Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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"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
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
NO CAN DO} VOODOO
A FRIEND OF MY FAMILY (NAME WITHHELD ON REQUEST)
IS A HOMICIDE DETECTIVE FOR THE CITY OF DETROIT.
FOR ONE OF HIS ARRESTS HE HAD TO TRAVEL TO A
PREDOMINANTLY NEGRO SECTION OF THE CITY.
WHEN HE GOT TO THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE IN QUESTION
THE MAN TO BE ARRESTED ANSWERED. AFTER LEARNING
HE WAS TO BE ARRESTED THE MAN AGREED TO GO,
BUT EXPLAINED THAT HE COULD NOT WALK PAST THE DOOR
NOW BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD PUT A CURSE ON HIM AND HE
COULD NOT COME OUT BECAUSE VOODOO DUST WAS SPRINKLED THERE.
OUR FRIEND LOOKED DOWN AND SAW THAT THERE CERTAINLY
WAS SOME DUST LIKE MATERIAL SPRINKLED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR.
HE BENT DOWN AND BRUSHED THE DUST AWAY AND SAID TO THE
WAITING MAN, "OKAY, YOU CAN COME OUT NOW, THE CURSE IS BROKEN".
AT THAT THE MAN AGREED AND WALKED OUT ON THE PORCH
TO BE ARRESTED. BUT HE WOULD NOT CROSS THE LINE OF DUST
BEFORE THIS, EVEN TO BE ARRESTED.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Favorites |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CARRYING SALT
CARRY SALT WITH A NEW BABY TO WARD OFF
EVIL SPIRITS WHICH MIGHT HARM HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): EVIL EYE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Favorites BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-07-1970
MAGIC
IN ITALY IT MEANS YOU LACK SOMETHING UPSTAIRS
IF YOU ARE NOT BORN ON FRIDAY.
Submitter comment: GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 11-06-1967
SUPERSTITION
IF A PERSON IS DEADLY SICK ONE SHOULD GO TO THE RABBI
AND HAVE HIM GIVE A NEW NAME TO THE ILL PERSON.
THE NEW NAME WILL EXTEND HER LIFE.
Submitter comment:
HER MOTHER TAUGHT HER THIS BUT SHE DOES NOT BELIEVE IT.
WHEN HER FATHER WAS DYING HER SISTER SENT A TELEGRAM
TO THEIR OLD RABBI ASKING FOR A NEW NAME. HE GAVE
HER ONE BUT THE FATHER STILL DIED.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname Favorites BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 04-00-1965
HOLY WATER FONT
FOR THE TWENTY YEARS THAT I RESIDED AT MY PARENT'S HOME
I CAN NOT REMEMBER EITHER MY BROTHERS OR MYSELF LEAVING
THE HOUSE BY THE FRONT DOOR WITHOUT DIPPING OUR
FINGERS INTO THE HOLY WATER FONT AND MAKING THE SIGN
OF THE CROSS. DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT WAS A HABIT,
MY MOTHER (POLISH) WOULD ALWAYS REMIND US.
AS WE OPENED THE FRONT DOOR SHE WOULD CALL, "DON'T FORGET TO
BLESS YOURSELF". THIS BECAME QUITE EMBARRASSING
AS WE BECAME YOUNG MEN AND WOULD BE LEAVING THE HOUSE WITH
FRIENDS BOTH MALE AND FEMALE. IN HER OWN HOME, WHEN MY
MOTHER WAS A YOUNG GIRL, HER MOTHER WOULD CHASE HER
BROTHERS DOWN THE STREET AND MAKE THEM RETURN TO THE HOUSE
IF SHE SAW THEM GO OUT WITHOUT BLESSING THEMSELVES.
THIS WAS NEVER MENTIONED IF WE WENT OUT THROUGH THE BACK DOOR.
AS I WRITE THIS IT SUDDENLY OCCURS TO ME THAT MY MOTHER ENCOURAGED
US TO USE THE BACK DOOR BY IMPOSING THIS FRONT DOOR
RITUAL UPON US.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A DANCE OF DEATH
A GIRL DANCED A DANCE OF DEATH WITH THE DEVIL.
