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THREE, SIX, NINE THE GOOSE DRANK WINE,
THE MONKEY CHEWED TOBACCO
ON THE STREETCAR LINE.
THE LINE BROKE,
THE MONKEY GOT CHOKE(ED)
AND THEY ALL WENT TO HEAVEN
IN A LITTLE ROWBOAT (CLAP, CLAP).
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; HUMOR COUNTING BY THREES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 12-05-1973
REDBUGS AND MOSQUITOES WON'T BITE IF YOU CHEW TOBACCO .
Where learned: TEXAS ; HOUSTON
James Callow Keyword(s): REDBUGS = CHIGGERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 06-11-1971
MASH UP RED BERRIES FOR LIPSTICK AND PUT ON LIPS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): BEAUTY ; Berries ; Lipstick ; Makeup
James Callow Keyword(s): ADORNMENT BEAUTIFICATION ; COSMETICS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Human or animal body ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design |
Date learned: 09-17-1973
HANG ASTIFITITY AROUND THE NECK TO KEEP GUMS AWAY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): ASAFETIDA ; GUMS = GUM BOILS?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 09-17-1973
IF A PLAYER SEES A HAIR FALL FROM A WOMAN'S HAIR, AS HE
PICKS IT UP, HE WILL GET A HIT THAT DAY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): BASEBALL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PEOPLE IN DANVILLA, ILLINOIS BELIEVE THAT SWANS ARE KEPT
IN THE POND AT THE LOCAL CEMETARY BECAUSE SWANS REPRESENT
IMMORTALITY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): CEMETERY ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 06-18-1972
ALWAYS STIR A BATTER IN THE SAME DIRECTION.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): COOKING BAKING ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Manner of preparation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 07-04-1973
A GIRL WHO FAVORS HER FATHER WILL BE LUCKY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; HENDERSONVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): FAVORS = LOOKS LIKE OR RESEMBLES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
IF YOU CAN WALK AROUND THE BLOCK WITH YOUR MOUTH FULL OF
WATER, YOU WILL BE MARRIED THAT YEAR.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): CIRCUMAMBULATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms |
Date learned: 06-27-1973
RUN AROUND THE HOUSE THREE TIMES, YOU WILL SEE THE VISION OF
YOUR HUSBAND.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): CIRCUMAMBULATION
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 06-26-1973
THE NIGHT MY DADDY DIED, AN OWL HOOTED CLOSE TO OUR HOUSE. IT
SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS SITTING ON THE ROOF. THE NEIGHBORS SAID
DADDY WOULD NOT LIVE THROUGH THE NIGHT. HE DIDN'T, BUT THE OWL'S
HOOTING DID NOT MAKE HIM DIE. HE WAS ALREADY ALMOST DEAD.
Keyword(s): DISBELIEF
| Subject headings: | Observation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
A TIME TO AVOID BAKING CAKES AND BREAD
IF YOU WANTED TO BAKE EITHER A BREAD OR A CAKE THAT NEEDED TO RAISE
BEFORE BAKING, YOU SHOULD NOT DO IT DURING YOUR MENSTRUAL PERIOD
BECAUSE THE BREAD OR CAKE WOULD NOT RAISE.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER MAID, MRS. BERTHA REID, NEGRO, WHO WAS 48
AT THE TIME.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): BODILY FUNCTIONS
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Process Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert |
Date learned: 07241968 REID, BERTHA, MRS.
CURSE: BAD LUCK
HOLD YOUR BREATH WHEN YOU PASS A CEMETERY OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD
LUCK.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO HIM BY HIS PARENTS WHEN THEY TRAVELLED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): BREATH ; CEMETERY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
PIESTUPYS -- A LITHUANIAN FOREST
WHILE MY FATHER WAS A LITTLE BOY, HE HEARD VARIOUS TALES
TOLD ABOUT THIS FOREST. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HAUNTED;
FOR IN THERE, THE DUKE OF LITHUANIA (VYTAUTAS)
PUNISHED THE ENEMY OF LITHUANIA. IT IS TOLD THAT THE
GHOSTS OF THOSE KILLED BY HIM OR ANY OF THE SOULS THAT
AREN'T AT PEACE (SUCH AS SUICIDES, MURDERS, THOSE
MANGLED TO DEATH BY THE WOLVES AND THE WILD MAD DOGS)
HAUNT THIS FOREST AND TRY TO REVENGE THEIR DEATHS BY
SCARING THE PASSERSBY TO DEATH.
MY FATHER SPEAKING: {COLLECTOR'S FATHER} 1). ONE OF THE
TALES TOLD IS THAT FIERY PILLARS ROSE UP. THEY WALKED
DOWN A WAYS ON THE SHORE OF SVENTOJI (A RIVER IN
LITHUANIA) AND DISAPPEARED. ONE OF THE OLDER MEN IN
OUR VILLAGE SAID THAT IS THE ANCIENT GOLD AND
SILVER. AND WHERE THOSE POLES, PILLARS, RISE UP OR
DISAPPEAR, THAT'S WHERE THE MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO BE
BURIED.
