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THE KOALA

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

THE NATIVE BEAR IS SMALL OF STATURE
AND SPECIALLY ENDOWED BY NATURE
WITH MEANS EXCLUSIVELY EQQUIPPED ( EQUIPPED )
TO LIVE ON LEAVES OF EUCALYPT.
IT'S ( ITS ) VISCERA, THOUGH, DOUBTLESS CLEAN,
MUST NEEDS BE VERY, VERY GREEN.
AND THEREFORE WE REVEAL THIS FACT
(TOLD SOTTO VOCE AND WITH TACT)
IT'S UPHILL WORK TO GET KOALA
STAINS OFF CARPETS IN YOUR PARLOUR.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; HUMOR ; IMPERFECT RHYME ; MONOLOGUE ; PRONUNCIATION ; RHYME: AABB ; SCATOLOGICAL

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.442

Date learned: CA10001968

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KRAKOWIAK (POLISH DANCE)

LIKE THE AMERICAN SQUARE DANCE.

Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; NOT GIVEN ; HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; LETTER ; OHIO ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; AUTOGRAPH BOOK ; GROSSE POINTE ; HARPER WOODS ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; WARREN ; JAPAN ; RUSSIA ; GRAND RAPIDS ; SHIPLE HALL ; GARDEN CITY ; ROYAL OAK ; TOLEDO ; TRENTON ; FARMINGTON ; KALAMAZOO ; CANADA ; ONTARIO ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT ; MAIL ; INDIANA ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; TOLD AT HOME ; FERNDALE ; SOUTHFIELD ; TENNESSEE ; MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL ; HAMTRAMCK ; DEARBORN ; MINNESOTA ; ILLINOIS ; NEW YORK ; FLORIDA ; KOREA ; WISCONSIN ; NEW HAMPSHIRE ; STUDENT UNION ; READING ; AUSTRALIA ; Sylvania ; Sterling Heights ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; OAK PARK ; SOUTHGATE ; STURGEON LAKE ; REDFORD ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA ; ROSEVILLE ; LINCOLN PARK ; TRAVERSE CITY ; HUNTINGTON WOODS ; PONTIAC ; TROY ; PORT CHESTER ; SOUTH AMERICA ; BROOKVILLE ; MONTREAL ; SEOUL ; NORTH OLMSTED ; EASTOWN THEATER ; ERIE ; University of Notre Dame ; FRANKLINVILLE ; TORONTO ; TOLD AT ; TOLD BY ; TOLD IN ; SCRANTON ; MONROE ; GLENVIEW ; MOSCOW ; GULLEY ; FINLAND ; HARBOR BEACH ; HOUGHTON LAKE ; Hudson Lake ; 1962 ; INDIANAPOLIS ; JONESBORO ; KANSASVILLE ; LEXINGTON ; MASSILLON ; MAUCH CHUNK ; MELVINDALE ; MILFORD ; NEW ROCHELLE ; NIAGARA FALLS ; PANAMA CITY ; PATAGONIA ; ARGENTINA ; RESIDENCE HALL ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; TOLD AT HONORS HOUSE ; AMERICAN HISTORY CLASS

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

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WHEN I GOT MARRIED, THE MINISTER HAD ONLY ONE REQUEST.
HE ASKED US TO GET MARRIED BETWEEN HALF PAST AND THE
HOUR. THE REASON HE WANTED THIS WAS BECAUSE HE SAID
THAT IF THE MARRIAGE TOOK PLACE DURING THE FIRST HALF
HOUR, IT WOULD SURELY FAIL, AS THE CLOCK WAS ON THE
WAY DOWN.

James Callow comment: WHERE WAS THIS? DAYTON, OHIO

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Time or day of ceremony

Date learned: 00-00-1943

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AN OLD PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH CUSTOM, CALLED BUNGLING (?)
IS DONE BY TWO PEOPLE BEFORE THEY ARE MARRIED.
THEY MUST SPEND ONE NIGHT TOGETHER, IN THE GIRL'S
HOUSE, IN BED COMPLETELY COVERED BY THE COVERS.
THEY MUST DO THIS BEFORE THEY CAN GET MARRIED, AND
THE GIRL'S PARENTS MUST BE HOME WHEN IT IS DONE.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bundling, bundleing, bunting

Date learned: 00001968 FALL

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STAR BRIGHT, STAR LIGHT,
FIRST STAR I SEE TONIGHT.
I WISH I MAY
I WISH I MIGHT
HAVE THE WISH
I WISH TONIGHT.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

