CHILDREN'S RHYME

I'M A LITTLE TEAPOT, SHORT AND STOUT
HERE IS MY HANDLE, HERE IS MY SPOUT
WHEN I GET ALL STEAMED UP HEAR ME SHOUT
TIP ME OVER AND POUR ME OUT MM
ON THE FIRST HALF OF THE SECOND LINE, PLACE ONE HAND ON YOUR HIP AND
ON THE SECOND HALF, EXTEND YOUR OTHER ARM WITH THE ELBOW BENT TO FORM
A SPOUT. ON THE LAST LINE BEND SIDEWAYS AS IF POURING TEA OUT OF THE
SPOUT.

Submitter comment: I REMEMBER LEARNING THIS IN KINDERGARTEN IN ENDWELL, NEW YORK BUT IT
WAS ALSO WELL KNOWN IN SOLON, OHIO. MY ROOMMATE JULIE SCHMOKE AND
OTHER STUDENTS FROM MICHIGAN ARE FAMILIAR WITH IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: CA00001963

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TITANIC SONG

VERSE 1:
THEY BUILT THE SHIP TITANIC
TO SAIL THE OCEAN BLUE
AND THEY SAID IT WAS A SHIP
THAT THE WATER COULDN'T GO THROUGH
IT WAS ON ITS MAIDEN TRIP
WHEN AN ICEBERG HIT THE SHIP
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
REFRAIN:
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 KIDDIES LOST THEIR LIVES
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
VERSE 2:
THEY WERE NOT FAR FROM ENGLAND
THEY WERE NOT FAR FROM SHORE
WHEN 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
REPEAT REFRAIN
VERSE 3:
THEY THREW THE LIFEBOATS OVER
INTO THE FOAMING SEA
AND THE BAND STRUCK UP
"NEAR MY GOD TO THEE"
LITTLE KIDDIES SCREAMED AND CRIED
BUT THEY ALL WENT DOWN AND DIED
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
REPEAT REFRAIN

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS SONG ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO IN SOLON, OHIO AT ST. RITA'S
SUMMER BIBLE SCHOOL. IT WAS FOR CATHOLIC CHILDREN FROM KINDERGARTEN
TO FIFTH GRADE. FR. ED DIETRICH, ONE OF THE PARISH PRIESTS, TAUGHT
US THIS SONG. THE KIDS ALL LOVED IT FOR SOME REASON AND WOULD LAUGH
AND GIGGLE ALL THROUGH IT WHICH SEEMED IRONICALLY HILARIOUS. I HAVE
NO IDEA WHERE FR. DIETRICH LEARNED THE SONG BUT IT REMAINS ONE OF MY
FAVORITES.
SATIRE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: 00-00-1971

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URBAN BELIEF TALE

A KID ABOUT FIVE YEARS OLD WAS GIVING HIS HAMSTER A SPONGE BATH. BUT
IT FELL IN THE WATER AND GOT COMPLETELY DRENCHED. HE DECIDED TO DRY
IT OFF BY PUTTING IT IN THE MICROWAVE OVEN FOR FIFTEEN SECONDS. AND
IT EXPLODED.

Submitter comment: JULIE BELIEVED THIS STORY THE FIRST TIME SHE HEARD IT IN MIDLAND,
MICHIGAN IN 1976. WHEN SHE HEARD IT AGAIN SHE BEGAN TO WONDER ABOUT
THE TRUTH OF IT. SHE'S HEARD IT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN, IN MIDLAND
AND AT UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT. NOW SHE DOESN'T REALLY BELIEVE IT,
SAYING THAT IT MIGHT BE TRUE BUT SHE THINKS IT'S JUST A STORY. WHEN
WE WERE DISCUSSING THIS MY SISTER, CAROL DURAND, MENTIONED HEARING
THE SAME STORY AT UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT INVOLVING A DUMB WOMAN FROM
GROSSE POINTE AND HER PET POODLE. SHE ALSO BELIEVED IT THE FIRST
TIME BUT AFTER HEARING IT FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE, QUESTIONED THE TRUTH
OF THE STORY.
MODERN FOLKLORE: MICROWAVE OVEN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: 00-00-1976

