Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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African-American Children's hand clapping game
This game is played with a hand clap. The words to the game
must keep the beat of the clap. Rhythm is a very important
part in keeping the game going.
Hands up to eighty-five (clap clap)
gonna get (clap clap)
names of (clap clap)
(any fruit, color, city, state, people, anything selected.)
No hesitation (clap clap)
No demonstration (clap clap)
so let's go (clap clap)
starting with (say person's name). (clap clap)
ending with (say person's name) (clap clap)
So lets go! (clap clap)
Submitter comment:
The children are in a circle when playing this game and the
chosen topic is shouted out by each child as their turn comes
in the circle. I've watched my daughter and her friends play
games for hours. The children often add foot movement and hip
movements as they keep time with the rhythm of the game. Any
person causing a break in the timing is out of the game.
Players cannot duplicate objects or subject matters already
called by any other player in the game. If there is a
hesitation or pause by a players, loss for words or a wrong
topic called, that player is eliminated from the game. The
winner is the last person left in the circle. Each time a
person is out the caller of the game has the option to select
a new topic or keep the old one. Children most often use
fruit, colors and cities as the topic for this game.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
African-American Children's hand clapping game
This game is played as hands are clapped together in time to
the words in the game.
Popsicle sticks will make you sick
with a wiggle and a wobble
and a giggle and a flip
If you say (any number the caller chooses to call from 0-9)
you're out of the game.
Submitter comment:
If the number two (2) is called then the children proceed to
count skipping over the number two i.e.
1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,13, etc. never calling any number
containing a two (2). If someone does call a number
containing two (2) he/she is out of the game. Rhythm is very
important to the game; it is played keeping time with a
consistent hand clapped rhythm.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1988
African-American Children's Game
Children gather in a circle swinging held-together hands as
this game is played. Hands are dropped at the point of "he
missed"; then it is a jumping game of crossing legs.
Ronald McDonald sitting on a fence
trying to make a quarter
out of eighty-five cents
He missed (jump and cross or do not cross legs)
He missed (jump and cross or do not cross legs)
He missed like this (jump and cross or do not cross legs)
Submitter comment:
Who ever has his/her legs crossed on the call (he missed
like this) is out of the game.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 00-00-1988
African-American Children's Game (jump rope)
This is sung as children jump rope.
Teddy bear, teddy bear turn around
Teddy bear, teddy bear touch the ground
Teddy bear, teddy bear shine your shoes
Teddy bear, teddy bear read the news
Teddy bear, teddy bear go up stairs
Teddy bear, teddy bear say your prayers
Teddy bear, teddy bear turn out the light
Teddy bear, teddy bear say good night.
Submitter comment:
The person jumping rope must do each thing mentioned
in the song as he/she jumps the rope. The jumper must jump
out of the rope after saying good night.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
A game played by African-American children
Look who's here Punchi-nella Punchi-nella
Look who's here Punchi-nella at the zoo
What can you do Punchi-nella, Punchi-nella
What can you do Punchi-nella at the zoo?
We can do it too Punchi-nella, Punchi-nella
We can do it too Punchi-nella at the zoo.
Submitter comment:
This game is played in a circle and there are hand
claps that accompany the words to the song. One
player (Punchi-nella) is in the center of the circle.
When Punchi-nella is asked "what can you do?", the
player responds by doing his/her own unique dance
in the center of the circle. When the other players
respond, "we can do it too" they imitate the dance
that Punchi-nella performed in the center of the
circle.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00001960-61
A rhyme sung by African-American children
Lou Lou had an engine
The engine had a bell
Lou Lou went to heaven
The engine went to hello
Operator
Give me number nine
If you don't connect me
I beat your big
Behind
The refrigerator
There was a piece of glass
Lou Lou slipped upon it and
Cut her little
Ask
Me no more questions
I'll tell you no more lies
Lou Lou told me all of this
Just before she died.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
Hand game played by African-American Children
Captain says shoo!
Submitter comment:
Two or more can play this game. At the beginning
of the game players determine who is ODD or EVEN,
the choice is up to each player. Players stand in a circle
with both hands behind their backs and as they say together
"Captain says shoo" they draw out their fists with a
random numbers of fingers pointing out or none. Then all
pointed fingers are counted odd, even, odd, even, odd, even,
etc. The winner is determined by the final count. If it
is even, then all players who chose to be even win. The
others are eliminated from the game until it is down to one
player.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
See, See My Playmate
See, see my playmate.
