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TOM DOOLEY
HANG YOUR HEAD TOM DOOLEY, HANG YOUR HEAD AND CRY, KILLED POOR LAURA
FOSTER, YOU KNOW YOU'RE GONNA DIE. YOU TOOK HER BY THE HILLSIDE AS
GOD ALMIGHTY KNOWS, YOU TOOK HER BY THE HILLSIDE AND THERE YOU HID
HER CLOTHES. YOU TOOK HER BY THE ROADSIDE WHERE YOU BEGGED TO BE
EXCUSED, YOU TOOK HER BY THE ROADSIDE AND THERE YOU TOOK HER SHOES.
(REFRAIN) (FIRST SENTENCE) WELL PICK UP MY OLD VIOLIN AND PLAY IT
ALL YOU PLEASE, BY THIS TIME TOMORROW IT'LL BE NO GOOD TO ME.
(REFRAIN)
I DUG A HOLE FOUR FEET WIDE, I DUG IT THREE FOOT DEEP, THREW THE
COLD CLAY OVER HER AND TROMPED HER WITH MY FEET.(REFRAIN) WELL PICK
UP MY OLD VIOLIN AND PLAY IT ALL YOU PLEASE, BY THIS TIME TOMORROW
I'LL BE HANGIN' FROM A WIDE OAK TREE. THIS WORLD AND ONE MORE THEN,
WHERE DO YOU RECKON I'D BE? IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR GRAYSON I'D
A-BEEN IN TENNESSEE. (REFRAIN)
Submitter comment:
IT WAS REMARKED BY JEF THAT DOOLEY'S REAL NAME WAS DOLITTLE.
ALSO, THE SONG TAKES PLACE SHORTLY AFTER THE CIVIL WAR. GRAYSON
IS OBVIOUSLY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF SOME SORT.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Song |
Date learned: CA03001974
"SHINEYMAN"
THE SHINEYMAN WAS A JUNKMAN, NO, CAN'T SAY THAT CAUSE THEY'RE NOT THE SAME. HE WAS MORE OF A CELEBRITY. HE ALWAYS WORE A FUNNY OLD HAT. HE HAD LARGE TRINKETS AND USED BROOMS HANGING FROM HIS WAGON. HE ALWAYS TOOTED A FUNNY HORN. I THOUGHT HE WAS A KIDNAPPER BECAUSE HE WAS UGLY, DIRTY, AND SMELLY. HE WAS A REGULAR AND HAD HIS OWN ROUTE. EVERYDAY HE WOULD COME UP AND DOWN GRANDMA'S ALLEY AND PICK UP OLD CARPETS, AND OTHER USED OBJECTS WHICH PEOPLE HAD DISCARDED I DON'T KNOW HOW HE GOT HIS TITLE BUT WE JUST CALLED HIM THE SHINEYMAN, AND NEVER ASKED WHY.
APPARENTLY, EACH NEIGHBORHOOD HAD ITS OWN SHINEYMAN.
Submitter comment: PRONOUNCED "SHEE-NEE"
Where learned: DETROIT ; MOTHERS GRANDMOTHERS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): SHEENY MAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00001940S
SIX NIGHTS DRUNK
I CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT AS DRUNK AS I COULD BE, AND I
SAW A HORSE IN THE STABLE WHERE MY HORSE OUGHT TO BE. SO I SAID TO
MY WIFE, MY PRETTY LITTLE WIFE, "WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE,, WHAT'S
THIS HORSE A'DOIN' WHERE MY HORSE OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID, "YOU
BLIND FOOL, YOU DRUNKEN FOOL, CAN'T YOU NEVER SEE? THAT'S
NOTHIN' BUT A MILKCOW YOUR MOTHER GAVE TO ME." WELL I'VE
TRAVELED THIS WIDE WORLD OVER AND SOME MIGHTY STRANGE THINGS I'VE
SAW, BUT A SADDLE ON A MILK COW I AIN'T NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
I CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT AS DRUNK AS I COULD BE, AND I SAW A
HAT ON THE TABLE WHERE MY HAT OUGHT TO BE. SO I SAID TO MY WIFE,
MY PRETTY LITTLE WIFE, "WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE, WHAT'S THIS HAT
A'DOIN' WHERE MY HAT OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID, "YOU BLIND FOOL, YOU
DRUNKEN FOOL, AIN'T IT PLAIN TO SEE, THAT'S NOTHING BUT A
CHAMBER POT YOUR MOTHER GIVE TO ME. WELL I'VE TRAVELED THIS WIDE