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VOCABULARY OF A SPECIAL GROUP

JESUIT REFER TO PARTIES OR SOCIAL GATHERINGS GIVEN BY OTHE JESUIT AS
A T.A.R.B.O. i.e. A Typical Affair Run By Ours.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLARKSTON

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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VOCABULARY OF A SPECIAL GROUP

IN THE JESUIT ORDER, IT IS A CUSTOM FOR JESUITS TO REFER TO EACH
OTHER AS "OURS." A BOOK WHICH IS FOR THE USE OF JESUITS ONLY WILL
HAVE A STAMP WITH "FOR OURS ONLY."

Submitter comment: OR IN CONVERSATION: FR. MALCOLM CARRON, S.J. IS "ONE OF OURS."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLARKSTON

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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THE FIRST PERIOD OF TRAINING FOR THE JESUITS IS CALLED
THE "NOVITIATE." THE "FIRST PROBATION" IS HELD DURING THE
FIRST WEEK OF THE NOVITIATE. THE NEW MEN ARE ENTIRELY
EXCLUDED FROM ANY CONTACT WITH THE REGULAR JESUITS. THEY
EAT AT SEPARATE TABLES IN THE DINING ROOM, HAVE SEPARATE
PLACES IN CHAPEL, ETC. ONLY THREE JESUITS (CALLED
"GUARDIAN ANGELS") HAVE ANY CONTACT WITH THEM, ALONG WITH
THE MASTER OF NOVICES. AFTER THIS FIRST WEEK OF INTENSIVE
TRAINING IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE SOCIETY AND THE
PARTICULARS OF LIFE IN THE JESUIT ORDER AND THE HOUSE,
AND INTENSIVE SPIRITUAL TRAINING, THE MEN ARE ALLOWED
"FUSION"--CONTACT WITH OTHER JESUITS. THE LAST DAY
OF THIS FIRST PROBATION IS "CASSOCK DAY"--THE DAY WHEN
THE NEW MEN RECEIVE THEIR CASSOCKS. THIS DAY IS A
SURPRISE FOR THE NEW MEN, ALTHOUGH ALL OTHER MEMBERS
OF THE COMMUNITY ARE AWARE OF IT. DURING ONE OF THE
REGULAR CLASSES THAT THE NEW MEN ARE ENGAGED IN (USUALLY
AT NIGHT), MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY STORM INTO THE
CLASSROOM CARRYING THE NEW CASSOCKS. USUALLY THERE IS
MUCH YELLING AND GENERALLY A PARTY-LIKE ATMOSPHERE.
EACH NEW MAN IS SHOWN HOW TO PUT ON THE CASSOCK, HOW IT
IS TO BE WORN, ETC. AFTER THIS, THERE IS A MASS IN
WHICH THE CASSOCKS ARE BLESSED. THIS IS USUALLY
FOLLOWED BY A LARGE PARTY, WHICH OFFICIALLY WELCOMES
THE NEW MEN INTO THE JESUIT ORDER. THE CASSOCKS ARE
NEW TO THE MEN RECEIVING THEM. ACTUALLY, THEY ARE
GENERALLY QUITE OLD, SOMETIMES BELONGING TO JESUITS
WHO HAVE DIED. ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY USUALLY
WRITE "CASSOCK-DAY NOTES" TO EACH OF THE NEW MEN,
WELCOMING HIM INTO THE COMMUNITY AND THE ORDER. THESE
NOTES ARE OFTEN QUITE FUNNY, AND SOMETIMES INCLUDE SOME
HUMOROUS REMARKS ABOUT THE LIFE OF CELIBACY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLARKSTON

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A CONCERT GESTURE REQUESTING AN ENCORE PERFORMANCE

WHEN AT A CONCERT AND THE BAND LEAVES THE STAGE YOU PULL
OUT YOUR LIGHTER AND LIGHT IT AND HOLD IT IN THE AIR.

