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SWEDISH WINE MAKING FESTIVAL ( FALL )

TRADITIONALLY, EACH FALL THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS, MINN. CARRY BUSHEL
BASKETS OF GRAPES FROM THEIR FARMS TO THE TOWN ON FOOT. THE BASKETS
OF GRAPES ARE THEN DUMPED INTO A LARGE VAT AND STOMPED BY BAREFOOTED
GIRLS. AFTER EACH BUSHEL IS DUMPED, THE FARMERS RELAX AND HAVE
SOME OF THE WINE THAT HAD BEEN MADE THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND OPEN(ED)
FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE FESTIVAL. AFTER THIS THEY RETURN TO THEIR
FARMS AND PICK-UP ANOTHER BASKET OF GRAPES, REPEATING THE
PROCEDURE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THE CUSTOM FROM HIS WIFE WHO IS OF SWEDISH DESCENT.

Where learned: WISCONSIN ; WEST BEND

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving

Date learned: 09-30-1967

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RUSSIAN PROVERB

HE WHO DOES NOT HAVE FRIENDS LIVES ONLY HALF A LIFE.

Where learned: WESTERN RUSSIA

Subject headings: PROVERB -- V233

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RUSSIAN PROVERB

HE WHO FEARS NOTHING STILL FEARS PEOPLE LAUGHING AT HIM.

Where learned: WESTERN RUSSIA

Keyword(s): DERISION SCORN, SATIRE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- V233

Date learned: 00001898 - 1905

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GERMAN SONG

DU, DU LIEGHT MIR IN HERZON.
DU, DU LIEGHT MIR IN HERZEN,
DU, DU LIEGST MIR IM SINN.
DU, DU MAEHST MIR VIEL SCHMER-ZEN,
WEIST NICHT WIE GUT ICH DIR BIN;
JA, JA, JA, JA WEIST NIGHT, WIE GUT ICH DIR BIN! MM
YOU, YOU ARE IN MY HEART.
YOU, YOU ARE IN MY HEART,
YOU, YOU ARE IN MY MIND.
YOU, YOU GIVE ME MUCH PAIN,
DON'T YOU KNOW HOW GOOD I AM TO YOU.
YES, YES, YES, YES DON'T YOU KNOW HOW GOOD I AM TO YOU!

Submitter comment:

FIRST VERSE OF TWO VERSES. SUNG WHILE A CHILD IN FREEPORT,
MINNESOTA (NEAR ST. CLOUD).

Data entry tech comment:

Keypunched by R.J.Miller 11/82

Updated by TRD 01/12

Where learned: MINNESOTA ; FREEPORT ; NEAR ST CLOUD

Keyword(s): GERMAN ; LOVE ; Lyrics ; Poetry ; RHYME ; SONG

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

Date learned: 11-00-1971

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PROVERB

HE WHO IS WILLING TO WORK FINDS IT HARD TO WAIT.

Where learned: WEST AFRICA

Keyword(s): EAGERNESS ; THE WILLING WORKER

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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EPIPHANY CUSTOM

THE LETTERS KMB ARE WRITTEN ABOVE A DOORWAY IN THE HOUSE WITH BLESSED
CHALK RECIEVED ON THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY. THE THREE LETTERS ARE
THE INITALS OF THE THREE WISE MEN. DOING THIS WILL KEEP EVIL AWAY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT DISPLAY THE LETTERS ABOVE HER BACK DOOR.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; 7632 WESTMINSTER ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany January 6

Date learned: 02-22-1970

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OMEN OF DEATH

IF A PICTURE FALLS OFF THE WALL IN A HOUSE, IT MEANT
DEATH.