WORLD OVER, AND SOME CRAZY THINGS I'VE SAW, BUT A CHAMBER POT MARKED
7 AND 3/4 I AIN'T NEVER SEEN BEFORE. I CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT
AS DRUNK AS I COULD BE, AND I SAW SOME PANTS ON THE BEDPOST WHERE
MY PANTS OUGHT TO BE. SO I SAID TO MY WIFE, MY PRETTY LITTLE
WIFE, "WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE? WHAT'S THESE PANTS A'DOIN' WHERE
MY PANTS OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID, "YOU BLIND FOOL, YOU DRUNKEN FOOL,
CAN'T YOU NEVER SEE? IT'S NOTHING BUT A TABLE CLOTH YOUR MOTHER
GIVE TO ME." WELL I'VE TRAVELLED THIS WIDE WORLD OVER AND SOME
CRAZY THINGS I'VE SAW, BUT A TABLE CLOTH WITH A ZIPPER I AIN'T
NEVER SEEN BEFORE. I CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT AS DRUNK AS I COULD
BE, AND I SAW A HEAD ON MY PILLOW WHERE MY HEAD OUGHT TO BE. SO I
SAID TO MY WIFE, MY PRETTY LITTLE WIFE, "WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE,
WHAT'S THIS HEAD A'DOIN' WHERE MY HEAD OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID,
"YOU BLIND FOOL, YOU DRUNKEN FOOL, AIN'T IT PLAIN TO SEE? THAT'S
NOTHING BUT A CABBAGE HEAD YOUR MOTHER GIVE TO ME." WELL I'VE
TRAVELLED THIS WIDE WORLD OVER AND SOME MIGHTY CRAZY THINGS I'VE SAW,
BUT A CABBAGE HEAD WITH A MUSTACHE I AIN'T NEVER SEEN BEFORE. I
CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT AS DRUNK AS I COULD BE, AND I SAW AN ASS
ON MY MATTRESS WHERE MY ASS OUGHT TO BE. SO I SAID TO MY WIFE, MY
PRETTY LITTLE WIFE, "NOW WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE? WHAT'S THIS ASS
A'DOIN' WHERE MY ASS OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID, "YOU BLIND FOOL, YOU
DRUNKEN FOOL, AIN'T IT PLAIN TO SEE? THAT'S NOTHING BUT A PUMPKIN
YOUR MOTHER GIVE TO ME." WELL, I'VE TRAVELLED THIS WIDE WORLD OVER
SOME CRAZY THINGS I'VE SAW, BUT A PUMPKIN WITH AN ASS-HOLE I AIN'T
NEVER SEEN BEFORE. I CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT AS DRUNK AS I COULD
BE, AND I SAW A COCK A'LAYIN' WHERE MY COCK OUGHT TO BE. SO I SAID
TO MY WIFE, MY PRETTY LITTLE WIFE, "WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE? WHAT'S
THIS COCK A'DOIN' WHERE MY COCK OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID, "YOU BLIND
FOOL, YOU DRUNKEN FOOL, AIN'T IT PLAIN TO SEE? THAT'S NOTHING BUT A
CANDLE STICK YOUR MOTHER GIVE TO ME. WELL I'VE TRAVELLED THIS WIDE
WORLD OVER AND SOME CRAZY THINGS I'VE SAW, BUT A CANDLE STICK WITH
BOLLOCHS I AIN'T NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
Submitter comment: USUALLY ONLY FIVE VERSES ARE SUNG IN PUBLIC.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Song |
Date learned: CA03001974
BELIEF
IF YOU STEP ON A CRACK, YOU BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00001950S AND 00001960S
POLISH CUSTOM -- SHROVE TUESDAY
ON THE TUESDAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY, IT IS A CUSTOM IN MISS GALL'S
FAMILY (POLISH) TO MAKE A LARGE BATCH OF DONUTS AND TO EAT
THEM ALL BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY. THIS DAY IS CALLED PONCHKI DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; RATHSKELLER
Keyword(s): DOUGHNUT ; PACZKI ; RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday |
Date learned: 02-27-1968
UNWRITTEN RULE OF RUGBY.
