Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for C522 returned 124 results.
EACH PLAYER IS ASSIGNED A NUMBER.
THE PLAYERS THEN BEGIN TO SLAP THEIR KNEES WITH THE PALMS, TWICE IN
RHYTHEM AND THEN CLAP THEIR HANDS IN THE SAME MANNER.
THE FIRST PLAYER CALLS OUT HIS NUMBER ON THE DOWNWARD STROKE, SAYING
IT TWICE, ON THE UPWARD STROKE HE SAYS ANOTHER PLAYER'S NUMBER,
THUS PASSING THE CALLING OF THE NUMBERS TO HIM. THE TEMPO
PICKS UP WITH EACH NUMBER CALLED, AND THE LAST PERSON LEFT
WITHOUT ANY MISTAKES, WINS.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; DREXEL HILL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
BASEBALL GAME "PITCHER-CATCHER"
TWO PEOPLE PLAY THIS GAME, ONE PERSON IS THE PITCHER,
THE OTHER IS THE CATCHER. THE PERSON PITCHING MUST
THROW STRIKES TO THE CATCHER. IF HE THROWS FOUR BALLS,
THE "IMAGINARY HITTER" WALKS AND TAKES A BASE. THE TWO
PLAY FOR THREE OR MORE INNINGS. THE PERSON WHO HAS
GIVEN UP THE MOST RUNS LOSES.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME IS FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY BASEBALL. THE GAME
STRENGTHENS A PERSON'S ARM AND TEACHES HIM TO THROW
STRIKES AT A CONSISTANT RATE. MANY TIMES WHEN THIS
GAME WAS PLAYED, THE FINAL
OUTCOME WAS A LOW-SCORING GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Date learned: CA00001967
BASEBALL GAME "FLYBALLS"
AGAIN, TWO PEOPLE PLAY HERE. THE PLAYERS CHALLENGE
EACH OTHER WITH FLYBALLS. BALLS THAT FALL IN AT
CERTAIN POINTS ARE DESIGNATED AS A SINGLE, DOUBLE,
TRIPLE, OR HOME RUN. THE PERSON THAT SCORES THE MOST
RUNS AFTER NINE INNINGS IS THE WINNER. FLYBALLS THAT
ARE CAUGHT ARE OUTS; THREE OUTS ENDS THAT PERSON'S SIDE
OF THE INNING.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME IS FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY BASEBALL AND FOR THOSE
WHO WANT TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Date learned: CA00001967
PASTIME
THE FOLLOWING IS A VERSE SUNG AND PLAYED BY YOUNG CHILDREN. IT IS
ASSOCIATED WITH VARIOUS HAND MOTIONS WHICH ARE PLAYED AGAINST A
SECOND PERSON'S BACK. MM
GOING ON A TREASURE HUNT
X MARKS THE SPOT.
DOT, DOT, DASH, DASH, QUESTION MARK.
POKE HER HERE,
POKE HER THERE.
CLIMBING UP THE LADDER,
STEP BY STEP,
GUSHING THROUGH THE MUD.
COOL OCEAN BREEZE.
TIGHT SQUEEZE.
AND NOW YOU HAVE THE CHILLS.
Submitter comment:
THIS VERSE WAS FIRST HEARD BY THE COLLECTOR IN 1976 FROM A GRADE
SCHOOL AGE SISTER. THIS IS USUALLY CONSIDERED A PASTIME. HOWEVER,
WHEN THE OBJECT IS TO GIVE THE PERSON THE CHILLS, A GOAL IS
ESTABLISHED AND SUCCESS DEPENDS ON ITS ACHIEVEMENT. THE HAND
MOTIONS CORRELATE TO THE LINES SUNG. HERE, GUSHING IS AN EXAMPLE
OF AN ONOMATOPEIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE
James Callow Keyword(s): ONOMATOPEIA: GUSHING
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 06-00-1976
RED ROVER
TWO TEAMS FACE EACH OTHER. EACH TEAM FORMS A CHAIN BY LINKING ARMS.
ONE SIDE CALLS, "RED ROVER, RED ROVER, SEND JOHNNY RIGHT OVER."
JOHNNY THEN TRIES TO BREAK THE CHAIN BETWEEN THE TWO PEOPLE.
