Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for C370 returned 70 results.
SOMETIMES I THINK MY WOMAN,
SHE TOO SWEET TO DIE;
DEN SOMETIMES I THINK SHE
OUGHT TO BE BURIED ALIVE.
Submitter comment:
SHE USED TO HEAR HER HUSBAND SING THIS
WHEN HE SEEMED TO BE UPSET.
GOTTEN FROM MY GRANDMOTHER WHILE
SHE VISTED
Data entry tech comment:
( COLLECTOR THINKS THIS
DEFINITELY HAS RELIGIOUS
OVERTONES)
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
"CERTAINLY LORD"
HAVE YOU GOT GOOD RELIGION ?
CERTAINLY LORD
HAVE YOU GOT GOOD RELIGION ?
CERTAINLY LORD
HAVE YOU GOT GOOD RELIGION ?
CERTAINLY LORD, CERTAINLY LORD
CERTAINLY, CERTAINLY, LORD
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SUNG IN INSPIRATION BACK AND FORTH
FROM ONE MEMBER TO THE OTHER. USUALLY
ONE PERSON STARTS OFF ASKING THE QUESTION
PART OF THE SONG AND CAN ASK ANY
OTHER QUESTION IN SONG AND THE
MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH RESPOND WITH
"CERTAINLY LORD". IT CAN BE SUNG FAST OR
SLOW, WITH OUT MUSIC OR WITH IT.
HOWEVER, HAND CLAPPING AND FOOT
TAPPING IS ALWAYS ACCEPTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): QUESTION AND ANSWER STRUCTURE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 02-13-1971
HAVE YOU TRIED MY JESUS?
HAVE YOU TRIED MY JESUS ?
HE'S ALRIGHT
HAVE YOU TRIED MY JESUS ?
HE'S ALRIGHT
HAVE YOU TRIED MY JESUS ?
HE'S ALRIGHT
HAVE YOU TRIED MY JESUS ?
HE'S ALRIGHT
REPEAT THIS AGAIN THEN SING
HE'S ALRIGHT
HE'S ALRIGHT
HE'S ALRIGHT
HE'S ALRIGHT
ALRIGHT
HE'S ALRIGHT.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SUNG OVER AND OVER MANY TIMES.
CAN BE SUNG VERY SLOW ALL THE WAY THROUGH
OR SLOW AT FIRST THEN SUNG FAST OR FAST
ALL THE WAY THROUGH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 01-23-1971
JESUS MET THE WOMAN
JESUS MET THE WOMAN AT THE WELL (3 TIMES)
AND HE TOLD HER EVERYTHING SHE'D EVER DONE.
HE SAID, "WOMAN, WOMAN, WHERE IS YOUR HUSBAND? (3 TIMES)
I KNOW EVERYTHING YOU'VE EVER DONE."
AND SHE SAID, "JESUS, JESUS, I AIN'T GOT NO HUSBAND. (3 TIMES)
AND YOU DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING I'VE EVER DONE."
HE SAID, "WOMAN, WOMAN, YOU'VE GOT FIVE HUSBANDS. (3 TIMES)
AND THE ONE YOU'VE GOT NOW HE AIN'T YOUR OWN."
SHE SAID, "THIS MAN, THIS MAN, MUST BE A PROPHET. (3 TIMES)
HE DONE TOLD ME EVERYTHING I'VE EVER DONE."
JESUS MET THE WOMAN AT THE WELL (3 TIMES)
AND HE TOLD HER EVERYTHING SHE'D EVER DONE.
Data entry tech comment:
(LIKE THE MAID + THE PALMER" -
CHILD 21)
CHILD BALLAD 21)
Where learned: BIRMINGHAM ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN
GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN,
OVER THE HILLS AND EVERYWHERE.
GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN,
THAT JESUS CHRIST WAS BORN.
T'WAS IN A LOWLY MANGER,
THAT JESUS CHRIST WAS BORN;
THE LORD SENT DOWN AN ANGEL,
THAT BRIGHT AND GLORIOUS MORN.
WHEN I WAS A SINNER,
I PRAYED BOTH NIGHT AND DAY;
I ASKED THE LORD TO HELP ME,
AND HE SHOWED ME THE WAY.
WHEN I WAS A SEEKER,
I SOUGHT BOTH NIGHT AND DAY;
I ASKED THE LORD TO HELP ME,
AND HE TAUGHT ME HOW TO PRAY.
HE MADE ME A WATCHMAN,
UPON THE CITY WALL;
AND IF I AM A CHRISTIAN
I AM THE LEAST OF ALL.
