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The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
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LADY BUG, LADY BUG,
FLY AWAY HOME;
YOUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE,
AND YOUR CHILDREN WILL BURN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; QUATRAIN, MONOLOGUE ; REPETITION FIRE ; RHYME: MASCULINE, IMPERFECT

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

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SMOKY THE BEAR RIDDLE

HOW COME SMOKY THE BEARS' WIFE CAN'T ET PREGNANT? EVERYTIME SHE
GETS HOT. HE HITS HER WITH A SHOVEL.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL OF FIRE PREVENTION

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 09-28-1972

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Ethnic: Song/American Indian/Mardi Gras

THESE ARE THE WORDS TO THE SONG:
ME GOT FIRE CAN'T PUT IT OUT
ME FIRE WATER GONNA MAKE ME SHOUT.
I AM GOING DOWN AND GET MY SQUAW
ME MIGHT BUY GREAT BIG CAR.
I AM GONNA DO EVERYTHING I COULD
ME BIG CHIEF I'M FEELING GOOD.
ME BIG CHIEF I GOT 'EM TRIBE
GOT MY SQUAW RIGHT BY MY SIDE.
MY FLAG BOY HE JUST WENT BY
MY SPY BOY HE'S FULL OF FIRE
ME WHOLE TRIBE IS HAVING FUN
WE GONNA DANCE 'TIL THE MORNING COME

Submitter comment:

THE SONG 'BIG CHIEF' WAS WRITTEN BY A BLACK MAN NAMED
PROFESSOR LONG HAIR. HE WROTE THE SONG AROUND THE EARLY
1950'S. THIS SONG IS STRICTLY A MARDI GRAS TUNE. IT HAS
SURVIVED THROUGH THE YEARS AS ONE OF THE CLASSIC SONGS OF THE
MARDI GRAS SEASON. HE DID NOT BECOME RICH WITH THE SONG
BECAUSE IT IS ONLY UNDERSTOOD AND LOVED IN NEW ORLEANS
DURING THE MARDI GRAS SEASON. THE MAN IS PRESENTLY
WORKING ON THE RIVER FRONT WHARFS IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
AT THE TIME OF HIS WRITING THE SONG, PROFESSOR LONG HAIR
WAS AN INDIAN CLUB MEMBER. HIS STORY IN THIS SONG IS
ALMOST THE SAME AS THAT OF THE OTHER INDIANS. HE SIMPLY
STATES WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO ON MARDI GRAS DAY AND
INVITES EVERYONE TO JOIN IN THE FUN WITH HIM.

Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans

James Callow Keyword(s): FIREWATER ; LIQUOR ; NEGRO COMPOSER, PROFESSOR LONG HAIR

Subject headings: 663 Mardi Gras
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LEGEND

THE MESA VERDE INDIANS WHO LIKE (LIVE IN?) THE AREA KNOWN
TODAY AS MESA VERDE
NATIONAL PARK, BELIEVED IN THE RITUAL OF THE SIPAPU--A SMALL HOLE
IN THE EARTH. CREATION ITSELF BEGAN FROM THIS SMALL HOLE WHERE
MAN PASSED FROM A NONDISTINCT FORM INTO THE SHAPE OF A HUMAN
AS HE EMERGED FROM THE SIPAPU. THE INDIANS WOULD CARRY OUT A RITUAL
THE MAIN EPISODE BEING THROWING SOME SORT OF INCENSE INTO THE
CREVICE, AND BURNING IT. THIS WOULD CHASE AWAY EVIL SPIRITS COMING
TO EARTH. THE STORY OR BELIEF IS REPEATED TODAY BY MANY INDIANS
OF THE AREA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): FIRE

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Human Life
BELIEF -- Fire
BELIEF -- Formation

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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PROVERB

ONCE BURNED, TWICE SHY

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD

Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS

James Callow Keyword(s): CAUTION ; FIRE ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
686 Seconds / Twice / Two
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 00-00-1969

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PROVERBIAL METAPHOR

ONCE BURNT, TWICE SHY
YOU AVOID AN UNFORTUNATE HAPPENING THE SECOND TIME

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; NUMBERS

James Callow Keyword(s): CAUTION ; FIRE ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
686 Seconds / Twice / Two
PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 00-00-1971

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BONFIRE NIGHT IN IRELAND--EVE OF JUNE 24

BONFIRE NIGHT IS THE EVE OF THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN. ON THIS NIGHT
IN THE WESTERN COUNTIES OF IRELAND FIRES ARE LIT AT THE CROSSROADS.
SOME PEOPLE THINK THIS WAS DONE ORIGINALLY TO BANISH EVIL SPIRITS
WHILE OTHERS SAY IT WAS TO WELCOME SUMMER. AT THE VARIOUS
CROSSROADS THE VILLAGERS GATHER WHERE THEY DANCE AND TELL STORIES
UNTIL THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FIRES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23

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FEAST OF ST. JOHN (EVE OF JUNE 24)

ON THE EVE OF THE FEAST OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (JUNE) THE YOUNG PEOPLE
GET TOGETHER AND BUILD A LARGE BONFIRE. THERE IS MUCH SINGING AND
DANCING. THEN THE BOYS TAKE TURNS JUMPING OVER THE FIRE. THIS IS
SUPPOSED TO CLEANSE THEM FROM ALL EVIL. (UKRAINIAN)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): PURIFICATION THROUGH FIRE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23

Date learned: 10-00-1970

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BUG

IF A LIGHTING BUG ENTERS YOUR HOME. THAT IS A SIGN, THAT A STRANGER
IS COMING TO YOUR HOUSE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANTS LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): LIGHTNING BUG FIREFLY INSECT

