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Ethnic: Russian
Wedding Custom:
When the bride is preparing for her wedding (getting dressed and ready to leave for church) a violin player and an accordian player play a special tune.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Written on bottom left of the card: [ Ethnic? Russian Orthodox, says collector.]
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Sturtz, Barbara
Keyword(s): Accordion ; Bride ; CUSTOM ; DRESS ; Fashion ; MARRIAGE ; MUSIC ; violin ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Custom: Death
Photographs of Corpse:
Informant showed collector several snapshots of his grandfather, who had passed away some 15 years previous, laid out in his coffin in the funeral home.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Bogedin, Elizabeth
Keyword(s): Coffin ; Corpse ; Dead ; Funeral ; Mourning ; Photograph ; Soul
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Entertainment: Game
London Bridge:
London Bridges falling down, falling down. London Bridges falling down, my fair lady. Take the key and lock her up, lock her up. Take the key and lock her up, my fair lady. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
Everyone says the verse, two people hold each other's hands and walk around at Monday and when Sunday comes they put someone between them, swinging their arms back and forth and throwing the person away.
Data entry tech comment:
Entered by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C730.360, C523] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Submission card located in a pile marked C750 Jump Rope Rhyme
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Myself
Keyword(s): Bridges ; CHILDREN ; GAMES ; Jump Rope ; London ; Playground ; Rhymes
| Subject headings: | -- .C750500 |
Entertainment: Game
Variations of "one potato, two potato" method of choosing "it':
(Rhyme is chanted by one person as all the children stand in a circle with both fists in front, thums up. The person taps each fist in the circle of fists, not neglecting his own. I will indicate the words correcponding to the taps by partial underlining.)
One potato, two potao, three potato, four.
Five potato, six potato, seven potato, more.
The first hit on more is put behind the back and the rhyme continues until only one fist remains, this person being "it.")
Submitter comment:
My mother learned this rhyme in her grammar school days in Detroit.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570.560, C300.021] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Toms, Alice G
Keyword(s): CHILDHOOD ; Elimination ; Entertainment ; GAME ; POTATO ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Entertainment: Game
A Chant for Picking the "It":
This is a chant that the neighborhood kids used to choose the "it" in their games. It went: "1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato, 4. 5 potato, 6 potato, 7 potato, or." The person who "or" fell on was out and the rhyme started again.
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from his friends.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; Pawlick, Jim
Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Entertainment ; GAMES ; Playground ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Ethnic: German
Tros, tros, tril,
Der Bauerhat ein Phil,
Das Philchen will nicht lauffen,
Der Bauer will verkaufen,
Tros, tros, tril.
This verse was sung by a grandfather to a small child. It accompanied a little game in which the grandfather sat with his knees crossed. On his right leg the child was seated facing the grandfather who grasped the child's hands. As the grandfather sings the verse, he gives the child a "pony" ride on his leg.
The verse tells of a farmer who had a horse, the horse would not run, so the farmer wants to sell the horse.
Submitter comment:
The informant remembers her German-born father entertaining his grandchildren with this game in Kenosha, Wisconsin about 30 years ago.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Loose (very loose) translation:
Tros, Tros, tril, The Bauerhat a Phil, The Philchen will not often run, the farmer wants to sell, Tros, Tros, tril.
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C520, C750] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Donofrio, Mrs. Marie
Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Entertainment ; ETHNIC ; Fable ; GAME ; GERMAN ; HORSE ; Play ; RHYME ; SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.520 |
Entertainment: Game
"Pony Boy" game:
Put a small child on lap. Child should be facing you. Bounce shild up and down by bouncing your own knees. Continue the bouncing and sing:
Pony Boy, Pony Boy
Won't you be my Pony Boy?
Marry me; carry me
Right across the lane.
Giddy-up, Giddy-up....
(gradually bounce faster - at height of speed, extend your legs out and let child slide down, saying:)
Whoa! Don't you drop him!
(slide child back up).
Submitter comment:
My sister taught me it. As a nurse in the nursery she used to do it with the children.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C524.360] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 10345 BERKSHIRE
Keyword(s): CHILD ; Entertainment ; GAME ; HORSE ; Pony ; RHYME ; SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.520 |
Entertainment: Games
Chant From Calling In People Who Are Still Hidden in Hide and Seek:
"Come in oh, Come in, oh; If you don't come in, you're it."
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from his friends.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; Pawlik, Jim
Keyword(s): CHANT ; CHILD ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; GAME ; Play ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | -- .C750520 |
Entertainment: Games
Jump Rope Song:
Two, Four, Six, Eight, teacher's got a bellyache.
