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HICCUPS

DRINK A GLASS OF WATER WITHOUT BREATHING TO CURE HICCUPS.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; HAMBURG

Keyword(s): NUMBER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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HICCUPS

DRINK NINE SWALLOWS OF WATER TO CURE HICCOUGHS.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): NUMBER

Subject headings: 686 Ninths / Nine
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 09-27-1968

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WORMS

A CURE FOR STOMACH WORMS IS TO PUT MINT IN THE PERSON'S BOTTOM
AND PUT CHEESE IN THEIR MOUTH.
WORMS HATE CHEESE BUT THEY LIKE MINT.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER-IN-LAW PERFORMED THIS IN FRONT OF HER
TO INFORMANT'S DAUGHTER, WHEN THE CHILD WAS SIX YEARS OLD.
THE CHILD STOPPED CHOCKING AND WAS CURED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK

Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM: BOTTOM FOR ANUS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 01-21-1972

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CUCKOO MOTHER

A LONG, LONG TIME AGO, A WIDOW MOTHER LIVED ON A FARM WITH HER
THREE SONS; STRONG AS OAK TREES AS BROAD AS TREE-TRUNKS. THEY
LIVED MANY YEARS HAPPILY, EVERYONE'S RESPECTED, TILL HER SONS
GREW UP. AND WHEN THEY GREW UP, THE KING INVITED THEM TO RIDE
WITH HIM INTO WAR. ONE RODE OUT TO THE EAST, ANOTHER TO THE SOUTH,
AND THE THIRD, THE YOUNGEST--TO THE WEST. WHEN THEY RODE OUT,
THROUGH THE THREE YEARS NOT ONE SENT ANY WORD AND THE MOTHER
DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER THEY WERE ALIVE OR DEAD. SHE CRIED, BUT
DIDN'T GIVE UP HOPE, THAT SOMEDAY THEY WILL RETURN, TO CALM
HER OLD DAYS. BUT WHEN THE THIRD SPRING CAME, SHE WENT OUT
ON TOP OF A HILL AND SAW, THAT A HORSE WAS RIDING EMPTY-SADDLED.
AND SHE RECOGNIZED IT AS HER OLDEST SON'S HORSE. SHE
RECOGNIZED AND REALIZED, THAT HER OLDEST SON WAS NO LONGER ALIVE.
AND WHEN SHE REALIZED THIS, SHE CRIED FOR THREE DAYS AND THREE
NIGHTS. BUT THE PEOPLE TOLD HER: "DON'T CRY, THAT YOUR SON DIED
IN WAR. GOD GAVE, AND GOD TAKETH AWAY. BETTER YOU ASK HIM TO
RETURN YOUR OTHER TWO SONS WELL." WHILE THEY WERE CALMING HER,
THEY SAW A SECOND HORSE COME GALLOPING UP, NEIGHING AS IF
WEEPING HIMSELF. THE REIGNS PULLED OFF, THE SADDLE SPLASHED WITH
BLOOD AND THE HORSE ITSELF WOUNDED. HE RAN UP TO THE GATE, KNELT
DOWN ON ALL FOURS AND FELL OVER DEAD. AND THE MOTHER RECOGNIZED
THAT THE SECOND HORSE BROUGHT HER PAINFUL NEWS. SHE BEGAN TO CRY
EVEN MORE PAINFULLY, THAT NOW HER SECOND SON WAS DEAD. THE
PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW TO COMFORT HER NOW. "IF ONLY. LORD, I KNEW
WHERE MY SONS LIE. WITH A FOX I'D RUN THERE, WITH A BIRD I'D FLY
THERE, ON THEIR GRAVES I WOULD CRY." SHE CRIED DAY AND NIGHT,
CURSING HER FUTURE, WAITING FOR HER YOUNGEST SON. BUT WHILE
SHE WAS CRYING, THE THIRD HORSE CAME HOME, TOO, INJURED AND
WOUNDED. HE RAN UP TO THE GATES, NEIGHED SORROWFULLY AND
KNEELING ON ALL FOURS, FELL OVER DEAD. THE MOTHER RECOGNIZED THAT
NOW HER THIRD SON WOULDN'T COME HOME. SHE FELL TO THE GROUND
FROM THE GRIEF AND TURNED INTO A CUCKOO BIRD, CUCKOOD IN A
SORROWFUL WAY AND FLEW AWAY TO FOREIGN LANDS IN SEARCH OF HER
SONS: SHE FLIES AND HUNTS FOR THEM YEAR ROUND IN THE STRANGE LANDS,
AND IN THE SPRING TIME COMES HOME, FLIES THROUGH THE FORESTS,
CRYING FOR HER SONS. AND WHEN THE DAY COMES THAT THE YOUNGEST
SON'S HORSE CAME HOME, SHE AGAIN FLIES OUT TO THE FOREIGN LANDS
TO SEARCH FOR THEM. AND THAT'S HOW IT ALWAYS WAS, AND ALWAYS WILL
BE....

