Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for C526 returned 41 results.
LEMONADE
YOU START BY CHOOSING TWO TEAMS THAT HAVE
THREE OR MORE CHILDREN TO A TEAM. THEN YOU
CHOOSE AN AGREED-UPON MEDIUM THAT WILL SERVE
AS A DIVIDER BETWEEN THE TEAMS. ONE TEAM
IS CHOSEN TO BE "IT." THIS CAN BE DONE
BY FLIPPING A COIN OR GUESSING A COLOR.
THE "IT" TEAM THEN GATHERS TOGETHER AWAY FROM
THE OTHER TEAM AND DECIDES UPON A CHARADE THAT
THEY WILL PRESENT TO THE OTHER TEAM. THE CHARADE
MUST REPRESENT AN OCCUPATION OF SOME SORT. THEN
THE OTHER TEAM CHANTS, "LEMONADE, LEMONADE SHOW US
YOUR TRADE." THE "IT" TEAM ENACTS THEIR CHARADE.
IF SOMEONE ON THE OTHER TEAM GUESSES IT ALL OF THE
"IT" TEAM MEMBERS MUST TRY TO REACH A PRESET PLACE OF
SAFETY. IF THEY ARE CAUGHT THEY MUST JOIN THE OPPOSING
TEAM. THEN THE OPPOSITE TEAM ENACTS A CHARADE.
IF NO ONE GUESSES THE CHARADE THE CHARADERS DO
ANOTHER CHARADE.
Where learned: NORTH DAKOTA ; LISBON
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
DOWN, DOWN, BABY DON'T SHAKE THE ROLLER COASTER
SWEET, SWEET, BABY I'LL NEVER LET YOU GO
CAUGHT YOU WITH YOUR BOYFRIEND NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY
DIDN'T DO THE DISHES LAZY, LAZY
JUMPED OUT THE WINDOW CRAZY, CRAZY
SHIMMY SHIMMY COCOA PUFFS
SHIMMY SHIMMY RYE
SHIMMY SHIMMY POW
Submitter comment:
HAND WAVE FOR ROLLER COASTER; CROSS ARMS FOR BABY; SHAME WITH TWO
FINGERS RUBBING; RUB HANDS TOGETHER FOR DISHES; ACT LIKE SLEEPING
FOR LAZY; ARCH WITH HAND FOR JUMPED OUT THE WINDOW; POW IS THE FIST
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): GESTURES ACCOMPANY SONG
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1977 ; 11-00-1987
WHEN MY AUNT WAS A LITTLE GIRL, HER AND MY MOTHER USE TO
PLAY A GAME CALLED SANCTIFIED CHURCH. THIS GAME HAD NO
RULES OR GOAL. IN THE GAME THE CHILDREN WOULD SIT UNDER A
TENT, MADE OF A GRASS SACK NAILED TO THE HOUSE WITH TWO
BROOMSTICKS STUCK TO THE OTHER END OF THE SACK AND
DRIVEN INTO THE GROUND, UNDER THIS TENT THE CHILDREN
WOULD SIT ON TIN DRUMS AND SING AND CLAP AS THEY SAW
OTHERS DO IN CHURCH.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MARTIN
Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
PAPER DOLLS AND DOLL HOUSE
WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG, MY AUNT AND MOTHER USE TO PLAY
PAPER DOLLS. THEY WOULD LOOK THROUGH CATALOGUES AND CUT
OUT THE PICTURES OF PEOPLE AND FURNISHINGS. THEN THEY WOULD
TAKE A SHOE BOX AND MAKE A HOUSE OUT OF IT, BY TAKING
PICTURES OF RUGS, DRAPES AND WALLPAPER AND PASTING THEM
INSIDE OF THE BOX, WITH A PASTE MADE OF FLOUR AND WATER.
AND USING PENNEY MATCH BOXES THEY MADE BEDS AND COUCHES
AND THAT IS HOW THEY MADE A HOUSE TO PLAY DOLLS WITH.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MARTIN
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Toy |
Date learned: 00001947CA
Train Robbery
Any number can play this game which is played outdoors.
It is best if there are plenty of shrubs or other possible
natural barriers to be used as temporary hiding places.
A certain object (picnic table, swing set, etc.) is chosen
to be the train. One player is the train's engineer.
All players carry a toy gun or a stick that resembles one.
The engineer takes his place on the train, closes his eyes,
and counts to ten, while all of the other players ("robbers")
disappear from view. Each robber then plans his own route of
attack (how he will sneak up on and rob the train).
The key is to use bushes, trees, ditches, etc. as cover.
The train conductor must keep an ever watchful eye for
possible robbers. This means he must try to keep careful
surveillance on all approaches to the train.
