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 AA returned 1455 results.
THIS GIRL WAS DRIVING DOWN AN ISOLATED ROAD LATE AT NIGHT
WHEN HER CAR RAN OUT OF GAS. LUCKILY SHE WAS NEAR ENOUGH
TO A FARM HOUSE SO SHE COULD GO UP TO THE HOUSE AND POSSIBLY
FIND SOMEONE TO TAKE HER TO A STATION TO GET GAS OR MAYBE THE
PEOPLE THEMSELVES HAD SOME GAS SHE COULD USE TO GET HOME ON.
SHE WALKED UP TO THE DOOR AND A LITTLE OLD WOMAN ANSWERED AFTER
SHE HAD BEEN STANDING THERE AT LEAST TEN MINUTES AND IT
STARTED TO POUR RAIN. THE GIRL WAS STARTING TO GET FRIGHTENED
BECAUSE SHE DID NOT PARTICULARLY CARE FOR THUNDER AND LIGHTENING.
THE OLD WOMAN EXPLAINED TO THE GIRL THAT NO ONE AT HER HOUSE
DROVE SO SHE HAD NO REASON TO KEEP GASOLINE AROUND. IT WAS TOO
LATE AT NIGHT FOR HER TO FIND ANYONE TO TAKE HER TO A STATION
AND THE NEAREST ONE WAS FIVE MILES AWAY AND IT WOULD
BE CLOSED ANYWAY. SO THE LADY AFTER SOME HESITATION LET THE GIRL
IN THE HOUSE AND GAVE HER SOME HOT CHOCOLATE. THE LADY EXPLAINED
TO HER THAT SHE COULD STAY IN A ROOM UPSTAIRS BUT SHE MUST WARN
HER ABOUT HER SON WHO OFTEN GETS UP DURING THE NIGHT.
AFTER HEARING THAT THE GIRL QUICKLY LOCKED THE DOOR AND BEGAN
TO FEEL SAFE AND WARM WHEN SHE COULD HEAR A KEY TURNING IN THE
LOCK. SHE ASKED WHO WAS THERE BUT NO ONE ANSWERED. SHE
CREPT DOWN LOW IN HER COVERS AND SHE SAW BEFORE HER THIS HUGE
UGLY MAN. HE SAID, "WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE WHAT I CAN DO WITH MY
HANDS?" HE KEPT REPEATING IT OVER AND OVER AND THE GIRL BEGAN
TO CRY AND SHE LEAPED OUT OF BED AND RAN DOWN THE STAIRS AND OUT THE
HOUSE BEHIND THE BARN AND HE WAS BEHIND HER WHEN SUDDENLY HE
DISAPPEARED. SHE WAS OUT OF BREATH AND SOAKING WET AND THE
LIGHTENING WAS FLASHING AND THE THUNDER WAS CRASHING AND SHE
RAN BACK TO THE HOUSE AND POUNDED ON THE DOOR. THE OLD WOMAN ONCE
AGAIN TOOK HER TIME IN ANSWERING THE DOOR AND LOOKED AT THE GIRL
VERY STRANGELY BECAUSE SHE HAD BEEN OUTSIDE. THE GIRL WEPT AND
TOLD THE WOMAN THE STORY. THE WOMAN TOLD HER IT WAS HER IMAGINATION
AND TO GO BACK TO BED. SO THE GIRL ONCE AGAIN GOT COMFORTABLE
AFTER SITTING IN FRONT OF THE FIRE TO DRY OFF. SHE WAS
DRIFTING OFF TO SLEEP WHEN SHE HEARD THE KEY IN THE LOCK TURNING
ONCE AGAIN. THE HUGE UGLY MAN CAME IN THE ROOM AND BEGAN HIS
CHANT OF, "WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE WHAT I CAN DO WITH MY HANDS?"
THE GIRL JUMPED OUT OF BED SOONER THIS TIME AND RAN DOWN THE STAIRS
AND OUT OF THE HOUSE AND AROUND BACK OF THE BARN. THE HUGE UGLY
MAN WAS RIGHT BEHIND HER AND HE KEPT REPEATING HIS CHANT.