Come out and play with me, and bring your dollies, three.
Climb up my apple tree. Slide down my rain barrel.
Into my cellar door. And we'll be jolly friends,
Forevermore.
So sorry playmate.
Can't come out and play with you.
My dollies got the flu. Oh boo hoo hoo hoo hoo.
Ain't got no rain barrel. Don't got no cellar door.
We can't be jolly friends, forevermore.
Submitter comment:
This songs were sung, usually by two girls, who would
at the same time clap their hands together once and
then hit right hands, clap, then left hands, then clap again
continuing that pattern throughout the entire song.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HEMLOCK
Date learned: 00-00-1978
Miss Susie 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 a bar of soap.
He tried to eat the bathtub,
But it wouldn't fit down his throat.
Miss Susie called the doctor, the doctor called the nurse.
The nurse called the lady with the alligator purse.
Mumps said the doctor. Measles said the nurse.
Nothing said the lady with the alligator purse.
Out went the doctor. Out went the nurse.
Out went the lady with the alligator purse.
Submitter comment:
Sometimes just sung, other times it is done with two
girls clapping hands and alternating slapping each
other's hands.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HEMLOCK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 00001980S
Where is thumpkin? Where is thumpkin?
(both hands are behind back)
Here I am! (bring out other thumb)
Here I am! (bring out other thumb)
How are you to day sir? (move one thumb as if speaking)
Very well and thank you. (move other thumb as if replying)
Run and hide (put one hand behind back)
Run and hide (put other hand behind back)
Where is pointer? Where is pointer?
(repeat above hand motions with pointer finger)
Here I am! Here I am! How are you today sir?
Very well and thank you. Run and hide, Run and hide.
Where is tall man? Where is tall man?
(repeat with middle finger)
Here I am! Here I am! How are you today sir?
Very well and thank you. Run and hide, Run and hide.
Where is ring finger? Where is ring finger?
(repeat with ring finger)
Here I am! Here I am! How are you today sir?
Very well and thank you. Run and hide, Run and hide.
Where is pinky? Where is pinky?
(repeat with pinky finger)
Here I am! Here I am! How are you today sir?
Very well and thank you. Run and hide, Run and hide.
Where's the whole family? Where's the whole family?
(repeat using all fingers)
Here we are! Here we are! How are you today sirs?
Very well and thank you. Run and hide, Run and hide.
Submitter comment:
I used to perform this miniature finger play for my
younger brothers and sister as well as other children
I babysat for. By using different tones of voice for
Each finger depending on size (thumb was a deep voice
and pinky was a squeaky, tiny voice) I could keep
very young children and babies entertained.
Sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HEMLOCK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00001970S
"Standing on the Corner"
This is a children's hand clapping game. The song is sung,"
Standing on the corner, chewing a piece of gum,
Along came a boy saying give me some.
I said, "no, dirty boy does your momma know you're out,
With your hands in your pocket and your shirt tail out.
Einy beeny a baline, a ba hebalini-me and my brother George.
A peach, a plum, have a stick of chewing gum,
This is what he said,"Ilias dilias, assis, assis, tell me this.
Cafeteria, ra, ra, ra."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sandusky
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
Hands up to Eighty-five
This is a singing and clapping game where the object is not to
hesitate. You pick a topic such as cars, colors, or names that
start with "R". It goes like this: Hands up to eighty-five going
to get names of cars.. no hesitation, no dimitration so let's go.
The first person says a car, then the second and so on, all the
time the clapping in rhythm. If you don't say a car in time you
are out, the game goes on until one person is left.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 00001970S
Apple Stix Apple Stix
Make me sick
And a wibble and a wobble
And two forty six.
If you say the number six I will beat your behind
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18...
Submitter comment:
There are two or more players in this clapping game. When
the song gets to the clapping part each player must take one turn
counting up the number scale without saying the number six. If
the player says six then that player is out. The last player
that did not say the number six is the winner. As you go around
the circle of players counting, each player must count as fast as
they can.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Sixths / Six Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
Hands Up to 85
To play this game there should be at least 3 or more players.
(The more players the more interesting a game!) The players stand
in a circle clapping each others hands throughout the entire game.
This game is usually played by young girls.
