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DID YOU EVER, EVER, EVER, IN YOUR BEATNICK LIFE,
SEE A BEATNICK SAILOR WITH HIS BEATNICK WIFE?
NO, I NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER, IN MY BEATNICK LIFE,
SAW A BEATNICK SAILOR WITH HIS BEATNICK WIFE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

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

Date learned: 10-06-1967

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FIVE LITTLE SOLDIERS, STANDING IN A ROW.
(HERE--BEND THE TWO LAST FINGERS DOWN TO DENOTE BENT SOLDIERS: )
THREE STOOD STRAIGHT, AND TWO STOOD SO.
ALONG CAME THE CAPTAIN AND WHAT DO YOU THINK?
(ON THE WORD "STRAIGHT" STRAIGHTEN THE LAST TWO FINGERS.)
THEY ALL STOOD STRAIGHT AS QUICK AS A WINK.

Submitter comment: BEGIN THE RHYME BY COUNTING ON THE HAND THE FIVE SOLDIERS:
RECITED

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

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

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COUNTING OUT

MY MOTHER AND YOURS WERE HANGING UP SOME CLOTHS,
MY MOTHER PUNCHED YOUR MOTHER IN THE NOSE.

Submitter comment: THE PERSON WHO IS IT WHEN THE WORD NOSE COMES UP IS OUT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

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

Date learned: 10-07-1967

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A BOWLER'S CRYING TOWEL WAS GIVEN TO ME ABOUT THREE
YEARS AGO. SINCE THIS TIME, I WILL NOT GO BOWLING
WITHOUT IT. IT HAS BROUGHT ME GOOD LUCK, I FEEL,
AND IN ORDER NOT TO LOSE THIS GOOD LUCK, THE TOWEL
HAS NEVER BEEN WASHED. I FEEL THAT IF I WASH IT,
THE GOOD LUCK ATTACHED TO THE TOWEL WOULD DISAPPEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE

Subject headings: 881 Games / Pastimes / Sports
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 03-31-1970

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EATING A PIECE OF HERRING ON NEW YEAR'S EVE BRINGS GOOD
LUCK ALL YEAR LONG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 03-31-1970

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BLESSING

SOMETIME IN MAY (A MOVEABLE DATE, SINCE IT IS A CERTAIN NUMBER OF
DAYS AFTER EASTER) FOR THREE DAYS THE PRIEST GOES AROUND WITH THE
PEOPLE IN PROCESSION PLACING WOODEN CROSSES EVERY SO OFTEN AND
BLESSING THE SURROUNDING AREA. THE PEOPLE ARE THEN SUPPOSE(D) TO
SAY 3 OUR FATHERS AND 3 HAIL MARYS.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO ; 5583 South 4th st ; informant's home

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting After all

Date learned: 02-18-1971

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THE TITANIC

OH, THEY BUILT THE SHIP TITANIC TO SAIL THE OCEAN BLUE,
AND THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD A SHIP THAT THE WATERS
COULDN'T GET THROUGH,
BUT THE GOOD LORD RAISED HIS HAND, SAID THIS SHIP WOULD NEVER LAND,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD, IT WAS SAD,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE --
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE CHILDREN LOST THEIR LIVES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN. MM
OH, THEY NEARED THE ICY SHORE WHEN THE RAINS BEGAN TO POUR,
AND THE RICH REFUSED TO ASSOCIATE WITH THE POOR,
SO THEY PUT THEM DOWN BELOW, WHERE THEY'D BE THE FIRST TO GO,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD.... MM
OH, THE SIDES BEGAN TO BREAK AND THE BOW BEGAN TO BURST,
AND THE CAPTAIN SHOUTED, "WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST."
THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN CRIED, WHILE ALL AROUND THEM DIED,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD... MM
SO THEY PUT THE LIFEBOATS OUT ON THE DARK AND STORMY SEA,
AND THE BAND STRUCK UP WITH "NEARER MY GOD TO THEE."
THE CAPTAIN TRIED TO WIRE, BUT THE WIRES WERE ALL AFIRE,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD... MM
OH, THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS WHEN YOU PUT OUT TO SEA,
YOU SHOULD WEAR A LIFE PRESERVER OR ON THE BOTTOM YOU'LL BE,
THE TITANIC NEVER WAS, NOW IT NEVER MORE SHALL BE,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD, IT WAS SAD,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE--
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE CHILDREN LOST THEIR LIVES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
KER-PLUNK
BUBBLE, BUBBLE.

Submitter comment: THERE WAS AN ALTERNATE LINE FOR THE REFRAIN IN PLACE OF
THE "HUSBANDS AND WIVES..." LINE:
"UNCLES AND AUNTS, LITTLE CHILDREN WET THEIR PANTS"

Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic
SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia

Date learned: 00-00-1971

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COUNTING OUT

AZA, TOOZA, KITCH CAN ASH CAN,
BOOZA BAM, SEE SAW BUCK, YOU'RE OUT.

