Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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HAND-CLAPPING RHYME
THE RHYME IS AS FOLLOWS:
A SAILOR WENT TO SEA, SEA, SEA
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE, SEE, SEE
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD SEE, SEE, SEE
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA, SEA, SEA
A SAILOR WENT TO CHOP, CHOP, CHOP
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD CHOP, CHOP, CHOP
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD CHOP, CHOP, CHOP
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE CHOP, CHOP, CHOP
A SAILOR WENT TO KNEE, KNEE, KNEE
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD KNEE, KNEE, KNEE
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD KNEE, KNEE, KNEE
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE KNEE, KNEE, KNEE
A SAILOR WENT TO TOE, TOE, TOE
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD TOE, TOE, TOE
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD TOE, TOE, TOE
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE TOE, TOE, TOE
A SAILOR WENT TO SEE, CHOP, KNEE, TOE
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE, CHOP, KNEE, TOE
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD SEE, CHOP, KNEE, TOE
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE SEE, CHOP, KNEE, TOE MM
TWO PEOPLE STAND OR SIT FACING EACH OTHER. FIRST EACH WOULD SLAP
THEIR HANDS ON THEIR KNEES PALMS DOWNWARD, THEN CLAP THEIR HANDS.
THEIR RIGHT HANDS WOULD MEET DIAGONALLY WITH PALMS TOGETHER. EACH
WOULD CLAP THEIR OWN HANDS THEN THEIR LEFT HANDS WOULD MEET. THIS
WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY A GESTURE APPROPRIATE TO THE LINE OF THE VERSE.
THIS SEQUENCE OF ACTIONS IS REPEATED FOR EACH LINE OF THE RHYME. THE
GESTURE FOR THE FIRST VERSE IS TO SHADE THE EYES WITH ONE HAND THREE
TIMES IN A ROW, FOR THE SECOND VERSE ONE HAND MAKES A CHOPPING MOTION
THREE TIMES ON THE BENT ELBOW OF THE OTHER ARM, FOR THE THIRD VERSE
YOU TAP YOUR KNEE THREE TIMES, FOR THE FOURTH YOU TOUCH YOUR TOE
THREE TIMES AND FOR THE FIFTH YOU DO EACH OF THE FOUR ACTIONS ONCE
IN A ROW.
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD AND USED IT TO PASS TIME. ONE VARIANT WAS
TO SPEED UP THE VERSES AND THE GESTURES WITH EACH VERSE. IF THERE
WERE MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE, YOU COULD ALL STAND OR SIT IN A CIRCLE.
INSTEAD OF CLAPPING RIGHT HANDS OR LEFT HANDS, YOU WOULD CLAP YOUR
RIGHT HAND WITH THE PERSON ON YOUR RIGHT AND AT THE SAME TIME CLAP
YOUR LEFT HAND WITH THE PERSON ON YOUR LEFT. MY SISTER'S ROOMMATE,
SUSIE HAKIM OF SOUTHFIELD INTRODUCED ME TO ANOTHER VERSE WHICH SHE
RECITED BETWEEN THE SECOND AND THIRD VERSES OF MY VERSION. IT WAS
ACCOMPANIED BY HOLDING YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HIPS AND MOVING YOUR HIPS
FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE WORDS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
A SAILOR WENT TO SHE-BOP, SHE-BOP
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SHE-BOP, SHE-BOP
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD SHE-BOP, SHE-BOP
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE SHE-BOP, SHE-BOP
SUSIE OMITTED THE FINAL VERSE.