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from a friend
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Turanski, Bob
Keyword(s): CHILD ; CHILDHOOD ; Entertainment ; GAMES ; Play ; RHYME ; SONG
| Subject headings: | -- .C750560 |
Entertainment: Games
Jump Rope Song:
Two, four, six, eight, time to transubstantiate.
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from neighborhood friends
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out. replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; Turanski, Bob
Keyword(s): CHILD ; CHILDREN ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; GAME ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Entertainment: Games
Jump Rope Song:
Catch me, Catch me, Catch me if you can.
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from the neighborhood kids
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out. Replaced with C750.560
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; Turanski, Bob
Keyword(s): CHILD ; CHILDHOOD ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; Play
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Superstition
Belief:
If a pregnant woman gets frightened and touches some part of her body, her child will be born with a birthmark on the same part of its body. The birthmark will be the same shape as the thing which frightened the mother.
Data entry tech comment:
motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Reference
Original BN [P438] crossed out and replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Brukwinski, Anna
Keyword(s): BABY ; BELIEF ; CHILD ; FRIGHT ; Offspring ; Old Wives Tale ; PREGNANCY ; Scare ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): Reference
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Superstition
Belief:
A pregnant woman should avoid being scared or shocked because this will disfigure or mark the baby.
Examples:
1. During a fire, a terrified pregnant woman grabbed her face with her hands and the baby was born with a red streak on its face.
2. A pregnant woman was scared by a mouse, and her baby was born with a marking on its shoulder similar to a mouse.
Submitter comment:
The informant heard of these two instances while she as a young girl in Poland.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Reference
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 5678 TARNOW ST ; Wojtowicz, Mary
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Biology ; BIRTH ; Birthmark ; CHILD ; FEAR ; FIRE ; Mouse ; Offspring ; Old Wives Tale ; PREGNANCY ; RODENT ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): Reference
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Superstition
Pregnancy Superstition:
If a pregnant woman is frightened her baby will be born marked in some way.
Submitter comment:
This is a superstition common in the Oswald family
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Reference
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; Oswald, Sylvia
Keyword(s): BABY ; BELIEF ; Birthmark ; CHILD ; CURSE ; FEAR ; jinx ; Mark ; Offspring ; PREGNANCY ; Scare ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): Reference
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Superstition: Sports
Winning Streak:
It was believed to be bad luck to wash your athletic socks during a winning streak. If the coach made you wear clean ones, you always wore your dirty ones underneath those so as not to jinx the team.
Data entry tech comment:
motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P500] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; Shaw, Frederick V
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Coach ; FATE ; GAME ; jinx ; LUCK ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION ; Win ; Winning Streak
James Callow Keyword(s): Reference
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
Superstition: Sports
Sports:
Never wash your socks while you are on a winning streak.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Reference
Original BN [P880] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; Dziuba, Doug
Keyword(s): BASEBALL GAME. ; jinx ; LUCK ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION ; Win
James Callow Keyword(s): Reference
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
Superstition
How Many Children?
Thread a needle and hold it at the top, next to your left wrist. If you keep watching for awhile, the needle and thread will move all by itself. If it moves in circles, for example, three times, that means you will have three daughters someday. If it sways back and forth, that means you will have the respective number of sons. If the needle and thread don't move at all, you will be childless.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P542, P860] crossed out. Replaced with current Classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Liskovec, Lucille
Keyword(s): BIRTH ; Childbirth, divination ; CHILDREN ; FUTURE ; GAME ; gender ; NUMBER ; Offspring ; Ordaining ; SUPERSTITION ; TRICK
James Callow Keyword(s): Reference
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Ethnic: German
Superstition:
In German villages it is believed that if a boy has a dog and the dog runs away, then the boy must follow the dog in search of his fortune. If the dog returns without his master, then the boy is dead. If the dog does not return, the boy has found his fortune.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P800] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Zinser, Jerome
Keyword(s): Boy ; DIVINATION ; DOG ; ETHNIC ; FATE ; fortune ; GERMAN ; Ordaining ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |
Superstition: Pregnancy
Cats and Babies:
Many mothers will not leace cats in the same room as an infant. They believe a cat can suck all the aior out of a baby's lungs and kill it.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; Ciciori, Jim
Keyword(s): ASPHYXIATION ; BABY ; CAT ; CHILD ; FEAR ; Feline ; infant ; Newborn ; Suffocate ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |
Superstition
Bad Luck:
If you see a black cat on ground hog's day, destruction is at hand.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD.
Collector's last name may be: Supenski, Suprinski, Serpenski, Surpinski...
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; Peters, Helene
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Black ; CAT ; Destruction ; Groundhog ; OMEN ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |