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative Prose Narrative SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
BALLAD
I ONCE KNEW A LORD BY THE NORTHERN SEA. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
I ONCE KNEW A LORD BY THE NORTHERN SEA,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
I ONCE KNEW A LORD BY THE NORTHERN SEA,
HE HAD DAUGHTERS - ONE, TWO, THREE.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
A YOUNG PRINCE CAME A COURTING THERE. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
A YOUNG PRINCE CAME A COURTING THERE,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
A YOUNG PRINCE CAME A COURTING THERE,
HE CHOSE THE YOUNG, HE CHOSE THE FAIR
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A BEAVER HAT. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A BEAVER HAT,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A BEAVER HAT,
THE UGLY TWO THOUGHT HORRID OF THAT.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A GOLDEN RING. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A GOLDEN RING,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A GOLDEN RING,
THE UGLY TWO THOUGHT THAT A TERRIBLE THING.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
THE THREE WALKED DOWN BY THE WATER'S RIM. BOW BOWN, BOW DOWN.
THE THREE WALKED DOWN BY THE WATER'S RIM,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
THE THREE WALKED DOWN BY THE WATER'S RIM,
THE UGLY TWO PUSHED THE FAIR ONE IN.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
SHE FLOATED DOWN WHERE THE MILLER SAT. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
SHE FLOATED DOWN WHERE THE MILLER SAT,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
SHE FLOATED DOWN WHERE THE MILLER SAT,
HE TOOK THE GOLD RING AND THE BEAVER HAT.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
THE UGLY TWO THEY WERE BURNED AT THE STAKE. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
THE UGLY TWO THEY WERE BURNED AT THE STAKE,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
THE UGLY TWO THEY WERE BURNED AT THE STAKE,
THE MILLER WAS HANGED FOR WHAT HE DID TAKE.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
Submitter comment:
THIS BALLAD, A VARIATION OF "THE TWA SISTERS", WAS LEARNED
BY MR. CARAHER IN 1956 WHEN HE WORKED IN INTERLOCHEN, MICHIGAN
AT INTERLOCHEN'S MUSIC ACADEMY. LONG EVENINGS WERE SPENT
SINGING AND "LEARNING HOW TO DRINK BEER WITHOUT THROWING UP."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic |
ON EPIPHANY IN THE MORNING, WE'D GO TO MASS AND BRING
FRANKINCENSE AND MYRHH AND A BIT OF GOLD TO BE BLESSED.
WHEN WE GOT HOME, THE FRANKINCENSE WOULD BE PUT ON HOT COALS
AND WE'D WALK WITH IT THEN ALL OVER THE HOUSE, INTO EVERY
ROOM WITH IT, I GUESS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DRIVE OUT EVIL SPIRITS
OR CLEAN THE AIR FOR GOOD ONES OR SOMETHING, I DON'T REALLY
KNOW... ANYWAY, AFTER WE FINISHED GOING THROUGH THE HOUSE,
OVER EACH DOORWAY IN THE HOUSE, WE'D WRITE IN CHALK
A " K " THEN A CROSS, THEN A " M ", THEN ANOTHER CROSS, AND
A " B " . THE THREE LETTERS WERE THE INITIALS OF THE NAMES OF
THE THREE WISE MEN WHO CAME TO SEE THE BABY JESUS. YOU HAD TO
LEAVE THE CHALK UP ALL YEAR LONG; IF YOU WASHED THE WALLS,
YOU WASH AROUND THE CHALK. IT WAS BAD LUCK IF YOU WIPED IT OFF
BEFORE THE NEXT YEAR'S EPIPHANY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN OLD POLISH-CATHOLIC CUSTOM. MRS. MASTERS GREW UP
IN ST. HEDWIG'S PARISH, WHERE MANY OLD WORLD TRADITIONS LIVED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
WHEN YOU GOT A NEW ARTICLE OF CLOTHING, YOU DIDN'T DARE WEAR IT
OUT ANYWHERE UNTIL YOU WORE IT TO CHURCH, SO THAT THEY WERE
BLESSED OR SOMEHOW INFLUENCED BY BEING IN THE CHURCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
CORPUS CHRISTI FESTIVAL
ON CORPUS CHRISTI WE WOULD ALWAYS HAVE A PARADE THAT STARTED
AT THE CHURCH AND PROGRESSED AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO
ALTARS SET UP ON THE PORCHES OF PEOPLE IN THE PARISH.
