Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE FIRST PERSON THAT SEES THE FIRST STREETLIGHT GO ON
GETS HIS WISH.
WE ALWAYS SAID THIS WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 10-15-1967
THROW THREE KISSES AT THE FIRST ROBIN YOU SEE IN THE
SPRING; YOUR WISH WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Measure of time Spring BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals SPEECH -- Gesture |
WHOEVER GETS THE LARGEST PORTION OF A CHICKEN'S
WISHBONE WHEN TWO BREAK IT, HAS HIS WISH COME TRUE.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00001950S
TWO PEOPLE EACH TAKE HOLD OF ONE SIDE OF THE WISHBONE.
THEN PULL AND WHOEVER GETS THE CENTER OF THE WISH-
BONE WILL GET THEIR WISH IF THEY DON'T TELL ANYONE
WHAT IT IS. I ONCE WISHED FOR A TRIP TO DISNEYLAND
AND WE WERE OFFERED A RIDE THERE WITHIN A WEEK
AND WE WENT.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
AS YOU BREAK THE POD OF THE MILKWEED AND IT FLIES
UP IN THE AIR, MAKE A WISH AND IT WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
AFTER THE WISHBONE OF A CHICKEN OR TURKEY HAS BEEN
CLEANED AND DRIED, TWO PEOPLE HOLD IT EACH BY
A SIDE. THEY EACH MAKE A SILENT WISH AND PULL.
THE ONE WHO GETS THE MIDDLE PART WITH HIS HALF
HAS HIS WISH FULFILLED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IT IS A POPULAR BELIEF THAT IF A CATHOLIC GOES
INTO A CATHOLIC CHURCH THAT HE HAS NEVER BEEN IN
BEFORE, AND MAKES A WISH, THE WISH WILL COME TRUE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HER COUSIN WHO IS A
NUN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Date learned: 07-00-1964
CHAIN LETTER
THIS IS A PRAYER:
TRUST THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT AND ALWAYS ACKNOWLEDGE
HIM AND HE WILL LIGHT YOUR WAY.
THIS PRAYER HAS BEEN SENT TO YOU FOR GOOD LUCK. THE
ORIGINAL COPY CAME FROM THE NETHERLANDS. IT HAS BEEN
AROUND THE WORLD NINE TIMES. THE LUCK HAS BEEN SENT
TO YOU. YOU ARE TO RECEIVE GOOD LUCK WITHIN FOUR
DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THIS LETTER. THIS IS NO JOKE.
YOU WILL RECEIVE IT IN THE MAIL. PLEASE DO NOT SEND
MONEY. DO NOT KEEP THIS LETTER. IT MUST LEAVE WITHIN
96 HOURS AFTER RECEIVING IT. A U.S. OFFICER RECEIVED
$7,000. VON ELLIOT $60,000, BUT BECAUSE HE BROKE THE
CHAIN, HE LOST IT. WHILE IN THE PHILLIPINES, GENERAL
NOPAK LOST HIS LIFE 6 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE COPY.
HE FAILED TO CIRCULATE THE PRAYER. HOWEVER, BEFORE HIS
DEATH HE RECEIVED $775 HE HAD WON. PLEASE SEND 20
COPIES AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU ON THE FOURTH DAY.
ELIMINATE THE FIRST NAME ON THE LIST AND ADD YOUR
NAME ON THE BOTTOM. (LIST OF NAMES FOLLOWED).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | 686 Fourths / Quarters BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1968
CHAIN LETTER (TRANSLATED FROM ITALIAN).
PRAYER FOUND IN THE HOLY SEPULCHER OF O.L.J.C.
COPY OF A LETTER OF PRAYER FOUND IN THE HOLY SEPULCHER
OF O.L.J.C. IN JERUSALEM KEPT IN A SILVER CASE BY HIS
HOLINESS AND BY THE CHRISTIAN EMPERORS AND EMPRESSES.
