Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BOO-RAY
AT MY PARTY, ALL THE GIRLS WILL WEAR SUITS OF ARMOR.
BOO!
AND THE GUYS WILL HAVE CAN OPENERS.
YAY! {RAY!}
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS COLLECTED AT A FRATERNITY PARTY.
SEE ROGER D. ABRAHMS, THE HOUSE BURNED DOWN AGAIN,
JOURNAL OF AMERICAN FOLKLORE, LXXVI (1963), 337-39, FOR
PARALLELS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
ONCE THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO HAD A HORSE. ONE DAY
HIS HORSE DISAPPEARED, AND HIS FRIENDS ALL CAME
TO CONSOLE HIM FOR HIS LOSS. BUT THE OLD MAN SAID:
"HOW CAN YOU TELL IT WAS NOT A LUCKY OMEN?" AFTER
SEVERAL MONTHS THE LOST HORSE RETURNED, BRINGING WITH
HIM ANOTHER HORSE. THE OLD MAN'S FRIENDS, WHO HEARD
OF HIS HAPPY NEWS, CAME TO OFFER THEIR CONGRATULATIONS
AND THE OLD MAN REMARKED: "HOW CAN YOU TELL THAT IT
WAS NOT A BAD OMEN?"
BY AND BY, HIS SON FORMED THE HABIT OF RIDING ON THE
HORSE AS A HOBBY, AND ONE DAY HE FELL OFF AND BROKE
HIS LEG. THE FRIENDS CALLED AGAIN AND EXPRESSED THEIR
SORROW. THE OLD MAN SAID: "HOW CAN YOU TELL THAT IT
WAS NOT A GOOD OMEN?"
A YEAR LATER AN ORDER WAS GIVEN THAT ALL THE YOUNG MEN
BE MADE TO JOIN THE ARMY AND FIGHT THE TARTERS. THE
CRIPPLED SON, OWING TO HIS LAMENESS, WAS, OF COURSE,
SPARED.
SO THE OLD MAN SAID TO HIS FRIENDS: "HUMAN AFFAIRS
ARE ALWAYS CHANGEABLE. HOW CAN YOU TELL WHETHER
WHAT TODAY IS A MISERY MAY NOT TURN OUT TO BE A
BLESSING TOMORROW?"
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BLACK AND DARK
ONCE THERE WAS A BLACK, DARK FOREST. IN THIS BLACK,
DARK FOREST WAS A BLACK, DARK HOUSE. IN THE
BLACK, DARK HOUSE WAS A BLACK, DARK ROOM. IN THE
BLACK, DARK ROOM WAS A BLACK, DARK TABLE. ON THIS
BLACK, DARK TABLE WAS A BLACK, DARK BOX. IN THIS
BLACK, DARK BOX WAS A BLACK, DARK GHOST!
THE STORY IS TOLD SLOWLY WITH "GHOST" YELLED OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
PROVERB
FOR WANT OF A NAIL THE SHOE WAS LOST; FOR WANT OF A
SHOE THE HORSE WAS LOST; AND FOR WANT OF A HORSE
THE RIDER WAS LOST.
Data entry tech comment: AND FOR WANT OF A RIDER, THE WAR WAS LOST.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 11-21-1968
(CLIMAX OF HORRORS)
THEN THERE WAS THE STORY ABOUT THE SOUTHERNER WHO
FINALLY RETURNED TO HIS PLANTATION AFTER DESERTING
HIS WIFE YEARS AGO. HE RAN INTO HIS HEAD SERVANT,
AN OLD NEGRO, AT THE GATE TO THE HOUSE AND ASKED IF
ANYTHING HAD CHANGED SINCE HE HAD LEFT. "NO SIR,"
THE SERVANT REPLIED, "EVERYTHING JUST ABOUT THE SAME."
"OH, SIR, YOUR DOG DIED FROM EATIN' THE BAD HORSE
MEAT."
MASTER: WHERE DID HE GET THE BAD HORSE MEAT?
SERVANT: IT CAME FROM THE DEAD HORSES IN THE BARN THAT
BURNT.
MASTER: HOW DID THE BARN BURN?
SERVANT: IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE FLAMES FROM THE HOUSE.
MASTER: HOW DID THE HORSE CATCH ON FIRE?
SERVANT: IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE FLAMES FROM THE CANDLES
THAT LIT THE CURTAINS.
MASTER: WHAT WERE THE CANDLES FOR?
SERVANT: THEY WAS FOR YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S FUNERAL.
MASTER: HOW DID MY GRANDMOTHER DIE?
SERVANT: SHE DIED OF A HEART ATTACK WHEN YOUR WIFE
RAN OFF WITH MY SON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
(ADAM AND EVE AND PINCH ME)
ADAM AND EVE AND PINCH-ME-TIGHT, --FIRST PERSON
WENT OVER THE RIVER TO SEE A FIGHT,
ADAM AND EVE CAME BACK BEFORE NIGHT,
NOW WHO WAS LEFT TO SEE THE FIGHT?
PINCH-ME-TIGHT -- SECOND PERSON.
Submitter comment:
WHEN THE SECOND PERSON RESPONDS "PINCH ME TIGHT" THE
FIRST PERSON PINCHES HIM SAYING YOU TOLD ME TO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative Prose Narrative |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Entry filtered.
MIRROR AND THE STEPS
THE LISTENER ANSWERS "JUST LIKE ME" AFTER EACH PHRASE:
I CLIMED UP ONE STEP
I CLIMBED UP ANOTHER STEP
I CLIMBED UP STILL ANOTHER STEP
I WENT IN THE HALL
I LOOKED IN THE MIRROR
AND I SAW A MONKEY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 11-13-1968
PIG FOOD
AFTER EACH PHRASE THE LISTENER RESPONDS, "SO I DID."
I WENT TO THE STORE--
I BOUGHT SOME PIG FOOD--
I TOOK IT HOME--
I GAVE IT TO THE PIG--
THE PIG WOULDN'T EAT IT--
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 11-13-1968
CATCH TALE
TROUBLE AND SHUT UP WERE WALKING ACROSS THE BRIDGE.
TROUBLE FELL IN. WHO WAS LEFT?
SHUT UP.
ALRIGHT, I WON'T TELL YOU ANY MORE JOKES.
Submitter comment: HEARD IN ROYAL OAK {MICHIGAN}.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
JACK RECOVERS
ONE DAY JACK WAS ATTACKED BY A HOARD OF RATS. THE RATS
ATE JACK UP. IT WAS NOT UNTIL AFTER HE HAD BEEN EATEN
THAT AN ANIMAL FRIEND TOLD HIM A TINCTURE OF GIRDIRION
COULD PROTECT HIM FROM THE HORRIBLE RATS. JACK
DETERMINED NEXT TIME TO MAKE USE OF HIS FRIEND'S ADVICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 01-17-1968
(CATCH TALE)
ME: ADAM AND EVE AND PINCHME WENT OUT IN A BOAT, IT
TIPPED OVER AND ADAM AND EVE SWAM ASHORE. WHO DROWNED?
YOU: PINCHME!
ME: OKAY, I'LL PINCH YOU!
Where learned: ONTARIO ; OAKVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
(INCH ME AND PINCH ME)
PINCH ME AND INCH ME WERE IN A BOAT.
INCH ME FELL OUT, SO WHO WAS LEFT?
PINCH ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 03-05-1968
(INCH ME AND PINCH ME)
INCH ME AND PINCH ME WERE WALKING ACROSS A BRIDGE.
INCH ME FELL OFF AND WHO WAS LEFT?
PINCH ME. (THE TELLER WOULD THEN PINCH THE LISTENER).
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 11-18-1968
INCH ME AND PINCH ME
PINCH AND PINCH ME WERE WALKING ACROSS A BRIDGE.
PINCH FELL IN AND WHO WAS LEFT?
(COMPANION) PINCH ME!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 09-20-1968
ONE A SNAKE
ONE A SNAKE, TWO A SNAKE, THREE A SNAKE, FOUR A SNAKE,
FIVE A SNAKE, SIX A SNAKE, SEVEN A SNAKE, EIGHT A SNAKE,
NINE A SNAKE, TEN A SNAKE.
THIS WAS A GAME I PLAYED IN MY CHILDHOOD. IT CONSISTS
OF A PLAY ON THE WORDS THE KEY IS "EIGHT A SNAKE" MEANING
ATE A SNAKE. IT USUALLY WAS JUST A GAME TO MAKE YOU
LAUGH. I DO NOT REMEMBER WHERE I LEARNED IT.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RIDDLE
EATING CARROTS IS GOOD FOR THE EYES.
HOW CAN YOU PROVE IT?
WELL, YOU'VE NEVER SEEN A RABBIT WITH GLASSES HAVE YOU?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 10-17-1968
JUMP STORY
YOU ASSEMBLE A GROUP OF PEOPLE AND TELL THEM THE
FOLLOWING STORY (YOU PICK ONE AS THE BRUNT OF THE
JOKE).
THERE WERE THREE BROTHERS AND ONE OF THEM HAD A GOLDEN
ARM. THE OTHERS WERE VERY JEALOUS OF THIS ARM AND
ALWAYS WANTED TO STEAL IT. FINALLY THE BROTHER
WITH THE GOLDEN {ARM} DIED AND BEFORE HE WAS BURIED
HIS GOLDEN ARM DISAPPEARED. HIS GHOST CAME BACK TO
HAUNT THE OTHER BROTHERS. AT THIS POINT YOU ASK
EACH OF THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU "DID YOU STEAL MY
GOLDEN ARM?" WHEN YOU COME TO THE PERSON WHOM
YOU WISH TO SCARE AND HE ANSWERS "NO" TO YOUR QUESTION
YOU GRAB HIM AND SHOUT "YES YOU DID."
Submitter comment: STORY SHOULD BE TOLD WITH "ATMOSPHERE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WAYNE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
THE GOLDEN ARM
THERE ONCE WAS A WOMAN TRAVELING IN A STAGE COACH.
THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT AND THE STAGECOACH WENT OVER A
CLIFF. THE WOMAN LOST HER ARM, SO SHE HAD A SPECIAL
ARM OF GOLD BUILT FOR HER. THE GOLD GAVE HER BLOOD-
POISONING AND SHE DIED. AFTER SHE HAD BEEN BURIED,
HER SON WENT AND DUG UP THE GRAVE AND STOLE THE GOLDEN
ARM. THAT NIGHT WHEN HE WAS IN BED HE HEARD A VOICE
SAYING, "GIVE ME BACK MY GOLDEN ARM." HE COVERED HIS HEAD
WITH HIS BLANKETS. THE VOICE CAME AGAIN. "I AM AT YOUR
FRONT DOOR. GIVE ME BACK MY GOLDEN ARM. I AM AT THE
FOOT OF YOUR STAIRS. GIVE ME BACK MY GOLDEN ARM. NOW I
AM UP THE STAIRS. NOW I AM AT YOUR DOOR. NOW I AM
AT YOUR BED. GIVE ME BACK MY GOLDEN ARM. I AM TAKING
YOUR FIRST BLANKET OFF. I AM TAKING YOUR SECOND
BLANKET OFF. I AM TAKING YOUR SHEET OFF. GOT YA!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 11-26-1968
VARIATION ON A GOLDEN ARM
I FIRST HEARD THIS WHEN I WAS SEVEN, FROM AN OBSCURE
NEIGHBORHOOD FRIEND: A GIRL HAD HER ARM CUT OFF BY
A WITCH, WHO SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED IT WITH A GOLDEN
ONE. AFTER A WHILE, THE GIRL TOOK SICK AND DIED,
AND WHILE SHE WAS LAID OUT IN THE FUNERAL HOME, HER
SISTER STOLE HER GOLDEN ARM. A FEW NIGHTS AFTER THE
FUNERAL, THE SISTER WAS LYING IN BED, WHEN SHE HEARD
EERIE SINGING: "MARY, I WANT MY GOLDEN ARM!" SHE
LEAPED OUT OF BED AND THE GOLDEN ARM CAME AT HER AND
TWISTED HER HEAD OFF HER NECK. THE NEXT MORNING THE
WITCH CAME AND TOOK MARY'S BODY WITH HER.
Submitter comment:
HORROR STORY, WITCH STORY.
HORROR STORY, WITCH STORY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1957