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

Date learned: 00001968 FALL

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THE PLATYPUS

HOW GENTLE IS THE PLATYPUS,
IT NEITHER GROWLS NOR MAKES A FUSS,
BUT LIES IN ITS PRIMEVAL OOZE
AND HOLDS THE MOST PACIFIC VIEWS;
A LOVING CREATURE, LOVED BY ALL,
IT HAS NEVER BEEN KNOWN TO BRAWL;
WHICH MAY, OR MAY NOT, BE THE ROISON
FOR ITS TWO GLANDS OF DEADLY POISON.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.442

Date learned: 00001968 FALL

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THE KANGAROO

THE VERY BEST AUSTRALIAN STEW
ALWAYS INCLUDES A KANGAROO.
SO IF ONE HAPPENS TO BE SHOT,
JUST TRY IT WHEN YOU MAKE A POT.
LEST YOU BECOME A LAUGHING-STOCK IT
MAY BE AS WELL TO SEARCH ITS POCKET
FOR ODDS AND ENDS THAT IT MAY HOLD;-
LIKE LOZENGES (AGAINST A COLD)-
OR RUBBER BANDS OR BITS OF STRING-
OR BOTTLE TOPS OR ANYTHING
THAT FILLED THE WRETCHED CREATURE'S NEEDS
FROM ROLLS OF BRAID TO COLOURED BEADS.
SUCH ADJUNCTS (AS THE GOURMET HAS IT)
POSSESS NO CULINARY ASSET.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.442

Date learned: 00001968 FALL

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THE FAST RUNNER

DURING THE NINETIES, WHEN SHEEP WERE POPULAR IN AUSTRALIA,
THIS STORY DEVELOPED. THE BOSS OF A STATION TOLD A HAND
TO GO ROUND UP SOME OF THE SHEEP. THE BOSS DIDN'T TELL
HIM TO USE A HORSE AND A DOG.
WHEN THE BOSS CAME BACK, HE FOUND THE HAND HEAVING
AND PANTING, BUT THE SHEEP ALL ROUNDED UP, AND A HARE
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MOB. "YES," SAID THE BLOKE, "I
MUSTERED THEM ALL BY MYSELF, DIDN'T NEED NO DOG. AND
IT WASN'T NO TROUBLE AT ALL--NOT WITH THE -UNS; THEY
CAN'T RUN FOR NUTS! BUT THAT LITTLE BROWN BEGGAR IN
THE MIDDLE, I TELL YOU HE COULD RUN."

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

Date learned: DON'T KNOW

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THE DOVES

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW PANE
THE DOVES ARE MATING ONCE AGAIN
THEY BOW, THEY BILL, THEY FLAP, THEY FLUTTER
FROM ROOF TO RAIL, FROM GATE TO GUTTER.
THEY PECK AND PREEN AND SCRATCH AND SCATTER,
MAKING THE MOST INFERNAL CHATTER--
A COURSE OF CONDUCT OPPORTUNE,
NO DOUBT, TO SUCH A MONTH AS JUNE.
AND YET, I MUST CONFESS I FIND
SUCH BEDLAM (TO THE TEMPERATE MIND),
WHEN EMPHASISED WITHOUT ABATEMENT,
MERELY BECOMES AN OVER-STATEMENT.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; ONOMATOPAEIA ; PHONETIC INTENSIVE: FLAP, FLUTTER ; RHYME: AABB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.444

Date learned: CA10001968

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THE MARSUPIAL MOLE

LIKE MILTON, THE MARSUPIAL MOLE
PURSUES HIS OWN UNWORLDLY GOAL.
SIGHTLESS HE SLEEPS WITHIN THE EARTH
REMOVED FROM MADNESS AND FROM MIRTH.
AS DAYS AND NIGHTS AND SEASONS PASS
OVER THE CHANGING DESERT GRASS
HE FLOATS UPON HIS SECRET STREAMS
OF MARVELLOUS MARSUPIAL DREAMS,
AND MIXES WITH CELESTIAL BREEDS
MORE SUITED TO HIS AIMS AND NEEDS--
CONSORTING WITH (UPON THE WHOLE)
A BETTER TYPE OF LADY MOLE.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; RHYME: AABB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.44I

Date learned: CA10001968

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THE ECHIDNA

THE MALE ECHIDNA WITH ITS MATE
SURVIVES THE MOST PRECARIOUS STATE;
HE ROLLS HER, HAIR AND SPINES AND ALL
INTO AN EENZY-WEENZY BALL--
AND BURIES HER; AND IN THIS WAY
PROVIDES AGAINST A RAINY DAY.
BUT, LIKE AS NOT, THIS SAME ECHIDNA
FORGETS JUST IF, OR WHERE, HE'S HID NA.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Keyword(s): HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; PRONUNCIATION ; RHYME: AABB ; SLANG

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.442

Date learned: CA10001968

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BIGGER THAN TEXAS

THE AMERICAN RANCHER ASKED THE AUSTRALIAN RANCHER HOW MANY ACRES
THE PLACE WAS. THE AUSSIE REPLIED, "ACRES BE DAMNED, OUT HERE
WE TALK ABOUT THOUSANDS OF MILES OF COUNTRY!"

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA ; 17 SELBOURNE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale

Date learned: 06-00-1967

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BIGGER THAN TEXAS

THE AMERICAN RANCHER ASKED THE AUSTRALIAN RANCHER HOW MANY ACRES
THE PLACE WAS. THE AUSSIE REPLIED, "ACRES BE DAMNED, OUT HERE
WE TALK ABOUT THOUSANDS OF MILES OF COUNTRY!"

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA ; 17 SELBOURNE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale

Date learned: 06-00-1967

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BIGGER THAN TEXAS

THE AMERICAN RANCHER ASKED THE AUSTRALIAN RANCHER HOW MANY ACRES
THE PLACE WAS. THE AUSSIE REPLIED, "ACRES BE DAMNED, OUT HERE
WE TALK ABOUT THOUSANDS OF MILES OF COUNTRY!"

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA ; 17 SELBOURNE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale

Date learned: 06-00-1967

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THE HOOK

THIS OCCURS ON A DARK AND WINDRY NIGHT. A COUPLE HAD GONE
OUT PARKING NEAR AN INSANE ASYLUM. THEY WERE GETTING
READY TO LEAVE, AND TURNED ON THE RADIO JUST IN TIME TO
HEAR THAT A PERSON HAD ESCAPED FROM THE NEARBY ASYLUM.
HE COULD BE IDENTIFIED BY A HOOK, INSTEAD OF A HAND. THE COUPLE
LEFT AND WHEN THE BOY WENT TO THE OTHER SIDE
OF THE CAR TO OPEN THE DOOR, AND HANGING THERE WAS THE HOOK. THE
COUPLE NEVER PARKED AGAIN.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating Courtship
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails

Date learned: 12-00-1968

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GOOD OLD U. OF DETROIT

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, WHEN A VIRGIN GRADUATES, THE
TOWER CLOCK WILL STOP, AND REMAIN STOPPED FOREVER.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY? ; PESSIMSIM ; SEXISM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Human Being
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 10-00-1967

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ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON, WHEN HE VISITED
AUSTRALIA, WAS SAID TO BE ABLE TO SPIT
FARTHER THAN ANYONE IN THE COUNTRY.

Submitter comment: AN AUSTRALIAN TOLD HIM THIS

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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UNTITLED

GOING TO MICHIGAN STATE, I WAS TOLD THAT IF EVER A VIRGIN GRADUATES
FROM HERE, THE STATUE OF THE MAN WILL DROP THE BALL HE HOLDS.
DO NOT EXPECT IT SOON, IT HAS LASTED A LONG TIME ALREADY.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY ; PESSIMSIM ; SEXISM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 10-00-1965

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"OH, CAPTAIN! OH, CAPTAIN! LET'S MAKE FOR SHORE,
FOR THE WINDS THEY DO RAGE, AND THE WAVES THEY DO ROAR!"
"NAY, NAY," SAID THE CAPTAIN, "THOUGH THE FIERCE WINDS MAY
BLOW,
I WILL STICK TO MY VESSEL, WITH A YO-HEAVE-A YOH.
FAREWELL TO THE MAIDEN, THE GIRL I ADORE,
FAREWELL TO MY FRIENDS, I SHALL SEE THEM NO MORE."
THE CREW SHRIEKED WITH TERROR, THE CAPTAIN HE SWORE:
THEY HAD STRUCK ON A SANDBANK, SO THE MEN WALKED ASHORE.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Keyword(s): ACCIDENTS SHIPS ; METER: ANAPESTIC ; RHYME: MASCULINE, IMPERFECT, AAAA ; SURPRISE ENDING DIALOGUE ; THIRD PERSON NARRATIVE

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

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THE BROLGA

THE BROLGA OR AUSTRALIAN CRANE
HOLDS DANCING ORGIES ON THE PLAIN;
AND STUDENTS OF THE RUSSIAN BALLET
HAVE CREPT IN CROWDS ACROSS THE MALLEE
FAR BEYOND THE DESERT GRASSES
TO WHERE THE BROLGA HOLDS ITS CLASSES;
AND MANY A MOTIF FOR THE LEG
HAS EMANATED FROM AN EGG.
BUT CERTAIN PURISTS DO NOT CARE
FOR SUCH TECHNIQUE AND PRUDES DECLARE
SPECIFIC MOVEMENTS OF THE BROLGA
UNACADEMIC, IF NOT VOLGA.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA ; 17 SELBOURNE

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ASSONANCE ; DANCE ; HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; PRONUNCIATION ; RHYME: AABB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.444

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