SAINT ELIZABETH QUEEN OF HUNGARY, SAINT MATILDA, AND
SAINT BRIGIDE WISHING TO KNOW SOME THINGS REGARDING
THE PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST, MADE CERTAIN AND SPECIFIC
PRAYERS THROUGH WHICH JESUS CHRIST APPEARED AND TOLD
THEM:
KNOW (YOU) THAT THE ARMED SOLDIERS WERE 23, THE JUDICIAL
EXECUTIONERS 83, THE PUNCHES WHICH I RECEIVED IN THE
HEAD WERE 150, IN THE BREAST 108. THE KICKS ON THE SHOULDERS
80, AND I WAS DRAGGED WITH ROPES AND BY THE HAIR 23 TIMES.
THE SPITS IN THE FACE WERE 180, BEATINGS ON THE HEART
6,666, BEATINGS ON THE HEAD 110. THEY VERY FORCIBLY
RAMMED INTO ME (ONCE), MY HEAD WAS LIFTED BY THE HAIR
ON THE 21ST HOUR (9 P.M.), I SIGHED 120 SIGHS. I WAS
DRAGGED AND PULLED BY THE BEARD 23 TIMES, WOUNDS IN THE
HEAD 20, THORNS OF (BLANK BLANK) 72. THORN WOUNDS 110.
FATAL THORNS IN THE FOREHEAD 3, AFTERWARDS FLAGELLATED
AND CLOTHED AS KING IN MOCKERY. WOUNDS ON THE BODY
(WERE) 1000. THE (NUMBER OF) SOLDIERS THAT LED ME TO
CALVARY WERE 908, THOSE THAT GUARDED ME WERE 3, DROPS
OF BLOOD THAT I SHED WERE 5,475. TO WHOMEVER RECITES
SEVEN OUR FATHERS, AVES, AND GLORIAS EACH DAY FOR 15
YEARS, TO NUMBER (OR COUNT) THE NUMBER OF DROPS OF
BLOOD WHICH I LOST, I WILL ALLOW 5 GRACES: (1) A
PLENARY INDULGENCE AND REMISSION OF ALL SINS ; (2)
HE (OR SHE) WILL BE FREED FROM THE PAINS OF PURGATORY;
(3) IF HE (OR SHE) WILL DIE BEFORE FINISHING THE 15 YEAR
DEVOTION (4) IT WILL BE AS IF HE HAD FINISHED IT AND
SHED HIS BLOOD FOR THE FAITH. (5) I WILL COME DOWN FROM
HEAVEN TO RECEIVE HIS SOUL AND THOSE OF HIS RELATIVES
UP TO THE FOURTH DEGREE.
THE ONE THAT WILL CARRY THIS PRAYER WON'T DIE BY
DROWNING, NOR OF A BAD DEATH (I.E., HE WILL DIE A GOOD
DEATH), NOR WILL HE HAVE SUDDEN DEATH. HE WILL BE
FREED FROM CONTAGION, FROM THE PLAGUE, FROM LIGHTNING,
AND WILL NOT DIE WITHOUT CONFESSION;; HE WILL BE FREED
FROM HIS ENEMIES AND FROM JUDICIARY POWER (THE ARM OF
THE LAW) AND FROM EVERYONE WHO WISHES HIM EVIL, AND
FROM FALSE WITNESSES. WOMEN THAT COULDN'T CONCEIVE
WILL CONCEIVE AND WILL BE OUT OF DANGER.
