Deprecated: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-search.inc.php on line 473

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-item.inc.php on line 327

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-item.inc.php on line 327
The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
Top Nav content Site Footer
University Home
James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
search for

Offensive content Filter is ON

Your search for POLAND returned 25 results.

showing 25 items

DAYS OF REST

IN POLAND THEY CONSIDERED THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS AS HOLY AS
CHRISTMAS. ON BOTH OF THESE DAYS THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO DO ANY
WORK. ALL THE COOKING HAD TO BE DONE AND READY BEFORE THESE TWO DAYS
AND THEY COULD ONLY WASH AS MANY DISHES AS THEY ABSOLUTELY HAD TO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): POLAND

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day

Date learned: 00-00-1968

View just this record

Content filter on this entry.

POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

HOW CAN YOU DETERMINE THE PROPERTY VALUES IN POLAND?
THE FARTHER FROM WARSAW, THE MORE EXPENSIVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

James Callow Keyword(s): WARSAW: CAPITAL OF POLAND

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 02-00-1980

View just this record

LEGEND

LONG AGO, IN A CAVE IN A HIGH ROCKY HILL RUNNING ABOVE THE RIVER
VISTULA, A GREAT AND TERRIBLE DRAGON LIVED WHOSE FIERY BREATH GUSHED
FORTH LIKE A FOUNTAIN OF HISSING STEAM FROM HIS WIDE NOSTRILS, AND
WHO UTTERED MONSTROUS, UNEARTHLY SOUNDS, UNLIKE THOSE OF ANY BEAST
OF THE FOREST.
MANY BRAVE KNIGHTS HAD BEEN SENT TO SLAY THE DRAGON, BUT ALL
HAD PERISHED IN THE ATTEMPT.
PRINCE CRACUS WAS BRAVE AND KIND. HE KILLED A FAT SHEEP, FILLED
IT WITH SULPHUR. THE DRAGON ATE THE BAIT, DRANK HALF A RIVER AND
EXPLODED. THE CITY OF CRACOW WAS FOUNDED WHERE THE DRAGON EXPLODED.
THE PRINCE ERECTED A FORTRESS ON THE DRAGON'S HILL, WHERE AFTERWARDS
WAWEL CASTLE WAS BUILT, THE HOME OF THE KING OF POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE FARMS

Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND: POLAND ; SUPERNATURAL LEGEND

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero

Date learned: 10-02-1968

View just this record

Custom

Greetings:

Offering salt and bread and flowers is a way of greeting a person who has arrived from a long trip. This custom is one which was performed commonly in S.E. Poland and in Ukraine many years ago (prior to WWI) at that time it was used to greet any traveler regardless of his social position. Now recently it is used only in greeting people like priests, bishops, government officials, etc.

Submitter comment:

Although informant mentioned that this custom is carried out in Europe, I myself have observed this several months ago when people in a Ukrainian church greeted a bishop which had just been released from prison by the Russians.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 26516 PENNIE ; Holubka, Julia ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; FLOWERS ; GREETING ; POLAND ; Salt, Bread ; Social Class ; Ukraine

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

View just this record

Ethnic:Polish

Naming:

It is a custom in Poland, that a child is not given the name of a living grandparent, for fear that either the grandparent or the child will die within seven years.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: CANADA ; Tomaszewska, Josephine ; 160 Salter St ; WINNIPEG ; MANITOBA

Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Cultural ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FAMILY ; Naming ; POLAND

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite

View just this record

Ethnic: Polish

Wedding Custom:

Offering bread and wine to newlyweds just before they leave the reception is a traditional way of wishing good luck for them. [sic]

Submitter comment:

This little ceremony was observed at several Polish weddings that I attended.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: Myself

Keyword(s): BLESSING ; CEREMONY ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; LUCK ; MARRIAGE ; POLAND ; POLISH ; WEDDING ; Wine

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

View just this record

Ethnic: Polish

House Initiation / Polish Custom:

Put  a cat in a house before you move into it and there will always be good luck.

Submitter comment:

A neighbor came over to borrow our cat for one of their relatives who had just bought a new house. These relatives of ournaighbors had just recently come over from Poland. I don't know the people's names and the neighbor doesn't live around here any more.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [F532] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications.