1. IF HE SUCCEEDS, HE MAY THEN CHOOSE ANY OPPOSING PLAYER TO
JOIN HIM ON HIS ORIGINAL TEAM. THIS WILL MAKE THAT CHAIN LONGER.
2. IF HE FAILS TO BREAK THE CHAIN, THEN HE MUST JOIN THE OTHER
TEAM. EACH TEAM TAKES TURNS CALLING PEOPLE OVER. THE GAME IS
PLAYED UNTIL THERE IS ONE PLAYER LEFT, WHO WHEN CALLED OVER,
FAILS TO BREAK THE CHAIN, THEREFORE ALL THE PLAYERS ARE ON ONE
SIDE. EVERYONE COMES OUT A WINNER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
GREEK PASTIME
WHILE GREEK MEN SIT IN TAVERNS AND DRINK, THEY PLAY WITH WORRY BEADS
WHICH RELIEVES THEIR TENSION.
Submitter comment:
I THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS A VERY INTERESTING PASTIME. I THINK IT IS
UNIQUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
GAME
A VARIATION OF THE FAMOUS ROCK-PAPER-SCISSORS GAME IN MY CHILDHOOD
INCLUDED THE ELEMENT OF DYNAMITE. IN THIS GAME, DYNAMITE
DESTROYED PAPER AND ROCK, BUT THE SCISSORS CUT THE
DETONATING FUSE. THEREFORE, DYNAMITE AND THE SCISSORS TOOK ON ADDED
POWER AND WERE LIABLE TO SUBJECT THE PARTICIPANT TO TWICE THE
PUNISHMENT IF HE OR SHE LOST.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 00001970S
ON MAY DAY, MAY FIRST, WE DECORATE OUR HOMES WITH BIRCH BRANCHES.
EACH TOWN IN GERMANY IS REPRESENTED BY A CERTAIN COLOR. WE MAKE
BOUQUETS WITH THESE BRANCHES, AND COLORED RIBBONS ARE TIED AROUND
EACH BRANCH TO REPRESENT THE TOWN. THE YOUNG BOYS TRY TO
CLIMB UP A GREASED MAYPOLE AND TRY TO GET A SAUSAGE WHICH IS WAITING
AT THE TOP OF THE POLE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT TOLD ME SHE USED TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS HOLIDAY WHEN
SHE WAS A CHILD IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day |
Date learned: 02-00-1982
HUNTING BELIEF
BEARS SHOULD NEVER BE SHOT WHILE FACING THEM BECAUSE THEY WILL
LUNGE FORWARD. THEY SHOULD ALWAYS BE SHOT FROM THE SIDE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT REPORTS THIS TO BE COMMON KNOWLEDGE AMONG
EXPERIENCED HUNTERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 09-00-1982
HAMBONE
HAMBONE, HAMBONE, HAVE YOU HEARD?
MOMMA'S GONNA BUY YOU A MARKING BIRD.
IF THAT MARKING BIRDIE DON'T SING,
MOMMA'S GONNA BUY YOU A DIAMOND RING.
IF THAT DIAMOND RING DON'T SHINE,
MOMMA'S GONNA BUY YOU A BOTTLE O WINE.
IF THAT BOTTLE OF WINE DON'T DRINK,
MOMMA'S GONNA BUY YOU A KITCHEN SINK.
HAMBONE, HAMBONE, HAVE YOU HEARD?
MOMMA'S GONNA BUY YOU A MARKING BIRD.
Submitter comment:
THE SONG IS SUNG TO THE TUNE OF HUSH LITTLE BABY,
BUT THE TEMPO IS MUCH FASTER. ONE HAND BEATS THE LEG
AND CHEST DURING THE SONG. AND THE SONG IS ESPECIALLY
POPULAR AMONG MEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN WITH INTERLINKED ITEMS ; MOCKING BIRD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Song Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 04-00-1983
A SAILOR WENT TO SEA
THIS IS A GAME PLAYED BY TWO OR MORE. THE GAME
IS PLAYED BY CLAPPING HANDS TOGETHER AND WITH OTHER
PLAYERS. A SONG IS SONG BY THE PLAYERS AND THEY
PERFORM THE ACTIONS OF THE SONG.
A SAILOR WENT TO SEE-SEE TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE-SEE.
