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IF I DIE, BURY ME,
HANG MY BONES ON A CHERRY TREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): COUPLET ; INSTRUCTIONS ; PREPARATION FOR DEATH ; VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GOD MADE APPLES.
GOD MADE TREES.
GOD MADE (BLANK).
FOR (BLANK) TO SQUEEZE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): RHYME ABCB
James Callow Keyword(s): THE BLANKS ARE FILLED IN WITH 2 DIFFERENT PEOPLE'S NAMES.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
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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Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT THE POLISH GROUP MAKING A MARCH ON
WASHINGTON? THE LAST WE HEARD OF THEM THEY WERE FIVE MILES OUT
OF SEATTLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): STATE CONFUSED WITH CITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Poli |
Date learned: 09-22-1972
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
IN THE OLDEN TIMES, IT WAS SAID IF A GIRL KISSED A BOY, SHE
WOULD HAVE A BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PREGNANCY WITHOUT SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IN THE OLDEN DAYS IT WAS BELIEVED BY THE YOUNG THAT THE
DOCTOR BROUGHT THE BABIES IN A LITTLE BLACK BAG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM ; PREGNANCY WITHOUT SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-12-1971
ITALIAN PROVERB
PUT THE BREAD TO YOUR MOUTH
AND YOU WILL FIND AN APPETITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MILFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FOOD ; YOU CAN DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-22-1968
To find water that is hidden below ground, hold two willow
branches (or two coat hangers which have been straightened
and then bent into an "L" shape) loosely in your hands. As
you pass over water, the sticks/wires will cross over one
another. When you move past the water, the sticks/wires will
uncross.
Submitter comment:
Elaine swears that her father has been able to discover
water by this method many times. She herself, being skeptical,
tried it and the procedure worked. Elaine has so much faith
in her father's ability, that she plans to have him locate a
new spot to drill a second well on her northern Michigan
property, since the well she has now is sluggish.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): DIVINATION ; dowsing ; PREDICTION ; WATER WITCHING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Water BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001972CA
DINNER GUESTS
DINNER GUESTS IN SWITZERLAND ALWAYS BRING A GIFT TO THE HOSTESS
USUALLY, WINE, CANDY OR FLOWERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): SWITZERLAND GUEST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 11-04-1972
CHILDREN'S SONG
DO YOUR EARS HANG LOW? DO THEY WOBBLE TO AND FRO?
CAN YOU TIE THEM IN A KNOT? CAN YOU TIE THEM
IN A BOW? CAN YOU THROW THEM OVER YOUR
SHOULDER LIKE A CONTINENTAL SOLDIER?
DO YOUR EARS HANG LOW?
Where learned: TELEPHONE
Keyword(s): EARS ; HYPERBOLE ; STRUCTURE: QUESTIONS WITHOUT ANSWERS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 10-13-1967
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BABY TRAINS
WHY CAN'T BIG TRAINS HAVE LITTLE TRAINS?
BECAUSE THE NEW YORK CENTRAL ALWAYS PULLS OUT ON TIME.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): INTERCOURSE WITHDRAWAL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question Filter - Mature Content |
Date learned: 11-17-1967
KNOCK KNOCK JOKE
KNOCK KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
DUKE
DUKE WHO?
DUKE THE BELLS A RINGING FOR HOLLY
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; KEATING SCHOOL
Keyword(s): DECK THE HALLS WITH BOUGHS OF HOLLY (?) ; NAME
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-28-1967
MARRIAGE CUSTOM IN LEBANON
THE OLDEST GIRL GENERALLY GETS MARRIED FIRST. IF THE OLDEST GIRL
DOES NOT GET MARRIED FIRST, PEOPLE THINK THAT THERE IS SOMETHING
WRONG WITH HER. THE YOUNGER SISTERS THEN MUST WAIT FOR THE OLDEST TO
GET MARRIED. THIS CUSTOM IS BEGINNING TO BE LOST AND PUT ASIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRONOLOGY OF MARRIAGE WITHIN FAMILY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Signs of availability |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS:
WHEN IT COMES TO MARRIAGE THE GREEKS FEEL THE OLDEST GIRL SHOULD BE
MARRIED FIRST AND THE REST FOLLOW IN SUCCESSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRONOLOGY OF MARRIAGE WITHIN FAMILY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Signs of availability |
Date learned: 11-14-1969
CHILDREN'S SONG
MY FATHER IS A GARBAGE MAN ( HOLD NOSE AND SAY P-U ).
MY MOTHER IS A COOK ( RUB STOMACH AND SAY MMM-M
).