HER PARENTS FORBID HER TO DANCE BUT SHE USED TO
SLIP OUT AND GO TO THE DANCES ANYWAY. ONE NIGHT
SHE PUT ON RED SHOES AND WENT TO THE DANCE.
THERE SHE MET THIS STRANGER WHO WAS DRESSED DIFFERENTLY
FROM ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE AT THE DANCE. HE WAS VERY
SHARP. HE ASKED HER TO DANCE AND SHE SAID YES. THEY
DANCED AND DANCED AND DANCED. FINALLY SHE ASKED
DANCE SAID THAT IF SHE TOOK OFF HER RED SHOES
TO STOP AND HE SAID NO. THE REST OF THE PEOPLE AT THE
THAT THIS WOULD MAKE HIM
STOP BUT SHE COULDN'T. FINALLY SHE DROPPED DEAD FROM
EXHAUSTION AND WHILE THE REST OF THE PEOPLE CAME TO SEE
WHAT HAPPENED THE STRANGE MAN HAD DISAPPEARED. THE STRANGER
WAS THE DEVIL FOLKS SAID AND HE TOOK HER WITH HIM BACK
TO HELL. ON THE DEATH OF THIS GIRL A FEW OF THE
PEOPLE SAID THEY SAW THE MAN'S HORNS
AS HE RAN OUT.
Submitter comment:
MRS. LEWIS SAID THAT THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO HER BY HER
GRANDMOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL. HER GRANDMOTHER
SAID THAT THIS WAS A TRUE STORY.
Where learned: FREE PRESS SERVICE DESK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Color |
LUCK OF SHIPS
THERE IS A STORY OF AN UNNAMED GRAIN SHIP,
A GREAT LAKES THREE-MASTER, THAT LOST HER
LUCK ON A RUN TO BUFFALO. A MAN, NAMED BILL, HAD
FALLEN TO HIS DEATH FROM THE MASTHEAD, AND ON THE FOLLOWING
DAY ANOTHER HAD LOST HIS LIFE. ON ARRIVING AT BUFFALO
THE MEN WENT ASHORE AS SOON AS THEY WERE PAID OFF. THEY WERE
NOT RETURNING BECAUSE, THEY SAID, THE SHIP HAD LOST HER
LUCK. WHILE THE VESSEL WAS DISCHARGING HER
CARGO AT AN ELEVATOR THE STORY GOT AROUND AND THE GRAIN-TRIMMERS
REFUSED TO WORK HER. WHEN THE SHIP WAS UNLOADED SHE WAS
ORDERED TO CLEVELAND TO TAKE ON COAL BUT COULD NOT SIGN A CREW.
THEY MANAGED TO GET A NEW CREW BY GOING TO A CRIMP, WHO RAN
THEM IN FROM SALT WATER. THEY CAME ABOARD TWO-THIRDS DRUNK AND
THE MATE WAS STEERING THEM TO THE FORECASTLE, WHEN ONE
OF THEM STOPPED AND POINTED ALOFT, SAID: "WHAT HAVE YOU
GOT A FIGUREHEAD ON THE MASTHEAD FOR?" THE MATE LOOKED ALOFT
AND THEN TURNED WHITE. "IT'S BILL," HE CRIED, AND WITH THAT
THE WHOLE LOT DID A PIERHEAD JUMP, EVEN THE MATE.
THE CAPTAIN MANAGED TO SIGN ON ANOTHER CREW AND SAILED
FOR CLEVELAND, BUT HE NEVER GOT THERE; HIS VESSEL WAS SUNK
BY A STEAMER OFF DUNKIRK.
Submitter comment:
CAPTAIN LUMAS SAYS THAT HE HEARD THIS STORY FROM
HIS FATHER WHO CLAIMED THAT HIS BEST FRIEND WAS
LOST ON THIS ILL-FATED SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MACKINAC ISLAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 09-00-1963
IT'S A GOOD CANDLE THAT SMOKES STRAIGHT UP.
