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James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
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THE HIGHER THE MOUNTAIN,
THE COLDER THE BREEZE,
THE YOUNGER THE COUPLE,
THE TIGHTER THE SQUEEZE.

Submitter comment: THIS WOMAN, WHO WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, PERMITTED
ME TO COLLECT THESE VERSES FROM HER AUTOGRAPH BOOK.
THE VERSES WERE ENTERED BY HER HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATES
IN 1939.

Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Chimney corner wisdom, advice, humorous fortune

Date learned: 00-00-1939

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BIRTH

IN INDIA MOTHERS AND CHILDREN ARE PROTECTED BY KEEPING A PIECE
OF IRON BOILING IN AN EARTHENWARE POT.

Submitter comment: FOUND IN W. CROOKE'S BOOK 1896 BY RABBI HALPERN, TRIBES AND CAST
OF THE NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth

Date learned: 00-00-1974

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SWIRLIE

THIS IS A GAME PLAYED BY DORM STUDENTS. WHEN ONE
DORMIE GETS TOO FAR OUT OF LINE, HIS FELLOW DORMIES
GRAB HIM BY THE ARMS AND LEGS AND TURN HIM UPSIDE-
DOWN. THEY THEN LOWER HIS HEAD INTO THE TOILET
UNTIL THE CHIN IS EVEN WITH THE SEAT AND FLUSH THE
TOILET.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FELLOW DORMIES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport

Date learned: 10-16-1967

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PARODY SUNG TO THE TUNE OF " PRETTY BABY "

EVERY PARTY NEEDS A POOPER
THAT'S WHY WE INVITED YOU...
PARTY POOPER, PARTY POOPER}}}

Submitter comment: WE'D SING THIS AT ANY LULL IN A PARTY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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TONGUE TWISTERS

IN ITALIAN
"SCOPRA LA PANCA LA CAPRA CAMPA, SOTTO LA PAMCA LA CAPRA CREPA"
IN ENGLISH " ON TOP OF THE BENCH THE SHEEP LIVES, UNDER THE
BENCH THE SHEEP DIES."

Submitter comment: THIS IS ONE OF THE TONGUE TWISTERS THAT GIOVANNI REMEMBERED
FROM HIS CHILDHOOD IN ITALY, 1955-68.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; VALENTES MENS FORMALWEAR

Keyword(s): TONGUE

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

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ENGLISH FOLK SONG

HE COMES DOWN OUR ALLEY,
AND WHISTLES ME OUT,
WITH HIS TROUSERS ALL TORN,
AND SHIRT HANGING OUT.
STILL I LOVE HIM,
CAN'T DENY HIM,
I'LL BE WITH HIM,
WHEREVER HE GOES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

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

Date learned: 02-07-1971

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BOOMERANG

SINCE A BOOMERANG NATURALLY COMES BACK TO
THE THROWER, IT IS EASY TO MAKE A GAME
FOR TARGET PRACTICE. DESIGNATE A 20-FOOT
DIAMETER TARGET AREA.
THE FIRST ONE TO LAND THEIR BOOMERANG
IN THIS AREA WINS THE GAME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSCOMMON

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 00-00-1972

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Proverb

Lucky in cards, unlucky in love.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; Whittlesey, Mary Ann

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; CARDS ; LOVE ; LUCK ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

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IF WE CANTELOPE, LETTUCE MARRY.

Submitter comment: ONE OF MY DAD'S FAVORITE LINES.
HE USED IT TO TEASE US, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE
WERE TOO SERIOUS ABOUT SOMETHING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Flint

James Callow Keyword(s): CANTALOUPE ; PUN

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 00-00-1977

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CHEER

AT U OF D HIGH IN DETROIT, THE TEAM WAS CALLED THE CUBS. IT JUST SO
HAPPENED THAT WKNR RADIO WAS HAVING A CONTEST AND GIVING A LION
CUB TO THE PERSON WHO COULD COUNT HOW MANY TIMES THE LION ROARED ON
WKNR ON ONE GIVEN NIGHT. A KID FROM U OF D WON THE LION CUB AND HE
BROUGHT IT TO THE GAMES. A CHEER WAS MADE UP LIKE GROWLING AND
ROARING. R-R-R-R-ROAR, R-R-R-R-RED, R-R-R-R-ROAR.
ROAR, RED, ROAR! THE TEAM'S COLOR WAS RED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL, ASSUMED

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 03-08-1971

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WHY DID THE MAN THINK THE BURLESQUE DANCER WAS NERVOUS?
BECAUSE SHE KEPT DROPPING SOMETHING.