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER OF IRISH DESCENT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 19792 STOUT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 05-11-1965

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

BEGINNING THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS UNTIL THE FEAST OF THREE KINGS,
CHILDREN IN POLAND WOULD GO FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE CAROLING. THE OLDER
"KOLEDNIKI" WOULD DRESS AS ANGELS, DEVILS, MULES, ETC., AND THEY
USUALLY RECEIVE DONATIONS OF MONEY. THE YOUNGER ONES WOULD
USUALLY RECEIVE EITHER A SCOOP OF WHEAT, RYE OR OATS WHICH THEY WOULD
TAKE TO THE STORE AND REDEEM FOR MONEY.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT'S CHILDREN IN THEIR YOUTH DID PRACTICE THIS CUSTOM
IN THIS COUNTRY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 5678 TARNOW ST

Keyword(s): MUMMING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- 39815
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- 39816
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 4
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 28 Holy Innocents
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F123
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling

Date learned: 02-07-1971

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THE VIPER STORY

A COUPLE HAD JUST GOTTEN MARRIED AND THEY LOOKED FOR AN APARTMENT
TO LIVE IN. THEY FOUND ONE ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR OF AN APARTMENT
BUILDING AND TWO DAYS LATER THEY MOVED IN. THE FIRST NIGHT THEY
WERE THERE THEY WERE SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM WHEN THEY HEARD A
STRANGE SOUND FROM THE FIRST FLOOR. THERE WAS THIS VOICE CALLING
VERY MOURNFULLY, I'M THE VIPER. THEY GOT A LITTLE WORRIED BUT DIDN'T
THINK MUCH OF IT TIL THEY REALIZED THAT THE VOICE WAS COMING CLOSER.
THEY HEARD IT ON THE SECOND FLOOR SAYING, I'M THE VIPER. SOON THEY
HEARD IT EVEN CLOSER, ON THE THIRD FLOOR SAYING, I'M THE VIPER. BY
NOW THEY WERE PRETTY SCARED AND THE HUSBAND VENTURED OUT INTO THE
HALL WHERE HE COULD HEAR FOOTSTEPS COMING UP THE STAIRS FROM BELOW
AND HE STAYED THERE TIL HE HEARD I'M THE VIPER COMING FROM THE
FOURTH FLOOR. THEN HE RAN BACK INTO THE ROOM. BY THIS TIME THE
FOOTSTEPS WERE AUDIBLE EVEN INSIDE THE APARTMENT AND THEY LISTENED
WHILE IT CLIMBED TO THE FIFTH FLOOR, AND IT SAID I'M THE VIPER.
THEN IT SLOWLY CLIMBED THE STAIRS TO THE SIXTH FLOOR AND SAID I'M
THE VIPER. NOW IT WAS GETTING VERY CLOSE AND THEY HEARD EACH STEP
AS IT CLIMBED TO THEIR FLOOR. THEY COULD HEAR IT STOP OUTSIDE THEIR
DOOR AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DOOR FLEW OPEN AND A LITTLE MAN
CAME IN AND SAID, I'M THE VINDOW VIPER, VANT YOUR VINDOWS VIPED?

Submitter comment: THIS STORY IS TOLD VERY OMINOUSLY WITH THE I'M THE VIPERS BEING
A LITTLE LOUDER AND MORE HAUNTING EACH TIME. IT ALSO HELPS TO THROW
IN THE SOUND OF STAIRS BEING CLIMBED AT APPROPRIATE TIMES.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; WESTCHESTER

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN WIPER ; VIPER=SNAKE ANIMAL

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale

Date learned: 00001960S

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COUGH

TO STOP A COUGH AT NIGHT PLACE A PIECE OF FLANNEL CLOTH ON YOUR BED
POST AFTER SOAKING IT IN TURPENTINE.

Where learned: HOME ; 320 S 12TH ST

Keyword(s): INHALATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 10-04-1970

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CURE FOR MOTION SICKNESS

YOU WOULD PUT A SALT BAG AROUND YOUR NECK TO PREVENT MOTION
SICKNESS.

Submitter comment: WE ALWAYS USED TO DO IT ON THE RIDE FROM DETROIT TO DOWN HOME.
HAPPENED WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL; LEARNED CURE FROM PARENTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 19792 STOUT

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

Date learned: 05-11-1965

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VALUE OF SPICEY FOOD

IF YOU EAT HOT PEPPERS AND SPICEY FOODS YOU WON'T HAVE HEART
TROUBLE OR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE- LIKE THE ITALIANS.