ME: DO YOU THINK THIS IS TRUE?
FATHER: NO, IT COUL'VE BEEN ANYTHING; REFLECTIONS
OF SOME SORT OR EVEN THE RUSSIAN SPIES WITH THEIR
TORCHES. IT COULD'VE BEEN A NUMBER OF THINGS.
ME: ARE MOST OF THE STORIES REVOLVE ABOUT THINGS?
NOT PEOPLE OR ANIMALS?
FATHER: OH, THEY SAY THAT THERE ARE MANY STRANGE
THINGS HAPPENING IN THAT FOREST. FOR ONE, THERE WAS THE
TIME...
2) ONE OF THE MEN IN THE TOWN WENT TO THE MARKET TO SELL
HIS GOODS. AFTER BEING DELAYED IN TOWN, HE HAD TO COME
HOME LATE AT NIGHT AND TO CROSS THAT FOREST. MOREOVER,
THE MOON WAS OUT. HE WAS RIGHT BY WHERE THE BRIDGE
WAS SAINT JOHN'S CROSS...AND HE SEES: BY SAINT JOHN'S
CROSS, THERE WERE DANCING YOUNG GIRLS DRESSED IN WHITE
AND SEEMED AS IF THEY WERE FLOATING ON AIR. BUT THEN
HE LOOKED TO THE OTHER SIDE AND HE SAW A NAKED MAN
ROLLING AND LAUGHING IN THE SNOW. HE (THE FARMER)
SAID THAT EVERY HAIR ON HIS HEAD STOOD ON END AND SPED
HOME LIKE HE NEVER HAD BEFORE! HE WONDERED FOR A LONG
TIME AFTER THAT HOW HE MANAGED TO "ESCAPE" ALIVE THAT
NIGHT.
ME: DID YOU BELIEVE HIM?
FATHER: ALL US YOUNGER KIDS DID, WE WERE TOO YOUNG.
OF COURSE, IT COULD'VE BEEN HIS IMAGINATION.
ME: DID YOU HEAR ANY OTHER STORIES ABOUT PIESTUPYS?
FATHER: YES, BUT VERY VERY SHORT ONES.
FOR EXAMPLE, SOMEONE SAID THAT THEY SAW AND HEARD A
BLACK PONY RUNNING ALONG THE SLOPES OF THE FOREST.
OR SOMETIMES OTHERS SAY THAT THEY'VE SEEN A GRAY OLD
GOAT BLEETING {BLEATING} UNDER A TREE.
ME: BUT WHAT IS IT MAINLY THAT SCARED THE PEOPLE
SO MUCH?
FATHER: WELL, THERE IN THE FOREST, THREE THIEVES HUNG
THEMSELVES AND THEY'RE BURIED UNDER SOME PINE TREES
SIDE BY SIDE. AND THE PEOPLE USED TO SAY THAT THEY
STARTED ARGUING WHO ROBBED MORE PEOPLE AND WHO STOLE
THE MOST RICHES, AND AFTER A WHILE, THEY HAD RISEN ALL
THE OTHER DEAD AND TAKEN SIDES. BUT IT WAS REALLY OF
THOSE THREE THIEVES THAT EVERYONE WAS AFRAID OF.
ME: WERE YOU EVER IN THAT FOREST AND HAVE SOMETHING
HAPPEN TO YOU?
FATHER: YES, RIGHT BEFORE EASTER, MY YOUNGER SISTER
AND I HAD TO GET UP IN THE DARK TO GO TO RECOLLECTIONS.
AND FROM OUR VILLAGE TO THE TOWN AND CHURCH WAS TO GO
THROUGH THE FOREST. SO WE SET OUT...STILL DARK. I
HAD NEVER REALLY THOUGHT MUCH OF THOSE STORIES I HAD
HEARD, BUT NOW THEY ALL CAME BACK VIVIDLY. SO HALF
WAY THERE, I PICKED OUT LONG STRONG PIECES OF WOOD FOR
MY SISTER AND I TO PROTECT OURSELVES--MAINLY FROM THE
DOGS.