MY SISTER IS A HAIR-CURLER ( MAKE CORKSCREW MOTION ON HEAD AND SAY
WHIRR-WHIRR).
MY BROTHER IS A CROOK %POINT FINGER LIKE A GUN AND SAY BANG-BANG<.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SONG WITH GESTURES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
" DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN ME SCHOOL "
I POINT TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
HEAD ACHER, HEAD ACHER YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINT TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY SWEATS BROWER, YA MAMA DEAR,
SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAY " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY EYE BLINKER, YA MAMA DEAR,
EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINT TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY CHEESE SMELLER, YA MAMA DEAR,
CHEESE SMELLER, EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINT TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY COOKIE DUSTER, YA MAMA DEAR,
COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER, EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER,
HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY BULL-SHOOTER, YA MAMA DEAR,
BULL SHOOTER, COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER, EYE BLINKER,
SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY JAW BREAKER, YA MAMA DEAR,
JAW BREAKER, BULL SHOOTER, COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER,
EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY RUBBER NECKER, YA MAMA DEAR,
RUBBER NECKER, JAW BREAKER, BULL SHOOTER, COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE
SMELLER, EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS "VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY CHEST PROTECTOR, YA MAMA DEAR,
CHEST PROTECTOR, RUBBER NECKER, JAW BREAKER, BULL SHOOTER,
COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER, EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER
HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY TUMMY ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
TUMMY ACHER, CHEST PROTECTOR, RUBBER NECKER, JAW BREAKER,
BULL SHOOTER, COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER, EYE BLINKER,
SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY TROUBLE MAKER, YA MAMA DEAR,
TROUBLE MAKER, TUMMY ACHER, CHEST PROTECTOR, RUBBER NECKER,
JAW BREAKER, BULL SHOOTER, COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER,
EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN ACTION SONG I LEARNED WHEN I WAS IN KINDERGARTEN. AS YOU
SING THE SONG YOU ACTUALLY POINT TO THE VARIOUS PARTS MENTIONED. CO
1. HEAD ACHER-FORE HEAD
2. SWEATS BROWER-ABOVE EYES
3. EYE BLINKER-EYE LIDS
4. CHEESE SMELLER-NOSE
5. COOKIE DUSTER-UPPER LIP
6. BULL SHOOTER-MOUTH
7. JAW BREAKER-JAW
8. RUBBER NECKER-NECK
9. CHEST PROTECKER-CHEST
10. TUMMY ACHER-STOMACH
11. TROUBLE MAKER-FANNY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE SONG ; GERMAN DIALECT NAMES ; SONG WITH GESTURES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 04-04-1972
LITTLE COTTAGE IN THE WOOD
LITTLE OLD MAN BY THE WINDOW STOOD,
SAW A RABBIT HOPPING BY
KNOCKING AT HIS DOOR.
" HELP ME, HELP ME, SIR " , HE SAID.
" FORE THE HUNTER SHOOTS ME DEAD " .
" COME LITTLE RABBIT, COME WITH ME, ( COME INSIDE )
HAPPY WE WILL ALWAYS BE " .
( ALSO " SAFELY WE'LL ABIDE " )
Submitter comment: INFORMANT DEMONSTRATED GESTURES THAT WENT WITH THIS SONG:
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SONG WITH GESTURES ; TALKING ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 12-02-1971
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU MOVE INTO A BRAND NEW HOUSE, THERE WILL BE A DRASTIC CHANGE
IN THE FAMILY (BIRTH, DEATH, MARRIAGE).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): OMEN ASSOCIATED WITH NEWNESS.
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
LEGEND OF ST. BEATUS
IN THE MIDDLE AGES, THERE WAS A RICH YOUNG MAN WHO WENT AROUND
WITH HIS SWORD AND HELMET, LIVING AN EASY LIFE. IT IS TOLD THAT
HE CAME NEAR A BIG CAVE (AT THE BORDER OF LAKE THUN), AND HAD TO
FIGHT A BIG DRAGON. HE KILLED THE DRAGON, BUT WAS SEVERELY WOUNDED
HIMSELF. THERE WERE NO VILLAGES NEAR, AND HE TOLD HIMSELF THAT HE
WOULD BECOME A HERMIT IF HE SURVIVED. IN THIS LARGE CAVE, THERE WAS
A SPRING, AND BY DRINKING THE WATER HE BECAME WELL. HE THEN
STUCK TO HIS PROMISE, AND BECAME A HERMIT FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): PLEDGE
James Callow Keyword(s): LAKE OF THUN, SWITZERLAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-28-1970