WHENEVER WE HAD CANDLES ON THE TABLE, FOR CHRISTMAS EVE
DINNER, FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY, OR WHENEVER, MY GRANDFATHER
USED TO LOOK VERY INTENTLY AT THE DIRECTION IN WHICH
THE SMOKE OF THE CANDLE WAS GOING
THE DIRECTION DETERMINED WHETHER GOOD OR BAD LUCK WOULD COME
TO THOSE AT THE TABLE.
Submitter comment:
IN MY CASE (AFTER A BIRTHDAY PARTY), THE SMOKE WENT
TOWARD THE NORTH-EAST. "AHA," HE SAID,
"PRYJDZIE KAWALER Z TAMTYCH STRON}" AND HE WAS RIGHT.
MY FUTURE HUSBAND DID COME FROM THAT DIRECTION. I'M SURE GLAD
GRANDPA NOTICED THAT. PERHAPS I'M BEING A BIT FACETIOUS,
BUT GRANDPA REALLY DID BELIEVE IN THIS OMEN OR SIGN.
*AFTER IT WAS BLOWN OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
"DYPOURI BOVAC SUA UYGPI ZOUABI
THIS MEANS: HAIR DOESN'T LIKE TO
GROW ON INTELLIGENT PEOPLES'
HEADS. OR, BALDNESS IS A SIGN OF
INTELLIGENCE
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RECEIVED INFORMATION
FROM RELATIVES IN THE UKRAINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 10-14-1967
HAVE YOUR MIND IN GEAR BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR MOUTH IN MOTION
Data entry tech comment: THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU SPEAK
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): AUTOMOTIVE METAPHOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-18-1967
A HEAD THAT DOES NOT THINK, BECOMES BALD
Keyword(s): METONYMY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-11-1967
DYING
HE'S WALKING SLOW, BUT HE'S GOING FAST.
Submitter comment:
WHEN A MAN IS IN THE HOSPITAL IS FAILING AND DYING FAST THE IRISH
SAY THIS.
JUDY LEARNED THIS FROM THE IRISH INTERNS WHEN SHE WAS WORKING AT
MOUNT CARMEL HOSPITAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): HEALTH ; METAPHOR PROVERBIAL PHRASE DEATH OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
A POLISH PROVERB
HE MADE OUT LIKE MR. ZABTOCKI ON HIS SOAP.
IVYSZEAT JAK ZABTOCKI NA MYDLE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS USED WHEN ONE TAKES UP A PROJECT HE KNOWS LITTLE ABOUT AND
IT FALLS THROUGH. MR. ZABTOCKI HAD GONE INTO THE SOAP BUSINESS BUT KNOWING NOTHING ABOUT IT ,HE LOST OUT.
MY MOTHER KNOWS THIS PROVERB AND STORY FROM POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): PERSONAL NAME ; POLISH PERSONAL PROVERB
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Blason Populaire PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 11-25-1967
PROVERBIAL APOTHETGM MAXIM
HE WHO MIXES BUBBLES AND BOOZE, WILL WAKE UP THE NEXT MORNING
WEARING HIS SHOES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS MY UNCLE WHO IS ONLY TWO AND A HALF YEARS OLDER THAN
MYSELF. THIS WAS TOLD AT A WEDDING RECEPTION WHERE CHAMPAIGN WAS
BEING CONSUMED ALONG WITH HARD LIQUOR.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO ; TOLD AT ; WEDDING RECEPTION
Keyword(s): CHAMPAGNE ; GETTING DRUNK
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
OLD POLISH PROVERB
HE WHO SLEEPS ON THE FLOOR RUNS LITTLE RISK OF FALLING OUT OF BED.
Submitter comment: SHE GOT THIS FROM MR. CRAINE IN THE ENGLISH DEPT. AT U. OF D.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
PROVERB
HE WHO SLEEPS ON THE FLOOR, HAS NO FEAR OF FALLING OUT OF BED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MELVINDALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
PROVERB
HE WHO TREATS HIMSELF HAS A FOOL FOR A DOCTOR.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO HER BY HER FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MEDICAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Curer |