THE HOMETEAM MUST THROW A PARTY AFTER THE GAME WHICH
ALWAYS INCLUDES BEER AND MAYBE FOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
CHRISTMAS
IN THE PHILIPPINES, INSTEAD OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE WHICH WE USE AS
THE MOST COMMON SYMBOL OF CHRISTMAS, THE INHABITANTS USE THE
CHRISTMAS STAR. EACH HOME HAS A LARGE STAR, MADE OF SOME
NATURAL MATERIAL SUCH AS BAMBOO, WHICH SERVES AS THE CENTRAL
DECORATION IN THE HOME AS OUR TREES DO.
Where learned: DETROIT ; WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY ; NEWMAN CENTER CHAPEL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU DROP A KNIFE, YOU WILL RECEIVE A VISIT FROM A MAN. IF YOU
DROP A FORK A WOMAN WILL COME, AND IF YOU DROP A SPOON A BABY
WILL VISIT YOU.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; SAINT HYACINTH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-29-1972
MILT FAMEY
MILT FAMEY WAS A MAJOR LEAGUE PITCHER FOR THE BOSTON BEANS. HE HAD
BEEN WITH THE TEAM FOR 4 YEARS AND HAD NEVER PITCHED A GAME. THE
REASON FOR THIS WAS THAT JOE "LEFTY" SLINGER WAS ALSO WITH THE TEAM.
HE WAS THE WINNINGEST PITCHER IN THE MAJORS, PITCHING EVERY GAME FOR
THE BEANS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, MILT WAS GETTING PRETTY DISCOURAGED AND
HE TOOK TO DRINKING WHILE SITTING ON THE BENCH. HE AVERAGED ABOUT A
CASE OF BEER A GAME. HIS FIFTH YEAR FOR THE BEANS WAS NO DIFFERENT
THAN THE FIRST FOUR. LEFTY WAS PITCHING FLAWLESSLY AND MILT WAS
BECOMING AN ALCOHOLIC. THEN IT HAPPENED. IT WAS THE SEVENTH GAME OF
THE WORLD SERIES WITH THE BEANS LEADING 3 TO 0 OVER THE SMALLVILLE
GIANTS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE NINTH. THE GIANTS WERE AT BAT WITH ONE
OUT. THE NEXT BATTER LINED ONE RIGHT AT LEFTY. IT HIT HIM IN THE HAND
AND AFTER MAKING THE PUTOUT LEFTY COLLAPSED AND HAD TO BE CARRIED
OFF THE FIELD, SUFFERING A BROKEN HAND. IT WAS MILT'S BIG CHANCE TO
PROVE HIMSELF. UNFORTUNATELY, HE WAS STILL SITTING ON THE BENCH
DRINKING BEER AND THROWING THE EMPTY CANS OUT ON THE FIELD ALONG THE
THIRD BASE LINE. AFTER REALIZING WHAT HAD HAPPENED, HE STUMBLED OUT
ONTO THE FIELD TO THE PITCHER'S MOUND AND SHOUTED TO THE CATCHER TO
BRING 'EM ON. THE FIRST BATTER STEPPED UP AND MILT LEFT GO WITH HIS
FIRST PITCH WHICH SAILED THROUGH THE AIR ABOUT 15 FEET ABOVE THE
BATTER'S HEAD, AS DID THE NEXT 3 PITCHES. THE NEXT 2 BATTERS ALSO
GOT ON BASE THIS WAY. NOW THINGS WERE GETTING CLOSE. THE BASES WERE
LOADED WITH THE WINNING RUN AT THE PLATE. MILT KNEW HE HAD BETTER
START THROWING STRIKES SOON AND HE DID SO ON THE NEXT PITCH. THERE
WAS A LOUD CRACK AND THE BALL SAILED OUT OF THE PARK FOR A GAME
WINNING HOMERUN. AS THE BASERUNNERS ROUNDED THIRD THEY WERE BEGINNING
TO KICK THROUGH ALL OF MILT'S EMPTY BEER CANS. ONE OF THEM ASKED
WHERE ALL THE EMPTY CANS HAD COME FROM AND ANOTHER REPLIED "THAT'S
THE BEER THAT MADE MILT FAMEY WALK US".
