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 C524 returned 166 results.
Game Uga Buga
Get as many kids as you can to play. Split the kids up into
groups of Cannibals and Safari people. There should only be a
small amount of Cannibals compared to Safari people. The
Cannibals try to catch the Safari people and tie them to trees.
The Safari people have to untie their teammates without getting
captured. You end the game when all the Safari or Cannibals are
killed or captured.
Submitter comment: Gordie played this game when he was 5 to 9 years old.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00001970S
Submarines and Battleships
Get as many people as you can to play. Depending on the amount
you get to play, one or two people are it. The rest of the people
are placed into groups of either battleships or submarines. They
line up on one side of the lawn. The people that are it stand in
the middle of the lawn and yell, "Submarines, go." All the people
that are submarines run across to the other side of the lawn. If
you get tagged by the people that are it, you have to sit down
right where you were tagged. You continue to play the game by
sending over the two groups, and you can even send them over
together. The people that get tagged can help the people that are
it by putting out their hands and trying to tag people as they run
by. The game ends when one person is left trying to run across
the lawn.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00001970S
7-up
There are seven players involved in this game of 7-up. Each
person is assigned a certain method of bouncing a ball. Three of
the players cover their eyes while the other players throw balls
at them lightly. The object of the game is to determine who threw
which ball. You may distinguish the players by each one's unique
bounce, but if all the balls are thrown at you at the same time,
it is difficult to discern which person threw each ball. When one
of the players is identified, he must sit out until the rest of
the ball throwers are known. Then the last person to be
identified is not "it." This means he gets to be assigned a new
pattern of bouncing the ball and group of individuals who
previously had covered their eyes are assigned ball patterns also.
The individual who had just thrown the balls are now "it."
Submitter comment:
There is also another version of this game which was usually
played during indoor recess. Seven students from the class were
selected to stand against the chalkboard. The remaining students
laid their heads on their desks covering their eyes. One person
with head down would count to 30 and then say, "Heads up 7-up."
While this person is counting to 30, the seven people at the
chalkboard would run around the room and tag one person on the
head. The person tagged would then raise their hand, indicating
they had been already chosen. After the seven individuals at the
chalkboard had tagged one person, they were to run back to the
chalkboard as quickly as possible. If the person counting reaches
the number thirty before the people are done tagging the others,
they are automatically out. The person who catches them gets to
go to the chalkboard the next game. Each of the seven people who
have been tagged, get to guess once who tagged them. If they got
it right then they replaced that person at the board. If the
individual guessed incorrectly then the person at the board
remained at their position. In this version one can cheat by
peeking through their fingers.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sandusky
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
Color Tag (Game)
The game is played by a group of more than four children, in a
large, outside area. One child is selected to be "It," and begins the
game by counting to ten. The other children run away, and
"It" attempts to catch them. If a child is about to be caught, he or
she can sit down and yell the name of a color. Any colors can be
used, but they cannot be repeated. "It" must either catch a child
before he or she sits down and says a color, or a color must be
repeated in order for "It" to become a player.
Submitter comment: I played this game as a small child with my school friends.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00001975CA
T.V. Tag
You find a dirt area outside and a stick. You draw a square in
the dirt; this is your T.V. You write the clues in your Square,
things like the time of the show, channel and day that it's on.
The object of the game is for the person who is "it" to figure out
the answer and chase the person.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001970S
Freeze Tag
Any number of people can play, the more the better. One
person is chosen to say the formula counting-out a rhyme, to
choose the people, who will be out and not have to be it ("It")
means he or she will be the first to chase the rest of the people
playing the game. The object of this game is for the person
that's it to chase and "freeze" one person at a time until all of
them are caught, or frozen. The ones that are free have to
unfreeze, the ones who are frozen. That's to keep the game
going.
Submitter comment:
You have to be a fast runner to be able to catch everyone of
the children playing the game, or you will never be able to be
the on being chased by the one that's it. Because the free ones
have to unfreeze everyone is frozen. I didn't like this game
very much, because all the bigger children, had longer legs, and
could catch the smaller children, such as I who never really got
a chance to be the one being it.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Green Light, Red Light
One person acts as the leader (or the traffic light) and the
others are players. The leader stands a distance from the
players with his back facing them. While the leader has his back
turned to the players he recites green light (meaning the players
can run towards him) red light (meaning the players have to
stop). When the leader says red light and turns to face the
players anyone caught running is told to go back to the starting
line. The first person to reach the leader (or the traffic
light) wins the game.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
Mister Fox
Any number can play. One person stands a distance from the
other players and that person is Mr. Fox. Mr. Fox stands facing
the players and each player has a turn. The players say Mr. Fox,
Mr. Fox what time is it? Mr. Fox responds with a time, for
example 1 o'clock or 5 o'clock. Whatever time he gives the
players take that many steps. (The times given are from 1
o'clock to midnight.) When the players are within reach of Mr.
Fox, when he is asked what time is it he shouts Midnight and
starts running after the players. The player that he catches
becomes Mr. Fox.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
Mother May I
Any number can play. One person acts as the mother. The
person acting as the mother stands a distance away from the
players. Each person gets a turn. The players ask mother if
they can do certain things. For example, " Mother May I take 2
giant steps?" Mother can respond in a positive manner by saying
"Yes you may" or by telling that player to take ever more steps
or bigger than giant steps or mother may respond in a negative
way by saying "No, you may take some steps backwards" or "You may
take little steps." It is up to the mother to grant the players
their wishes. First person to reach mother wins and becomes
mother.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POLITENESS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
Mr. Fox
As a young girl, my siblings, neighbors and I used to play a
game called "Mr. Fox." The object of the game was to avoid
becoming "Mr. Fox" or "It." One player was elected to become "Mr.