Submitter comment:
NEGRO SPIRITUAL SHE
LEARNED AT CHURCH WHEN
SHE WAS ABOUT 5 YRS. OLD.
Where learned: DETROIT ; HAMPTON PLAYGROUND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 07-22-1964
ADAM SONG
CHORUS
THE S STANDS FOR SIGMA, THE P FOR P-I, PI.
THE S STANDS FOR SIGMA, THE P FOR P-I, PI.
AND IF YOU LOOK AROUND YOU, OR GAZE INTO THE SKY.
YOU WILL SEE THAT NAUGHT IS WRITTEN, BUT THE NAME OF SIGMA PI.
ADAM WAS THE FIRST MAN TO WEAR A SIG PI PIN,
NOAH WAS THE SECOND, THEY HAD TO LET HIM IN,
MOSES WAS THE THIRD ONE, WE HAD A LOT OF FUN,
WHEN JULIUS CAESAR CAME ALONG, THEY PLEDGED THE SON OF A GUN.
CHORUS
HE RAMBLED DOWN TO U. OF D., HE THOUGHT HE'D JOIN A FRAT,
HE THOUGHT HE'D TAKE A LOOK AROUND TO SEE WHERE HE WAS AT.
BECAUSE HE WAS A FELLOW WE KNEW HE'D BE ALL RIGHT,
THE COLORS THAT HE WORE NEXT DAY WERE LAVENDER AND WHITE.
CHORUS
HE RAMBLED DOWN TO U OF D., HE THOUGHT HE'D JOIN A FRAT,
HE THOUGHT HE'D TAKE A LOOK AROUND TO SEE WHERE HE WAS AT.
BECAUSE HE WAS A FELLOW WE KNEW HE': BE ALL RIGHT,
THE COLORS THAT HE WORE NEXT DAY WERE LAVENDER AND WHITE.
CHORUS
HE RAMBLED UP TO HEAVEN TO SEE WHO ALL WAS THERE,
HE FOUND A BUNCH A-HANGING AROUND THE FOOT OF THE GOLDEN STAIRS,
SOME WERE SMOKING CIGARETTES, THEY ALL WERE FEELING HIGH,
THEY ALL WERE DAMN GOOD FRIENDS OF HIS, THEY ALL WERE SIGMA PI'S.
CHORUS
HE RAMBLED DOWN TO HADES TO SEE THE POOR LOST SOULS,
HE FOUND A BUNCH OF THETA XI'S A-ROASTING ON THE COALS,
FOR THE TEKES AMD THEATA TAUS THE SIZZLE HAD BEGUN,
WHILE SIGMA PI'S IN VELVET CHAIRS WERE WATCHING ALL THE FUN.
CHORUS
THEN IN CAME OLD BEELZEBUB, OF HELL HE WAS THE KING;
AND ALL THE LITTLE IMPS CAME IN AND THEY BEGAN TO SING.
THEY SAW THE GANG GIVE HIM A GRIP, AND THEN THEY HEARD THE CRY.
THAT HE'S A CHARTER MENBER AND A DAMN GOOD SIGMA PI.
CHORUS
NOW DON'T BE DISCONCERTED IF YOU MISS THE NARROW PATH.
OR IF YOU FLUNK YOUR MORALS LIKE YOU USED TO FLUNK YOUR MATH,
AND DON'T BE DISCONCERTED WHEN YOU HEAR THE FUNERAL KNELL,
FOR WE HAVE A STRONG ALUMNI IN THE VERY DEPTHS OF HELL.
CHORUS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DORM ROOM
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL FIGURES ; FRATERNITY SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
BACK OF THE BREAD
BACK OF THE BREAD IS THE FLOWER AND
BACK OF THE FLOWER IS THE MILL AND BACK
OF THE MILL IS THE WIND AND THE RAIN AND
THE FATHER'S WILL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
IN QUEBEC, CANADA, IT IS BELIEVED THAT WHEN YOU APPROACH THE GREAT
CHURCH OF ST. ANNE DE BAEAUPRE, YOU SHOULD SING, " HELLO STE. ANNE,
HELLO, STE. ANNE, WE ARE COMING TO SEE YOU AGAIN". THIS WOULD GIVE
STE. ANNE TIME TO GET HER GRACES
READY WHICH SHE WAS TO DISPENSE UPON US.M
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
OH YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN
OH YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN,
IN A ROCKIN' CHAIR.
'CAUSE THE LORD DON'T ALLOW,
NO LAZY FOLK THERE.
AIN'T GONNA GREET MY LORD NO MORE.
OH YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN,
IN A VOLKSWAGEN BUS.