Message on the bottom of card:

[Please copy this item on the yellow card below so it will ALSO be filed under F686]

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Myself

Keyword(s): CAT ; ETHNIC ; fortune ; Good ; House ; Housewarming ; LUCK ; OMEN ; POLAND ; POLISH ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing
BELIEF -- Mammal

View just this record

Superstition: Pregnancy

Superstition:

A Polish pregnant woman must be shielded from the sight of cripples, any people that are ugly, abnormal or diseased for fear of "marking" the child.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: Kominski, Anna

Keyword(s): Able-ism ; Able-ist ; BELIEF ; BIRTH ; ETHNIC ; Ignorant ; POLAND ; POLISH ; PREGNANCY ; PREGNANT ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

View just this record

Ethnic:Polish Superstition

Curing a Spell:

To cure a spell, especially the evil eye, cast on a small child, you remove all the clothes, and dress the baby again with all the clothes inside out. This is a Polish belief.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: HOME ; Grendys, Mrs Clara

Keyword(s): CHILD ; CLOTHING ; CURE ; CURSE ; ETHNIC ; EVIL EYE ; Fashion ; MAGIC ; POLAND ; POLISH ; REMEDY ; Removal

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

View just this record

Ethnic:Polish Superstition

Superstitions:

A Polish pregnant woman must not eat twin pears, apples, or other fruits for fear of bearing attached twins.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

The card has been stamped as KEYPUNCHED, but the word has been crossed out.

Where learned: HOME ; Kaminski, Anna

Keyword(s): BABY ; BELIEF ; Conjoined ; CURSE ; Eat ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; FRUIT ; Newborn ; POLAND ; POLISH ; PREGNANCY ; SUPERSTITION ; TABU ; TWINS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

View just this record

Ethnic: Polish

IN POLAND, AND IN MANY POLISH-AMERICAN HOMES, THE VIGIL OF
CHRISTMAS IS A VERY SOLEMN OCCASION. A VARIETY OF FOOD IS SERVED,
TWELVE DISHES IN ALL, TO REPRESENT THE TWELVE APOSTLES. NO DAIRY
PRODUCTS ARE ALLOWED. IT ALSO CONSISTS OF SPECIAL WAFERS CALLED
OPTATKI, WHICH THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD DISTRIBUTES TO EACH
MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated / 02-24-2011 / TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; DAIRY ; Dinner ; ETHNIC ; FAMILY ; Feast ; FOOD ; holiday ; POLAND ; POLISH ; SYMBOL ; Symbolic ; Vigil

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
686 Seconds / Twice / Two
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 10-27-1968

View just this record

A POLISH SONG: IN A CELLAR MADE OF BRICK

IN A CELLAR MADE OF BRICK
OUTLAWS DANCED WITH NIMBLE FEET.
"PLAY YOUR BEST THERE} " THEY CALLED OUT.
"WATCH OUR FEET", THEY CALLED WITH PRIDE.
HEY, HA}
I WOULD DANCE TOO, IF I COULD
IF MY LEGS WEREN,T BADLY BOWED.
BUT ALAS} MY LEGS ARE BOWED
WHEN I LEAP THEY BEND TOO MUCH.
HEY, HA}
HEY THERE LEADER, OUR LEADER
YOU HAVE GOT SOME GOOD BOYS HERE
YOU,D HAVE EVEN BETTER ONES
IF YOU,D GIVE THEM SOME CHEESE ONCE.
UHA}

Submitter comment:

SEE ORIGINAL 5 X 8 INCH CARD
THE TRANSLATION IS OF HARRIET PAWLAWSKA WITH EXCEPTION OF THE LAST
VERSE WHICH OUR FAMILY KNOWS. THE MUSIC IS TRANSCRIBED BY GRACE
ENGEL EXCEPT FOR THE LAST NOTE. THIS IS A MOUNTAINEER SONG.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Scan of music in process.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): ETHNIC ; Lyrics ; POLAND ; POLISH ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE

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

Date learned: 00-00-1967

View just this record

A POLISH SONG: STEEL TIPPED DANCE SHOES, FLASH AND SPARKLE

STEEL_TIPPED DANCE SHOES, FLASH AND SPARKLE
FOR THIS GIRL'S A WORTHY PARTNER
BE SHE WORTHY OR NOT WORTHY
STEEL_TIPPED DANCE SHOES FLASH AND SPARKLE.
POLISH TEXT AND MUSIC NOT KEYPUNCHED.