FINAL ITERATION
THREEFOLD REPETITION
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001968
JUMP-ROPE RHYME
SALUTE TO THE CAPTAIN
CURTSEY TO THE QUEEN
TURN MY BACK ON THE MEAN OLD KING
Submitter comment:
WHILE JUMPING ROPE YOU FOLLOW THE ACTIONS DESCRIBED IN THE RHYME,
FIRST SALUTING, THEN CURTSEYING, THEN TURNING AROUND. BEEJ PROBABLY
LEARNED THIS RHYME IN THE FIFTH GRADE IN GREENVILLE, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
RELIGIOUS BELIEF
WHENEVER I PASS IN FRONT OF AN ALTER, AS IN CHURCH I GENUFLECT
AS A SIGN OF RESPECT. I LEARNED THIS SOME TIME IN GRADE
SCHOOL, I BELIEVE THE SECOND GRADE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
NEW YEAR GOOD LUCK TRADITION
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE THE EXCHANGEMENT OF SILVER COINS (USUALLY A SILVER
DOLLAR) IS A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK. WHEN SOMEONE SHAKES YOUR HAND
THEY HAVE THE COIN IN THEIR HAND AND THEY SLIP IT IN YOURS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1 BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
THE HEARTS GO THUMP, THUMP TOGETHER, TRUE LOVE FOREVER,
BRING BACK MY LOVE TO ME.
WHAT IS THE ME ME MEANING, OF ALL THIS HE HE HEART ACHE,
THEY TELL MY ST STORY, MY STORY OF LOVE FROM ME TO YOU.
THE SPADES GO SMACK, SMACK TOGETHER, TWILIGHT FOREVER,
BRING BACK MY LOVE TO ME.
WHAT IS THE ME ME MEANING, OF ALL THESE GR GR GRAVEYARDS,
THEY TELL MY ST STORY, MY STORY OF LOVE FROM ME TO YOU.
THE GUNS GO BANG, BANG TOGETHER, SPARKS FLY FOREVER,
BRING BACK YOUR LOVE TO ME.
WHAT IS THE ME ME MEANING, OF ALL THIS BL BL BLOODSHED,
IT TELLS MY ST STORY, MY STORY OF LOVE FROM ME TO YOU.
THIS SONG ALSO HAS GESTURES THAT GO ALONG WITH EACH VERSE.
THE FIRST VERSE IS ABOUT HEARTS, SO AS IT IS SUNG, YOU MAKE FISTS
WITH YOUR HANDS AND CLAP THEM TOGETHER.
AS THE SECOND VERSE IS SUNG YOU CLAP YOUR HAND FOR THE SPADES.
IN THE LAST VERSE, TO IMITATE THE GUNS, YOU PUT YOUR
FIRST TWO FINGERS TOGETHER ON EACH HAND AND CLAP.
Submitter comment: I SUPPOSE THIS COULD BE CALLED A STUTTERING SONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001967
CHILDREN'S CLAPPING SONG
SEE, SEE PLAYMATE, COME OUT AND PLAY WITH ME
AND BRING YOUR DOLLIES THREE,
CLIMB UP MY APPLE TREE,
SLIDE DOWN MY RAIN BARREL,
OPEN UP MY CELLAR DOOR
AND WE'LL BE MERRY FRIENDS FOREVER MORE.
SEE, SEE PLAYMATE, I CANNOT PLAY WITH YOU,
MY DOLLIES HAVE THE FLU,
BOO HOO HOO HOO,
CAN'T SLIDE DOWN MY RAIN BARREL
OR OPEN UP MY CELLAR DOOR,
BUT WE'LL BE JOLLY FRIENDS FOREVER MORE.
AS THIS IS SUNG, CHILDREN CLAP THEIR HANDS TO THE RHYTHM OF IT.
Submitter comment: THIS DEFINITELY HAS A TUNE TO IT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001967
TO DREAM THAT YOU SHAKE A DEAD PERSON'S HAND, DENOTES THAT YOU WILL
SOON JOIN THAT PERSON IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
Submitter comment:
THIS OLD PREDICTION WAS HANDED DOWN FROM MY LATE GRANDMOTHER'S
FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination 841 Dreams about the dead and sick BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about the dead and sick SPEECH -- Gesture |
CUSTOM
AT A POLISH WEDDING, THE GUESTS TAP FORKS, KNIVES, OR SPOONS
AGAINST CHINA OR GLASS, TELLING THE BRIDAL COUPLE TO KISS.
Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM IS STILL IN PRACTICE AT THIS TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Glassware tapping SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-20-1977
BELIEF
WHEN PRAYING, YOU MUST KEEP YOUR FINGERTIPS UPWARD, OR THE
PRAYERS WILL NOT REACH HEAVEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS COLLECTED WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL. IN THE
FIRST GRADE, SISTER LORENZO TOLD OUR CLASS THIS BELIEF.
THIS WAS AT ST. AUGUSTINE GRADE SCHOOL IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001964
POLISH PALM SUNDAY CUSTOM
PALMA BIJE,
NIE JA BIJE,
A WIELKANOC ZA TIGIEN,
MEANING,
THE PALM IS BEATING,
I AM NOT BEATING,
EASTER IS IN A WEEK.
Submitter comment:
STELLA KRZYZANOWSKI LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER JULIA
WASIELEWSKI, THIS IS A SAYING ASSOCIATED WITH PALM SUNDAY,
WHEN YOU COME FROM CHURCH WITH YOUR PALM AND TAP EVERYONE IN
THE HOUSE WITH THE PALM, SAYING THE WORDS LISTED. IT IS
PROBABLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE FACT THAT PALM SUNDAY LEAVES
ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT TO LENT. THIS IS THE LAST CHANCE TO DO PENANCE.
IT IS THE PALM (WHICH WAS USED TO SHOW HONOR TOWARD CHRIST)
WHICH INFLICTS THE PAIN (SUPPOSEDLY), NOT THE LOWLY SINNER HOLDING
THE PALM.
THIS IS A KIND OF RITUAL BEATING OR RITUAL WHIPPING, A SYMBOLIC
GESTURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 663 Palm Sunday Favorites SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-07-1977
POLISH SUPERSTITION
WHEN YOU GO TO A WAKE, YOU SHOULD TOUCH THE HAND OF THE
DECEASED TO PREVENT HIM FROM HAUNTING YOU IN YOUR DREAMS.
Submitter comment:
TOUCHING SOMEONE MAY ALSO BE A WAY OF BIDDING FAREWELL.
THUS, IF YOU BID THE DECEASED FAREWELL, HE WILL KNOW HE IS
NOT TO SEE YOU AGAIN. THE INFORMANT BELIEVES AND
PRACTICES THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 841 Dreams about the dead and sick BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about the dead and sick SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-10-1977
SUPERSTITION
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES YOU WILL KISS A FOOL.
Submitter comment:
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES YOU WILL PROBABLY SCRATCH IT AND LOOK A
LITTLE SILLY. THEREFORE, SINCE YOU LOOK FOOLISH, YOU WILL
PROBABLY HAVE SOME CONTACT WITH A FOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body Observation BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-10-1977
SUPERSTITION
IF YOUR RIGHT HAND IS ITCHING: YOU'LL SHAKE HANDS; IF YOUR LEFT
HAND IS ITCHING, YOU'LL GET MONEY.
Submitter comment:
THE RIGHT HAND IS USUALLY THE ONE USED FOR SHAKING. WHY THE
LEFT HAND SHOULD RECEIVE MONEY IS NOT KNOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-10-1977
POLISH PROVERB
STAROSC NIE RADOSC,
MEANING,
OLD AGE IS NOT JOYFUL.
Submitter comment:
STELLA KRZYZANOWSKI LEARNED THIS PROVERB FROM HER MOTHER, JULIA
WASIELEWSKI. THIS PROVERB IS USUALLY SAID IN AN OFF HAND WAY.