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Insect

Date learned: 01-26-1971

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I,VE GOT SOMETHING IN MY POCKET THAT BELONGS ACROSS MY FACE.
I KEEP IT VERY CLOSE TO ME IN A MOST CONVENIENT PLACE.
I,M SURE YOU,LL NEVER GUESS IT, IF YOU GUESS A LONG, LONG WHILE,
I'LL TAKE IT OUT AND PUT IT ON, IT'S A GREAT BIG BROWNIE SMILE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: LIBRARY ; Roginski, Carol

Keyword(s): BROWNIES-GIRL SCOUTS ; Campfire Music ; Lyrics ; RHYME ; RIDDLE IN SONG ; SMILE ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Joy Happiness

Date learned: 09-00-1967

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PROTECTION AGAINST VAMPIRES

TORCHES WAVED WILDLY IS A PROTECTIVE CHARM AGAINST VAMPIRES.

Where learned: ENGLAND ; WORCESTER

Keyword(s): FIRE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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LEGEND OF THE GHOST WITH COVERED FACE

THERE WAS A LARGE OLD HOUSE NEAR MY GRANDMOTHERS IN VERMONT THAT A
FAMILY OF A LONG HERITAGE LIVED IN. THE HOUSE WAS SAID TO BE
HAUNTED BECAUSE OBJECTS USED TO FLY AROUND, AND THEY WOULD SEE
STRANGE PEOPLE WALKING DOWN THE HALLS AT NIGHT MOANING.
ONE NIGHT THE YOUNG MAN OF THE FAMILY WHO WAS JUST HOME FROM COLLEGE
WAS SITTING IN FRONT OF THE FIRE PLACE WHEN SUDDENLY A FIGURE OF A
MAN OR SOMETHING CAME OUT OF THE FIRE. THE MAN WAS SO AFRAID THAT
HE COULD ONLY STAND THERE AND HE ALSO FELT AS THOUGH HE COULD NOT
LEAVE IF HIS LEGS WOULD LET HIM SINCE HE WAS INTRANCED IN SOME
WAY BY THIS DEAMON. THE THING HAD ITS FACE COVERED, IF IT HAD NOT,
HE WOULD HAVE DIED OF FRIGHT. HE BEGAN TO SAY THE ROSARY AND THE
DEAMON LEFT.

Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing ; NOVEMBER ; 1968

Keyword(s): FIREPLACE ; PRAYER

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

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LEARNING HOW TO COOK

DURING CAVEMEN DAYS, A BOY WAS RUNNING AROUND THE FIRE WITH A
PIECE OF RAW MEAT HANGING ON A STICK. HE ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED
THE MEAT INTO THE FIRE. HE WAS SO HUNGRY, HE DIDN'T WANT
THE MEAT TO GO TO WASTE SO HE RESCUED IT FROM THE FLAMES.
HE THEN BEGAN TO EAT THE "COOKED" MEAT. HE THOUGHT IT WAS
DELICIOUS} AND THAT IS HOW MAN LEARNED THE VALUE OF EATING
THEIR FOOD COOKED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CAVEMEN ; COOKING ; FIRE ; FOOD ; MYTH

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Human Life

Date learned: 02-18-1970

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Entertainment: Catch Tale

TELL VICTIM YOU CAN MAKE A MATCH BURN TWICE. LIGHT MATCH, AND BLOW
OUT. THEN STICK THE TIP INTO THE VICTIM'S HAND.

Data entry tech comment:

Edited on 11-30-2010/ added Motifs,Keywords,BN. -TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CATCH ; Catch Riddle ; CATCH TALE ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; MATCH ; MATCHES ; MOCK EPIC FIRE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion

Date learned: 11-16-1968

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IF YOU TAKE ALL OF YOUR POTATO PEELINGS AND PUT THEM IN THE FIRE-
PLACE AND BURN THEM WITH YOUR FIRE, YOU WILL NEVER HAVE ANY CREOSOTE
BUILD-UP, AND YOU WILL NEVER NEED YOUR CHIMNEY SWEPT.

Submitter comment: SHE SWEARS THAT THIS IS TRUE, AND SHOWED ME HER CHIMNEY FLUE, WHICH
HASN'T BEEN CLEANED IN FIVE YEARS TO PROVE IT. THE FLUE WAS CLEAN
AS A WHISTLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Ortonville

James Callow Keyword(s): CREOSOTE ; FIREPLACE

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Home

Date learned: 00001930S CA.

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DURING A THUNDERSTORM, TO AVOID BEING HIT BY LIGHTNING,
IT IS ADVISABLE TO BURN ONE OF THE BLESSED PALMS
WHICH WERE DISTRIBUTED ON PALM SUNDAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

James Callow Keyword(s): FIRE SMOKE FUMIGATION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control
BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder

Date learned: 10-25-1969

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FIRE CRACKERS WARD OFF EVIL SPIRIT

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): FIRECRACKERS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 07-28-1968

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DON'T TAKE UP ASHES ON WEDNESDAY--BAD LUCK.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): FIREPLACE? COAL? FURNACE?

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 04-20-1969

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A CRICKET ON THE HEARTH MEANS GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: PARIS ; TENNESSEE

Keyword(s): FIREPLACE

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Good luck Animals

Date learned: 06-21-1970

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A CRICKET ON THE HEARTH WILL BRING GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): FIREPLACE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Good luck Animals

Date learned: 07-01-1973

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showing 37 items

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