Submitter comment: THIS GESTURE REQUESTS THAT THERE BE AN ENCORE PERFORMANCE
AND THREATENS THAT IF THERE ISN'T, THE AUDIENCE WILL BURN DOWN
THE THEATER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLARKSTON

Date learned: 00001977CA

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PUN ON STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

THERE WAS AN INDIAN CHIEF NAMED SHORTCAKE. THE CHIEF
WAS A BACHELOR, AND ONE DAY HE DECIDED TO GET MARRIED.
WELL, HE GOT MARRIED AND DIED ON HIS WEDDING NIGHT.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED THEN? SQUAW BURY SHORTCAKE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CAMP OHIYESA ; CLARKSON

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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PUN ON STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

THERE WAS AN INDIAN CHIEF NAMED SHORTCAKE. THE CHIEF
WAS A BACHELOR, AND ONE DAY HE DECIDED TO GET MARRIED.
WELL, HE GOT MARRIED AND DIED ON HIS WEDDING NIGHT.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED THEN? SQUAW BURY SHORTCAKE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CAMP OHIYESA ; CLARKSON

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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JUMP-ROPE RHYME

I AM A PRETTY LITTLE DUTCH GIRL
AS PRETTY AS PRETTY CAN BE, BE, BE
AND ALL THE BOYS ON THE BASEBALL TEAM
GO CHASING AFTER ME, ME, ME
MY BOYFRIEND'S NAME IS TONY
HE COMES FROM THE LAND OF BALONEY
WITH A PICKLE ON HIS NOSE AND THREE BLACK TOES
THAT'S THE WAY MY STORY GOES, GOES, GOES
MY FATHER GAVE HIM PEACHES
MY MOTHER GAVE HIM PEARS, PEARS, PEARS
MY BROTHER GAVE HIM FIFTY CENTS
AND KICKED HIM DOWN THE STAIRS, STAIRS, STAIRS

Submitter comment: JULIE LEARNED THIS IN EITHER MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA OR IN LEVERING,
MICHIGAN.
THREEFOLD REPETITION
FEMININE RHYMES: TONY, BALONEY
RHYME: AABB
RHYME: ABCB
SPONDEES

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: CA00001968

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TAUNT

LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE
HANGING FROM A BULL'S TAIL
WHEN THE BULL BEGINS TO PEE
YOU WILL GET YOUR CUP OF TEA

Submitter comment: JULIE LEARNED THIS FROM HER FATHER WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
INSULT
RETORT
RHYME: ABCC
INTERNAL RHYME
URINE AS DRINK

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: CA00001966

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TAUNT

LIAR, LIAR, YOUR PANTS ARE ON FIRE
HANGING FROM A TELEPHONE WIRE

Submitter comment: SUSIE IS NOT SURE WHO SHE FIRST HEARD THIS FROM BUT THINKS IT WAS
PROBABLY ONE OF HER BROTHERS OR SISTERS.
INSULT
RETORT
RHYME: AA

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: CA00001963

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TAUNT

LIAR, LIAR, YOUR PANTS ARE ON FIRE
YOUR NOSE IS AS LONG AS A TELEPHONE WIRE

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD, PERHAPS FROM MY FATHER OR OLDER BROTHERS
AND SISTERS. IT BECAME AN EFFECTIVE RETORT WHEN YOU WERE SO MAD YOU
COULDN'T THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY. IT REMINDED ME OF THE PUPPET
PINOCCHIO WHOSE NOSE GREW LONGER WITH EACH LIE HE TOLD.
INSULT
RETORT
RHYME: AA

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: CA00001966

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HAND-CLAPPING RHYME

THE RHYME IS AS FOLLOWS:
A SAILOR WENT TO SEA, SEA, SEA
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE, SEE, SEE
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD SEE, SEE, SEE
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA, SEA, SEA
A SAILOR WENT TO CHOP, CHOP, CHOP
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD CHOP, CHOP, CHOP
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD CHOP, CHOP, CHOP
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE CHOP, CHOP, CHOP
A SAILOR WENT TO KNEE, KNEE, KNEE
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD KNEE, KNEE, KNEE
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD KNEE, KNEE, KNEE
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE KNEE, KNEE, KNEE
A SAILOR WENT TO TOE, TOE, TOE
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD TOE, TOE, TOE
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD TOE, TOE, TOE
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE TOE, TOE, TOE
A SAILOR WENT TO SEE, CHOP, KNEE, TOE
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE, CHOP, KNEE, TOE
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD SEE, CHOP, KNEE, TOE
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE SEE, CHOP, KNEE, TOE MM
TWO PEOPLE STAND OR SIT FACING EACH OTHER. FIRST EACH WOULD SLAP
THEIR HANDS ON THEIR KNEES PALMS DOWNWARD, THEN CLAP THEIR HANDS.
THEIR RIGHT HANDS WOULD MEET DIAGONALLY WITH PALMS TOGETHER. EACH
WOULD CLAP THEIR OWN HANDS THEN THEIR LEFT HANDS WOULD MEET. THIS
WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY A GESTURE APPROPRIATE TO THE LINE OF THE VERSE.
THIS SEQUENCE OF ACTIONS IS REPEATED FOR EACH LINE OF THE RHYME. THE
GESTURE FOR THE FIRST VERSE IS TO SHADE THE EYES WITH ONE HAND THREE
TIMES IN A ROW, FOR THE SECOND VERSE ONE HAND MAKES A CHOPPING MOTION
THREE TIMES ON THE BENT ELBOW OF THE OTHER ARM, FOR THE THIRD VERSE
YOU TAP YOUR KNEE THREE TIMES, FOR THE FOURTH YOU TOUCH YOUR TOE
THREE TIMES AND FOR THE FIFTH YOU DO EACH OF THE FOUR ACTIONS ONCE
IN A ROW.

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD AND USED IT TO PASS TIME. ONE VARIANT WAS
TO SPEED UP THE VERSES AND THE GESTURES WITH EACH VERSE. IF THERE
WERE MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE, YOU COULD ALL STAND OR SIT IN A CIRCLE.
INSTEAD OF CLAPPING RIGHT HANDS OR LEFT HANDS, YOU WOULD CLAP YOUR
RIGHT HAND WITH THE PERSON ON YOUR RIGHT AND AT THE SAME TIME CLAP
YOUR LEFT HAND WITH THE PERSON ON YOUR LEFT. MY SISTER'S ROOMMATE,
SUSIE HAKIM OF SOUTHFIELD INTRODUCED ME TO ANOTHER VERSE WHICH SHE
RECITED BETWEEN THE SECOND AND THIRD VERSES OF MY VERSION. IT WAS
ACCOMPANIED BY HOLDING YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HIPS AND MOVING YOUR HIPS
FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE WORDS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
A SAILOR WENT TO SHE-BOP, SHE-BOP
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SHE-BOP, SHE-BOP
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD SHE-BOP, SHE-BOP
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE SHE-BOP, SHE-BOP
SUSIE OMITTED THE FINAL VERSE.
FINAL ITERATION
THREEFOLD REPETITION

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: CA00001968

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TAUNT

(GIRL'S NAME) AND (BOY'S NAME) SITTIN' IN A TREE
K-I-S-S-I-N-G
FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES MARRIAGE
THEN COMES (GIRL'S NAME) PUSHIN' A BABY CARRIAGE

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD. IT WAS USED TO TEASE THOSE WHO HAD REAL
OR SUPPOSED BOYFRIENDS OR GIRLFRIENDS. OFTEN IF A GIRL OR BOY HAD A
CLOSE FRIEND OF THE OPPOSITE SEX, TAUNTS SUCH AS THIS COULD HURT THE
RELATIONSHIP.
FEMININE RHYMES: MARRIAGE, CARRIAGE
RHYME: AABB

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: CA00001966

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JUMP-ROPE RHYME

DOWN IN THE VALLEY WHERE THE GREEN GRASS GROWS
THERE SAT (GIRL'S NAME) SWEET AS A ROSE
ALONG CAME (BOY'S NAME) AND KISSED HER ON THE CHEEK
HOW MANY KISSES DID SHE RECEIVE?
ONE, TWO, THREE, . . .