Submitter comment: (TRANSLATED FROM LITHANIA BY RAMUNE M. STONYS)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Keyword(s): BIRDS, ANIMALS, TRANSFORMATION

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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YEARLY GROWTH

WHILE ATTENDING A COUSIN'S BIRTHDAY PARTY, MY UNCLE JACK PLACED MY
COUSIN AGAINST THE DOOR JAM IN THE KITCHEN, TOOK OUT HIS KNIFE AND
NOTCHED MY COUSIN,S HEIGHT. LOOKING CLOSELY, I NOTICED THAT THE
HEIGHTS OF ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS (6) WERE NOTCHED ON THE MOULDING
PIECE. ALSO, THEY WERE MARKED WITH THE APPROPRIATE BIRTHDATE. THUS
A RECORD OF GROWTH AND FINAL HEIGHT COULD BE MEASURED AND SAVED. I
HAVE ALSO NOTICED THIS CUSTOM IN OTHER HOMES SINCE THEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens

Keyword(s): DOOR JAMB HEIGHT BIRTHDAY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity

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RIDDLE

LITTLE WILLIE LIT A ROCKET
WHICH WAS IN HIS DADDY'S POCKET
THE NEXT DAY HE TOLD HIS COUSIN DAN
DADDY IS A TRAVELING MAN .

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM ; HUMOR ; RHYME: AABB

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

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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HELEN

HELEN HAD A STEAMBOAT
STEAMBOAT HAD A BELL
HELEN PULLED THE WRONG CORD
AND BLOW US ALL TO HELLO OPERATOR,
GIVE ME NUMBER NINE
IF IT DOES NOT ANSWER
GIVE ME BACK MY DIME

Submitter comment: SUNG TO A TUNE BUT I HAVE NO WAY OF EXPLAINING.
I CANNOT THINK OF A FAMOUS SONG WITH THIS TUNE.

Data entry tech comment: EUPHEMISM FOR HELL IN LINE FOUR

Where learned: FERNDALE ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): RHYME: ABA ; TELEPHONE

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

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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RIME

IVORY SOAP,
SEE IT FLOAT
DOWN THE RIVER
LIKE A BOAT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY

Keyword(s): BATHTUB VERSE ; RHYME: ABA

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

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC "LUCY"

LUCY MET THE TRAIN
THE TRAIN MET LUCY
THE TRACK WAS JUICY
THE JUICE WAS LUCY

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): CHIASMUS ; EUPHEMISM ; FEMININE RHYME ; FINAL ITERATION ; INITIAL ITERATION ; RHYME: ABBC

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

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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VERSE FROM MURDER

LIZZY BORDON TOOK AN AX/
AND GAVE HER MOTHER FORTY WHACKS/
WHEN SHE SAW WHAT SHE HAD DONE/
SHE GAVE HER FATHER FORTY-ONE.

Submitter comment: THE FOLLOWING VERSE CAME ABOUT AFTER A FAMOUS MURDER TOOK PLACE.
I AM NOT SURE OF THE SPELLING OF THE NAME.

Data entry tech comment: SPELLING CORRECTED BY KETPUNCHER

Where learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): ANTICLIMAX ; NARRATIVE VERSE JUMP ROPE RHYME ; NONSEQUITUR ; RHYME: AABB ; SURPRISE ENDING

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

Date learned: 11-22-1968

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I HAD A GOOD JOB AND I QUIT

HIP HIP, HIP HIP
I HAD A GOOD JOB AND I QUIT
FIRST THEY FIRED ME,
THEN THEY FIRED ME,
THEN I GOT MAD AND I QUIT.