THE LIGHTENING WAS STILL FLASHING AND THE THUNDER WAS STILL
CRASHING AND THE GIRL FINALLY GAVE UP AND SAID OKAY. THE MAN PUT HIS
FINGERS TO HIS LIPS AND BROUGHT HIS LIP DOWN TO CREATE A NOISE.
Submitter comment:
ANTICLIMAX.
THIS STORY IS TOLD TO CAMPERS AT CYO ( CATHOLIC YOUTH
ORGANIZATION ) CAMP FOR GIRLS.
THIS NOISE WOULD NOT HAVE TO BE DESCRIBED WHEN TELLING THE STORY
BECAUSE THE STORY TELLER WOULD DO IT HIMSELF.
THE STORY'S ENDING IS AN EXAMPLE OF COMIC RELIEF TO ASSURE THE
CAMPERS OF A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Port Sanilac
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
CHILDREN'S CAMP SONG
CHORUS:
BOOM, BOOM AIN'T IT GREAT TO BE CRAZY
BOOM, BOOM AIN'T IT GREAT TO BE CRAZY
SILLY AND FOOLISH ALL DAY LONG
BOOM, BOOM AIN'T IT GREAT TO BE CRAZY
VERSES:
A HORSE AND A FLEA AND THREE BLIND MICE
SAT ON A TOMBSTONE SHOOTING DICE
THE HORSE HE SLIPPED AND FELL ON THE FLEA
AND THE FLEA SAID "WHOOPSIE THERE'S A HORSIE ON ME"
WAY UP NORTH IN THE ICE AND SNOW
THERE LIVED A PENGUIN BY THE NAME OF JOE
HE GOT SO TIRED OF BLACK AND WHITE
THAT HE WORE PINK SOCKS TO THE DANCE LAST NIGHT
WAY DOWN SOUTH WHERE BANANAS GROW
A MONKEY STEPPED ON AN ELEPHANT'S TOE
THE ELEPHANT SAID WITH A TEAR IN HIS EYE
"WHY DON'T YOU PICK ON SOMEBODY YOUR OWN SIZE"
ONE AFTERNOON IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
TWO DEAD BOYS BEGAN TO FIGHT
A DEAF POLICEMAN HEARD THE NOISE
AND HE BEAT THE LIFE OUT OF TWO DEAD BOYS
Submitter comment: THIS SONG IS SUNG AT CYO (CATHOLIC YOUTH ORGANIZATION) CAMPS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Port Sanilac
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 06-00-1975
ALWAYS HAVE YOUR SUGAR BOWL FULL AND YOU WILL NEVER BE POOR.
Submitter comment:
MY AUNT HAS ALWAYS BELIEVED THIS TO BE TRUE. WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER,
AN UNCLE OF HERS TOLD HER THIS. WHENEVER SHE VISITS US, SHE ALWAYS
FILLS OUR SUGAR BOWLS. SHE IS NOW 78 YEARS OLD AND HAS NEVER BEEN
POOR. SOMEHOW SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO HAVE EXPENSIVE
ITEMS AND BEEN ABLE TO TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD.
FULLNESS
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Date learned: 11-24-1977
BELIEF
WHEN PRAYING, YOU MUST KEEP YOUR FINGERTIPS UPWARD, OR THE
PRAYERS WILL NOT REACH HEAVEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS COLLECTED WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL. IN THE
FIRST GRADE, SISTER LORENZO TOLD OUR CLASS THIS BELIEF.
THIS WAS AT ST. AUGUSTINE GRADE SCHOOL IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001964
CUSTOM
ON DYNGUS DAY, THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER, MEN SWITCH WOMEN'S LEGS
WITH A TREE BRANCH. ON TUESDAY, ALSO CALLED DYNGUS DAY, WOMEN
SWITCH MEN'S LEGS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM. THE INFORMANT SAID FRIENDS SWITCHED
EACH OTHER. AFTER SWITCHING, THE SWITCHER EXPECTED A DRINK.
THIS CUSTOM HAS NOT TAKEN PLACE FOR MANY YEARS. THE INFORMANT
SAID IT LAST HAPPENED TO HER MOTHER. A FRIEND SWITCHED HER LEGS
WHILE SHE WAS WASHING DISHES AND SHE POURED A GLASS OF COLD
WATER DOWN HIS BACK FOR REVENGE.
