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TWO'S A COUPLE,
THREE'S A CROWD,
FOUR ON THE SIDEWALK,
IS NEVER ALLOWED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): METER: TROCHAIC ; REFRAIN NUMBERS ; RHYME: MASCULINE, ABCB ; VARIATION: FOUR'S TOO MANY, FIVE'S NOT ALLOWED.

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

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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UNDERTAKER (COLLECTOR'S TITLE)

ROSES ARE RED/ VIOLETS ARE BLUE
MY FATHER IS AN UNDERTAKER/ AND HE'LL GET YOU.

Where learned: SCRAPBOOK

Keyword(s): PARODY ; PLANTS FLOWERS ; QUATRAIN DEATH ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations

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TULIPS (COLLECTOR'S TITLE)

TULIPS IN THE GARDEN/ TULIPS IN THE PARK
BUT THE TULIPS I LIKE BEST/ ARE THE TWO-LIPS IN THE DARK.

Submitter comment: UNTITLED AUTOGRAPH BOOK ASSEMBLED BY SHIRLEY POPPERT WITH
ENTRIES DATED JUNE, 1952

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): INDIRECTION ; PUN ; QUATRAIN FLOWERS KISSING ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Translations, plays on words, symbol writing

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MILITARY CADENCE SONG

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD,
RANGERS ARE AS GOOD AS GOLD.
I'VE BEEN TOLD AND I BELIEVE,
I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS LEAVE.
I WONDER WHERE THE YELLOW WENT,
WHEN THEY BOMBED THE ORIENT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVERTISING FOR PEPSODENT TOOTHPASTE: ; WHEN YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH WITH PEPSODENT ; YOU'LL WONDER WHERE THE YELLOW WENT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- War cries
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535

Date learned: 12-00-1974

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MILITARY CADENCE SONG

JESUS WAS AN AIRBORNE RANGER,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO JESUS WAS AN AIRBORNE RANGER,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO JESUS WAS AN AIRBORNE RANGER,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO LOOK AWAY BEYOND THE BLUE HORIZON
OEDIPUS WAS A MOTHER FUCKER,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO OEDIPUS WAS A MOTHER FUCKER,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO OEDIPUS WAS A MOTHER FUCKER,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO LOOK AWAY BEYOND THE BLUE HORIZON
SAMPSON HAD A RANGER HAIRCUT,
YOU'LL GET ONE TOO SAMPSON HAD A RANGER HAIRCUT,
YOU'LL GET ONE TOO SAMPSON HAD A RANGER HAIRCUT,
YOU'LL GET ONE TOO LOOK AWAY BEYOND THE BLUE HORIZON
DAVID WAS A SMALL ARMS EXPERT,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO DAVID WAS A SMALL ARMS EXPERT,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO DAVID WAS A SMALL ARMS EXPERT,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO LOOK AWAY BEYOND THE BLUE HORIZON
HEROD WAS A BABY KILLER,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO HEROD WAS A BABY KILLER,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO HEROD WAS A BABY KILLER,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO LOOK AWAY BEYOND THE BLUE HORIZON
MOSES MADE A RIVER CROSSING,
YOU'LL MAKE ONE TOO MOSES MADE A RIVER CROSSING,
YOU'LL MAKE ONE TOO MOSES MADE A RIVER CROSSING,
YOU'LL MAKE ONE TOO LOOK AWAY BEYOND THE BLUE HORIZON
MOSES LOW CRAWLED UP THAT MOUNTAIN,
YOU'LL LOW CRAWL TOO MOSES LOW CRAWLED UP THAT MOUNTAIN,
YOU'LL LOW CRAWL TOO MOSES LOW CRAWLED UP THAT MOUNTAIN,
YOU'LL LOW CRAWL TOO LOOK AWAY BEYOND THE BLUE HORIZON
JUDAS WAS A BUDDY FUCKER,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO JUDAS WAS A BUDDY FUCKER,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO JUDAS WAS A BUDDY FUCKER,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO LOOK AWAY BEYOND THE BLUE HORIZON
JONAH WAS A SUBMARINER,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO JONAH WAS A SUBMARINER,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO JONAH WAS A SUBMARINER,
YOU'LL BE ONE TOO LOOK AWAY BEYOND THE BLUE HORIZON

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): COMPOUND VERB: LOW CRAWL ; INCEST INFANTICIDE BIBLICAL CHARACTERS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- War cries
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
SPEECH -- Trade & commerce
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 12-00-1974

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LIMERICK

THERE WAS A YOUNG ROSE OF TRALEE
WHO LET HERSELF GO ON A SPREE.
NOW SHE WRITES TO THE PAPERS,
CONDEMING SUCH CAPERS,
AND SIGNS HERSELF MOTHER OF THREE.