AND ALL THAT HE COULD SEE-SEE WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN
SEE-SEE. EACH TIME SEE-SEE IS SONG; THE PLAYERS MUST PUT
THEIR HAND OVER THEIR EYES LIKE A SAILOR LOOKING
FOR A SHIP. THE SAME VERSE IS REPEATED USING DIFFERENT
VERBS AND ACTIONS EACH TIME.KNEE-KNEE,CHOP-CHOP,OACHK-OACHK,
C-H-I-N-A ARE USED IN THE PLACES OF SEE-SEE.
AFTER ALL VERBS HAVE BEEN USED THE PLAYERS SINGS AND
PERFORMS THEM ALL TOGETHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 01-00-0198
JOKING GESTURE
IF YOU SQUEEZE A GIRL'S KNEE AND SHE LAUGHS, SHE HAS A
BOYFRIEND.
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER USED TO DO THIS TO ME WHEN I WAS LITTLE. IT WAS
A TEASING JOKE OF HIS THAT HE USED TO DO TO MY SISTERS,
OUR FRIENDS AND MYSELF.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT LOUIS
IF YOU PLAY WITH SOMEONE'S FEET, YOU'LL HAVE A BABY.
Submitter comment:
THIS FOLK BELIEF WAS COMMUNICATED TO BRIAN BY HIS MOTHER
WHILE GROWING UP IN RURAL OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-02-1984 ; 00001960S
FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS - CHANT
FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS SITTING ON A GATE. (HOLD UP 5 FINGERS)
THE FIRST ONE SAID, "MY IT'S GETTING LATE." (WIGGLE THUMB)
THE SECOND ONE SAID, "THERES WITCHES IN THE AIR." (WIGGLE
POINTER)
THE THIRD ONE SAID, "BUT WE DON'T CARE." (WIGGLE MIDDLE)
THE FOURTH ONE SAID, "LET'S RUN AND RUN AND RUN." (WIGGLE
RING FINGER)
THE FIFTH ONE SAID, "WE'LL HAVE SOME FUN." (WIGGLE PINKY)
THEN WOOO WENT THE WIND. (HAND MOVES IN A CIRCLE)
AND OUT WENT THE LIGHT. (CLAP ON THE WORD OUT)
AND FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS RAN OUT OF SIGHT. (HAND BEHIND BACK)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1970 ; 11-00-1985
CHANT
RIDE A HORSE TO BOSTON.
RIDE A HORSE TO LOO.
WATCH IT WHEN YOU GET THERE
THAT YOU DON'T FALL THROUGH.
"SAY THIS WHILE BOUNCING A BABY ON YOUR KNEE. WHEN YOU
SAY THE WORD "THROUGH," LET THE BABY DOWN CLOSE TO THE FLOOR."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
BALL-SMASHING
WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL, IN THE EIGHTH GRADE, ONE VERY
COMMON PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED WAS WHAT TO DO WHEN THE STUDENTS
WERE NOT ALLOWED TO GO OUT ONTO THE PLAYGROUND AFTER LUNCH
BECAUSE OF RAIN. A FEW OF MY FRIENDS SOLVED THIS PROBLEM
BY INVENTING AN INDOOR GAME CALLED "BALL-SMASHING."
THE GAME WAS PLAYED BY A GROUP OF FIVE BOYS. THE OBJECT OF
THE GAME WAS TO SMASH AS MANY OF YOUR OPPONENTS IN THE TESTICLES
WITH ONLY THE HEEL OF YOUR FOOT. ANYONE WHO USED THE TOE WAS
DISQUALIFIED. THE LAST ONE WHO REMAINED ABLE TO PLAY WAS THE
WINNER.
Submitter comment:
I NEVER WAS ABLE TO PLAY THIS GAME. THE OTHER GUYS WHO SAW ME
WITH MY COMBAT BOOTS ON WHEN IT WAS MY TURN TO PLAY REFUSED TO LET
ME PARTICIPATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAZEL PARK
Keyword(s): BALLS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 00-00-1982
SLAPS
ONE PERSON WOULD HOLD THEIR HANDS PALMS UP PARALLEL TO THE
GROUND AND ANOTHER PERSON WOULD PLACE THEIR HANDS PALMS
DOWN ON TOP OF THEIRS. THE PERSONS WHOSE HANDS ARE ON THE
BOTTOM WOULD ATTEMPT TO SLAP THE TOP OF THE OTHER PERSONS
HANDS. WHEN THE PERSON MISSES THE TWO PEOPLE SWITCH
PLACES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 00001970S
BLOODY KNUCKLES
THIS IS A GAME OF PAIN TOLERANCE. THE OPPONENTS FACE
EACH OTHER WITH THEIR HANDS, FISTS CURLED, TOUCHING.
