Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for C720 returned 217 results.
LIMERICK ON A FAMILY TRIP
THERE ONCE WAS A GIRL NAMED CHER,
WHO WAS ALWAYS BRUSHING HER HAIR.
ONE DAY PEOPLE SAY
HER HAIR BLEW AWAY.
AND NOW POOR CHER'S HEAD IS BARE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A POEM THAT MY SISTER MADE UP WHILE WE WERE PLAYING
A GAME IN THE CAR ON A FAMILY TRIP. THE GAME CONSISTS
OF EVERYBODY MAKING UP A FIVE-LINE POEM WITH A PERSON'S
NAME IN IT. AT THE END THE PERSON WITH THE BEST LIMERICK
GETS A PRIZE OF SOME SORT. USUALLY THE PRIZE TURNED OUT TO
BE A MILKSHAKE AT MCDONALD'S RESTAURANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): IMPROMPTU COMPOSITION OF POETRY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Wit Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
LIMERICK ON A FAMILY TRIP
THERE ONCE WAS A GIRL NAMED JULIE.
HER HAIR WAS TANGLED AND UNRULY.
HER MOM HAD IT SHORN.
HOW JULIE DID MOURN.
FOR THE MICE HAD NO HOME WITHOUT JULIE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A LIMERICK MADE UP IN THE GAME PLAYED ON A
FAMILY TRIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): IMPROMPTU OF POETRY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Wit Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
LIMERICK ON A FAMILY TRIP
THERE ONCE WAS A BOY NAMED BILL
WHO SWALLOWED AN ATOMIC PILL.
HE STARTED TO COUGH.
THE BOMB WENT OFF.
THEY FOUND HIS HEAD IN BRAZIL.
THERE WAS ALSO A GIRL NAMED JANE
WHO ALWAYS HAD A VERY STRANGE PAIN.
SHE TOOK ONE OF BILL'S PILLS
NEVER KNOWING IT KILLS,
AND WAS NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN.
SO DON'T FOOL AROUND WITH A PILL,
UNLESS YOU ARE MENTALLY ILL.
FOR THE PILL THAT YOU TAKE
COULD BE THE MISTAKE
OF ENDING YOUR LIFE WITHOUT WILL.
Submitter comment:
THIS LIMERICK WAS MADE UP IN A GAME PLAYED IN THE CAR ON
A FAMILY TRIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): IMPROMPTU OF POETRY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Wit Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
"MISS LUCY HAD A BABY"
MISS LUCY HAD A BABY, SHE NAMED IT TINY TIM.
SHE PUT IT IN THE BATHTUB TO SEE IF IT COULD SWIM.
IT DRANK UP ALL THE WATER, IT ATE UP ALL THE SOAP.
IT TRIED TO EAT THE BATHTUB, BUT IT WOULDN'T GO DOWN HIS THROAT.
MISS LUCY CALLED THE DOCTOR, MISS LUCY CALLED THE NURSE.
MISS LUCY CALLED THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
IN WALKED THE DOCTOR, IN WALKED THE NURSE,
IN WALKED THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
"MUMPS!" SAID THE DOCTOR. "MEASLES!" SAID THE NURSE.
"NOTHING," SAID THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A CHANT TO WHICH A CLAPPING GAME WAS PLAYED. TWO
PLAYERS WOULD CLAP THEIR OWN HANDS TOGETHER AND THEN SLAP
THE OTHER PLAYER'S OPPOSITE HAND. THIS WAS ALSO SUNG OR
SHOUTED WITHOUT THE CLAPPING MOVEMENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.522 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.523 |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
"MISS LUCY HAD A TUGBOAT"
MISS LUCY HAD A TUGBOAT. THE TUGBOAT HAD A BELL.
MISS LUCY WENT TO HEAVEN. THE TUGBOAT WENT TO--
HELLO OPERATOR, PLEASE GIVE ME NUMBER NINE.
AND IF YOU DISCONNECT ME, I'LL KICK YOU RIGHT BEHIND
THE 'FRIGERATOR, THERE LAY A PIECE OF GLASS.