Submitter comment: GLORIA HEARD IT IN HIGH SCHOOL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 04-08-1967

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Proverb

Smile and the world smiles with you

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; Whittlesey, Mary Ann

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; SMILE ; VERSE ; World

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

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Proverb

Truth is stranger than fiction

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; Whittlesey, Mary Ann

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

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Proverb

It is better to give than to receive.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; Whittlesey, Mary Ann

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

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BELIEF

IF ONE'S NOSE ITCHES, IT IS BELIEVED THAT HE WILL EITHER
KISS A STRANGER OR MEET A FOOL.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 17287 GREENVIEW ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 01-27-1970

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THE FIRST PERSON STARTS THE GAME BY SAYING THE FIRST LINE.
WHO EVER ELSE IS PLAYING REPEATS THE LINE AFTER THEM.
THEN THE 1ST PERSON SAYS THE 1ST AND SECOND LINE, THE OTHERS
REPEAT IT AND SO ON UNTIL THE WHOLE IS SAID IN ONE GO. IF
YOU'RE REAL GOOD YOU CAN SAY IT ALL IN ONE BREATH.
A BIG FAT HEN
A COUPLE OF DUCKS
THREE SLIPPERY SLIDERS
FOUR BROWN BEARS
FIVE FAT FEMALES
SIX SILLY SIMPLETONS SITTING ON A STUMP
SEVEN SICILIAN SAILORS SAILING THE SEVEN SEAS SIDEWAYS
EIGHT EGOTISTICAL ECHOISTS EGOTISTICALLY ECHOING
EGOTISTICAL ECHOES
NINE NIBBLOUS GNAT NIBBLES, NIBBLING ON GNATS' NESTS AND
CIGARETTE BUTTS
TEN TREMENDOUS TEA TOADS TELLING TALES OF TRIGONOMETRY
AND TERROR.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A FAVORITE OF MY SISTER MICHELLE AND ME. WE STILL
PLAY EVEN THOUGH SHE'S NOW 31 AND I'M 20 YEARS OLD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Flint

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 12-00-1977

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BELIEF

IF TWO FRIENDS WASH THEIR HANDS TOGETHER IN THE SAME SINK AND
THEN DRY THEIR HANDS ON THE SAME TOWEL, THEIR FRIENDSHIP
WILL BE BROKEN.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 17287 GREENVIEW ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 02-20-1970

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Proverb

A penny saved is a penny earned.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; Whittlesey, Mary Ann

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; COIN ; Earn ; Maxim ; MONEY ; Penny ; PROVERB ; Save ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

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THE BILLBOARD SONG

ONE DAY AS I WAS WALKING
ONE DARK AND DREARY DAY
I CAME UPON A BILLBOARD
AND MUCH TO MY DISMAY
THE SIGN WAS TORN AND TATTERED
FROM THE STORM THE NIGHT BEFORE
THE WIND AND RAIN HAD DONE ITS WORK
AND THIS IS WHAT I SORE. MM
DRINK COCA-COLA CIGARETTES
CHEW WRIGLEY'S SPEARMINT BEER
KENNELRATION DOGFOOD
MAKES YOUR COMPLEXION CLEAR
SIMONIZE YOUR BABY
WITH A HERSHEY'S CANDY BAR,
AND PEPSI-COLA BEAUTY CREAM
IS USED BY ALL THE STARS. MM
SO TAKE YOUR NEXT VACATION
IN A BRAND NEW FRIDGIDARE
LEARN TO PLAY PIANO
IN YOUR WINTER UNDERWEAR.
DOCTORS SAY THAT BABIES,
SHOULD SMOKE UNTIL THEY'RE THREE,
AND PEOPLE OVER SIXTY-FIVE
SHOULD BATHE IN LIPTON TEA, HEY!

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM MIDDLE SISTER'S BEST FRIEND, MARTH BAKER
WHO LIVED DOWN THE STREET AND WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH
MY SISTER IN FLINT, MICHIGAN. BOTH OF THEM LIKED WORD GAMES
AND HAD BACKGROUND IN THE PERFORMING ARTS. THEY WENT TO
HIGH SCHOOL AT FLINT OPEN SCHOOL IN THE EARLY 1970'S.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Flint

James Callow Keyword(s): TANGLETALK

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest

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Proverb

There's nothing certain but death and taxes.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; Whittlesey, Ted

Keyword(s): Absolutes ; Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Certainty ; DEATH ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; Taxes ; Uncertainty ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

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