Submitter comment:

THE FIRST VERSE IS TRANSLATED BY HARRIET PAWLAWSKA AND MUSIC IS
TRANSCRIBED BY GRACE ENGEL. FOR THE SECOND VERSE I HAVE NO MUSIC
TRANSCRIBED SO I JUST PRESENT THE WORDS AS I KNOW THEM.

Data entry tech comment:

THE INFORMANT STATES THAT THERE IS A SECOND VERSE BUT IT IS NOT
LOCATED ON THE FILE CARD.

Updated by TRD

Scanning of music card in progress

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): DANCE ; ETHNIC ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; POLAND ; POLISH ; RHYME ; SONG ; VERSE

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

Date learned: 00-00-1967

View just this record

POLISH SONG: WHY DEAR MAIDEN

WHY DO YOU, DEAR MAIDEN
BY THE OAK STAND LONELY?
IS IT FROM RAIN, MAIDEN,
OR THE HOT SUN ONLY?

CHORUS

NO, IT,S NOT THE HOT SUN,
NOR EVEN A SHOWER,
BUT A VERY DEAR ONE,
I WAIT IN THIS BOWER}

CHORUS
HOP CIUK, CIUK, TRA LA LA LA LA,
HOP CIUK, CIUK, TRA LA LA LA LA,
HOP CIUK, CIUK, TRA LA LA LA LA,
HOP CIUK, CIUK, BEC.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT ; Legowski, Legacy

Keyword(s): ETHNIC ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; POLAND ; POLISH ; RHYME ; SONG ; SONG ; VERSE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Sorrow Unhappiness

Date learned: 10-18-1971

View just this record

A POLISH SONG: WAY OVER THERE, NEAR THE WOODS

WAY OVER THERE NEAR THE WOODS
SOMETHING FLASHES FROM AFAR.
A BAND OF GYPSIES
BUM STAREE RAREE (ETC., THREE TIMES)

A GYPSY DOESN'T SOW
A GYPSY DOESN'T PLOW
ARE STARTING A FIRE.
WHERE E'ER HE LOOKS
THERE HE WILL SETTLE

(REFRAIN)

A GYPSY IS WITHOUT WATER.
A GYPSY IS WITHOUT A COTTAGE,
A GYPSY IS HAPPY,
ALTHOUGH HE ISN'T RICH.

Submitter comment:

THIS SONG I KNOW FROM CHILDHOOD FROM MY PARENTS. THERE ARE MANY
SONGS AND TALES ABOUT GYPSIES IN POLISH FOLKLORE
AS THE GYPSY WAS, AND IS, A COMMON SIGHT IN POLAND.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): Folk Muysic ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; POLAND ; POLISH ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune

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

Date learned: 11-28-1967

View just this record

A POLISH SONG: YES WE ARE JUST SUCH BOYS

YES, WE ARE JUST SUCH BOYS
BOYS FROM CRACAW THAT IS
WITH A RED CAP
ONE INCH THICK HEELS ON BOOTS
AND A WHITE SHIRT

DANA MY DANA}
A NAVY BLUE COAT
WHICH I,VE WORN IN PARADES
LINED WITH SILK
AND STITCHED WITH FINE DESIGNING
COME AND DANCE AROUND US
MY DEAR ONE (REPEAT)
HEY, HA}

Submitter comment:

THIS SONG IS A KRAKOWIAK MELODY FROM THE REGION OF CRACOW. THE
MUSIC IS TRANSCRIBED BY SISIGMUND SLOKOWSKI WHILE THE WORDS AND
TRANSLATION ARE OF MY OWN AS I LEARNED THEM FROM MY PARENTS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Scanning of music in progress

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): Lyrics ; MUSIC ; POLAND ; POLISH ; SONG ; Tune

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

Date learned: 11-28-1967

View just this record

A POLISH SONG: A HUNDRED YEARS

100 YEARS
100 YEARS
MAY HE LIVE
LIVE FOR US (REPEAT)

ONCE AGAIN
ONCE AGAIN
MAY HE LIVE
LIVE FOR US
MAY HE LIVE
FOR US. (SLOW AND LOUD)

Submitter comment:

THIS IS A SONG VERY WELL KNOWN BY ANY POLISH PERSON SINCE IT IS
SUNG TO HONOR SOMEONE. IT IS USED AT BIRTHDAYS OR WHEN TOASTING
A CELEBRITY'S HEALTH. THE MUSIC HAS BEEN TRANSCRIBED BY
MICHAEL WOZNY BUT THE WORDS AND TRANSLATION ARE AS I KNOW THEM,
AND MY FAMILY DOES TOO.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Scanning of original music in progress

