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ITALIAN FOLK DANCE--LABALLARELLA (THE LITTLE DANCE)

DANCE IS DONE TO A FAST AND RHYTHMIC ACCORDIAN MUSIC.
A LARGE CIRCLE OF DANCERS IS FORMED WHO JOIN HANDS AND
DANCE IN A MOVING CIRCLE, WHICH CHANGES DIRECTIONS AFTER
EVERY COMPLETE TURN OF THE CIRCLE, AND EVENTUALLY THE
CIRCLE WILL STOP AND TWO DANCERS WILL BREAK OFF THE
CIRCLE INTO THE MIDDLE AND DO A MORE ELABORATE DANCE
WHILE THOSE IN THE CIRCLE WILL CLAP THEIR HANDS, AND KICK
THEIR FEET TO THE MUSIC. DANCE ALSO CALLED THE "TARANTELLA."

Submitter comment: THIS IS THE AMERICANIZED VERSION OF THE ITALIAN DANCE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): TARANTELLA

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Group

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I SO TIRED,
I SO WEARY,
PICK I UP
AND KISS I DEARIE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): BABY TALK ; FUNCTION ; MONOLOGUE ; RHYME: FEMININE, ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music

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RHYME WHICH SUPPOSEDLY MAKES SENSE IN BOTH ENGLISH AND

OMI DE ARMIS TRES
IM IN A DIS TRES
CANTU DIS COVER
MEA SA LAEVUR.

Data entry tech comment: NOT SURE OF SPELLING, SINCE TYPEWRITER VERY DIRTY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): RHYME: AABB ; RHYME: FEMININE, IMPERFECT ; SPELLING RHYME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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ONE WHITE FOOT, BUY IT.
TWO WHITE FEET, TRY IT.
THREE WHITE FEET, SEE HOW IT GOES,
FOUR WHITE FEET, AND WHITE NOSE,
CUT OFF ITS FEET AND THROW IT TO THE CROWS.

Submitter comment: THIS APPLIES TO BUYING A HORSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Keyword(s): ADVICE ; ANIMAL NUMBERS ; HUMOR EUPHEMISM SYMBOL OVERSTATEMENT ; INCREMENTAL REPETITION, SURPRISE ENDING CONTRAST QUINTET ; INTERACTION INITIAL INCREMENTAL REPETITION ; METER: DACTYL RHYME: FEMININE TRIPLE ; RHYME AABBB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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ONE FOR THE MONEY,
TWO FOR THE SHOW,
THREE TO GET READY,
AND FOUR TO GO.

Data entry tech comment: COUNTING OFF AT THE BEGINNING OF A RACE OR GAME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): INCREMENTAL REPETITION ; METER: IAMBIC ; NUMBERS, FUNCTION ; QUATRAIN ; RHYME: MASCULINE, ABAB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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BIRDIE, BIRDIE IN THE SKY,
DROPPED SOME WHITE WASH IN MY EYE.
I'M NO BABY, I WON'T CRY.
I'M JUST GLAD THAT COWS DON'T FLY.

Submitter comment: ORIGIN: KNEW IT AS A LITTLE CHILD, WALLED LAKE, MICHIGAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALLED LAKE

Keyword(s): HUMOR ; REFRAIN, OBSERVATION ; RHYME: AAAA ; RHYME: MASCULINE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music

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FISHY, FISHY, IN THE BROOK,
DADDY CAUGHT YOU ON THE HOOK.
MOMMY FRY YOU IN A PAN,
BABY EAT YOU LIKE A MAN.

Submitter comment: SAID TO HIS CHILDREN ON FRIDAYS.

Data entry tech comment: CATHOLIC CUSTOM TO EAT FISH ON FRIDAYS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): METER: IAMBIC ; QUATRAIN SIMILE ; REFRAIN, BABY TALK ; RHYME: AABB ; RHYME: MASCULINE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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REMEMBER MAN THAT PASSES BY,
AS YOU ARE NOW, SO ONCE WAS I.
AS I AM NOW, SO ONCE YOU'LL BE,
PREPARE THYSELF TO FOLLOW ME.

TO FOLLOW THEE IS NOT MY INTENT,
UNLESS I KNOW WHICH WAY HE WENT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ADVICE ; DRAMATIC, ANTICLIMAX ; METER: IAMBIC ; PREDICTION, EUPHEMISM ; RHYME: AABBCC ; RHYME: MASCULINE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music

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THERE WAS A MAN UPON THE STAIRS,
GEE I WISH HE WASN'T THERE.
HE WASN'T THERE AGAIN TODAY,
GEE, I WISH HE'D GO AWAY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER MANY YEARS AGO.

