Offensive content Filter is ON
Your search for ANIMALS returned 131 results.
THE FROG
THE FROG IS A FUNNY ANIMAL
WHEN HE WALK HE RUN ALMOST,
WHEN HE HOP HE JUMP ALMOST,
WHEN HE SIT HE STAND ALMOST,
HE HAS NO TAIL HARDLY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; FINAL ITERATION ; HUMOR ; INITIAL ITERATION ; RHYME: ABBBC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.440 |
Date learned: 09-12-1965
THE FROG
WHAT A FUNNY LITTLE BIRD THE FROG ARE
HE AIN'T GOT NO HEAD HARDLY
AND HE AIN'T GOT NO TAIL EITHER.
WHEN HE HOP HE FLY ON WHAT HE AIN'T GOT ALMOST.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; HUMOR ; RHYME: ABCD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.440 |
Date learned: 09-12-1965
BIRDIE, BIRDIE IN THE SKY,
DROP A WHITE WASH IN MY EYE,
ME NO WORRY,
ME NO CRY,
ME JUST HAPPY COWS DON'T FLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD IN
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; BABY TALK ; EUPHEMISM: WHITEWASH FOR BIRD DUNG ; RHYME: AABAA ; SUGGESTION COW DUNG
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
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
MULE IN THE BARNYARD TIRED AND SICK
BOY WITH A PIN ON THE END OF A STICK
BOY JABS MULE, MULE GIVES A LURCH
SERVICES MONDAY AT THE CORNER CHURCH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THIS IS A FAVORITE POEM RIDDLE OF HIS MOTHER'S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 16601 LIVERNOIS ; SAINT FRANCIS CLUB
Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS ; INDIRECTION EUPHEMISM ; MISTREATMENT OF ANIMALS, PUNISHMENT FOR ; POETIC VUSTICE ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 03-20-1972
THE CHICKENS
SAID THE FIRST LITTLE CHICKEN/WITH A QUEER LITTLE SQUIRM,
"I WISH I COULD FIND/ A FAT LITTLE WORM."
SAID THE NEXT LITTLE CHICKEN,/ WITH AN OLD LITTLE SHRUG:
"I WISH I COULD FIND,/ A FAT LITTLE BUG."
SAID A THIRD LITTLE CHICKEN,/ WITH A FAINT LITTLE MOAN:
"I WISH I COULD FIND/ A WEE GRAVEL STONE."
"NOW SEE HERE," SAID THE MOTHER,/ FROM THE GREEN GARDEN PATCH,
"IF YOU WANT ANY BREAKFAST,/ JUST COME HERE AND ASK."
Submitter comment: DEMONSTRATE ACTIONS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): CHAIN ; QUATRAIN FOOD ; RHYME: ABCB ; TALKING ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
LIMERICK
THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY NAMED SUE/WHO SAW A STRANGE BEAST AT THE ZOO.
WHEN SHE ASKED, IS IT OLD?/ SHE WAS SMILINGLY TOLD,/ IT'S NOT AN OLD
BEAST, BUT A GNU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE ; 237 FELICE ST
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; DIALOGUE ; PUN ; RHYME: AABBA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 11-12-1968
AUTOGRAPH (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; READING OR WRITING BACKWARDS OR UPSIDE DOWN (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)
ONLY MONKEYS LOOK UPSIDE DOWN}
Submitter comment: WRITTEN UPSIDE DOWN ON THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.
Where learned: AUTOGRAPH BOOK ; 1962
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; CATCH INSULT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Reading or writing backwards, upside down |
Date learned: 03-01-1970
CHRISTMAS
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, FATHER OF HOUSEHOLD
MUST FEED ALL THE LIVESTOCK THE BEST
FOOD, BECAUSE IT IS BELIEVED THAT
THAT NIGHT LIVESTOCK CAN SPEAK, AND SO
MIGHT COMPLAIN TO GOD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM PARENTS.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.4 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 11-17-1967
A CARROT FOR A REINDEER
THE YOUNGER CHILDREN IN HER FAMILY HANG A STRING FROM THE DOOR AT
CHRISTMAS TIME WITH A CARROT AT THE END FOR THE REINDEER TO EAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD FOR ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
WHEN I WAS YOUNG, I USED TO LEAVE FOOD FOR SNATA
CLAUS AND HAY FOR HIS REINDEER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT ; SOUTH QUAD
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
Christmas Bean Serving
IT IS A POLISH CUSTOM, DURING CHRISTMAS
EVE DINNER, FOR ALL THE CHILDREN TO SAVE
ONE SPOONFUL OF BEANS UNTIL THE END OF
THE BEAN SERVING. THEY TAKE THIS SPOON AND
GO TO THE BACKDOOR AND THROW THEM
OUTSIDE.