If he sees one of the robbers he yells, "Bang, Bang,"
followed by the person's name. That robber must then fall
to the ground and count to 30, before proceeding with his
attack. However, the robbers can also shoot the engineer,
and give themselves the extra time to get to the train.
The game is over when one of the robbers successfully
wounds the engineer and gets aboard the train. Once
a robber does this, he becomes the new engineer, and
the game starts all over again.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HEMLOCK
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic |
Date learned: 00001980S
Simon Says
This game can have many players. One player stands facing
several other players and gives them commands. The only commands the
players are supposed to obey are the ones that "Simon says."
For example, the leader calls "Simon says, put your hands on your
head" and leader does the command him/herself; all the other
participants should also place their hands on their heads. But if
the leader says, "Jump up and down" the players should remain
motionless. The player who does move is out of the game, because the
leader did not say, "Simon says". The person to remain standing
changes places with the leader and the game is repeated.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic |
Date learned: 00001970S
Rock School
This game is played with approximately five players. One
player, the teacher, stands in front of the other players, the
students, who are sitting on the bottom row of stairs (which is used
to symbolize kindergarten). The teacher places a rock in her hands,
puts her hands behind her back, putting the rock in a different hand.
The teacher then puts her closed hands in front of her, the rock is
concealed. The students then have to guess what hand the rock is in.
If the player picks the hand the rock is in he/she passes to the
first grade; if he/she does not they remain on the same step in the
same grade. The amount of steps determines what grade the school
goes up to. The first person to reach the top step becomes the
teacher, and the game resumes from the beginning.
Submitter comment:
This game can be played indoors or outdoors wherever stairs are
available.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 00001970S
Puncha Nella
This is a singing and dancing game where the object is to do
exactly what the person who is "it" is doing if they pick you. It
goes like this: look who's here Puncha Nella, Puncha Nella... look
who's here Puncha Nella at the zoo. Oh, choose your partner Puncha
Nella, Puncha Nella... choose your partner Puncha Nella at the
zoo. (the game is set in a circle where everyone is holding hands
and Puncha Nella is in the middle. At this point shehe jumps in
front of the person who they choose.) What can you do Puncha
Nella, Puncha Nella...what can you do Puncha Nella at the zoo.(at
this point puncha does anything shehe wants usually a dance and
the person they are standing in front of has to do it also) we can
do it too Puncha Nella, Puncha Nella... we can do it too Puncha
Nella at the zoo. (if the person does it right they are the next
Puncha Nella; if not then Puncha Nella moves on to someone else.
Where learned: DETROIT
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic |
Date learned: 00001970S
WHERE FROM
HERE WE COME.
WHERE FROM?
NEW ORLEANS.
WHAT'S YOUR TRADE?
LEMONADE.
GIVE ME SOME.
THE OBJECT OF THIS GAME IS THAT THE CHILD HAS TO
IMITATE WHATEVER THE TRADE IS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic |
Date learned: 01-23-1971
KING TUT OR UGA-BUGGA BOO
ONE PERSON IS THE KING AND ONE PERSON IS THE SERVANT.
THE SERVANT WANTS TO BE ADMITTED TO COURT, SO HE GOES
THROUGH THIS INITIATION. THE QUEEN STANDS BEHIND THE
SERVANT. THE KING AND THE SERVANT BOTH HAVE A BROOM.
THE KING SETS THE STYLE. FOR EXAMPLE, THE KING WILL SAY
"UGH" AND BANG THE BROOMSTICK ON THE GROUND. NOW THE
SERVANT WILL HAVE TO DO THE EXACT SAME THING. THE KING
MAY KEEP SITTING AND STANDING AND POUNDING THE BROOM-
STICK AND THE SERVANT MUST FOLLOW THESE ORDERS EXACTLY
IF HE IS TO GET INTO THE COURT. THIS PROCEDURE GOES
ON FOR QUITE A WHILE. THE KING ACTS VERY SERIOUS AND
SCORNS ANY LAUGHTER, ETC. THE QUEEN WHO IS STANDING
BEHIND THE SERVANT, GETS A SPONGE SOAKED IN WATER.
SHE PLACES THE SPONGE ON THE SEAT OF THE SERVANT WHO
ON THE NEXT TIME AROUND FOLLOWS THE ACTION OF THE KING
WHO SITS AND THE SERVANT SITS--SQUISH!! THAT'S THE END OF
THE GAME WITH EVERYONE ENDING UP LAUGHING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 01-30-1972
PLAYERS: MOTHER, CHILDREN, WITCH
MOTHER SAYS: CHILD REPLIES:
"PLEASE GO STIR THE PEAS "WITH A KNIFE?"
"NO." "WITH A FORK?"
"NO." "WITH A SPOON?"
"GO JUMP OVER THE MOON."