Submitter comment: BELIEF LEARNED IN HOLLISTER, OHIO FROM PARENTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 19792 STOUT

Keyword(s): FOOD ; HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE ; PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE

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

Date learned: 05-11-1965

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IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A FIGHT.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER, ELIZABETH ZDROJESKI WHEN
HE WAS GROWING UP. ELIZABETH HEARD IT FROM HER MOTHER, MRS. RICE,
AROUND 1910.

Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; 221 GRIFFITH ST ; JERSEY CITY

Keyword(s): HUMANS SENSUAL EXPERIENCES SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Dreams P841.72
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: CA00001968 ; 00-00-1910

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FOLK CURE FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

TAKE A FRESH LEMON AND SQUEEZE OUT THE JUICE AND DRINK IT STRAIGHT.

Where learned: WESTERN YMCA ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 11-12-1971

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CURE FOR BLEEDING

IF YOU PUT A COLD KEY DOWN YOUR BACK, IT WOULD STOP
BLEEDING - ESPECIALLY NOSE BLEEDING.

Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A GIRL IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 19792 STOUT

Keyword(s): HIDDEN CONNECTION

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 05-11-1965

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SNORING

MARY'S GRANDMOTHER (FRENCH-CANADIAN) TOLD HER SHE MUST
BLOW HER NOSE EVERY NIGHT OR SHE WOULD SNORE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Keyword(s): PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE

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

Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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PLASTER FOR A CHEST COLD

MAKE A HOT MIXTURE OF FLAXSEED AND LARD AND SPREAD IT ON THE CHEST.
THEN COVER THE BODY WITH A LINEN TOWEL OR WRAP.
ADDITIONAL BLANKETS SHOULD BE USED TO FURTHER INDUCE SWEATING.
THIS PLASTER WAS USED ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN
BECAUSE IT DID NOT BURN THEIR SKIN.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER USED THIS WITH HER CHILDREN. (1900-1930).

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH ; 64 HIMBER ST

Keyword(s): CHILDHOOD REMEDY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

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BAD LUCK (COLLECTOR,S TITLE)

IT IS BAD LUCK TO GIVE ANYONE A SHARP OBJECT FOR A GIFT. TO RID YOURSELF OF THE BAD LUCK,
GIVE YOUR MOTHER A COPPER PENNY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ; CONVERSION; GIVING COIN (CLASSIFIER,S TITLE)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT ; 21

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Conversions P883.1

Date learned: 09-17-1967

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NURSERY RHYME

ITALIAN:
SECA SECA SECOLA
(NAME) VA ALLA SCUOLA
SE PORTA IL CANESTRINA
A TUTTO PIENO DI ROBBA
FINCI LA MAESTRA
CE LA PRENTE
A LA METTO SUL COMO
CI JA DIRE SI E NO.
TRANSLATION:
SEE SEE SAW.
(NAME) GOES TO SCHOOL.
SHE BRINGS A BASKET
ALL FILLED WITH GOODIES
FOR THE TEACHER.
THE TEACHER TAKES THE BASKET
AND PUTS IT ON THE DESK.
ASKS HER "YES" OR "NO."

Submitter comment: I HAVE HEARD THE INFORMANT SAY THIS TO HER GRANDSON, 1-1/2 YRS.
OLD, WHEN HOLDING HIM IN HER LAP. SHE TOOK BOTH OF HIS HANDS
AND ROCKED HIM TO AND FRO; AND ENDED THE RHYME BY PULLING
ONE HAND FOR "YES" AND THEN THE OTHER FOR "NO."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT

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

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GAVE HER A NICKEL TO SUCK ON A PICKLE./ THE PICKLE WAS SOUR SO I GAVE
IT TO A FLOWER./ THE FLOWER WAS YELLOW SO I GAVE IT TO A FELLOW./ THE
FELLOW WAS THICK SO I GAVE HIM A KICK./ AND THAT IS HOW I LEARNED MY
ARITHMETIC. (COUNT)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 16925 STOEPEL

Keyword(s): ENDURANCE ; Jump

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

Date learned: 10-31-1968

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