Submitter comment: INSTRUCTIONS--GROUP PUTS BOTH FEET IN A CIRCLE.
ELIMINATIONS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

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

Date learned: 03-00-1968

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

MOST ARMENIAN FAMILIES HAVE MANY DIFFERENT PASTRIES IN THEIR
HOMES DURING CHRISTMAS. THESE PASTRIES INCLUDE BAKLAVA (A HONEY
AND NUT PASTRY) AND A WHITE COOKIE WITH FLOUR OVER IT.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT HAS SEEN THESE FOODS IN ARMENIAN HOMES TODAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 7109 LEXINGTON ; Argnian, Alice

Keyword(s): Armenian ; Baklava ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; holiday ; PASTRY ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Pastry

Date learned: 11-01-1971

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COUNTING OUT

ONE POTATO, TWO POTATO, THREE POTATO, FOUR,
FIVE POTATO, SIX POTATO, SEVEN POTATO, MORE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

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

Date learned: 10-01-1968

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COUNTING DEVICE

1, 2, BUTTON MY SHOE
3, 4, SHUT THE DOOR,
5, 6, PICK UP STICKS,
7, 8, LAY THEM STRAIGHT,
9, 10, YOU'RE A BIG, FAT HEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

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

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COUNTING OUT

ENGINE, ENGINE NUMBER NINE, COMING DOWN THE RAILROAD LINE,
WHICH COLOR DO YOU CHOOSE, GREEN--G-R-E-E-N, YOU ARE NOT IT.

Submitter comment: THIS RHYME IS SAID AMONG MANY CHILDREN PLAYING TAG. ONE
PERSON RECITES THIS RHYME AND WHILE DOING SO, HE POINTS TO
A DIFFERENT PERSON ACCODING TO THE RHYTHM OF HE TUNE.
THE PERSON HE POINTS TO AT THE END OF THE TUNE IS LEFT
OUT OF THE CHOOSING FOR WHO WILL BE IT. THIS SYSTEM
CONTINUES UNTIL ONE PERSON IS LEFT WHO IS CHOSEN TO BE IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

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

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COUNTING RHYME

ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE.
THREE, FOUR, CLOSE THE DOOR.
FIVE, SIX, PICK UP STICKS.
SEVEN, EIGHT, CLOSE THE GATE
NINE, TEN, BIG FAT HEN.
ELEVEN, TWELVE, GO TO HELL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

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

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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EASTER CELEBRATION

THE HIDING OF EASTER EGGS BY PARENTS AND THE FINDING OF THESE
EGGS BY THEIR CHILDREN.

Submitter comment:

FAMILY PRACTICE.

Data entry tech comment:

INFORMANT AND COLLECTOR ARE THE SAME PERSON.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; 3135 PEBBLE LANE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Bunny

Date learned: 10-24-1967

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GAELIC FESTIVAL

IN EASTERN CANADA WE HAVE MANY GAELIC MODS. THESE ARE HIGHLAND
GATHERINGS WITH BAG PIPES, HIGHLAND DANCING AND COMPETITION THAT
GO BACK TO SCOTLAND. FAMILIES WEAR THEIR OWN TARTAN SKIRTS WHICH
IDENTIFIES THE FAMILY.

Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN NOVA SCOTIA ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN DETROIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT

James Callow Keyword(s): BAGPIPES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Irregular

Date learned: 11-00-1982

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THE CARROT MARCH

ON THE NIGHT BEFORE EASTER MORNING, WHEN THE CHILDREN PUT OUT THEIR
EASTER BASKETS FOR THE EASTER BUNNY TO FILL WITH CANDY, ALL THOSE WHO
WISH TO PARTICIPATE ARE EACH GIVEN A CARROT. THESE CARROTS ARE
HELD AT CHEST LEVEL POINTED VERTICALLY. THEN THE MARCH BEGINS. THE
HEAD OF THE HOUSE LEADS FOR AWHILE AND THEN ANOTHER DESIGNATED PARTY.
THE PARTICIPANTS WALK IN SINGLE FILE, FOLLOWING THE LEADER
WHEREVER HE GOES. A CHANT IS SUNG BY ALL PARTICIPANTS. IT GOES--
"OREO--OREO" IN A DEEP VOICE.

Submitter comment:

OUR FAMILY DOES THIS.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person. Instructor asked if her father or grandfather did this as children, and she said no, just her family.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 13034 CAMDEN

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: 663 663.12.30.7
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Bunny
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter baskets

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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COUNTING OUT RHYME

OSA TWSA, KITCHAN ASKCAN BUZZABAN, SEE-SAW BUCK. DONE AS YOU TAP ON THE TOES OF THE PLAYERS.

Submitter comment: CHICAGO VERSE

James Callow comment: RDNeedsReview

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

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

Date learned: 10-05-1967

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EASTER EGG

ON EASTER IN ITALY YOU GET A BIG CHOCOLATE EASTER EGG. AT MASS THAT
DAY YOU BRING YOUR CHOCOLATE EGG TO CHURCH AND THE PRIEST BLESSES
THEM.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 14016 PINEWOOD

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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ONE POTATO, TWO POTATO, THREE POTATO, FOUR,
FIVE POTATO, SIX POTATO, SEVEN POTATO, MORE.
(YOU'RE NOT "IT")

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

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

Date learned: 11-12-1968

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IN ORDER TO FIND WHO SHALL BE IT, OR WHO WILL GO FIRST IN
A CERTAIN GAME, THERE IS A VERSE THAT IS SAID TO FIND
THAT PERSON:
THE SKY IS BLUE,
HOW OLD ARE YOU?
WHILE TOUCHING EVERY FOOT IN THE CIRCLE. WHEN HE STOPS
AT A FOOT AFTER SAYING YOU, THAT PERSON GIVES HIS AGE AND
THEN THE NUMBER IS COUNTED OUT. AFTER THE COUNTING, WHERE-
EVER THE COUNTER STOPS, THAT PERSON IS OUT AND REMOVES
BOTH HIS FEET AND IS THEN OUT. THE POEM AND ACTIONS ARE
ARE REPEATED TIL ONE PERSON IS LEFT AND THAT PERSON IS
"IT" OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

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

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