THE FAMILY CHOSEN TO HAVE THE ALTAR DECORATED THE HOUSE
ON THE OUTSIDE WITH FLOWERS, LOTS AND LOTS OF FLOWERS - MY
MOTHER USED TO CUT DOWN HER WHOLE BED OF PEONIES AND BRING
THE FLOWERS TO THE CHURCH; THEY REALLY NEEDED AS MANY AS
THEY COULD GET. THE ALTAR WAS JUST A STURDY TABLE COVERED,
AND THERE WERE FLOWERS ALL AROUND. THE MEN CUT BRANCHES OFF
TREES AND NAILED THEM UP TO MAKE A GREEN BACKGROUND. ANYWAY,
THE PROCESSION STARTED AT THE CHURCH, STOPPED AT EACH
ALTAR AROUND THAT BLOCK, AND ENDED AT A CHAPEL. THE PARADE
WAS A MASS, AND A DIFFERENT PART OF THE MASS WAS SAID AT
EACH ALTAR. THE BLESSED SACRAMENT WAS CARRIED IN THE PARADE,
AND THE PRIESTS LED IT WITH THE SERVERS WHO CARRIED CANDLES.
BEHIND THEM, THE CHILDREN MAKING THEIR FIRST COMMUNIONS WALKED
IN THEIR DRESSES AND VEILS AND SUITS. THEN CAME THE CHURCH
CLUBS, AND THE REST OF US GOT TO WALK IN THE REAR. EVERYONE
SANG WITH THE CHOIR AS WE WALKED FROM PLACE TO PLACE, AND
THE LINE WAS SO LONG THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE END WOULD BE
LAGGING IN THE SONG, OUT OF PACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Summer |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
THE FOX AND THE RAVEN
A RAVEN WAS FLYING AROUND AND FOUND A
HUNK OF CHEESE. SHE ATE THE CHEESE UNTIL
SHE WAS ALMOST SATISFIED. BUT SHE STILL HAD
A PIECE OF CHEESE IN HER MOUTH. A FOX
RAN BY AND SMELLED THE CHEESE. HE STOPPED
AND SAW THE RAVEN WITH THE CHEESE.
HE SAID TO THE RAVEN: "DEAR FRIEND, HOW
LOVELY YOU ARE! WHAT SPLENDID FEATHERS, WHAT
A LOVELY BEAK! YOU MUST HAVE A HEAVENLY
VOICE. SING ME A PRETTY SONG. DON'T BE SHY,
SING! YOU ARE THE QUEEN OF ALL BIRDS!
SOMEONE AS LOVELY AS YOU SHOULD SING!"
THE RAVEN WAS SO HAPPY, SHE CROWED WITH ALL
OF HER MIGHT. THE PIECE OF CHEESE FELL OUT
OF HER BEAK WHEN SHE OPENED IT AND THE CLEVER
FOX GOBBLED IT UP. THE RAVEN THEN FLEW AWAY,
STILL NOT QUITE SATISFIED
Submitter comment:
THIS TALE WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA AND WAS IN
RHYME IN THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 10-27-1983
RUSSIAN PEOPLE ACCEPTED CHRISTIANITY I BELIEVE IN
760 A.D. BEFORE THAT THERE WASN'T ANY ORGANIZED
RELIGION BUT THEY BELIEVED IN SOME SPIRITS OR GHOSTS.
ONE IS DOMOVOY. "DOM" IN RUSSIAN MEANS HOUSE; DOMOVOY
IS THE HOUSE SPIRIT. HE IS A VERY SMALL OLD MAN, ABOUT
THE SIZE OF A FIVE YEAR OLD CHILD. HE HAS LONG HAIR
AND A LONG BEARD. HE ALWAYS WEARS BOOTS AND CAFTAN
(A RUSSIAN HOUSE COAT WITH A LONG TIE-ROPE AROUND
THE WAIST). HE LIVED IN THE ATTIC AND EVERY HOUSE HAD
ITS OWN DOMOVOY. HE WASN'T A BAD FELLOW BUT HE WAS
ALWAYS PLAYING TRICKS. IF SOMEONE FELL OFF THE STEPS
THEN DOMOVOY PUSHED HIM. IF SOMETHING FELL OFF THE SHELF
THEN DOMOVOY PUSHED IT. HE WAS ALWAYS RESPONSIBLE FOR
THE UNEXPLAINED ACCIDENTS.
ANOTHER SPIRIT IS LESOVOY. "LES" IN RUSSIAN MEANS
FOREST; LESOVOY IS THE SPIRIT THAT LIVES IN THE WOODS.
HE IS SMALL AND HAIRY AND WEARS HIGH BOOTS AND A JACKET.
HE LIVED IN HOLLOW TREES AND ONE VERY SELDOM SAW HIM.
BY THE TIME I WAS SIX OR SEVEN YEARS OLD I STOPPED
BELIEVING IN THESE SPIRITS. I NEVER HEARD OF THEM IN
THE BIG CITIES, ONLY IN SMALL VILLAGES AND TOWNS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |