Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for C500 returned 216 results.
RED LIGHT
THE PLAYER SELECTED TO BE IT STANDS ON A GOAL LINE
MARKED ACROSS ONE END OF THE PLAY AREA. THE OTHER
PLAYERS ARE ON A STARTING LINE AT THE OPPOSITE END.
THE CHILD WHO IS IT CALLS, "GREEN LIGHT!" HE TURNS
HIS BACK TO PLAYERS AND COUNTS ALOUD, "1-2-3----10,
RED LIGHT!" THE PLAYERS START ON THE SIGNAL "GREEN
LIGHT!" AND RUN TOWARD THE GOAL LINE, BUT THEY MUST
STOP ON THE WORDS, "RED LIGHT." ON THIS SIGNAL
IT TURNS TO FACE THE PLAYERS. IF HE SEES A PLAYER
MOVING HIS FEET, HE SENDS HIM BACK TO THE STARTING
LINE. EACH PLAYER TRIES TO BE THE FIRST TO THE GOAL
LINE.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED AS A CHILD IN NEIGHBORHOOD.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 11-01-1967
SPEEDBOAT
I ALWAYS PLAYED THIS WITH ONLY ONE OTHER PERSON.
AFTER RECITING:
SPEEDBOAT, SPEEDBOAT
HOW FAST CAN YOU GO!?
TWO OF US WOULD JOIN HANDS AND GO AROUND AS FAST
AS WE COULD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
RED ROVER
THE PLAYERS GET IN TWO LINES FACING EACH OTHER. THEN
EACH TEAM CHANTS:
"RED ROVER, RED ROVER, LET (NAME) COME OVER."
ALTERNATELY. THE PERSON NAMED HAS TO RUN AND
ATTEMPT TO BREAK THROUGH THE LINE OF LINKED ARMS
IN THE OPPOSITE TEAM. IF THE PLAYER SUCCEEDS, HE
CHOSES A MEMBER OF THE OPPOSING TEAM AND RETURNS
TO HIS OWN SIDE. IF HE FAILS, THEN HE REMAINS ON THE
OPPOSING SIDE. THEN IT'S THE OTHER SIDE'S TURN AND
THE GAME CONTINUES UNTIL THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON
LEFT ON ONE SIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
HOP SCOTCH
DIAGRAM OF HOP SCOTCH GAME LAYOUT ON 5 X 8 CARD.
Where learned: DETROIT ; KEATING SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
HOP SCOTCH.
DIAGRAM OF HOP SCOTCH GAME LAYOUT ON 5 X 8 CARD.
Where learned: DETROIT ; KEATING SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
HOP SCOTCH
DIAGRAM OF HOP SCOTCH GAME LAYOUT ON 5 X 8 CARD.
Where learned: DETROIT ; KEATING SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
Entry filtered.
FLASHLIGHT GAME
ANY NUMBER OF KIDS, USUALLY THREE OR MORE, CAN
PLAY THIS GAME. EVERYONE HIDES AND THE PERSON
WITH THE FLASHLIGHT TRIES TO PUT THE LIGHT ON
THE HIDERS. IF HE SHINES THE LIGHT ON YOU, YOU
ARE IT, BUT IF YOU GET TO THE GOAL, YOU ARE SAFE.
Submitter comment:
SHE USED TO PLAY THIS GAME IN DETROIT, WHEN SHE
WAS SMALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 10-24-1967
SARDINES
ONE OR TWO PEOPLE HIDE. THE REST OF THE GROUP TRIES
TO FIND THESE TWO. AFTER THEY FIND THE ONE'S
THAT ARE HIDING, THE ENTIRE GROUP TRIES TO GET INTO
THIS PLACE, THUS THEY ARE PACKED LIKE SARDINES.
Submitter comment: SHE PLAYED THIS IN DETROIT WHEN SHE WAS SMALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 10-24-1967
THE MATCH GAME
ANY NUMBER OF PEOPLE MAY PLAY THIS GAME, ALTHOUGH IT
IS PREFERABLE THAT NO MORE THAN FIVE OR SIX PLAY.
THE PLAYERS FORM A CIRCLE AND LIGHT A MATCH. THE
MATCH IS THEN PASSED AROUND THE CIRCLE (IN EITHER
DIRECTION) AND WHEN THE MATCH GOES OUT, THE PERSON
HOLDING THE MATCH MUST ANSWER A QUESTION FROM ONE
OF THE OTHER PLAYERS. PERSONAL QUESTIONS ARE
IN PARTICULAR INVITED.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT, LEARNED THIS GAME FROM A FELLOW
EMPLOYEE AT ALLIS-CHALMERS CORP, IN MILWAUKEE, WISC.
A FREDERICK RODRIGUEZ, OF CARACAS, VENEZUELA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
KING OF THE CASTLE
ANY NUMBER OF CHILDREN BEYOND TWO CAN PLAY THIS GAME.
YOU MUST HAVE A MOUND OF DIRT OR SNOW, AND SOMEONE
WHO WILL START THE GAME BY STANDING ON TOP OF THE
MOUND. HE YELLS OUT A CHALLENGE: "I'M THE KING OF
THE CASTLE AND YOU'RE THE DIRTY RASCALS." EVERYBODY
CHARGES UP THE MOUND AND TRIES TO THROW THE KING OFF
THEN THERE IS A NEW KING AND HE ISSUES THE SAME
CHALLENGE.
Submitter comment:
WE USED TO PLAY IT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, ESPECIALLY
IN THE WINTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RED ROVER
THIS GAME IS PLAYED WITH TWO TEAMS MADE UP OF THREE
PEOPLE OR MORE. THE TEAMS STAND OPPOSITE EACH OTHER
AND ABOUT 100 FEET APART. ONE TEAM BEGINS BY SAYING:
RED ROVER, RED ROVER, LET (NAME) COME OVER.
THEN THIS TEAM JOIN HANDS AND STAND APART. THE OBJECT
OF THE GAME IS FOR THE CHOSEN PERSON TO RUN OVER AND
BREAK THROUGH THE WEAKEST LINK IN THE CHAIN. IF HE
SUCCEEDS IN BREAKING THROUGH, ONE OF THE CHILDREN
ON THAT TEAM GOES OVER TO THE OTHER TEAM. IF THE
CHOSEN PERSON DOES NOT BREAK THROUGH, THEN HE MUST
JOIN THAT TEAM. THE GAME THEN PROCEEDS WITH THE
OPPOSITE TEAM DOING THE SAME THING, AND EACH TEAM
ALTERNATES AT TAKING THEIR TURNS. THE GAME ENDS
WHEN THERE IS ONLY ONE TEAM (MEMBER LEFT?)
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS FROM THE OLDER CHLDREN IN MY
NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN I WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CALL IN PEOPLE
TO CALL IN PEOPLE FROM A GAME OF HIDE AND SEEK, THIS
WAS SAID: "HONKO, HONKO, EVERYBODY'S FREE."
Submitter comment: SHE REMEMBERS IT FROM HER CHILDHOOD DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
DUCK ON THE ROCK
YOU PLACE A CAN ON A BRICK. EACH PERSON HAS A CAN,
AND TAKE A TURN THROWING THEIR CAN AT THE CAN
ON THE BRICK.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER PLAYED THIS GAME DURING THE DEPRESSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport |
Date learned: 10-30-1967
HOW MANY MILES TO BETHLEHAM
HOW MANY MILES TO BETHLEHAM?
TWO, FOUR, SIX, EIGHT, TEN.
CAN I GET THERE BY CANDLELIGHT?
YES, COME BACK AGAIN.
THEN OPEN THE GATES AND LET ME THROUGH.
NOW WITHOUT YOUR BAGS AND BOOTS.
HERE ARE MY BAGS, HERE ARE MY BOOTS,
NOW OPEN THE GATES AND LET ME THROUGH.
AT THIS POINT THE PERSON MUST HOP THROUGH AN OPENING
AND GET BY ANOTHER PLAYER WHO IS HOPPING AT THE
SAME TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport |
Date learned: 11-22-1967
WHEN I WAS A YOUNGSTER, WE USED TO PLAY A SIMPLE GAME.
IT CONSISTED OF WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK TRYING TO
AVOID THE NATURAL DIVISIONS OR THE CRACKS IN THE
SIDEWALKS, REPEATING ALL THE TIME, "IF YOU STEP ON A
CRACK, YOU BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK, / IF YOU STEP
ON A LINE, YOU BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S SPINE."
Submitter comment: DATE OR INFORMANT NOT KNOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
RED ROVER
THE GAME STARTS OUT BY THE PICKING OF TEAMS. EACH
TEAM LINES UP FACING EACH OTHER AND HOLDS HANDS.
ONE TEAM CALLS "RED ROVER, RED ROVER, LET (SOMEBODY'S
NAME) COME OVER." THAT PERSON RUNS AND TRIES TO BREAK
THROUGH A PAIR OF INTERLOCKING HANDS. IF HE BREAKS
THROUGH, THEN HE CAN TAKE A MAN BACK TO HIS TEAM. IF
HE DOESN'T BREAK THROUGH, HE REMAINS ON THE OTHER
TEAM. THE GAME ENDS WHEN ONE TEAM LOSES ALL OF THEIR
PLAYERS.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; GLENVIEW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 11-29-1970
CARIBOU ESKIMO
DURING THE FISHING SEASON, THEY CAN'T SPILL WATER
ON THE FLOOR; OTHERWISE IT WILL BRING THEM BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARQUETTE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Foundation Floor BELIEF -- Still water Man made container. BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
DON'T SPIT OVERBOARD, BECAUSE IT'S BAD LUCK. REAL
REASON, IS THAT IT BLOWS BACK IN YOUR FACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME
Date learned: 00-00-1968
OYSTER FISHERMEN SAY IT IS BAD LUCK, A SIGN OF
DEATH, TO SWALLOW OYSTERS WHOLE.
Submitter comment:
SOME OF THE MEN OF HIS FISHING CREW BELIEVED THIS
VERY STAUNCHLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; YPSILANTI
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 03-01-1968