' CAUSE THE LORD GONNA SAY,
THERE TOO MANY OF US}
AIN'T GONNA GREET MY LORD NO MORE.
Submitter comment:
THIS SONG IS MEANT TO BE SUNG WITH A LARGE GROUP
THAT ELECTS A LEADER TO SING THE VERSE AND THEN THE GROUP FOLLOWS.
THE VERSE IS THEN REPEATED BY EVERYONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
CHRISTMAS TREES
CHRISTMAS TREES ARE VERY POPULAR IN POLAND. IN THE LARGE HOUSES IN
THE CITIES THEY ARE PLACED ON THE FLOOR OR THE TABLE. IN OUR
VILLAGE, MIELIEC, PEOPLE HUNG THEM FROM THE CEILING BY THE TOP
BRANCHES, ALL DECORATED WITH APPLES, NUTS, CANDIES AND MANY SMALL
TOYS MADE OUT OF BLOWN EGGS, COLORED PAPER AND STRAW. IT IS
SUPPOSED THAT THE GIFTS WERE BROUGHT BY AN ANGEL, SINCE ST. NICHOLAS
VISITED THE CHILDREN ON DEC. 6. AN OLD CHRISTMAS CAROL IS SUNG AND
THEN THE GIFTS ARE OPENNED.
Submitter comment:
EVEN A BARE, SMALL CHRISTMAS TREE WITH A LITTLE ORNAMENTS, BROUGHT
HAPPINESS TO PEOPLE AT A TIME WHEN SIMPLE PLEASURES WERE ALL THAT
MATTERED.
Where learned: POLAND ; WARSAW ; MIELIEC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. BELIEF -- Angel |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
CHRISTMAS SONGS
POLISH CAROLS, KOLENDY, ARE SUNG AT MIDNIGHT MASS, OR THE PASTERKA
CALLED SHEPHERDS' WATCH. MANY PEOPLE IN OUR VILLAGE BELIEVED THAT
WHILE WE SANG AND PRAYED, PEACE DESCENDED ON THE WORLD. ANIMALS
ASSUMED VOICES AT THIS TIME, WHICH ONLY WAS HEARD BY THE INNOCENT OF
HEART.
Submitter comment:
CHRISTMAS SONGS BROUGHT PEOPLE TOGETHER TO PRAISE THE EARTH AND
HAVE SOME FUN. IT WAS A TIME OF BEING WITH FRIENDS.
Where learned: POLAND ; WARSAW ; MIELIEC
Date learned: 00-00-1940
EVENTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE
FROM EVENING UNTIL MIDNIGHT, BOYS WALK FROM VILLAGE TO VILLAGE WITH
AN ILLUMINATED STAR AND A KING HEROD CHARACTER, TO SING CAROLS.
THIS IS DONE TO RECEIVE GIFTS. IN SOME DISTRICTS THE BOYS CARRY
PUPPET SHOWS CALLED SZOPKI. THESE ARE BUILT LIKE A LITTLE HOUSE
WITH TWO TOWERS, OPEN IN THE FRONT WHERE A SMALL CRIB IS SET AND
BEFORE WHICH MARIONETTES SING THEIR DIALOGUES.
Submitter comment:
THE DRAMATIZATION AND PUPPET SHOWS WERE EAGERLY AWAITED BY THE
CHILREN OF POLAND AS WELL AS THE ADULTS.
Where learned: POLAND ; WARSAW ; MIELIEC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious DRAMA -- Religious DRAMA -- Puppet CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
AIN'T GOT TIME TO DIE
LORD I KEEP SO BUSY WORKIN FO DA KINGDOM
YES KEEP SO BUSY WORKIN FO DA KINGDOM
KEEP SO BUSY WORKIN FO DA KINGDOM
AIN'T GOT TIME TO DIE
CAUSE IT TAKES ALL OF MY TIME TO PRAISE MY JESUS
ALL OF MY TIME TO PRAISE MY LORD
IF I DON'T PRAISE HIM DA ROCKS GONNA CRY OUT GLORY AN HONAH, GLORY
AN HONAH' AIN,T GOT TIME TO DIE
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS IN 1967 WHILE HELPING MY GRANDMOTHER CLEAN IN THE
HOUSE AND GARDEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 11-14-1980 ; 00-00-1967
SONG
(LEADER:)
YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN ON A PAIR OF SKATES,
'CAUSE YOU'LL ROLL RIGHT BY
THOSE PEARLY GATES.
(EVERYONE:)
OH YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN ON A PAIR OF SKATES 'CAUSE
YOU'LL ROLL RIGHT BY THOSE PEARLY GATES.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(LEADER:)
YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN IN A FORD V-8.
