Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P642 returned 558 results.
Camp Song, Girl Scouts
This song is used as a grace
before each meal at camp.
Hark to the chimes
Come bow your heads
We thank the Lord
For this good bread.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Camp Holly ; Holly
Date learned: 07-00-1983
Hawaiian Island Folklore
Find a lava rock. Take the rock and wrap it in a tea leaf and
set it down in front of the ocean. Make a wish. Your wish
will be granted in three days by the gods of the islands.
Submitter comment:
This is one of the folktales that Albert brought back with
him when he came back to the U.S. after his second honeymoon.
My father is good friends with this man and he told us the
story over dinner at our house. His mood was wishful and
mysterious when he was describing this folktale.
Where learned: Item was learned in the state of Hawaii
Keyword(s): lava, tea, ocean.
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
Island Folklore
On the Island Key of Islamorada, Florida buying a handcarved
wooden tiki mask and having it blessed by one of the island's
priests with holy water is said to bring luck for seven years,
then unfortunately trouble for seven years. Most people do not
bless their tiki masks.
Submitter comment:
As Mr. Woodenson was telling me this story he was in a serious
state of mind as if he was telling me to be very careful and
he left it at that.
Where learned: Key Islamorada
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Good luck |
The pelvic bone from a turkey must be saved
and put to dry for seven days. When it is dry
two people hold the two ends of the horseshoe
shaped bone and then pull. The one who gets
the middle part (a knob) gets their wish that was
wished before the pulling.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; Penns Grove
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001980S
There is a poem that you should say to
the first star that you see that goes:
Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight.
I wish I may,
I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.
Then you make a wish and it should come true.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00001973CA
If you light a candle and pray to St Christopher, whatever
direction the candle flicker points to is the direction of a
lost item.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001970'S
Turn a piece of silver in your pocket upon seeing
a full moon & your wish will come true.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Lower body and legs BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- P753 |
Date learned: 00001980S
Sixty years ago in Ireland, children, at their
first glimpse of a full moon, were taught, in
order to escape bad luck or some dire calamity, to
use the following invocation:
"I see the moon, and the moon sees me.
God bless the moon, and God bless Me."
Submitter comment: My grandmother taught me this when I was little.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR
Date learned: 00001970'S
For most it is available three times a day.
For others it is always a treat.
But if those others really pray, it will come
and make their hunger go away.
Answer: food
Submitter comment:
I learned this from a street lady (bum) in
Knoxville, Tennessee.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; Knoxville
Keyword(s): FOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR
Keyword(s): caring, love
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1991
Irish Prayer
May those who love us, love us;
And those who don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limp.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Marine City
Keyword(s): CURSE
James Callow Keyword(s): enemies
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1991
Mock Wedding
There is an annual "Mock Wedding" party among the
lifeguards at Windmill Pointe Park. The name of each guard
is written on a piece of paper, and put into a pot. There is
a list of all the participants in the wedding, such as: the
bride, groom, wedding party, photographer, parents of bride
and groom, drinking buddies, flower girl and ring bearer,
choir, jilted lovers, priest, etc.
One by one the names are drawn, and written on the list of
titles, respectively (according to male & female).
The different groups of people in the wedding can come up
with themes for their members. Example: One year the bride
and her maids & buddies, all wore black. One year they
dressed like hippies.
The day of the "wedding" the ceremony takes place. As the
choir sings its creative songs, others play their part.
After the ceremony, a "good time" is had by all at the
reception.
Submitter comment:
Our mock wedding took place in the old bathhouse at the
park. It has been converted into a hall for real parties
as well.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): tradition, pretend
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 06-00-1987
TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT FARMING YOU MUST SAY THE SAME PRAYER EACH
YEAR, ONCE FOR EVERY 10 ACRES OF LAND YOU PLAN TO PLANT. EACH
FARMER MUST HAVE HIS OWN SAYING OR PRAYER.
Where learned: MISSOURI
Date learned: 00001940S
FOR GOOD LUCK: IF YOU FALL DOWN YOU SHOULD KISS THE GROUND
WHERE YOU HAVE FALLEN. IF YOU EVER WALK OVER THE SPOT AGAIN, YOU
WILL BE GRANTED A WISH OR GIVEN GREAT LUCK IN THE FUTURE.
Where learned: UNKNOWN
Date learned: UNKNOWN
IF YOU ARE ABLE TO WATCH A COMPLETE SUNRISE ON A CLEAR MORNING
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE ONE WISH. THIS WISH SHOULD BE FULFILLED
BY SUNSET.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sun BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Prayer |
Whenever someone sneezes, after say "God Bless You" to them.
Where learned: USA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001950S
When you look at the sky at night, make a wish on the first
star you see.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Star BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00001970S
On Good Friday, my mom and I make up Easter baskets with eggs
in them. Then we take the baskets to church, put them on the
altar, and the priest will bless the baskets.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00001970S
Each year on the 6th of January, which is known as Epiphany,
after morning liturgy, the minister and the entire congregation of
some Greek churches go to a dock on the seafront, the minister
carrying a cross of silver or gold that stands about six inches high
by four inches wide. After the minister blesses the cross, he throws
it into the sea. Then boys ages 16 to 32 (32 symbolizing the age of
Jesus at his death) leap off the dock and into the sea searching
frantically for the cross. The one who finds it is said to be blessed
for the duration of the year.
Submitter comment:
According to my informant, the minister and the select group of
boys may go on a boat just off shore instead of on the dock with the
congregation cheering them on from the shore. I was also told that
the cross, to the best of my informant's knowledge, has
always been found.
Where learned: GREECE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Number P686.1.16 BELIEF -- Number P686.1.32 BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001943CA
Lighting candles for Blessed Lady and other Saints
My mother used to have statues of the Blessed Mother, Joseph,
Anthony, the Madonna, etc, that were about six or seven feet tall.
They were the same size statues as one would find in a Church. We
used to light a candle in front of the Saints and then say a
prayer to that patron Saint in order to help us. We usually
prayed for the health of our family, grades in school, the
happiness of our family, etc. The only two things my mother
always told me to remember were that the prayers would only work
if we prayed for family members, and that we must have a whole-
hearted belief in our faith or the prayers could not work.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; Carlstadt
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1924