Submitter comment: HE HEARD IT IN HIGH SCHOOL

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RICHMOND

Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM ; ITERATION ; NARRATIVE VERSE ; RHYME: ABBA

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

Date learned: 00-00-1929

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LIMERICK

THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY FROM LYNN
WHO WAS EXCEEDINGLY THIN.
THAT ONE DAY IN THE SHADE,
WHILE SIPPING LEMONADE,
SHE SLIPPED THROUGH THE STRAW AND FELL IN.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): RHYME: AABBA

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

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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A SHORT BIOGRAPHY

I,LL TELL YOU A STORY
OF OLD HUNKY DORY
NOW MY STORY,S BEGUN.
I,LL TELL YOU ANOTHER
OF OLD HUNKY,S BROTHER
AND NOW MY STORY IS DONE.

Submitter comment: CHILDHOOD

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): FEMININE RHYME ; NARRATIVE VERSE ; NUTSHELL NARRATIVE ; RHYME: AABCCB

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

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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JACK BEENORY

I,LL TELL YOU A STORY
OF JACK BEENORY,
AND NOW MY STORY,S BEGUN.
I,LL TELL YOU ANOTHER
OF JACK AND HIS BROTHER,
AND NOW MY STORY IS DONE.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): FEMININE RHYME ; NARRATIVE VERSE ; RHYME: AABCCB

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

Date learned: 00-00-1953

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CATHERINE, CATHERINE, IN THE TUB
YOUR MOTHER FORGOT TO PULL THE PLUG
OH MY GOSH OH MY SOUL
THERE GOES CATHERINE DOWN THE HOLE.

Submitter comment: YOU CAN USE ANY NAME IN PLACE OF CATHERINE.

Data entry tech comment: LINES HAVE BEEN DIVIDED BY KEYPUNCHER

Where learned: AUTOGRAPH BOOK

Keyword(s): IMPERFECT RHYME ; NARRATIVE VERSE VOCABULARY GAME ; RHYME: AABB ; RHYME: ABCC

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

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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MY BOYFRIEND

MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME PEACHES,
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME PEARS,
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME FIFTY CENTS,
AND KICKED ME DOWN THE STAIRS.

I GAVE HIM BACK HIS PEACHES,
I GAVE HIM BACK HIS PEARS,
I GAVE HIM BACK HIS FIFTY CENTS,
AND KICKED HIM DOWN THE STAIRS.

MY MOTHER NEEDED PEACHES,
MY MOTHER NEEDED PEARS,
MY MOTHER NEEDED FIFTY CENTS,
AND KICKED ME DOWN THE STAIRS.

Submitter comment: LEARNED IN DETROIT CHILDHOOD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BODILY ACTIVITY ; INCREMENTAL REPTITION ; INITIAL ITERATION ; REFRAIN ; RHYME: ABCB

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

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VERSE

THE GUYS WERE PLAYING FOOTBALL,
OUT IN THE YARD,
JESUS PLAYING QUARTERBACK,
MOSES PLAYING GUARD.
THE ANGELS GAVE A GREAT BIG YELL,
WHEN JESUS SCORED A TOUCHDOWN
AGAINST THE GUYS FROM HELL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: WASHINGTON ; 721 LAWRANCE ; WASHINGTON DC

Keyword(s): ANTHROPOMORPHISM ; BIBLICAL ; Football ; God ; HELL ; JESUS ; METAPHOR ; Moses ; RELIGION ; RHYME: ABCDED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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CHILDHOOD RHYME

HERE COMES THE BRIDE,
ALL DRESSED IN WHITE.
SHE STEPPED ON A TURTLE,
AND DOWN CAME HER GIRDLE.

Submitter comment: TOLD AT INFORMANT,S HOME 885 COVINGTON DR., DETROIT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FEMININE RHYME ; HUMOR MOCKERY ; IMPERFECT RHYME ; PARODY ; RHYME: ABCC

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

Date learned: 03-01-1970

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CHILDREN,S VERSE

COWARDY, COWARDY CUSTARD,
FELL IN HIS MOTHER,S MUSTARD;
THE MUSTARD WAS HOT,
HE SWALLOWED THE LOT,
COWARDY, COWARDY CUSTARD.

Data entry tech comment: SIC: COWARDY

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): ENVELOPE STRUCTURE ; FEMININE RHYME ; REFRAIN ; RHYME: AABBA

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

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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VERSE

LITTLE JOHNNY TOOK A DRINK,
BUT HE SHALL DRINK NO MORE,
FOR WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS H2O
WAS H2SO4.

Submitter comment: TOLD AT INFORMANT,S HOME

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; 13100 E TEN MILE

Keyword(s): CHEMICAL TERMS ; DIGITAL HUMOR ; EUPHEMISM ; RHYME: ABCB

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

Date learned: 01-20-1970

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