Data entry tech comment: YESTERDAY UPON THE STAIR, I SAW A MAN THAT WASN'T THERE.
HE WASN'T THERE AGAIN TODAY,
OH, HOW I WISH HE'D GO AWAY (THAT'S THE WAY I HEARD IT)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHIASMUS CONTRADICTIONS QUATRAIN ; FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE ; REPETITION METER: IAMB. RHYME: IMPERFECT, DOUBLE ; RHYME AABB ; SLANG CONTRADICTION ; WISH GHOSTS FEAR

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music

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A CANNER, EXCEEDINGLY CANNY,
ONE MORNING REMARKED TO HIS GRANNY:
A CANNER CAN CAN, ANYTHING THAT HE CAN CAN;
BUT A CANNER CAN'T CAN A CAN CAN HE?

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Keyword(s): METER: TROCHAIC ; PUN, WORD PLAY HUMOR ; RHYME: AABA ; RHYME: FEMININE, IMPERFECT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse

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AN EPICURE, DINING AT CREWE,
FOUND QUITE A LARGE MOUSE IN HIS STEW.
SAID THE WAITER, "DON'T SHOUT,
OR WAVE IT ABOUT,
OR THE REST WILL BE WANTING ONE TOO."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): METER: IAMBIC ; PLACE NAMES, EATING ; RHYME: AABBA ; RHYME: MASCULINE ; SURPRISE ENDING LIMERICK HUMOR

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse

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AN IMPORTANT YOUNG MAN IN QUEBEC
HAD TO WELCOME THE DUCHESS OF TECK.
SO HE BOUGHT FOR A DOLLAR
A VERY HIGH COLLAR
TO SAVE HIMSELF WASHING HIS NECK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): LIMERICK MONEY HUMOR ; METER: IAMBIC ; PLACE NAMES ; RHYME: AABBA ; RHYME: FEMININE, IMPERFECT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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FORMULAIC VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC

I WENT TO THE RIVER, I COULDN'T GET ACROSS,
SO I PAID SIX BITS FOR AN OLD GRAY HORSE,
I RODE HIM IN, HE WOULDN'T PULL,
SO I RODE HIM OUT AND TRADED HIM FOR A BULL.
THE BULL WOULDN'T HOLLAR, SO I TRADED FOR A DOLLAR,
THE DOLLAR WOULDN'T PAY, SO I TRADED FOR SOME HAY,
THE HAY WOULDN'T GROW, SO I TRADED FOR A HOE,
THE HOE WOULDN'T DIG, SO I TRADED FOR A PIG,
THE PIG WOULDN'T SQUEAL, SO I TRADED FOR A WHEEL,
THE WHEEL WOULDN'T RUN, SO I TRADED FOR A GUN.
THE GUN WOULDN'T SHOOT, SO I TRADED FOR A BOOT.
THE BOOT WOULDN'T FIT, SO I GUESS I'D BETTER QUIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE

Keyword(s): FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE ; INCREMENTAL REPETITION ; METER: IAMBIC ; MONEY FUTILITY BARTER ; RHYME: INTERNAL, IMPERFECT ; RHYME: MASCULINE, AABB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse

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HE LIT A MATCH,
TO CHECK HIS TANK.
THAT'S WHY THEY CALL HIM
SKINLESS FRANK.
BURMA SHAVE!

Data entry tech comment:

THESE SMALL, ONE LINE SIGNS, USED TO BE DISPLAYED AT INTERVALS
ALONG THE ROAD, SO THAT ONE COULD EASILY READ THEM WHILE
DRIVING ALONG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON

Keyword(s): ADVERTISING FOR MEN'S SHAVING PRODUCT ; ADVICE ; HUMOR, SATIRE ; METER: TROCHAIC ; QUATRAIN ; RHYME: MASCULINE, ABCAD ; ROADSIDE ADVERTISING

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse

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HE WAS ONLY A LAVENDER COWBOY,
THE HAIRS ON HIS CHEST NUMBERED TWO.
HE WANTED TO BE LIKE THE HEROES
AND DO AS THE BIG MEN DO.