'CAUSE THE GOSH DARN THING
WILL BREAK RIGHT DOWN.
(EVERYONE:)
OH YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN IN A FORD V-8 'CAUSE THE GOSH
DARN THING WILL BREAK RIGHT DOWN.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(LEADER CONTINUES TO MAKE UP LINES WHICH EVERYONE THEN
REPEATS. LASTLY HE SINGS:)
IF YOU GET TO HEAVEN BEFORE I DO,
JUST POKE A HOLE AND PULL ME THROUGH.
(EVERYONE:)
OH IF YOU GET TO HEAVEN BEFOR I DO JUST POKE A
HOLE AND PULL ME THROUGH.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(REPEAT LAST LINE THREE TIMES)
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN HAMTRAMACK BUT THINKS
IT HAS BLACK AMERICAN ROOTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE SATIRE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
SIMPLE GIFTS
TIS A GIFT TO BE SIMPLE,
TIS A GIFT TO BE FREE,
TIS A GIFT TO COME DOWN WHERE WE OUGHT TO BE.
AND WHEN WE FIND OURSELVES IN OUR PLACE JUST RIGHT
WE WILL BE IN THE VALLEY OF LOVE AND DELIGHT.
WHEN TRUE SIMPLICITY IS GAINED,
TO BOW AND TO BEND WE WILL NOT BE ASHAMED,
TO TURN, TO TURN WILL BE OUR DELIGHT,
TILL BY TURNING, TURNING WE COME 'ROUND RIGHT.
Submitter comment: SHAKER HYMN PERFORMED ON APPALACHIAN DULCIMER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WATERFORD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
JOY TO THE WORLD THE SCHOOL BLEW UP,
AND ALL THE KIDS ARE FREE.
THEY FOUND THE PRINCIPLE DEAD,
WITH A PENCIL IN HIS HEAD.
LET HEAVEN AND NATURE SING, LET HEAVEN AND NATURE SING,
LET HEAVEN AND NATURE SING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER HILLS
Keyword(s): PARODY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 00-00-1982
AMAZING GRACE
AMAZING GRACE, HOW SWEET THE SOUND,
THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME.
I ONCE WAS LOST, BUT NOW I'M FOUND,
WAS BLIND, BUT NOW I SEE.
THROUGH MANY DANGERS, TOILS AND SNARES,
I HAVE ALREADY COME,
'TIS GRACE THAT BROUGHT ME SAFE THIS FAR,
AND GRACE WILL LEAD ME HOME.
'TWAS GRACE THAT TAUGHT MY HEART TO FEAR,
AND GRACE MY FEARS RELIEVED,
HOW PRECIOUS DID THAT GRACE APPEAR,
THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED.
Submitter comment: PERFORMED ON APPALACHIAN DULCIMER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WATERFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): HYMN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Admiration Praise Adulation Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
LORD LORD, YOU ARE SO GOOD TO ME. OH MY LORD YOU ARE SO GOOD
TO ME. LORD YOU DONE WHAT THE WORLD COULD NOT DO.
Submitter comment:
WILLIE DOTSON WAS BORN IN BROWNSVILLE, TENNESSEE IN 1910. THIS
SONG WAS SUNG TO HER MOTHER AND WAS PASSED DOWN TO HER.
WILLIE DOTSON WAS CRYING WHEN SHE SANG THIS SONG TO ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 11-00-1987
ROCK O MY SOUL
ROCKA MY SOUL IN THE BOSOM OF ABRAHAM, ROCKA MY SOUL IN THE BOSOM
OF ABRAHAM, ROCKA MY SOUL IN THE BOSOM OF ABRAHAM. OH ROCKA MY
SOUL.
Where learned: OHIO ; YOUNGSTOWN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 11-00-1987
SONG
IN THE LAND OF ODEN
THERE IS A MOUNTAIN
WHICH IS TWENTY MILLION
MILES IN THE AIR.
AND EVERY MILLION YEARS
A LITTLE BIRD COMES A WINGING
TO SHARPEN HIS BEAK ON THAT MOUNTAIN;
THEN HE QUICKLY DISAPPEARS.
AND WHEN THAT MOUNTAIN
HAS WORN AWAY
THAT'S WHEN ETERNITY WILL BE
ONE SINGLE DAY
ONE SINGLE DAY
ONE SINGLE DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LAPEER ; CAMP O'FAIRWINDS
James Callow Keyword(s): ODIN ; RELATIVITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Formation BELIEF -- Measure of time |
Date learned: 06-00-1979