THIS IS A LIMITED FORM OF RITUAL BEATING OR RITUAL WHIPPING, A
SYMBOLIC GESTURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
POLISH PALM SUNDAY CUSTOM
PALMA BIJE,
NIE JA BIJE,
A WIELKANOC ZA TIGIEN,
MEANING,
THE PALM IS BEATING,
I AM NOT BEATING,
EASTER IS IN A WEEK.
Submitter comment:
STELLA KRZYZANOWSKI LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER JULIA
WASIELEWSKI, THIS IS A SAYING ASSOCIATED WITH PALM SUNDAY,
WHEN YOU COME FROM CHURCH WITH YOUR PALM AND TAP EVERYONE IN
THE HOUSE WITH THE PALM, SAYING THE WORDS LISTED. IT IS
PROBABLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE FACT THAT PALM SUNDAY LEAVES
ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT TO LENT. THIS IS THE LAST CHANCE TO DO PENANCE.
IT IS THE PALM (WHICH WAS USED TO SHOW HONOR TOWARD CHRIST)
WHICH INFLICTS THE PAIN (SUPPOSEDLY), NOT THE LOWLY SINNER HOLDING
THE PALM.
THIS IS A KIND OF RITUAL BEATING OR RITUAL WHIPPING, A SYMBOLIC
GESTURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 663 Palm Sunday Favorites SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-07-1977
IT WAS ABOUT A MAN WHO WON A GOOSE AND HE WAS VERY SELFISH, BUT
SINCE IT WAS THANKSGIVING HE HAD ALL HIS FRIENDS OVER FOR
A GREAT BIG FEAST. HE HAD THEM ALL SITTING AROUND THE TABLE - AND HE
TOLD THEM (SHOWING THE GOOSE) WHOEVER ATE THE MOST POTATOES WOULD
EAT THE MOST GOOSE. SO EVERYBODY WAS HELPING THEMSELVES TO POTATOES
AND THEY ATE MORE AND MORE. FINALLY, WHEN THE GOOSE WAS BROUGHT OUT,
HE SAID "OK, WHO WANTS SOME GOOSE NOW?", AND THEY WERE ALL TOO FULL
FROM EATING THE POTATOES- SO HE GOT TO EAT THE GOOSE HIMSELF.
Submitter comment:
ELAINE SAID HER GRANDMA ALWAYS TOLD THIS STORY EVERY THANKSGIVING
AND IT WAS A TRADITIONAL CUSTOM AT HER HOUSE. SHE SAID ONCE SHE
HAS HER OWN FAMILY, SHE WILL CARRY IT ON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): TRICKSTER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
BIRTH CONTROL METHOD
IF A WOMAN PUTS A BANDAID OVER HER NAVEL SHE WON'T BECOME PREGNANT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRACEPTION ; HIDDEN CONNECTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
DETERMINING SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
A BABY CONCIEVED IN A ODD MONTH WILL BE A BOY.
A BABY CONCIEVED IN AN EVEN MONTH WILL BE A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Measure of time Month BELIEF -- Number Even number (not specific) BELIEF -- Number Odd number (not specific) |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
GAME
THE OBJECT OF THIS THINKING GAME IS TO GUESS WHY TILLY WILLIS
LIKES CERTAIN THINGS AND NOT OTHERS. THE PERSON WHO IS EXPLAINING
THE GAME BEGINS BY SAYING, TILLY WILLIS IS ODD AND QUEER BUT NOT
PECULISR. SHE LOVES APPLES BUT HATES PEACHES.
SHE LOVES GREEN BUT SHE HATES RED. THE PERSON CONTINUES TO
GIVE LOVE AND HATE EXAMPLES UNTIL ONE OF THE PLAYERS
RESPONDS WITH WHAT HE THINKS TILLY WILLIS LOVES OR HATES.
THE CLUE TO THE GAME IS IN THE OPENING LINE.
TILLY WILLIS ODD AND QUEER ARE ALL WORDS CONTAINING DOUBLE LETTERS.