Object: To name something different about the subject your group
has chosen.
Rules: No one can repeat anything already named.
Players must not hesitate or demonstate.
Players must keep on the beat of the clap.
The rhyme: Hands up to 85,
Gonna get,
Names of,
(Name the subject) e.g., boy names
No hesitation,
No demonstration,
So let's go,
Starting with,
(Name the player to begin).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): hesitate or demonstrate ?
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 01-00-1992
Sing-song
When my children were very young, I overheard my grandmother
reciting this little sing-song to them:
Eyes, Nose, Cheekie, Cheekie, Chin
Cheekie, Cheekie, Chin, Nose, Eyes
Submitter comment:
The sing-song was accompanied by pointing to the child's eyes,
nose, cheeks and chin. She said this was how they would easily
learn parts of their body.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): Antistrophe
Date learned: 00001970S
Chin Tickler
I remember this little game my grandmother played on my face
and head. She would knock on my head and say, "head knocker", then
touch my eyes and say, "eye peepers," then pinch my nose and say,
"nose blower," then place her finger on my mouth and say, "mouth
chopper" and tickle under my chin and say, "chin tickler."
Submitter comment:
The two of us would continue the little game, laughing until
one of us would finally give in due to stomach pain from laughter.
I did the same with my children.
Where learned: Grandmother
James Callow Keyword(s): Names for body parts
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics SPEECH -- Vocabulary |
Date learned: 00001950S
MY HAT IT HAS THREE CORNERS
THREE CORNERS HAS MY HAT.
AND HAD IT NOT THREE CORNERS,
IT WOULD NOT BE MY HAT.
REPEAT, OMITTING THE WORD HAT, BUT STILL GO THROUGH
THE MOTIONS AS BEFORE. DO THE SAME FOR THE WORD
THREE, AND CORNERS .
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-06-1971
SNAPS
PASSING SNAPS IS A PASTIME TO KILL MONOTONY.
YOU SNAP YOUR FINGERS WHEN YOU CATCH AN IMAGINARY
BALL THROWN TO YOU BY SOMEONE ELSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 11-06-1971
PUNCH IN AND PUNCH OUT
THIS GAME WAS PLAYED IN A STREET OR ON AN EMPTY LOT
WITH BOUNDARIES DETERMINED BY THE PLAYERS. AT LEAST
FOUR MUST PLAY. ONE PLAYER IS PICKED TO BE "IT"
BY USING A "COUNT-OUT" RHYME. "IT" OCCUPIED THE HOME
BASE AND COULD NOT BE PUNCHED WHILE ON THAT BASE.
THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS FOR "IT" TO GET SOMEONE
ELSE TO BE "IT." TO DO THIS, "IT" HAD TO HOP ON ONE
FOOT OFF THE BASE AND PUNCH SOMEONE ELSE. WHILE "IT"
HOPS, HE CANNOT BE PUNCHED, BUT IF HIS OTHER FOOT TOUCHES
THE GROUND, HE CAN BE PUNCHED. IF "IT" MANAGED TO PUNCH
SOMEONE WHILE HOPPING, THAT PLAYER WOULD THEN BE "IT"
AND WOULD HAVE TO HOP BACK TO BASE OR BE PUNCHED.
ONCE THE NEW "IT" REACHED BASE THE PROCEDURE WAS
REPEATED. THE PLAYERS COULD NOT GO OUTSIDE OF THE
PREARRANGED BOUNDARIES. DURING THE GAME, THE PLAYERS
CONTINUALLY TAUNT AND HARASS THE PLAYER WHO IS IT (I.E.
"JOHN IS IT AND TOOK A FIT AND CAN'T GET OVER IT!")
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT PLAYED THIS GAME WITH HIS BROTHERS AND
FRIENDS IN THE 1920S AND 30S.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; GLENSHAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
LITTLE CHILDREN, WHEN WALKING HOME OR JUST FOR
SOMETHING TO DO, TRY TO AVOID STEPPING ON THE CRACKS
PRESENT ON SIDEWALKS. THEY MAY SAY SUCH THINGS AS
"STEP ON A CRACK AND YOU'LL BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK."
Submitter comment: INFORMANT AND MYSELF BOTH REMEMBER HAVING DONE THIS.
Where learned: OHIO ; LAKEWOOD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 11-05-1971