MISS LUCY FELL UPON IT AND BROKE HER LITTLE
ASK ME NO MORE QUESTIONS, I'LL TELL YOU NO MORE LIES.
MISS LUCY TOLD ME ALL OF THIS THE DAY BEFORE SHE DIED
HER HAIR GREEN, SHE DIED HER HAIR PINK.
SHE DIED HER HAIR PURPLE AND WASHED IT DOWN THE SINK.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A CHANT ALONG THE SAME ORDER AS THE PREVIOUS ONE,
BUT WAS SHOUTED WITHOUT THE CLAPPING GESTURES MORE OFTEN
THAN CHANTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
RAIN RHYME
IT'S RAINING, IT'S POURING,
THE OLD MAN IS SNORING.
BUMPED HIS HEAD
ON THE HEAD OF THE BED
AND COULDN'T GET UP
IN THE MORNING.
Submitter comment:
THIS RHYME WAS SAID WHENEVER THERE WAS A THUNDERSTORM. THE
OLD MAN'S SNORING REFERRED TO THE THUNDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): NAME FOR GOD: OLD MAN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.465 |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
SODA-POP RHYME
COCA-COLA WENT TO TOWN,
PEPSI-COLA SHOT HIM DOWN.
7-UP PICKED HIM UP,
AND DOCTOR PEPPER FIXED HIM UP.
Submitter comment: THIS RHYME USES NAMES OF POPULAR BRANDS OF SODA POP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVERTISING
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Food Drink C855.400 |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
MISS LUCY SONG
MISS LUCY HAD A STEAMBOAT. THE STEAMBOAT HAD A BELL, MISS LUCY
WENT TO HEAVEN AND THE STEAMBOAT WENT TO HELLO OPERATOR PLEASE
GIVE ME NUMBER NINE AND IF YOU DISCONNECT ME I WILL CHOP OFF YOUR
BEHIND THE FRIGERATOR THERE WAS A PIECE OF GLASS MISS LUCY FELL
UPON IT AND SHE BROKE HER LITTLE ASK ME NO MORE QUESTIONS I'LL
TELL YOU NO MORE LIES MISS LUCY AND HER BOYFRIEND ARE KISSING IN
THE D-A-R-K, D-A-R-K, DARK!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse |
"I CAN'T MOVE"
I CAN'T MOVE, CRIED BILLY TO HIS BROTHER,
PERHAPS WE HAD BETTER CALL MOTHER.
SAID WILLY TO BILLY,
YOU'RE REALLY QUITE SILLY,
YOU'VE GOT YOUR SHOELACES TIED TO EACH OTHER.
Submitter comment:
HEARD THIS WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND IT STILL REMAINS
MY FAVORITE LIMERICK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): LIMERICKS
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
ONE BRIGHT DAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,
TWO DEAD BOYS GOT UP TO FIGHT,
DREW THEIR SWORDS AND SHOT EACH OTHER,
DREW THEIR GUNS AND FOUGHT EACH OTHER.
A DEAF POLICEMAN HEARD THE NOISE
AND CAME AND SHOT THE TWO DEAD BOYS.
IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THIS LIE IS TRUE
ASK THE BLIND MAN; HE SAW IT TOO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER HILLS
Keyword(s): CONTRADICTIONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative Prose Narrative |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
MISS SUZY
MISS SUZY HAD A BABY, SHE NAMED HIM TINY TIM.
SHE PUT HIM IN THE BATHTUB TO SEE IF HE COULD SWIM.
HE DRANK UP ALL THE WATER, HE ATE UP ALL THE SOAP.
HE TRIED TO EAT THE BATHTUB
BUT IT WOULDN'T GO DOWN HIS THROAT.
MISS SUZY CALLED THE DOCTOR, THE DOCTOR CALLED THE NURSE,
THE NURSE CALLED THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
IN COMES THE DOCTOR, IN COMES THE NURSE,
IN COMES THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
OUT GOES THE DOCTOR, OUT GOES THE NURSE,
IN STAYS THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
HE DIDN'T LIKE THE DOCTOR, HE HATED THE NURSE,
BUT HE LOVED THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER HILLS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
JOHNNIE OVER THE OCEAN, JOHNNIE OVER THE SEA,
JOHNNIE BROKE A MILK BOTTLE AND BLAMED IT ON ME.