WE HAD PASSED HALF OF THE FOREST PEACEFULLY, BUT SUDDENLY
UP AHEAD, WE SAW A THING COMING--IT HAD A HUMAN SHAPE
AND WALKED LIKE A HUMAN. WE BOTH THOUGHT IT WAS ONE OF
THE DEAD, SO WE BOTH SAT DOWN HUGGING EACH OTHER, HOPING
THAT THE THING WOULD PASS. SUDDENLY, I HEARD THE THING
REAL CLOSE BY AND SHUT MY EYES. BUT THEN IT GAVE US THE
LITHUANIAN GREETING: "MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOU." AND
MY SISTER ANSWERED! IT TURNED OUT TO BE A MIDDLE-AGED
WOMAN DRESSED IN A WHITE FUR COAT! SHE ASKED US IF WE
WERE GOING TO CHURCH AND THEN JUST WENT ON HER WAY.
ME: DIDN'T YOU THINK IT COULD'VE BEEN A SPIRIT?
FATHER: I WAS LITTLE THEN, BUT I KNEW A REAL PERSON
WHEN I SAW ONE! AFTER THAT, I WALKED ON AS BRAVELY
AS EVER AND WAS NEVER SCARED TO GO IN THERE AGAIN!
ME: WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER PEOPLE? DID YOU TELL THEM
WHAT HAPPENED?
FATHER: OH, SURE! BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY DON'T
USUALLY PICK ON LITTLE KIDS.
ME: WERE THERE ANY OTHER INCIDENTS ABOUT THAT FOREST?
FATHER: OH, SURE! I THINK SO-CALLED HAPPENINGS WERE
REPORTED ALL THE TIME UP TO THE TAKEOVER IN 1941. BUT
I DOUBT IT IF MANY OF THE PEOPLE BELIEVED THE STORIES
UP TILL THEN!
ME: DO YOU KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THE FOREST NOW?
FATHER: THE LAST I HEARD WAS THAT HALF OF IT IS
DESTROYED. BY BOMBINGS AND SHELLING AND THE RUSSIANS
DID CUT DOWN MANY, MANY TREES FOR THEIR OWN USE.
Where learned: SOUTHFIELD ; LITHUANIA ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): TROUBLED SPIRITS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SOORACKS
"SOORACKS" WAS A WORKING MAN OF VERY CLEAN HABITS WHO
LIVED IN THE EAST END OF DUNDEE, SCOTLAND, ABOUT 100
YEARS AGO. HE WOULD COME INTO TOWN EVERY TUESDAY AND
FRIDAY WITH A BASKET SUSPENDED FROM HIS NECK WITH A
SUPPLY OF WATER AND "SOORACKS." WHEN HE HAD GATHERED
AN AUDIENCE, HE GAVE A SHORT LECTURE ON THE HARMFUL
CONSUMPTION OF RED MEAT AND THEN DISTRIBUTED HIS
VEGETABLES AMONG THE BOYS AND GIRLS. NO PAYMENT WAS
ASKED FOR. "SOORACKS" WAS AN EARLY PIONEER OF
VEGETARIANISM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SCOTLAND ; DUNDEE
Keyword(s): EATING HABITS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 01-28-1971
THE LAIRD OF LENOX
A VERY THIN MAN WITH WHITE, SIGHTLESS EYES, RED SKINNED,
AND DRESSED IN STUART-TARTAN, EKED OUT A LIVING BY
BLOWING ON A BIG TIN WHISTLE. NOBODY EVER KNEW THE
TUNES THAT THE "LAIRD" PLAYED, BUT ALWAYS BEFORE
BEGINNING HIS RECITAL, HE WOULD REMARK: "WHO GAVE
ME THIS LONESOME WHISTLE?" "AH, I MIND NOO! THE
LAIRD OF LENNOX."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MUSICIAN, FLUTE BLIND MAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 01-28-1971
DISTILLERY PROSE
THIS ONE HAPPENED IN NORTH CAROLINA. THERE WAS THIS GUY NAMED LOSS
HONEYCUTT
AND HIS PROFESSION WAS BREEDING BULLS. ON THE SIDE HE RAN A
DISTILLERY. BACK IN THOSE TIMES, I THINK IT WAS THE EARLY 1900{S, AS
FAR AS POLICEMEN AND GUYS LIKE THAT, THEY DIDN'T FIND OUT TOO MUCH
ABOUT
DISTILLERIES, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE ILLEGAL AND EVERYTHING. BUT
BY MOUTH OR WHATEVER, THE AUTHORITIES FOUND OUT THAT LOSS WAS RUNNING
THIS DISTILLERY AND MAKING PRETTY GOOD MONEY ON IT. SO ONE DAY TWO
LOCAL
OCAL SHERIFFS DECIDED TO PAY LOSS A VISIT. IT SO HAPPENS THAT THE
POLICE
LICE WERE SEEN GOING IN THERE TO BREAK UP THE STILL AND OF COURSE A