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS TOLD WITH A GREAT AMOUNT OF HAND AND ARM MOVEMENT.
WOULD COME UNDER C1400-C1599 IN SHAGGY DOG INDEX (PUNCH LINE FROM
ADVERTISING). - J. T. CALLOW
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT DORMS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
RIDDLE
IT SPINS AROUND BUT IS NOT SPINNING A WHEEL; IT CAN WALK A
ROPE BUT IS NOT A MONKEY.
-- A SPIDER.
Submitter comment: HEARD THIS IN DORMITORY
Where learned: HOME ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): ROPE FOR WEB
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
EASTER CUSTOM
ON THE FIRST DAY AFTER EASTER THE BOYS IN THE CITY WOULD SPRINKLE
THE GIRLS WITH PERFUME BUT IN THE VILLAGE THE BOYS WOULD THROW
PAILS FULL OF WATER AT
THE GIRLS AS THEY WOULD BE GOING TO CHURCH. THE GIRLS WOULD
SPLASH THEM BACK WITH A CUPFUL OF WATER.
Submitter comment:
THIS TOOK PLACE IN POLAND.
IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH IS DETROIT, A LADY SAID THAT BOYS
WOULD HIT GIRLS THE DAY
AFTER EASTER AND THE GIRLS COULDN'T HIT BACK. THE OPPOSITE HELD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW
Date learned: 11-00-1973
PROVERB
IF YOU DANCE, YOU HAVE TO PAY THE FIDDLER.
Submitter comment: NONE
Data entry tech comment: YOU CAN'T GET ANYTHING FOR FREE, SO YOU PAY FOR EVERYTHING.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; 18471 FAIRFIELD ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): COMPENSATION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 02-20-1970
WHEN I WAS A CHILD, BEFORE PLAYING A BASEBALL GAME WE WOULD CHOOSE UP
TEAMS.THE WAY IT WAS DONE WAS RATHER UNUSUAL.TWO CAPTAINS WERE CHOSEN
BY THE GROUP OF PLAYERS, USUALLY THEY WERE THE TWO BEST PLAYERS IN
THE GROUP.ONE OF THESE CAPTAINS WOULD THROW THE BAT TO THE OTHER AND
WOULD CATCH IT APPROXIMATELY IN THE MIDDLE.THE PLAYER WHO HAD THROWN
THE BAT WOULD NOW PUT HIS HAND JUST ABOVE THE FIRST PLAYERS HAND.THIS
HAND ACTION WOULD ALTERNATELY CONTINUE UNTILL THERE WAS NO LONGER
ROOM FOR ANOTHER HAND ON THE BAT.THE PLAYER WHOOSE HAND WAS AT THE
TOP WOULD THEN HAVE TO HOLD OUT THE THE OTHER GUY TO KICK OUT OF HIS
HAND.IF THE KICKER WAS SUCESSFUL IN REMOVING THE BAT FROM THE HAND
HE WOULD GET FIRST CHOICE OF PLAYERS.BUT, IF THE HOLDER DID NOT LET
THE BAT COME OUT OF HIS HAND, HE WOULD GET HIS FIRST CHOICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
DEATH
IN ANY EVIL SPIRITS THAT MAY BE THERE.
James Callow comment:
INCOMPLETE ITEM: SOME KEYPUNCH CARDS MISSING
CN[ FOERSTNER, SCOTT 701049
C1[ 16714 FISCHER RD
C2[ LAKEWOOD, OHIO 14410
DNC[ 1,409
******************** C FILE 1 ********************
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-24-1973
TONGUE TWISTER
MOSES SUPPOSES HIS TOES ARE ROSES BUT MOSES SUPPOSES ERRONEOUSLY
FOR NOBODY'S TOESES ARE POSIES OF ROSES AS MOSES SUPPOSES HIS TOESES
TO BE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 11-24-1973
CHEER
OXYDOL, OXYDOL, GRANULATED SOAP, WE ARE GOING TO BEAT
I HOPE, I HOPE, I HOPE.