RED, GREEN, MANY-COLORED HAIR TONICS
HE RUBBED ON HIS CHEST DAY AND NIGHT,
BUT WHEN HE AWOKE THE NEXT MORNING,
ONLY TWO HAIRS WERE IN SIGHT.

HE BATTLED FOR RED NELLY'S HONOR,
HE HELD UP AN OUTLAW'S NEST,
BUT THEY FOUND HIM DEAD THE NEXT MORNING,
WITH ONLY TWO HAIRS ON HIS CHEST.

Where learned: OFFICE

Keyword(s): FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE ; METAPHOR OVERSTATEMENT HEROES ; METER: IAMBIC ; REPETITION ; RHYME: IMPERFECT, MASCULINE, ABCA

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse

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(BOY'S NAME) AND (GIRL'S NAME) SITTING IN A TREE,
K-I-S-S-I-N-G. (SPELLING)
FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES MARRIAGE,
THEN COMES (NAME) WITH THE BABY CARRIAGE.

Submitter comment: I REMEMBER THIS FROM GRADESCHOOL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANTI-CLIMAX HUMOR SYMBOL ; FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE ; METER: TROCHAIC ; RHYME: MASCULINE, AABB ; SEX, REFRAIN ; SPELLING RHYME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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MY DEAR, DO YOU KNOW,
HOW A LONG TIME AGO,
TWO POOR LITTLE CHILDREN,
WHOSE NAMES I DON'T KNOW,
WERE STOLEN AWAY
ON A FINE SUMMER'S DAY,
AND LEFT IN THE WOODS,
AS I'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY.
AND WHEN IT WAS NIGHT,
SO SAD WAS THEIR PLIGHT,
THE SUN IT WENT DOWN,
AND THE MOON GAVE NO LIGHT;
THEY SOBBED AND THEY SIGHED,
AND THEY BITTERLY CRIED,
AND THE POOR LITTLE THINGS,
THEY LAY DOWN AND DIED.
AND WHEN THEY WERE DEAD,
THE ROBINS, SO RED,
BOUGHT STRAWBERRY LEAVES, (BROUGHT?)
AND OVER THEM SPREAD.
AND ALL THE DAY LONG
THEY SANG THEM THIS SONG:
"POOR BABES IN THE WOODS,
POOR BABES IN THE WOODS,
AND DON'T YOU REMEMBER,
THE BABES IN THE WOODS."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): DEATH ; FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE ; METER: ANAPESTIC ; MONOLOGUE REPETITIION ; RHYME: MASCULINE, AABA CCDC

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse

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"OH, CAPTAIN! OH, CAPTAIN! LET'S MAKE FOR SHORE,
FOR THE WINDS THEY DO RAGE, AND THE WAVES THEY DO ROAR!"
"NAY, NAY," SAID THE CAPTAIN, "THOUGH THE FIERCE WINDS MAY
BLOW,
I WILL STICK TO MY VESSEL, WITH A YO-HEAVE-A YOH.
FAREWELL TO THE MAIDEN, THE GIRL I ADORE,
FAREWELL TO MY FRIENDS, I SHALL SEE THEM NO MORE."
THE CREW SHRIEKED WITH TERROR, THE CAPTAIN HE SWORE:
THEY HAD STRUCK ON A SANDBANK, SO THE MEN WALKED ASHORE.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Keyword(s): ACCIDENTS SHIPS ; METER: ANAPESTIC ; RHYME: MASCULINE, IMPERFECT, AAAA ; SURPRISE ENDING DIALOGUE ; THIRD PERSON NARRATIVE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse

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OOEY GOOEY WAS A WORM,
OOEY GOOEY LIKED TO SQUIRM,
OOEY GOOEY CROSSED THE RAILROAD TRACK.
O-O-EY, G-O-O-EY!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HUMOR, FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE ; METER: IAMBIC ; MONOLOGUE UNDERSTATEMENT ; RAILROAD DEATH ; RHYME: IMPERFECT, MASCULINE, AABC

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse

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THE BOY STOOD ON THE BURNING DECK,
EATIN' GOOBERS BY THE PECK.
THEN THEY FOUND THE STEAM WAS HOT,
HE PUT THE GOOBERS IN THE POT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GOOBERS=PEANUTS ; HUMOR, FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE ; METER: IAMBIC ; QUATRAIN MONOLOGUE ; RHYME: MASCULINE, AABB ; SLANG PARODY EATING

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse

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