CHILD JUMPS OVER THE MOON; WITCH GIVES CHILD A NUMBER
AND TURNS HER INTO A PIANO. MOTHER AND OTHER CHILDREN
CONTINUE DIALOGUE.
"GO STIR THE PEAS, YOUR SISTER "WITH A KNIFE?"
(OR BROTHER) IS TOO SLOW."
"NO." "WITH A FORK?"
"NO." "WITH A SPOON?"
"GO JUMP OVER THE MOON."
MOTHER THEN LOOKS FOR HER CHILDREN BUT SHE CAN'T FIND
THEM. FINALLY, SHE GOES TO THE WITCH'S HOUSE
AND KNOCKS ON THE DOOR. MOTHER AND WITCH CONVERSE:
"HAVE YOU SEEN MY CHILDREN ANYWHERE?"
"YES, I THINK THEY WENT DOWN PRICKER STREET."
MOTHER GOES DOWN ALL THE STREETS NAMED BY THE WITCH
AND PERFORMS ACTIONS TO THE STREETS. MOTHER SAYS:
MOTHER: "NO THEY ARE NOT THERE."
WITCH: "I THINK I SAW THEM GO DOWN KNIFE STREET."
MOTHER: "NO, THEY ARE NOT THERE, MAY I COME IN?"
WITCH: "YOUR SHOES ARE MUDDY."
MOTHER: "I'LL TAKE THEM OFF."
WITCH: "YOUR FEET ARE BLOODY."
MOTHER: "I'LL CUT THEM OFF."
WITCH: "HERE'S A KNIFE."
MOTHER CUTS HER FEET OFF AND THE WITCH GIVES HER SOME
SLIPPERS. MOTHER ENTERS WITCH'S HOUSE. MOTHER PLAYS
THE PIANO AND GETS THREE TURNS TO GUESS THE NUMBERS.
IF SHE GUESSES, SHE GETS TO HAVE HER CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SIMON SAYS
SEVERAL PEOPLE PLAY THIS GAME. ONE PERSON IS THE LEADER
AND HE GIVES OUT ORDERS. IN ORDER FOR THE OTHERS TO
FOLLOW HIS ORDER, HE MUST SAY "SIMON SAYS DO..." IF
HE DOESN'T SAY "SIMON SAYS..."AND THE OTHERS DO WHAT
HE COMMANDED THEY LOSE AND HE WINS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH
THIS IS AN ACTING GAME. THE PLAYERS DIVIDE UP INTO
TWO SIDES AND DETERMINE WHICH SIDE WILL GO FIRST.
THAT SIDE DECIDES ON SOME PANTOMIME THAT THEY WILL
PERFORM. THEY THEN GO OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE AND
RECITE THIS RHYME:
(SIDE ONE IS THE ACTING SIDE):
1. HERE WE COME.
2. WHERE FROM?
1: PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH.
2. WHAT'S YOUR TRADE?
1. LEMONADE.
2. SHOW US SOME.
SIDE ONE THEN ACTS OUT ITS PANTOMIME. AS SOON AS
SOMEONE ON SIDE TWO KNOWS WHAT SIDE ONE IS DOING,
HE SHOUTS IT OUT. IF IT IS RIGHT, SIDE TWO CHASES SIDE
ONE BACK TO ITS GOAL. EVERY PERSON IT CATCHES GOES
OVER TO SIDE TWO. THEN IT IS SIDE TWO'S TURN. IF
THEY DON'T CATCH ANYONE, SIDE ONE TAKES ANOTHER TURN.
THIS CONTINUES UNTIL THERE IS ONLY ONE SIDE LEFT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): DIALOGUE ; DRINK: LEMONADE ; RHYME: AABCCA
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GOING DOWNTOWN
GAME STARTS WITH A LINE OF PLAYERS. LEADER SAYS:
"I'M GOING DOWNTOWN TO SMOKE MY PIPE,
I WON'T BE BACK 'TIL SATURDAY NIGHT.
I'LL WHIP YOU BLAC, I'LL WHIP YOU BLUE,
ESPECIALLY YOU MY DAUGHTER SUE.
(THE LEADER CHOOSES SOMEONE TO BE SUE).
THE LEADER THEN LEAVES THE GROUP. A WITCH COMES
ALONG AND GIVES EACH MEMBER OF THE GROUP THE NAME
OF A COLOR AND STEALS ONE OF THE MEMBERS (SUE).
THE LEADER RETURNS: "WHERE'S SUE?"
GROUP ANSWERS: "THE WITCH TOOK HER."