IN THE HOUSE WHERE THIS PRAYER IS KEPT, THERE WON'T
BE ANY BETRAYALS NOR ANY BAD THINGS, AND 40 DAYS
BEFORE HIS DEATH, THE ONE THAT WILL DIE, WILL SEE
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. AS SAINT GREGORY POPE SAID:
"A CERTAIN CAPTAIN TRAVELING BY LAND SAW NEAR
BARCELONA A HEAD CUT OFF WHICH SPOKE TO HIM THUS:
SINCE YOU ARE GOING TO BARCELONA, TRAVELER, BRING ME A
CONFESSOR SO I MAY RECEIVE CONFESSION, SINCE IT'S BEEN
THREE DAYS ALREADY SINCE I HAVE BEEN CUT OFF BY
THIEVES AND I CANNOT DIE UNLESS IF I HAVE NOT RECEIVED
CONFESSION. A CONFESSOR BEING LED TO THE PLACE BY THE
AFORESAID CAPTAIN, THE HEAD RECEIVED CONFESSION AND
THEN DIED. ON THE BODY FROM WHICH THE HEAD WAS CUT OFF
WAS FOUND THE FOLLOWING PRAYER; WHICH ON THAT OCCASION
WAS APPROVED BY VARIOUS TRIBUNALS OF THE HOLY JURISDIC-
TION OF SPAIN. THE AFOREMENTIONED SEVEN OUR FATHERS,
AVES, AND GLORIAS CAN BE RECITED AND APPLIED FOR WHICH
EVER SOUL ONE MAY WISH. ANOTHER SIMILAR COPY OF THE
LETTER HAS BEEN MIRACULOUSLY FOUND IN A PLACE (OR
LOCATION) CALLED PORTIS, FOUR LEAGUES FROM MARSEILLES
(OR MARSIGLIA), WRITTEN IN GOLDEN LETTERS AND BROUGHT
BY A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD CHILD OF PORTIS.
AN ADDITIONAL DECLARATION OF JANUARY 23, 1750 SAYS:
ALL THOSE THAT WILL WORK ON SUNDAY WILL BE CURSED BY
ME, SINCE ON SUNDAY YOU MUST GO TO CHURCH TO PRAY SO
THAT I MAY FORGIVE YOU YOUR SINS, AND IT IS FOR THIS
REASON THAT I HAVE GIVEN YOU SIX DAYS TO WORK AND ONE
FOR RESTING AND GIVING WORKS OF DEVOTION AND WITH WHAT
YOU HAVE (OWN) DO GOOD TO THE POOR AND YOUR ACTIONS
WILL BE FULL OF BLESSINGS AND GRACES (AND/OR FAVORS);
ON THE CONTRARY IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE THIS, YOU AND
YOUR CHILDREN WILL RECEIVE MAJOR PUNISHMENTS, AND I WILL
SEND PLAGUES, FAMINE, WARS, ATROCIOUS GRIEF (HORRIBLE PAIN)
AND HEART SPASMS: AS A SIGN OF MY INDIGNATION, YOU WILL
SEE SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS, THUNDERS, EARTHQUAKES. THOSE
THAT WILL JUDGE THIS LETTER NOT TO BE WRITTEN BY WORK OF
THE DIVINE AND AS COMING FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD AND
THOSE THAT WILL MALICIOUSLY KEEP IT HIDDEN WITHOUT
WRITING IT TO OTHER PERSONS, WILL BE CURSED BY GOD AND
CONFUSED ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT AND HE WHO WILL COPY IT
(OR MAKE IT PUBLIC) EVEN IF HE HAD MANY SINS, IF HE IS
TRULY SORRY OF HAVING OFFENDED ME, AND AGAIN HAVING
WRONGED HIS NEIGHBORS ASKING ME PARDON, I WILL "ERASE"
(FORGIVE) HIS SINS: THE ONES THAT WILL READ IT AND
WILL FINISH THE DEVOTION, OR WILL HAVE IT READ, WILL
BE FREE FROM ALL TEMPTATION.
WITH ECCLESIASTICAL APPROVAL.
Submitter comment:
THE ORIGINAL, IN ITALIAN, IS IN THE POSSESSION OF
THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1968
IT IS A POLISH CUSTOM TO BURN BLESSED CANDLES DURING
A STORM. THIS KEEPS THE HOUSE SAFE FROM DANGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 03-17-1970
LIGHTING A BLESSED CANDLE DURING A STORM WILL PROTECT
THE HOUSE AND OCCUPANTS FROM INJURY.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-11-1969
WHEN GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS IN A CAR, PUT HANDS
ON ROOF AND FEET OFF FLOOR. MAKE A WISH AND IT
WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
AFTER A WISHBONE FOR A TURKEY OR CHICKEN IS DRIED,
TWO PEOPLE GRASP BOTH SIDES OF IT AND PULL. THE
ONE THAT HAS THE WHOLE SIDE LEFT IS CONSIDERED
THE ONE TO GET HIS WISH.