Submitter comment: SUSIE LEARNED THIS RHYME IN GRADE SCHOOL. IT WAS ONE OF HER
FAVORITES AND EVERYONE ELSE LIKED IT ALSO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: CA00001965

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TAUNT

I SEE PARIS, I SEE FRANCE
I SEE (NAME'S) UNDERPANTS
ARE THEY RED, ARE THEY PINK?
I DON'T KNOW BUT THEY SURE DO STINK

Submitter comment: JULIE LEARNED THIS IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA. SHE ADMITS SHE
PROBABLY SAID IT ALTHOUGH HER PARENTS DIDN'T WANT HER TO. NOW SHE
THINKS IT IS CRUDE.
COLORS
COUNTRIES
OLFACTORY
REPETITION
INITIAL ITERATION: I SEE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: CA00001966

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COUNTING-OUT RHYME

MY MOTHER AND YOUR MOTHER
WERE OUT HANGING CLOTHES
MY MOTHER PUNCHED YOUR MOTHER
RIGHT IN THE NOSE
WHAT COLOR WAS THE BLOOD? MM
THOSE WHO WANTED TO PLAY WOULD STAND IN A CIRCLE AND HOLD OUT ONE
FIST IF THERE WERE MANY OR TWO IF THERE WERE ONLY A FEW. ONE PERSON
WOULD RECITE THE RHYME, TAPPING ONE FIST WITH HIS FIST FOR EACH
SYLLABLE AND MOVING AROUND THE CIRCLE. AFTER THE LAST LINE THE
PERSON WHOSE FIST WAS TAPPED LAST WOULD CHOOSE A COLOR . THAT
COLOR WOULD BE SPELLED OUT WITH ONE LETTER FOR EACH FIST. EITHER
THE LAST PERSON IS "IT" OR IS ELIMINATED AND THE RHYME REPEATED
UNTIL ONE PERSON IS LEFT TO BE "IT." SOMETIMES WE ADDED "MY MOTHER
TOLD ME TO PICK THE VERY BEST ONE" TO THE SPELLING OF THE COLOR,
BUT STILL DETERMINED "IT" IN THE SAME WAY.

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD IN EITHER ENDWELL, NEW YORK OR SOLON, OHIO.
I ALWAYS ASSUMED THAT "HANGING CLOTHES" REFERRED TO HANGING WET
CLOTHES OUTSIDE ON A LINE TO DRY, THOUGH THE MEANING SEEMS VAGUE IN
THE RHYME. WE DELIGHTED IN THINKING OF ODD COLORS FOR THE BLOOD TO
BE. IT WAS ESPECIALLY FUN TO USE THIS WHEN PLAYING WITH THE NEIGHBOR
CHILDREN AND LAUGHING TOGETHER AT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE SITUATION
EVER OCCURRING.
INITIAL ITERATION: MY MOTHER
FINAL ITERATION: YOUR MOTHER
RHYME: ABABC

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: CA00001968

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JUMP-ROPE RHYME

JOHNNY OVER THE OCEAN
JOHNNY OVER THE SEA
JOHNNY BROKE A POP BOTTLE
AND BLAMED IT ONTO ME
I TOLD MA, MA TOLD PA
JOHNNY GOT A LICKIN'
AND A "HA, HA, HA}"
HOW MANY LICKIN'S DID HE GET?
ONE, TWO, THREE, . . .

Submitter comment: YOU JUMP ROPE TO THE RHYME AND KEEP JUMPING UNTIL YOU MISS, COUNTING
EACH JUMP TO TELL HOW MANY LICKIN'S JOHNNY GOT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: CA00001968

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JUMP-ROPE RHYME

CINDERELLA, DRESSED IN YELLA
WENT UPSTAIRS TO KISS HER FELLA
BUT SHE MADE A MISTAKE
AND KISSED A SNAKE.
HOW MANY DOCTORS DID IT TAKE?
ONE, TWO, THREE,. . .

Submitter comment: JULIE LEARNED THIS FROM YOUNG FELLOW JUMP-ROPERS. YOU JUMP-ROPE TO
THE RHYTHM OF THIS RHYME AND AT THE END KEEP JUMPING AND COUNT EACH
JUMP UNTIL YOU MISS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: CA00001968

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