James Callow comment:
OXYDOL=BRAND NAME OF SOAP POWDER
CN[ FOERSTNER, SCOTT 701049
C1[ 16714 FISCHER RD
C2[ LAKEWOOD, OHIO 14410
DNC[ 1,401
******************** C FILE 1 ********************
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival Custom Festival |
Date learned: 11-24-1973
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THE UGLY BIRD JOKE
MR.SMITH WAS VERY THIN AND PALE. ONE DAY HE WENT TO SEE A DOCTOR. THE
DOCTOR TOLD HIM TO SUNBATHE IN THE NUDE FOR A WEEK. THE FIRST DAY HE
WAS SUNBATHING AND READING THE PAPER WHEN SALLY, THE LITTLE GIRL NEXT
DOOR CAME IN THE YARD. "HI MR.SMITH" SAID SALLY. MR.SMITH IMMEDIATELY
DROPPED THE PAPER TO COVER HIMSELF. SALLY ASKED HIM WHAT HE HAD UNDER
THE PAPER. MR.SMITH REPLIED IT WAS HIS BIRD. "CAN I SEE YOUR BIRD MR.
SMITH?" ASKED SALLY. "MAYBE TOMORROW" SAID MR.SMITH. THE NEXT DAY MR.
SMITH WAS AGAIN SUNBATHING WHEN SALLY WALKED IN THE YARD. "HI MR.
SMITH" SAID SALLY. MR.SMITH AGAIN DROPPED THE PAPER TO COVER HIMSELF.
SALLY ASKED,"CAN I SEE YOUR BIRD TODAY MR.SMITH?" HE SAID "MAYBE
TOMORROW SALLY." THE NEXT DAY MR.SMITH WAS SUNBATHING AND DECIDED TO
TAKE A NAP. HE PUT THE PAPER DOWN TO COVER HIMSELF. NEXT THING HE
KNEW HE WAS IN TREMENDOUS PAIN. HE COULD NOT BELIEVE THE PAIN HE WAS
HAVING. ALSO THERE WERE DOCTORS AND NURSES AROUND. HE LOOKED AT THE
DOOR AND THERE WAS SALLY TALKING TO A POLICEMAN. SHE WAS SAYING,"MR.
SMITH TOLD ME HE HAD A BIRD UNDER THE PAPER AND I WANTED TO SEE IT.
I PICKED UP THE PAPER AND LOOKED. IT WAS THE UGLIEST BIRD I EVER SAW
SO I SMASHED ITS EGGS, WRUNG ITS NECK AND LIT ITS NEST ON FIRE."
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PENIS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 11-24-1973
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SHIT DRINKING GAME
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
EVERYBODY IS A TYPE OF ANIMAL SHIT, WHICH IS DETERMINED BEFORE THE
GAME. EVERYONE KNOWS WHO IS WHAT ANIMAL. SOMEONE STARTS BY SAYING
"SOMEBODY SHIT ON THE FLOOR, I THINK IT WAS...SAYING ANIMAL'S SHIT."
THE PERSON WHO IS THAT ANIMAL SAYS "BULLSHIT", THE FIRST PERSON SAYS,
"THEN WHO SHIT?" THE SECOND PERSON SAYS "I THINK IT WAS..THEN HE SAYS
ANOTHER ANIMAL'S SHIT." THE GAME CONTINUES LIKE THIS. ANY ERROR OR
DELAY IN ANSWERING CAUSES THAT PERSON TO DRINK.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SCATOLOGICAL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory Filter - Mature Content |
Date learned: 11-24-1973
PRANK
FILL AN ENVELOPE WITH SHAVING CREAM AND SEAL IT. TEAR OFF ONE OF THE
ENDS AND PUSH ALL THE SHAVE CREAM TO THE OPPOSITE END. SLIDE THE OPEN
END UNDER THE DOOR. STAMP FOOT ON THE END OF THE ENVELOPE WITH SHAVE
CREAM IN IT, SENDING THE SHAVE CREAM SPRAYING INTO THE ROOM.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY BROTHER IN 1970. I USED IT ALSO IN 1970.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-24-1973
DEATH
SHOOTING STARS MEAN THAT SOMEONE HAS JUST DIED.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Star BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-24-1973