THE PLAYER WHO GUESSES THAT TILLY LOVES EVERYTHING
SPELLED WITH A DOUBLE LETTER, IS THE WINNER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): ALTERNATE TITLE: THE QUEEN ; SPELLING
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
CAMPSONG DIKKI BIRD
HIGH IN A TREE A DIKKI BIRD
BIM SALA BIM BAM BA SALA DU SALA BIM.
HIGH IN A TREE A DIKKI BIRD SAT.
BENEATH HIM SAT A FURRY BLACK
BIM SALA BIM BAM BA SALA DU SALA BIM.
BENEATH HIM SAT A FURRY BLACK CAT.
HE SAID FOR DINNER I SHALL HAVE
BIM SALA BIM BAM BA SALA DU SALA BIM.
HE SAID FOR DINNER I SHALL HAVE YOU.
THEN ALL AT ONCE THE DIKKI BIRD
BIM SALA BIM BAM BA SALA DU SALA BIM.
THEN ALL AT ONCE THE DIKKI BIRD FLEW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
James Callow Keyword(s): DELAYED COMPLETION ; NONSENSE REFRAIN
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad, Song, Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
FEE, FI, FO, FUM. I SMELL THE BLOOD OF AN ENGLISHMAN.
BE HE LIVE OR BE HE DEAD
ILL BREAK HIS BONES TO BAKE MY BREAD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THIS WHENEVER HE HEARS A GREEN GIANT COMMERCIAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.642 |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
LIFT YOUR FEET AND HANDS AS YOU GO OVER THE RAILROAD TRACKS OR YOU
WILL BE THE FAT LADY ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 02-27-1979
COUNTING OUT RHYME
MY MOTHER AND YOUR MOTHER LIVE ACROSS THE STREET, EIGHTEEN NINETEEN
BROADWAY STREET. EVERY NIGHT THEY HAVE A FIGHT AND THIS IS WHAT
THEY SAY, ICKI BICKI SODA CRACKER ICKIBICKI BOO ICKI BICKI SODA
CRACKER OUT GOES YOU.
Submitter comment:
THE CHILDREN SIT IN A CIRCLE AND THE CALLER TOUCHES ONE FOOT
FOR EACH WORD HE SAYS. THE LAST PERSON TOUCHED WITHDRAWS HIS
FOOT. THIS CONTINUES UNTIL ONLY ONE PERSON IS LEFT. HE THEN IS IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MILFORD
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
IF A SHOP OWNER DOES NOT PLEASE THE FIRST CUSTOMER HE HAS IN THE
MORNING, HE WILL HAVE BAD LUCK FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT THIS SUPERSTITION IS BELIEVED WIDELY AMONG
JEWISH PEOPLE. SHE TOLD ME THAT HER FATHER USED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
SHOP OWNERS WHO BELIEVED IN THIS SUPERSTITION BY MAKING IT A POINT
TO BE THE FIRST CUSTOMER OF THE DAY AND HAGGLING OVER THE PRICE
OF SOME ITEM IN ORDER TO GET A GOOD BUY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck |
PROSE ROUND ; FORMULA TALE
THE NARRATOR RELATES A STORY OF HIS OWN DEATH (BY WHATEVER CAUSE),
AND ADDS: THEY BURIED ME IN THE SAND, AND THE SAND TICKLED, AND I
LAUGHED} I LAUGHED SO HARD I THOUGHT I'D DIE. AND DIE I DID. THEY
BURIED ME IN THE SAND, AND THE SAND TICKLED, ETC.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: CA00001968
PROSE ROUND ; FORMULA TALE
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT. WE WERE ALL SITTING AROUND THE
CAMPFIRE WHEN SUDDENLY UNCLE JOE WALKED UP, AND SOMEONE CALLED OUT
"UNCLE JOE, TELL US A STORY}" AND HE BEGAN: "IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY
NIGHT. WE WERE ALL SITTING AROUND THE CAMPFIRE WHEN SUDDENLY UNCLE
GEORGE WALKED UP, AND SOMEONE CALLED OUT, "UNCLE GEORGE, TELL US A
STORY}" (THIS IS REPEATED, USING A DIFFERENT NAME EACH TIME.)