THE WITCH RETURNS. THE LEADER CALLS OUT COLORS AND
THE WITCH CHASES THE MEMBER WHO RESPONDS TO HER
GIVEN COLOR. A MEMBER WHO IS NOT CAUGHT BECOMES
THE MOTHER, AND THE GIRL WHO WAS "SUE" IS NOW THE
WITCH.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME HAS MANY VERSIONS IN DIFFERENT NEIGH-
BORHOODS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS
Date learned: 02-20-1970
NEW YORK
YOU WOULD CHOOSE SIDES AND DECIDE WHAT THE OTHER SIDE
SHOULD DO. ONE SIDE WOULD SAY: HERE WE COME.
THE OTHER WOULD ASK: WHERE FROM? ANSWER: NEW YORK.
QUESTION: WHAT'S YOUR TRADE? ANSWER: ICE CREAM AND
LEMONADE. QUESTION: GIVE ME YOUR INITIAL AND SET
TO WORK.
THEN THE OPPOSING SIDE WOULD GIVE THE INITIALS OF THE
TASK THEY HAD CHOSEN FOR THE OTHER SIDE TO DO; FOR
EXAMPLE, "SSFSS" FOR "SEWING SOCKS FOR SEVEN SISTERS."
THEN THEY WOULD PANTOMIME THE ACTION AND THAT
OPPOSING SIDE WOULD HAVE TO GUESS WHAT IT WAS. WHEN
THEY GUESSED IT RIGHT, THE PANTOMIMING TEAM WOULD ALL
RUN; WHOEVER WAS CAUGHT WOULD HAVE TO GO OVER TO THE
OTHER SIDE.
Submitter comment: PLAYED WHEN SHE WAS A GIRL IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; GLOUCESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; DIALOGUE ; RHYME: AABCCD
Date learned: 05-11-1965
MURDER
THIS IS A GAME PLAYED IN A DARKENED BASEMENT. A SLIP OF PAPER WAS PUT IN A BO; FOR EACH PERSON IN THE
ROOM. ONE PIECE MARKED WITH AN X, HE WAS THE
MURDERER, ONE MARKED WITH AN O, HE WAS THE LAWYER.
THE PERSON WHO DREW THE O LEFT THE ROOM. THE PERSON
DRAWING THE X PRETENDED TO MURDER SOMEONE IN THE ROOM
AND THEY PRETENDED TO DIE. ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN THE
ROOM WOULD CALL "MURDER." THE LAWYER WOULD ENTER
THE ROOM AND ASK EACH PERSON 3 QUESTIONS, THEN GUESS
WHO HAD COMMITTED THE "MURDER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CHARADES
THERE IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT SIT DOWN. ONE
PERSON GETS UP AND ACTS SOMETHING OUT. BUT THE
PERSON WHO ACTS IT OUT DOES NOT SAY ANYTHING.
THEN THE GROUP OF PEOPLE HAVE TO GUESS WHAT THE
PERSON IS ACTING OUT. IT CAN BE A MOVIE TITLE,
BOOK TITLE, TELEVISION SHOW OR SONG.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S OWN WORDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
SEVEN UP
THIS GAME IS OFTEN PLAYED IN A CLASSROOM. SEVEN
PLAYERS ARE CHOSEN "IT," ANOTHER PLAYER IS
CAPTAIN. THE CAPTAIN REQUESTS ALL THE REMAINING
PLAYERS TO PUT THEIR HEADS DOWN AND COVER THEIR
EYES. THE SEVEN "IT" PLAYERS QUIETLY WALK AROUND
AND EACH TAPS ONE PERSON ON THE HEAD. THE CAPTAIN
REQUESTS "HEADS UP" WHEN "IT" PLAYERS RETURN TO
THEIR PLACES. ALL TAPPED PLAYERS STAND AND TRY TO
GUESS, IN ONE CHANCE, WHO TAPPED THEM. IF THEY
GUESS CORRECTLY, THEY GET TO TAKE THAT PERSON'S
PLACE; IF INCORRECT, THEY SIT DOWN AND THE PLAY
CONTINUES AS BEFORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): HANDICAP: COVERING EYES
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
DAIRY FARMER HANDSHAKE
ONE PERSON INTERLOCKS THE FINGERS OF BOTH HANDS WITH HIS
THUMBS HANGING DOWN. THE OTHER PERSON GRABS THE THUMBS
AND PULLS THEM LIKE HE IS MILKING THEM.
Where learned: CYO CAMP
Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic SPEECH -- Body parts involved SPEECH -- Greetings Salutations SPEECH -- Games Riddles Jokes |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
A.D.A. HANDSHAKE
YOU RHYTHMICALLY SQUEEZE SOMEONE'S HAND WHILE SHAKING IT
AND SAY "AMERICAN DAIRY ASSOCIATION, GLAD TO MEET YOU."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CYO CAMP ; CARSONVILLE
Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic SPEECH -- Body parts involved SPEECH -- Greetings Salutations SPEECH -- Games Riddles Jokes |
Date learned: 00001970 SUMMER