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AUTOGRAPH BOOK MATERIAL
A SAILOR LOVES HIS C,
AN OLD MAID LOVES HER T,
A CHINAMAN LOVES HIS Q,
BUT I ONLY LOVE YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; HUMOR ; QUATRAIN ; QUEUE ; RHYME: AABB ; SEA ; TEA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
Date learned: 00-00-1928
WRITTEN VERSE
HAD I THE HEAVEN'S EMBRIODERD CLOTHS,
ENWROUGHT WITH GOLDEN AND SILVER LIGHT,
THE BLUE AND THE DIM AND THE DARK CLOTHS,
OF NIGHT AND LIGHT AND THE HALF LIGHT,
I WOULD SPREAD THE CLOTHS UNDER YOUR FEET,
BUT I, BEING POOR, HAVE ONLY MY DREAMS;
I HAVE SPREAD MY DREAMS UNDER YOUR FEET,
TREAD SOFTLY, BECAUSE YOU TREAD ON MY DREAMS.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS WRITTEN IN MY MOTHER'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK WHEN SHE WAS
VISITING ENGLAND IN 1937.
Where learned: ENGLAND
Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; SERIOUSNESS
James Callow Keyword(s): DREAMS ; FUNCTION ; METAPHOR ; POETIC DICTION ; REPETITION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Tender sentiment |
Date learned: 00-00-1937
PROVERBIAL MAXIM
IF YOU CHEAT AND LOSE, THERE WAS NO SENSE IN CHEATING. IF YOU
CHEAT AND WIN, THERE WAS NO SENSE IN PLAYING.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT REMEMBERED THIS AS A WELL-KNOWN SAYING IN HER
FAMILY, BUT IT IS OF NO PARTICULAR ETHNIC ORIGIN.
THIS PROVERB IS USED TO PREVENT CHILDREN FROM GETTING INTO THE
HABIT OF CHEATING AND TO CORRECT THEM WHEN CAUGHT CHEATING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-00-1982
MONSTER BELIEF
IF YOU GO OUT OF YOUR HOUSE WHEN YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE IN BED
AT NIGHT, THE BESTIA WILL CARRY YOU OFF NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN.
THE BESTIA IS AS BIG AS A HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
BESTIA MEANS BEAST IN ITALIAN. THIS SUPERSTITION WAS ACTUALLY
BELIEVED BY THE INFORMANT'S GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
IF LITTLE BOYS STAND WHILE THEY EAT, THEY WILL GET FAT KNEES.
Submitter comment:
MOTHERS TELL THIS TO THEIR CHILDREN SO THEY WILL SIT WHILE
THEY EAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Lower body, legs BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 00001970S
BLOODY BONES
THERE WAS THIS LITTLE BOY AND HIS MOTHER SENT HIM TO
THE STORE TO GET SOME LIVER. BUT INSTEAD THE LITTLE
BOY BOUGHT CANDY. ON HIS WAY HOME HE PASSED A GRAVEYARD
AND DECIDED TO GO DIG UP A LIVER TO TAKE HOME. HE CAME
TO A HEADSTONE WITH THE NAME BLOODY BONES ON IT AND BEGAN
TO DIG. AT DINNER, EVERYONE RAVED ABOUT HOW GOOD THE
LIVER WAS. AFTER DINNER EVERYONE WENT TO BED, BUT WHILE
THE BOY WAS SLEEPING HE HEARD A VOICE. THE VOICE SAID,
"BLOODY BONES GONNA GET YA TONIGHT. BLOODY BONES IN
YOUR CLOSET TONIGHT." FRIGHTENED, THE BOY RAN INTO THE
KITCHEN, BUT THE VOICE FOLLOWED AND SAID, "BLOODY BONES
GONNA GET YA TONIGHT. BLOODY BONES IN THE KITCHEN TONIGHT."
HE TRIED TO ESCAPE BY GOING INTO HIS PARENTS' ROOM BUT
BLOODY BONES FOLLOWED HIM. FINALLY, BLOODY BONES KILLED
HIM AND TOOK HIS LIVER.
Submitter comment:
THE STORY WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT TO FRIGHTEN HER INTO
OBEYING. IF SHE DID SOMETHING WRONG HER GRANDFATHER
WOULD SAY, "BLOODY DONES GONNA GET YA!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COMPENSATION AND POETIC JUSTICE ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 04-00-1983
HOW TO QUIET KIDS
WHENEVER THE CHILDREN USED TO SING AT THE TABLE, I USED TO TELL
THEM THIS OLD SAYING THAT MY MOTHER TOLD ME AS A YOUNGSTER, TO
MAKE THEM STOP: "IF YOU SING AT THE TABLE YOUR HUSBAND WILL
HAVE A CRAZY WIFE." THEY RARELY UNDERSTOOD THE IMPLICATIONS
OF THE SAYING BUT IT CERTAINLY SILENCED THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1932
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
SONG
(REFRAIN:)
OLD FOLKS, YOUNG FOLKS, EVERYBODY COME.
COME JOIN THE BIBLE SCHOOL AND HAVE A LOT OF FUN.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHEWING GUM AND RAZORS AT THE DOOR,
AND YOU'LL HEAR SOME BIBLE STORIES THAT
YOU'VE NEVER HEARD BEFORE.
(FIRST STANZA:)
ADAM WAS A PLOWMAN AND EVE WAS HIS SPOUSE.
HE PICKED UP A HAMMER AND BUILT THEMSELVES A HOUSE.