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN INVOLVING NAMES ; INTERESTING COMBINATION OF ROUND AND CHAIN TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: CA00001968
Joke
THIS STORY IS TOLD WITH THE INTENTION OF MAKING SOMEONE FEEL FOOLISH
OR UNCOMFORTABLE. THE STORY GOES: A MAN AND HIS DOG WALK INTO THIS
RESTAURANT AND SIT DOWN AT A TABLE. A WAITRESS WALKS UP AND ASKS
"WHAT'LL YOU HAVE?" AND THE MAN SAYS "I'LL HAVE A STEAK, WELL DONE,
SOME MASHED POTATOES, AND A SALAD. AND BRING ME A PIECE OF APPLE PIE
FOR MY DOG." THE WAITRESS REPLIES, "I'M SORRY SIR, WE DON'T HAVE ANY
APPLE PIE, WILL PEACH PIE DO?"
AT THIS POINT SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO ARE "IN" ON WHAT IS HAPPENING LAUGH
HYSTERICALLY. OF COURSE, THE OUTSIDER DOESN'T, AND PREFERABLY SOME
OF THE CONSPIRATORS DON'T EITHER. THE NARRATOR EXPRESSES DISBELIEF
THAT THE POINT OF THE STORY WAS MISSED, AND ASKS THAT SOMEONE ELSE
TELL IT("MAYBE I DIDN'T TELL IT WELL."). THE CONSPIRATORS TAKE TURNS
TELLING THE STORY AND EACH TIME ANOTHER PERSON JOINS IN THE LAUGHTER
("I GET IT NOW}"). FINALLY ONLY THE OUTSIDER IS LEFT CONFUSED OVER
THE MEANING OF THE STORY.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSURD ; DOG ; JOKE ; Pie ; Pointless ; POTATO ; RIDDLE ; Waitress
James Callow Keyword(s): BRUNVAND ; SHAGGY DOG STORY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: CA00001970
CHURCH CUSTOM
ON THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY (JAN. 6), IT IS A CUSTOM AMONG ROMAN
CATHOLICS TO HAVE A PIECE OF CHALK BLESSED BY A PRIEST AND TO WRITE
OVER AN ENTRANCE TO THEIR HOUSE THE INITIALS OF THE THREE KINGS IN
THE FOLLOWING MANNER: FIRST, THE FIRST TWO NUMBERS OF THE YEAR ARE
WRITTEN, THEN A CROSS, THEN K (FOR KASPAR), CROSS, M (MELCHIOR),
CROSS, B (BALTAZAR), CROSS, THEN THE LAST TWO NUMBERS OF THE YEAR.
FOR EXAMPLE, FOR THE YEAR 1979: 19 + K + M + B + 79.
IF THIS IS DONE, IT WILL PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM BEING STRUCK BY
LIGHTNING IN THE COMING YEAR.
Submitter comment:
THE SPELLINGS OF THE NAMES OF THE KINGS ARE AS GIVEN TO ME BY MY
INFORMANT.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 02-17-1979
PRACTICAL JOKE
THE FOLLOWING WAS A POPULAR PRACTICAL JOKE IN ENGLAND IN THE EARLY
1920'S.
A PIECE OF FRESH COW OR HORSE MANURE WOULD BE PLACED ON THE THUMB
LATCH OF THE VICTIM'S DOOR (A THUMB LATCH IS A KIND OF DOOR HANDLE
WHICH IS GRASPED WITH THE FINGERS WHILE A LATCH IS PUSHED DOWN WITH
THE THUMB) AND A THORN FROM A NEARBY HEDGEROW WOULD BE STOOD UP IN
IT. THIS IS USUALLY DONE AT DUSK, SO THE VICTIM WHO WILL OPEN
THE DOOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE THUMB LATCH CLEARLY. WHEN THE
VICTIM PUSHES HIS THUMB INTO THE MANURE HE IS STABBED BY THE THORN,
AND HIS NATURAL REACTION TO THE PAIN IS TO PLACE HIS THUMB IN HIS
MOUTH AND SUCK ON IT.
Submitter comment: MY FATHER RECALLS THIS FROM THE TIME HE LIVED IN CORNWALL.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-17-1979