Submitter comment:
THIS HAS BEEN A CUSTOM IN OUR HOME SINCE I WAS
A LITTLE GIRL AND IN MY MOTHER'S HOME WHEN SHE
WAS A LITTLE GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-14-1970
IF TWO PEOPLE SAY THE SAME WORD AT THE SAME TIME, YOU
CAN MAKE A WISH AND IT WILL COME TRUE.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER WAS TOLD THIS BY MY GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-26-1970
TAKE A STRAW WRAPPER AND TIE IT INTO A KNOT AT THE
CENTER. WITH ONE PERSON GRASPING EITHER END, EACH
MAKES A WISH AND PULLS. WHOEVER GETS THE KNOT
AFTER THE BREAK, HAS HIS WISH SUPPOSEDLY GRANTED.
Where learned: SCHOOL APARTMENT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 09-25-1969
MALOCCHIO CURE (EVIL EYE)
A CUP OF WATER IS PLACED IN FRONT OF THE AFFLICTED
PERSON. A SPOON IS LAID NEAR THE CUP WITH ITS
HANDLE ON THE EDGE OF THE CUP AND THERE IS OIL IN
THE SPOON. THEN YOU TAKE TABLE KNIFE AND A SIGN OF
THE CROSS IS MADE ON THE FOREHEAD AND THEN THE KNIFE
IS DROPPED ON THE FLOOR HANDLE DOWN. THIS IS DONE
THREE TIMES. DURING THE WHOLE CEREMONY THE PRAYERS
ARE CHANTED AUDIBLY BUT NOT UNDERSTANDABLY. THEN
THE KNIFE IS SET DOWN. THE THUMB IS DIPPED IN THE
OIL AND THE PERSON'S FOREHEAD IS ANOINTED BY
MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS ON IT THREE TIMES.
THEN THE THUMB IS ONCE AGAIN DIPPED IN THE OIL AND
THEN HELD OVER THE DISH. ACCORDING TO WHETHER THE OIL
SINKS OR FLOATS AND HOW IT DISPERSES, ONE CAN TELL
WHETHER THE MALOCCHIO WAS PLACED ON THE PERSON BY A
MAN OR WOMAN; HOW BAD IT IS; AND WHETHER IT CAN BE
CURED.
Submitter comment:
IF THE MALOCCHIO ON A PERSON IS ESPECIALLY BAD,
THEN THE CURE IS REPEATED FOR THREE NIGHTS IN A ROW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 10-03-1969
MAKE A WISH AND THROW A PENNY IN A WELL. IF YOU
DON'T TELL YOUR WISH TO ANYONE, IT WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: FLORIDA ; ORLANDO
James Callow Keyword(s): SILENCE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 03-27-1969
WHEN YOU SAY SOMETHING THE SAME TIME SOMEONE ELSE DOES,
MAKE A WISH, POP ONE OF YOUR LITTLE FINGERS, AND TOUCH
SOMETHING BLUE. THE WISH WILL COME TRUE, IF YOU ARE
THE FIRST TO TOUCH BLUE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Color SPEECH -- Wishes Wants Desires Predictions |
IF YOU SAY SOMETHING THE SAME TIME AS SOMEONE ELSE, CROSS
YOUR FINGERS, AND SAY, "NEEDLES AND PINS, WHEN A GIRL
MARRIES, TROUBLES BEGIN." MAKE A WISH, AND THE WISH
WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; TANNER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Magical Crossing fingers |
IN THE THEATRE, A PERFORMER IS NEVER SUPPOSED TO WISH
ANOTHER PERSON GOOD LUCK IN THE NORMAL GOOD LUCK WORDS.
YOU KNOW LIKE "GOOD LUCK" OR "KNOCK 'EM DEAD." HE'S
SUPPOSED TO SAY "BREAK A LEG." I THINK THAT IT HAS
SOMETHING TO DO WITH WHEN JOHN WILKES BOOTH JUMPED ONTO
THE STAGE AFTER SHOOTING LINCOLN AND BROKE HIS LEG.
Where learned: NASHVILLE, ASSUMED ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | DRAMA -- D000 BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 07-23-1968