CROWD BEGAN TO GATHER OUTSIDE HIS HOUSE. AND THEY WAITED AND WAITED,
BUT THE TWO SHERIFFS NEVER CAME OUT. THE PEOPLE GOT KIND OF CONCERNED
AND WENT TO THE POLICE STATION AND TOLD THEM THAT THE TWO SHERIFFS
HADN'T COME OUT OF THE HOUSE. SO THE POLICE INVESTIGATED. THEY WENT
INTO THE HOUSE AND DOWN INTO THE BASEMENT WHERE THE STILL WAS LOCATED
AND THERE WAS LOSS MAKING WHISKEY. IT SO HAPPENS THAT LOSS HAD DONE
AWAY WITH THE TWO SHERIFFS AND HAD MADE WHISKEY OUT OF THEM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
Keyword(s): MOONSHINING
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM: PEOPLE DISTILLED INTO WHISKEY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
JESUS HELPS THOSE THAT HELP THEMSELVES
ONE DAY JESUS WAS TAKING A WALK WITH PETER DOWN AN OLD
ROAD. THEY SAW A MAN WITH A DONKEY BY THE SIDE OF THE
ROAD, THE DONKEY GOT STUCK IN THE MUD. THE MAN FELL DOWN
ON HIS KNEES AND HE STARTED PRAYING, "GOD, OH GOD, PULL
MY DONKEY OUT OF THE MUD." BUT JESUS JUST KEPT WALKING
BY. AS HE KEPT WALKING, ANOTHER MAN AND DONKEY WERE
STUCK IN THE MUD. BUT THE MAN WAS CUSSING, SWEARING,
SAYING, "YOU DAMN BASTARD MULE." AS HE SWORE HE WAS
PULLING AND PUSHING THE DONKEY. JESUS WENT DOWN AND
HELPED HIM.
AFTER, PETER ASKED JESUS, "WHY DID YOU HELP THIS MAN
WHO CUSSED, AND NOT THE MAN WHO PRAYED?" JESUS SAID
THAT HE HELPED HIM 'CAUSE HE WAS HELPING HIMSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL TALE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-24-1972
IN THE OLD COUNTRY, AT FUNERALS, IT WAS CONSIDERED
RESPECTFUL FOR SOMEONE TO STAY UP ALL NIGHT WITH THE
BODY. SINCE EVERYONE WOULD RATHER "WHOOP IT UP" AT
THE WAKE, INSTEAD OF STAYING WITH THE BODY, THEY
USUALLY GOT A COBBLER, WHO STAYED UP ALL NIGHT
ANYWAY, WORKING ON HIS SHOES, TO DO THE JOB.
ONE NIGHT, A COUPLE PRANKSTERS DECIDED TO PUT A LIVE
PERSON IN THE COFFIN, INSTEAD OF THE BODY. TOWARDS
THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, THE "CORPSE" LIFTED ITS
RIGHT LEG. THE COBBLER, WITHOUT THINKING TWICE,
PUSHED IT BACK IN PLACE. A LITTLE WHILE LATER, AN
ARM WENT UP, AND THE COBBLER, SLIGHTLY ANNOYED,
PUSHED IT BACK. BUT THIS KEPT UP ALL NIGHT, UNTIL
THE COBBLER WAS PRETTY EXASPERATED. THE "CORPSE"
FINALLY PUT ITS HEAD UP AND LOOKED AT THE COBBLER.
AT THIS POINT, IN A FIT OF TEMPER, THE COBBLER PICKED
UP HIS HAMMER AND BASHED THE "CORPSE'S" HEAD IN.
THE MAN NOW REALLY WAS A CORPSE.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): BLASON POPULAIRE: COBBLERS ARE FEARLESS ; HUMOR ; IRONY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 11-22-1967
THE LOPEY HORSE
A FARMER HAD A HORSE THAT HE COULDN'T BREAK FOR
RIDING. THE HORSE WOULD REAR UP AND FALL ON ITS
BACK OR ELSE TURN A FOREWARD SOMMERSAULT WHEN
ANYONE TRIED TO RIDE IT. THE FARMER SAID HE WOULD
GIVE FIVE DOLLARS TO ANYONE THAT COULD BREAK HIM.
ONE SUNDAY, I WENT TO WATCH A BUNCH OF BOYS TRY TO
RIDE IT, BUT NONE OF THEM COULD DO IT. I TOLD THE
FARMER THAT IF HE WOULD LET ME TAKE IT HOME, I WOULD
HAVE IT BROKE IN A WEEKS TIME. HE SAID YES AND I
TOOK IT HOME AND PUT HIM TO PLOWING FOR A WEEK. FROM
THEN ON, WHEN ANYONE TRIED TO RIDE IT, ALL HE HAD TO
SAY WAS 'GET UP.' THE HORSE WOULD THINK IT WAS
STILL IN THE PLOW HARNESS AND COULD BE RIDDEN.
Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD AS TRUTH. IT IS NOT A TALL TALE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): BREAKING IN A HORSE ; PERSONAL NARRATIVE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-08-1968