Submitter comment:
THE REASON IS TO SYMBOLICALLY OFFER
THE WOLF FOOD SO HE WILL NOT COME
TO THE DOOR DURING THE UPCOMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 11-00-1968
Content filter on this entry.
GOOD MORNING BY DONNA SMITH, AGE: 8
THE SUN WAS SHINING BRIGHTLY
AND I COULD HARDLY WAIT,
TO PONDER AT MY WINDOW
AND GAZE AT MY ESTATE.
THE BREEZE WAS BLOWING BRISKLY,
IT MADE THE FLOWERS SWAY,
THE GARDEN WAS ENCHANTING
ON THIS INSPIRING DAY.
MY EYES FELL ON A LITTLE BIRD
WITH A BEAUTIFUL YELLOW BILL.
I BECKONED HIM TO COME AND
LIGHT UPON MY WINDOW SILL.
I SMILED AT HIM CHEERFULLY
AND GAVE HIM A CRUST OF BREAD,
THEN I QUICKLY CLOSED THE WINDOW
AND SMASHED HIS FUCKING HEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTICLIMAX ; CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ; FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE ; SURPRISE ENDING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Filter - Mature Content |
Date learned: CA00001977
THE BEAVER FAMILY
PAPA BEAVER WAS SAYING GRACE BEFORE SUPPER:
"GOD BLESS MAMA DAM, PAPA DAM, BROTHER DAM, SISTER DAM..."
BABY DAM INTERRUPTED HIM--
"GOD BLESS THE WHOLE DAM FAMILY!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Keyword(s): BLESSING ; DAMN ; HUMOR ; PRAYERS ; TALKING ANIMALS ; WORD PLAY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
STORY OF THE STORK
ONE DAY GOD GAVE A MAN A BAG TO CARRY BUT DIDN'T
TELL THE MAN WHAT WAS IN IT. HE TOLD THE MAN TO CARRY THIS BAG
TO A CERTAIN PLACE ON EARTH BUT NOT TO OPEN IT OR LOOK INSIDE.
SO THE MAN TOOK THE BAG BUT GOT CURIOUS AND OPENED IT AND OUT
CAME ALL KINDS OF SNAKES AND FROGS AND WATER ANIMALS.
GOD GOT MAD AND TURNED THE MAN INTO A STORK AND GAVE HIM A LONG
BILL AND LONG LEGS SO HE COULD GO IN SWAMPS AND
GATHER ALL THE ANIMALS HE SET FREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CREATION ; MYTH ; STORK ; WATER ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life |
Date learned: 04-07-1972
Content filter on this entry.
SEX LIFE AND ITS RAMIFICATIONS
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
WHEN MAN WAS FIRST MADE HE WAS GIVEN ONLY 20 YEARS OF NORMAL SEX
LIFE. NATURALLY HE WAS HORRIFIED -- ONLY 20 YEARS?
THE MONKEY TOO, WAS GIVEN ONLY 20 YEARS BUT HE REPLIED
"TEN YEARS WAS ENOUGH", SO MAN ASKED FOR THE OTHER TEN YEARS AND
IT WAS GIVEN TO HIM. THE LION WAS ALSO GIVEN 20 YEARS BUT HE TOO
SAID TEN YEARS WAS ENOUGH. AGAIN MAN ASKED FOR THE OTHER TEN YEARS
AND THE LION SAID "OF COURSE". THEN CAME THE DONKEY, HE ALSO WAS
GIVEN 20 YEARS BUT LIKE THE OTHERS TEN YEARS WAS ENOUGH. AND MAN,
AGAIN ASKED FOR THE OTHER TEN YEARS AND IT WAS GIVEN TO HIM. MM
THIS EXPLAINS WHY MAN TODAY HAS 20 YEARS OF NORMAL SEX LIFE,
10 YEARS OF MONKEYING AROUND, 10 YEARS OF LION ABOUT IT, AND 10
YEARS OF MAKING AN ASS OF HIMSELF.
Where learned: BIRMINGHAM ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; HUMOR ; MYTH ; SEX ; SURPRISE ENDING ; WORD PLAY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Human Life |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
SHAGGY DOG TALE
ONCE THERE WAS THIS MAN WHO HAD A DOG THAT COULD TALK. HE TOOK THIS
DOG TO THE LOCAL TAVERN AND BEGAN TO BRAG ABOUT HIS TALKING DOG.