I TOLD MA, MA TOLD PA, JOHNNIE GOT A SPANKING,
HA, HA, HA.
Submitter comment: THIS RHYME WAS REPEATED WITHOUT ANY REASON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER HILLS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1942
THE INKY, DINKY SPIDER CRAWLED UP THE WATER SPOUT (HAND
CRAWLS UP OPPOSITE ARM), DOWN CAME THE RAIN AND WASHED
THE SPIDER OUT (WAVE FINGERS THROUGH THE AIR), UP CAME
THE SUN AND DRIED UP ALL THE RAIN (LIFT UP ARMS), AND
THE INKY, DINKY SPIDER CRAWLED UP THE SPOUT AGAIN (HAND
CRAWLS UP ARM AGAIN).
Submitter comment: THIS RHYME WAS SAID TO HER MANY TIMES BY HER MOTHER.
Where learned: CANADA ; QUEBEC ; MONTREAL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1945
MY GRANDMOTHER LOST HER SHOE IN THE YEAR OF '92.
SHE FOUND IT HANGING ON THE DOOR, IN THE YEAR OF '94.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; BATAVIA
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1910
NOT LAST NIGHT, BUT THE NIGHT BEFORE,
TWENTY-FOUR ROBBERS CAME AT MY DOOR.
I WENT TO THE DOOR TO LET THEM IN,
AND THEY KNOCKED ME DOWN WITH A ROLLING PIN.
I RAN UPSTAIRS TO GET MY GUN, YOU SHOULD
HAVE SEEN THOSE ROBBERS RUN.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; BATAVIA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1910
PEE FOWL STANDING STRADDLE THE SPARROW,
THE SPARROW TRYING TO CROW.
DEAD MAN ROLLED AND CHIPPED HIS TOE,
THE BLIND MAN SALT AND SODA.
A COW MO-DIDDLE JUMPED THE MOON,
SPORTIEST THING YOU EVER SAW
THE DISH RAN AWAY WITH THE SPOON.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TANGLETALK
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS - CHANT
FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS SITTING ON A GATE. (HOLD UP 5 FINGERS)
THE FIRST ONE SAID, "MY IT'S GETTING LATE." (WIGGLE THUMB)
THE SECOND ONE SAID, "THERES WITCHES IN THE AIR." (WIGGLE
POINTER)
THE THIRD ONE SAID, "BUT WE DON'T CARE." (WIGGLE MIDDLE)
THE FOURTH ONE SAID, "LET'S RUN AND RUN AND RUN." (WIGGLE
RING FINGER)
THE FIFTH ONE SAID, "WE'LL HAVE SOME FUN." (WIGGLE PINKY)
THEN WOOO WENT THE WIND. (HAND MOVES IN A CIRCLE)
AND OUT WENT THE LIGHT. (CLAP ON THE WORD OUT)
AND FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS RAN OUT OF SIGHT. (HAND BEHIND BACK)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1970 ; 11-00-1985
3, 6, 9- THE GOOSE DRANK WINE, THE MONKEY
SHOOT TABACC0 ON THE STREET CAR LINE,
THE LINE BROKE, THE MONKEY GOT CHOKED
AND THEY ALL WENT TO HEAVEN IN A LITTLE
ROW BOAT.
Where learned: DETROIT ; RIDING IN A CAR
James Callow Keyword(s): TOBACCO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Entry filtered.
County Jail
I was standing on the corner,
Not doing any harm,
Along came the police man,
And took me by the arm.
He took me to a little box,
And rang a little bell,
Along came the police patrol,
And took me to a cell.
I woke up in the morning,
And looked upon the wall,
The bedbugs and the cockroaches,
Were having a game of ball.
The score was four and twenty,
The bedbugs were ahead,
I got so darned excited,
I fell right out of bed.
I went downstairs for breakfast,
The bread was hard and stale,
The coffee was like tobacco juice,
In the good old county jail.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00001940S