THE PERSON WHO WINS A TOSS OF THE COIN HAS HIS HANDS
SLIGHTLY ON TOP. THE OBJECT FOR THE PERSON WITH
HIS HANDS ON TOP IS TO BRING HIS KNUCKLES
DOWN VERY HARD ON THE OTHER PERSON'S HAND.
THE PERSON WHOSE HANDS ARE ON THE BOTTOM HAS TO
TRY TO ANTICIPATE THE MOVEMENT AND MOVE HIS HANDS, CAUSING
THE PERSON TRYING TO HIT TO MISS. THE PERSON ON TOP
CONTINUES TO TRY TO HIT UNTIL HE MISSES, AT THIS TIME THE
TWO HAND POSITIONS ARE CHANGED. THE LOSER IS THE ONE WHO
SAYS HE HAS HAD ENOUGH FIRST.
Submitter comment:
ANOTHER VERSION OF THIS GAME IS PLAYED WITH OPEN PALMS
AND IS CALLED SLAP.
BLOODY KNUCKLE PUNISHMENT IS OFTEN USED AS PUNISHMENT
FOR LOSING IN GAMES SUCH AS PAPER, SCISSORS, ROCK.
Where learned: MONTANA ; FROMBERG
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Miss Lucy
A popular game that was played in grade school was a
game called "Miss Lucy". This game was played by the
girls on the playground at lunch time or at recess.
This is a hand clapping game that can be played by two
or four people. This is probably one of the simplest
hand clapping games played. When playing,
the two people would stand opposite each other.
To begin, each person would first clap
their own hands together. Then each person would clap
her right hand with the other person's right hand.
This would be followed by each one clapping their own
hands again. Then they would clap left hands. This
was again followed by clapping their own hands.
Then they would clap their left hand with the other
person's right hand and at the same time clap their
right hand with the other person's left hand. Then
this would be followed by them clapping their own hands
together again. Then they would begin the whole process
all over again. For this game, this song would be
sung in rhythm to the clapping.
Miss Lucy had a baby,
She named him Tiny Tim.
She put him in the bathtub,
To see if he could swim.
He drank up all the water,
He ate up all the soap.
He tried to eat the bathtub,
But it wouldn't fit down his throat.
Miss Lucy called the doctor.
The doctor called the nurse.
The nurse called the lady with the alligator purse.
In came the doctor.
In came the nurse.
In came the lady with the alligator purse.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR ; Ravenous ; Voracious
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 00001970S
Slide
This is a hand clapping game that was played
usually on the playground after lunch during grade
school. This game can only be played with two
people. To begin, the two players stand facing
each other. Both people hold their hands out and
place them so that both right hands are in the middle
and the left hands are on the outside (make sure that
the hands are vertical with the thumbs up as if
shaking hands.). All you say to begin is the word
"slide"; when you say, "Slide" both people
slide their hands toward themselves.
The next step is to clap their own hands together.
Then they clap each other's right hands together.
They clap their own hands together again. Then the
left hands meet. Then they clap their own hands
once more. Now, with fingertips down both people
touch the backs of their hands together at the same
time. The back of your left hand should touch the
back of the other person's right and vice versa.
Then, while the back of the hands are still touching,
begin to roll the hands up so that the palms are
beginning to face each other. Then clap your left
palm to their right palm while clapping your right
palm to their left palm. Then each person claps
their own hands together and the process begins all
over again from the first right meeting right. The
game however, goes in rounds, and this begins the second
round. The second round is a repeat of the first, but
but you repeat the part with the back of
the hands up to the end two times before
going to the beginning. And in the third round it's
repeated three times before starting over. The
object of the game is to see how many rounds you and
your partner can go up to without making a mistake.
Once a mistake is made you have start over from the
beginning.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 00001970S