"I DON'T BELIEVE IT" SAID THE BARTENDER. "YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO
PROVE IT" SAID ONE OF THE CUSTOMERS. "ALL RIGHT" SAID THE MAN
TURNING TO HIS DOG, "WHO WAS THE GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER IN
HISTORY?" HE ASKED THE DOG. THE DOG REPLIED, "ROOF, ROOF."
UPON HEARING THIS THE PEOPLE IN THE BAR GOT PRETTY MAD AND
THREW THE MAN AND HIS DOG OUT ONTO THE STREET. CONFUSED,
THE DOG LOOKED UP TO HIS MASTER AND ASKED, "WAS IT WILLIE MAYS?"
Submitter comment: TOLD IN CAJUN DIALECT ON A JUSTIN WILSON RECORD
Data entry tech comment:
CHAPTER 7 IN "WITCRACKS BY ALVIN SCHWARTZ
SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; DOG ; HUMOR ; SURPRISE ENDING ; TALKING ANIMALS ; TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): BABE RUTH
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- B203 PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
A STORY INVOLVING A MIRACLE
ONCE THERE WAS A WEALTHY MAN AND HIS WIFE. THEY WERE SO WELL
OFF THAT THEY WEREN'T CAREFUL ABOUT CRUMBS AND BREAD. BUT AFTER
EATING, THE WIFE WOULD GO AROUND AND GATHER UP ALL THE CRUMBS AND
FEED THE BIRDS OUTSIDE, BUT SHE HAD TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE THE
HUSBAND DIDN'T LIKE IT.
ONCE HE CAUGHT HER WITH HER HANDS FULL OF CRUMBS AND ASKED TO SEE
WHAT WAS IN HER HANDS. SHE HID HER FISTS BEHIND HER BACK. (THE
INFORMANT MADE THAT SAME GESTURE.) BUT HE STILL ASKED TO SEE WHAT
SHE HAD. WHEN HE MADE HER OPEN HER HANDS THERE WAS NOTHING IN
THEM BUT A CRUCIFIX. THE BREAD HAD TURNED INTO CHRIST.
Submitter comment:
AS TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER MOTHER WHO TOLD IT AS TRUE.
TOLD AS WE WERE EATING DINNER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DAUGHTERS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): KINDNESS TO ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-26-1969
A DOG IS ONE OF THE MOST PERCEPTIVE OF ANIMALS. HE IS ABLE TO
HAVE SOME SORT OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE DEAD. THERE WAS AN
INSTANCE IN NORTHERN OHIO, WHERE MRS. CAMPBELL GREW UP WHICH SHOWED
THIS POWER OF THE DOG. A WOMAN DIES AND WAS BURIED. THE FAMILY
DOG WOULD BE GONE ALL DAY FROM THE HOME AND RETURN AT NIGHT MUDDY
AND TIRED. THIS WENT ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK. FINALLY THEY DECIDED
TO FOLLOW THE DOG AND SEE WHAT IT WAS DOING. THEY FOLLOWED IT TO
A CEMETERY WHERE THEY FOUND THAT HE HAD BEEN DIGGING TO THE DEAD
WOMAN'S COFFIN. THEY OPENED THE COFFIN AND FOUND OUT THAT THE
WOMAN HAD BEEN BURIED ALIVE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): FAITHFUL ANIMALS
James Callow Keyword(s): PREMATURE BURIAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
WITCH TALE
"MY MOTHER TOLD ME THAT ONE TIME A TURTLE WAS EATING ALL THE SOUR
CREAM AND EACH DAY IT WAS DISAPPEARING AND THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT
WHERE IT WAS GOING. SO ONE DAY THEY GOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO FIND WHAT
WAS GETTING AT THE CREAM. THEY SAW IT WAS A TURTLE. SO THEY BEAT
IT WITH A WIDE SHOVEL. SO THEY DISCOVERED IN THIS TURTLE WAS AN
OLD LADY. SO HOW THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS AN OLD LADY, THEY SAW HER
WALKING DOWN THE STREET THE NEXT DAY CRIPPLED UP WITH A BACK ACHE.
SO WHEN SHE TOLD SHE WAS BEAT WITH A SHOVEL. SO SHE NEVER STOLE NO
MORE SOUR CREAM."
Submitter comment:
THE MOTHER OF THE INFORMANT WAS BORN IN HUNGARY AND RAISED IN EUROPE
SHE CAME TO THE UNITED STATES AND LIVED ON A FARM IN SCRANTON, PENN.
WITH HER HUSBAND AND FAMILY.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
James Callow Keyword(s): PENNSYLVANIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 11-10-1970