Submitter comment: THESE LIMERICKS WERE LEARNED OF IN A SIXTH GRADE ENGLISH CLASS
AT SAINT HEDWIG GRADE SCHOOL. THE BOOK THEY WERE TAKED FROM
IS NOT KNOWN BY ME BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD BY THE TEACHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): METAPHOR: FLOWER (ROSE) FOR GIRL ; PERSONALITY CHANGE

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

Date learned: 00001960S

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RIDDLE

Q: IF APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS, WHAT DO MAY FLOWERS BRING?
A: PILGRIMS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): LITERAL ; NATURAL PHENONMENA (Q) ; PERSONS (A)

James Callow Keyword(s): MAYFLOWER, THE SHIP ; MONTHS

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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DANDELION BELIEF

AS CHILDREN IN MAMARNECK, NEW YORK, WE BELIEVED THAT IF
YOU PICKED A DANDELION, YOU WOULD HAVE TO URINATE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT WEED ; YELLOW COLOR ASSOCIATES WITH URINATION?

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 12-00-1972

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ORIGIN OF THE JACK O LANTERN

A BOY NAMED JACK WANTED TO GO TO HEAVEN, BUT HIS CONSCIENCE
WOULD NOT LET HIM. SO JACK WANTED TO GET INTO HELL, BUT SINCE
HE PLAYED TRICKS AND JOKES, THE DEVIL WOULD NOT LET HIM IN.
SO JACK HAD TO ROAM THE EARTH FOR ALL TIME, CARRYING
A LANTERN. THEREFORE PEOPLE HAVE CALLED HIM, JACK O' LANTERN.

Data entry tech comment: A-T 330 THE SMITH OUTWITS THE DEVIL
MT[ A2817 ORIGIN OF WILL-OF-THE-WISP (JACK-O'-LANTERN)
CK[ IGNUS FATUUS ; JACK-O'-LANTERN IS NAME FOR HOLLOWEEN PUMPKIN
WL[ ALPENA, MICHIGAN
****************** NEW D FILE 2 ******************

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALPENA

James Callow Keyword(s): IGNUS FATUUS ; JACK-O'-LANTERN IS NAME FOR HOLLOWEEN PUMPKIN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween
BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Explanation of a name

Date learned: 10-04-1970

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HOW THE SNAKE GOT ITS RATTLE

EVERY DAY THE OL' SNAKE FOUND HIS SELF GETTIN' STEPPED ON, RAN OVER,
KICKED AROUND OR SOMETHING WHEN HE TRIED TO CROSS THE PATH DOWN BY
MASON CREEK. HE WAS GETTIN' MIGHTY TRIED OF IT: SO HE TOLD THE LORD
SAY, "LORD, I'M GETTIN' MIGHTY TRIED OF FOLKS STEPPING ON,
RUNNING OVER AND KICKING ME AROUND - JUS' AIN'T FAIR. I LIVE DOWN
HERE TOO; I GOT JUS' MUCH RIGHTS AS EVERYBODY ELSE DOWN HERE;
PEOPLE DON'T PAY NO ATTENTION TO ME, LORD: THE SNAKE COMPLAINTED.
"COULD BE THAT THEY JUST DON'T KNOW WHEN YOU'RE ABOUT. CAN'T
BLAME 'EM, CAUSE YOU IS WAY-LOW-DOWN, YA SEE", THE LORD ASKED THE
SNAKE. THE SNAKE SAID, "YOU KNOW, YOU MIGHT BE RIGHT." "I KNOW,
HERE, TAKE THIS HERE SHAKER, EVERYTIME YOU SEE SOMEBODY COMING YO'
WAY YOU JUS' SHAKE IT. YA' HEAR ME NOW?", THE LORD ASKED THE SNAKE.

Submitter comment: I HAVE HEARD A SIMILAR STORY IN ALABAMA ABOUT THIS SNAKE'S RATTLE; I
NOTICED A LOCAL NAME - "MASON CREEK".

Where learned: MISSISSIPPI

James Callow Keyword(s): COMPOUND EPITHET: WAY-LOW-DOWN ; METATHESIS: TRIED FOR TIRED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals

Date learned: 00-00-1940

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SPRING CUSTOM __ PALM SUNDAY

THE UKRANIAN PEOPLE USED TO BLESS PUSSY WILLOWS INSTEAD OF PALMS
AFTER THE PUSSY WILLOWS WERE BLESSED AT CHURCH THEY WOULD BE TAKEN
HOME BY EACH FAMILY. IN THE HOME THEY WERE PLACED ABOVE A HOLY
PICTURE. AT THE END OF THE DAY ALL THE OLD PUSSY WILLOWS WERE
BURNED. THIS DAY WAS SOMETIMES CALLED WILLOW SUNDAY. WILLOWS
WERE USED BECAUSE PALMS WERE COSTLY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT KNEW OF THIS PRACTICE THROUGH A FRIEND AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF MICHIGAN. HIS NAME IS SMENA RAKOVSKEY.

Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; 1284 N RADEMACHER ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM ; WILLOW

Subject headings: 663 Palm Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Tuesday

Date learned: 10-25-1971

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SWITCHING DAY

ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER POLISH GIRLS STAY INSIDE IF THEY
KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR THEM. THE BOYS ARE OUT TO GET THEM WITH WATER
BALLOONS, EGGS, NUTS AND VARIOUS OTHER GOODIES. SOMETIMES IN THE
MORNING PARENTS WILL LET NEIGHBORHOOD BOYS IN, AND THEY QUIETLY MAKE
WAY TO THE DAUGHTER'S BEDROOM WHERE SHE SLEEPS, AND
BEGIN TO "SWITCH" THE FEET WITH LIMBS OF PUSSY WILLOW
TREES; THEY MAY ALSO SPRINKLE WATER ON THE GIRLS. THIS CUSTOM IS
DERIVED FROM THE ACTION OF LONG AGO
WHEN ST. STEPHEN WAS STONED THE DAY AFTER
EASTER. HOWEVER, THE BOYS MUST BEWARE, FOR TUESDAY IS REVENGE
DAY AND THE GIRLS ARE OUT TO GET THEM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS ; 20887 BEAUFAIT

Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; RITUAL WHIPPING ; WATER ; WILLOW

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day

Date learned: 11-22-1971

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POLISH CUSTOM ON EASTER MONDAY--SWITCH DAY

MY MOTHER, WHO WAS BORN AND REARED IN HAMTRAMCK, MICHIGAN, SAID
IT WAS THE CUSTOM FIFTY YEARS AGO (C. 1915) FOR THE BOYS IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD TO GET UP REAL EARLY ON THE MONDAY FOLLOWING EASTER
SUNDAY AND VISIT THE HOMES OF THE GIRLS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SINCE THERE WAS NO SCHOOL THAT DAY THE GIRLS WOULD
BE TRYING TO SLEEP IN. THE BOYS
ALWAYS IN GROUPS OF THREE OR FOUR WOULD BE ADMITTED INTO THE HOUSE
AND IF ANY GIRLS WERE STILL IN BED THEY WOULD BE CONDUCTED, BY THE
GIRLS' MOTHER TO THE BEDROOM WHERE AMIDST MUCH PROTEST, EITHER
FEIGNED OR ACTUAL, THEY BEAT THE GIRLS ABOUT THE FEET AND ANKLES.
THEIR WEAPONS FOR THIS TASK WOULD BE WILLOW SWITCHES WHICH
WERE SOFT AND GREEN. APPARENTLY NO ONE WAS EVER HURT PHYSICALLY
BUT THE SCENE WAS USUALLY QUITE WILD. THE BOYS WOULD THEN STAY AND HAVE
BREAKFAST, USUALLY HAM OR KIELBASA LEFT OVER FROM THE PREVIOUS DAY.

Submitter comment:

(RITES OF LUPERCAL IN "JULIUS CAESAR"??)

Data entry tech comment:

Informant is collector's mother.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; RITUAL WHIPPING ; WILLOW

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus

Date learned: 00-00-1946

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IN BELGIUM, ON MAY 1, PEOPLE GO OUT TO LOOK FOR LILLIES-OF-THE-
VALLEY. THEY WOULD THEN MAKE THEM INTO A BOUQUET AND GIVE IT
TO A LOVED ONE.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH

Keyword(s): FLOWERS ; GIFTS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 11-01-1970

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ELEPHANT JOKE

WHY WAS THE ELEPHANT SITTING ON THE MARSHMELLOW?
BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO GET HIS FEET IN THE HOT CHOCOLATE.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMATN HEARD THIS AT THE U. OF DETROIT ABOUT A YEAR AGO

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): MARSHMALLOW

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 04-08-1965

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RIDDLE

WHY IS THE ELEPHANT STANDING ON THE MARSHMELLOW?
BECAUSE HE DOESN'T WANT TO FALL IN THE HOT CHOCOLATE

Where learned: SAINT LEONARD SCHOOL ; DETROIT, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): MARSHMALLOW

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 09-28-1965

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WHITE CORAL BELLS UPON A SLENDER STALK,
LILLIES OF THE VALLEY DECK MY GARDEN WALK.
OH, DON'T YOU WISH THAT YOU COULD HEAR THEM RING?
THAT WILL HAPPEN ONLY WHEN THE FAIRIES SING.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RESIDENCE ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FLOWERS ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Admiration Praise Adulation

Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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ROSES ARE RED

ROSES ARE RED
VIOLETS ARE BLUE
YOU KISSED A COW
AND I LAUGHED AT YOU.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM A PLAYMATE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): FLOWERS: ABCB ; HUMOR

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

Date learned: 08-11-1964

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CINDERELLA

CINDERELLA, DRESSED IN YELLA',
WENT UPSTAIRS AND KISSED HER FELLA'.

Submitter comment: NOT A JUMP ROPE RHYME

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): COLOR OF CLOTHES ; FELLOW YELLOW ; RHYME: AA

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

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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UNDERTAKER (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; ROSES ARE RED, AND OTHER SUCH ASSOCIATIONS (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)

ROSES ARE RED/ VIOLETS ARE BLUE
MY FATHER IS AN UNDERTAKER/ AND HE'LL GET YOU.

Where learned: SCRAPBOOK

Keyword(s): PARODY ; PLANTS FLOWERS ; QUATRAIN DEATH ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations

Date learned: 06-00-1965

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