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): Lyrics ; MUSIC ; POLAND ; POLISH ; SONG ; VERSE

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

Date learned: 11-28-1967

View just this record

A POLISH SONG: IN THE WOODLAND

HEY, IN THE WOODLND,
WHAT GLEAMS WITH WONDER?
A LEGIONNAIRE BAND SETS FIRES OF THUNDER. REFRAIN

FAITH IT EMBRACES
WITH FLAMES THAT CARRY,
RINGING THROUGH SPACES,

THEIR SONG SO MERRY. REFRAIN
RINGING THROUGH VAST PLAINS,
RINGING IN GREEN LANES,
OUR SONG POLANIE,
OUR SONG BELOVED. REFRAIN

REFRAIN:
RAM TAI RAJ,
RAM TAI RAJ,
RAM TAI RAJ,
U HA HA
RAM TAI RAJ. (THREE TIMES)
BEC.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT ; 11362 LUMPKIN ; INFORMANTS HOME

Keyword(s): Lyrics ; MUSIC ; POLAND ; POLISH ; RHYME ; SONG ; VERSE

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

Date learned: 10-18-1971

View just this record

A POLISH SONG: BE GONE, WORRIES

BE GONE WORRIES, TROUBLES}
LIGHT YOUR PIPES, SET OUT THE BOTTLES}
WHILE WE,RE MERRY, GOOD FRIENDS TARRY,
GAILY TIME WILL FLY}
WHILE WE,RE MERRY, GOOD FRIENDS TARRY,
GAILY TIME WILL FLY}
WHILE WE,RE MERRY, GOOD FRIENDS TARRY,
GAILY TIME WILL FLY

WHAT,S THE USE OF MUCH COMPLAINING,
WHAT HAS GONE IS PAST RECLAIMING,
JOLLY FOLK WILL FIND LIFE HAPPY,
GRUMBLERS, JOY DENY}
JOLLY FOLK WILL FIND LIFE HAPPY,
GRUMBLERS, JOY DENY}
JOLLY FOLK WILL FIND LIFE HAPPY,
GRUMBLERS, JOY DENY}

COME NOW, KIND AND GOOD HOST,
FUN IS REALLY WHAT WE WANT MOST,
BRING THE WINE, PLEASE, BRING THE WINE PLEASE,
FILL OUR GLASSES FULL}
BRING THE WINE, PLEASE, BRING THE WINE PLEASE,
FILL OUR GLASSES FULL}
BRING THE WINE, PLEASE, BRING THE WINE PLEASE,
FILL OUR GLASSES FULL}

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT ; Legowski, Ignacy

Keyword(s): Lyrics ; MUSIC ; POLAND ; POLISH ; SONG ; Tune

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Serious condemnation Scorn

Date learned: 10-18-1971

View just this record

A POLISH SONG: THE CUCKOO SINGS

THE CUCKOO IS CALLING,
A LAD IS LOOKING, FOR A BRIDGE,
HE'S LOOKING, HE'S CHOOSING,
TURNING HIS NOSE IN THE AIR.
CUCKOO, CUCKOO, AHA, AHA, ETC. (REFRAIN)
WODEERYDY ETC.

BOYS, O MY BOYS
WHAT MAKES YOU SO COCKSURE?
IS IT YOUR JACKETS,
OF WHICH YOU HAVE BUT ONE? (REFRAIN)

THE CUCKOO IS CALLING
HEAR MY MEART IS BEATING
THE BOY WHO SEEKS A RICH GIRL
IS A STUPID FELLOW (REFRAIN)

GO AND ASK THE CUCKOO,
HE'LL TELL YOU FOR SURE,
THE BOY WITH A GOOD HEAD
HE IS THE RICHEST.
POLISH TEXT AND MUSIC NOT KEYPUNCHED. SEE ORIGINAL 5X8 INCH CARD.

Submitter comment:

THIS SONG COMES FROM THE SOUTH WESTERN PART OF POLAND CALLED
SLASK. MY PARENTS WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH IT, BUT I LEARNED IT AT
POLISH LESSONS IN DETROIT, FROM MRS. HELEN CHMIELEWSKI.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): Lyric ; MUSIC ; POLAND ; POLISH ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Serious condemnation Scorn

Date learned: 11-28-1967

View just this record

showing 25 items

Back to Top