WHEN THE PERSON MAKES A GOOF THAT MAY RELATE TO SOMETHING AN
OLD PERSON MIGHT DO. (EXAMPLE, IF SOMEONE TRIES TO GET UP FROM
A CHAIR, BUT FALLS BACK, HE WOULD THEN SAY THIS PROVERB. IT IS
USUALLY MEANT TO EXPRESS A WAY OF LAUGHING AT YOURSELF. THE
GESTURE WHICH ACCOMPANIES THIS PROVERB IS A PALM WAVED
DOWNWARD GESTURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-02-1977
CAMPSONG SLAP BANG
SLAP BANG, HERE WE GO AGAIN, HERE WE GO AGAIN, HERE WE GO AGAIN,
SLAP BANG, HERE WE GO AGAIN, JOLLY CAMPFIRE GIRLS, WE LAUGH, WE SING,
WE LAUGH HA HA WE SING TRA LA, SLAP BAMG, HERE WE GO AGAIN,
JOLLY CAMPFIRE GIRLS.
Submitter comment:
SING TWO MORE TIMES, ONCE SLOW AND ONCE REAL FAST.
SONG IS SUNG WHILE STANDING.
THERE IS BOTH CLAPPING AND SLAPPING OF THE THIGHS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Joy Happiness Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Daily Life Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
CUSTOM
MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS WITH A KNIFE, OVER FOOD
ABOUT TO BE CUT, SIGNIFIES A BLESSING OF THE FOOD
BEFORE IT IS EATEN.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001960S
PRODUCT OR ACTIVITY OF MAN
AT A GREEK MEAL IT IS AN INSULT IF YOU TURN YOUR GLASS UPSIDEDOWN,
THIS MEANS THAT YOU DO NOT LIKE THE MEAL.
Submitter comment:
I FIND THIS VERY STRANGE, BUT I BELIEVE THAT IT IS TRUE. WHY WOULD
ANYONE WANT TO TURN THEIR GLASS UPSIDEDOWN ANYWAY ?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHGATE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION, DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
GESTURE
IF YOU WANT TO GIVE SOMEONE AN APPROXIMATE IDEA OF WHERE A CITY, TOWN
OR OTHER PLACE IN THE LOWER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN IS LOCATED, YOU CAN
USE YOUR HAND AS A MAP, BECAUSE THE SHAPE OF THE LOWER PENINSULA IS
VAGUELY LIKE THAT OF A HAND, COMPLETE WITH THUMB. TO DO THIS YOU
HOLD OUT YOUR RIGHT HAND WITH THE PALM FACING THE OTHER PERSON, AND
POINT TO THE APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF THE PLACE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A VERY HANDY GESTURE. ALL MY FRIENDS AND I USE IT, BUT WE'VE
BEEN DOING IT FOR SO LONG THAT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE IT CAME FROM.
Where learned: UNKNOWN
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001968
SUPERSTITION
CROSSED FINGERS ON EACH HAND RESULTS IN BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT REASONS THAT SINCE CROSSING TWO FINGERS ON ONE
HAND RESULTS IN GOOD LUCK, DOING THIS WITH ANOTHER HAND MUST
RESULT IN BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CLASSROOM
James Callow Keyword(s): OPPOSITES CONTRAIETY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Bad luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-12-1979
COLLEGE
THE BOYS WOULD LINE UP AGAINST THE WALL AND THE GIRLS WOULD LINE UP
IN SINGLE FILE AND STARTING WITH THE FIRST BOY WOULD BEGIN
TO KISS EACH BOY. THE BOY COULD EITHER PASS OR FAIL THE GIRL
ACCORDING TO HOW HE THOUGHT SHE KISSED.
IF YOU FAILED YOU HAD TO KISS THE PERSON
AGAIN UNTIL HE PASSED YOU.
AFTER EACH BOY WAS KISSED AT LEAST ONCE THE ROLES WERE SWITCHED.
THE GIRLS THEN LINE UP AND WERE KISSED BY THE BOY.
Submitter comment:
THE OBJECT OF THIS GAME WAS TO FAIL THE BOY OR GIRL THAT YOU
LIKED, THEREFORE LETTING HIM OR HER KNOW YOU LIKED THEM
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1973