EVERYTHING WAS PEACEFUL, QUIET AND SANE,
TILL EVE HAD A BABY AND THEY STARTED RAISIN' CAIN.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
(SECOND STANZA:)
IN CAME NOAH STUMBLING IN THE DARK.
HE PICKED UP A HAMMER AND HE BUILT HIMSELF AN ARK.
IN CAME THE ANIMALS TWO BY TWO--
THE GIANT HIPPOPOTAMUS AND THE LANKY KANGAROO.
(THIRD STANZA:)
IN CAME THE LION, IN CAME THE BEAR,
IN CAME THE BABOON WITHOUT ANY HAIR;
FOR FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS THEY SAILED AROUND THE
POND,
AND THEY KICKED OUT THE LIONESS BECAUSE SHE WAS A BLOND.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
(FOURTH STANZA:)
NOW DAVID WAS A SHEPHERD BOY, HIS FATHER'S PRIDE AND JOY.
HE MADE HIMSELF A SLINGSHOT--A HARMLESS LITTLE TOY.
IN CAME GOLIATH LOOKIN' FOR A FUSS,
SO HE PICKED UP A PEBBLE AND BOUNCED HIM ON THE CRUST.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED IN NEW YORK. IT WAS USUALLY SUNG ON
LONG CAR TRIPS. THERE ARE MORE STANZAS BUT THIS IS
ALL THE INFORMANT REMEMBERED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
WHEN I WAS A CHILD, MY MOTHER USED TO TELL MY SISTERS
AND ME THAT THE BLESSED MOTHER WOULD CRY IF SHE HEARD
LITTLE GIRLS SINGING AT THE DINNER TABLE OR WHISTLING
AT ANY TIME.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; TABLE MANNERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 00001950S
WHEN I WAS A CHILD, MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO TELL ME
THAT THE SHEENY-MAN, A MAN WHO DROVE A HORSE-DRAWN WAGON
THROUGH HER ALLEY AND COLLECTED THINGS, WOULD TAKE ME
AWAY IF I MISBEHAVED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
"YOU SHOULD NOT LEAVE ANY GRAINS OF RICE ON THE DISHES AFTER A
MEAL OR YOUR HUSBAND'S OR WIFE'S FACE WILL HAVE ACNE."
Submitter comment: BELIEF PROBABLY TO PREVENT THE WASTE OF FOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
Date learned: 04-00-1984
CHINESE EATING CUSTOM (GOOSE)
"IN CHINA, ANYONE YOUNGER THAN 15 YEARS IS NOT ALLOWED TO EAT
GOOSE BECAUSE THE CHINESE BELIEVE THAT THEIR FINGERS WILL CURL
AND BLISTER."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT BELIEVED SUCH BELIEFS WERE MADE UP BY ELDERS SO THAT
THEY WOULD BE THE ONLY ONES TO ENJOY GOOSE WHICH IS EXPENSIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
Date learned: 04-00-1984
IF A GIRL HAS BEEN BAD TO HER PARENTS OR HAS TRIED TO HIT
THEM, HER HAND WILL COME OUT OF HER GRAVE UNTIL IT IS SLAPPED
DOWN.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HER BOYFRIEND. HIS
GRANDMOTHER TOLD HIM THIS STORY WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE BOY.
SHE SAID THAT IT COULD ONLY HAPPEN TO GIRLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; JUSTICE ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Gesture |
BELIEF
IF YOU SWALLOW WATERMELON SEEDS, YOU WILL GROW A WATERMELON
IN YOUR STOMACH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT USED TO TELL HER CHILDREN THIS SO THAT THEY
WOULD NOT SWALLOW WATERMELLON SEEDS.
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
LESSON
"THIS IS A LESSON ABOUT NOT MINDING YOUR PARENTS TOLD
TO ME BY MY MOTHER: ONCE THERE WERE TWO BOYS DOING THEIR
HOMEWORK, A GOOD BOY AND A BAD BOY. THEIR MOM CALLED THEM
TO COME AND EAT THEIR SUPPER, THE GOOD BOY WENT BUT THE BAD
BOY STAYED TO DO HIS HOMEWORK. AFTER DINNER WHEN THE BOYS
WENT BACK TO THEIR ROOM, THE GOOD BOY FOUND HIS HOMEWORK HAD
BEEN COMPLETED IN GOLD BY ANGELS. WHEREAS, THE BAD BOY FOUND
THAT THE EDGES OF HIS PAPER HAD BEEN BURNED AND THAT HIS
HOMEWORK HAD BEEN COMPLETED ALL WRONG IN RED INK. THE DEVIL
HAD COME TO DO THE BAD BOY'S HOMEWORK."
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; CARTERET
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Angel PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 00001973CA
NEVER RAISE YOUR HAND TO YOUR MOTHER
IN ANGER, FOR IF YOU DO YOUR HAND WILL
NEVER GO DOWN AND WHEN YOU DIE YOUR
HAND WILL HAVE TO BE WHIPPED DOWN.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO MICHAEL SO HE WOULDN'T
DISOBEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001970S
DO NOT SIT ON THE KITCHEN TABLE BECAUSE
THERE ARE ANGELS ON TOP. "MY GRANDMOTHER
USED TO SAY THIS TO ME WHEN I WAS YOUNGER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
IF YOU SUCK YOUR THUMB IT WILL FALL OFF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; JACK AND JILL NURSERY SCHOOL
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
IF YOU SUCK YOUR THUMB, SANTA WON'T BRING YOU PRESENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; JACK AND JILL NURSERY SCHOOL
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 00-00-1985