Fox" or "It." This player stood a select distance from the other
players with his/her back to the players. Players lined up in a
straight line and in unison called out "Mr. Fox, Mr. Fox, what time
is it?" Depending upon the answer given by "Mr. Fox," players
would have to move towards Mr. Fox a certain number of steps.
For example: Players: "Mr. Fox, Mr. Fox, what time is it?"
Mr. Fox: "It's three o'clock." Each player would then take three
regular-sized steps toward Mr. Fox.
During the time that the players are moving toward Mr. Fox, Mr. Fox
keeps his/her back turned to the players. When Mr. Fox "feels"
that the players are near enough for him/her to easily pursue,
he/she gives the time as being "Midnight" and chases the players
until he/she tags one, who then becomes Mr. Fox.
The game is repeated with a new "Mr. Fox."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Red light/green light
The game "Red light; Green light" was very much like the "Mr.
Fox" game previously described. The object of the game, however,
was to become "It" or the traffic light. One player was elected to
become "It." This player stood a select distance from the other
players with his/her back to the players. Players also lined up in
a straight line behind it.
At this point "It" would say "Greenlight." Players had to advance
toward the traffic light or "It" until "It" shouted "Redlight."
"It" would also look over his/her shoulder to see if anyone is
moving. Anyone who gets caught in motion is out.
The person who makes it to tag "It" without being caught in motion
became the traffic light.
The game is repeated with a new "It."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
In our family, if any two people say the exact same words at
the exact same time (or at least pretty close) a tagging fight
breaks out. One of the persons involved tries to be the first to
tag the other and say, "Owe me a coke!" or "Owe me a beer!" This
tag fight can get so involved that they may even chase each other
down the street. The tagging fight can also last a very long time
and can be exciting to watch.
James Callow comment:
See Cf. Hand, North Carolina, 447-454. See Puckett, Ohio, nos.
21886-21946, 22259, 22319. Despite the many examples in this great
collection, none of the verbal formulas and finger rituals match
the ones in our entry.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Speaking in unison
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
Duck, Duck, Goose
On our block we played a game called Duck, Duck, Goose. The
game consisted of at least four players in a circle, either
standing or sitting. The more people the better. The leader would
start off by walking around the circle tapping each person a duck,
until the leader felt ready to tag someone the goose. The goose
would in turn chase the leader around the circle until the leader
is either tagged out or reaches the vacant space that the duck came
out of. If the leader safely reaches the space then it's the
duck's turn to be the leader.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 06-01-1974
MR. FOX
MR. FOX, MR. FOX, WHAT TIME IS IT?
WHATEVER NUMBER IS GIVEN IS TAKEN IN STEPS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 01-20-1970
POM, POM, PULL AWAY
POM, POM, PULL AWAY,
GET YOUR HORSE AND RUN AWAY.
THIS IS REPEATED AFTER TWO GROUPS OF CHILDREN HAVE
BEEN LINED UP FACING EACH OTHER. ONE TEAM REPEATS
THIS AND THE OTHER TRIES TO RUN PAST THEM WITHOUT
BEING CAUGHT BY THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 01-30-1971
DRAG RACE
IN THE U.S.A. WHEN TWO CARS STOP AT A LIGHT AND BOTH
ARE FAST CARS, BOTH CARS USUALLY PROCEED TO RACE
TO SEE WHO HAS THE FASTEST CAR FROM A STANDING START.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 11-18-1968
SHOE FLY
HEY SHOE FLY, HA, HA.
LADY'S BOW TIE, HA, HA.
GENTLEMEN'S NECKTIE, HA, HA.
THEN THE CHILDREN RUN.
THIS GAME IS PLAYED WITH SEVERAL CHILDREN. THIS IS
A CHASE GAME. ONE CHILD SAYS THE CHANT OVER AND OVER,
WHILE THE CHILDREN RUN AROUND. THEN THE CHILD RUNS
AFTER THEM, TRYING TO CATCH THE CHILDREN. THE LAST
ONE CAUGHT IS "IT."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 01-23-1971
PEACE
PEACE POT, HOT, HOT
PEACE POT, COLD, COLD.
AFTER THIS HAS BEEN CHANTED OVER A COUPLE OF TIMES,
THE CHILDREN ALL RUN CHASING AND TAGGING EACH OTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 01-23-1971
KICK THE CAN
NEEDED FOR THE GAME IS ONE TIN CAN AND A GROUP OF PLAYERS.
ONE PERSON WILL BE THE "IT." THE OTHERS GO AND HIDE
SOMEWHERE. THE CAN IS PLACED IN OPEN VIEW. THE "IT"
GOES TO LOOK FOR THE OTHERS, BUT TRIES TO STAY NEAR THE
CAN. FOR THE OBJECT IS FOR THE PLAYERS TO GET TO THE
CAN AND KICK IT BEFORE THE "IT" CAN GET TO THE CAN
AND CALLS THE PLAYER OUT. IF THE "IT" LOCATES A PLAYER
HE RUNS BACK TO THE CAN AND CALLS "ONE, TWO, THREE ON
(WHOEVER HE FINDS). THAT PLAYER IS THEN OUT OF THE
GAME AND IT CONTINUES TILL EVERYONE IS FOUND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 10-01-1968
RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT.
WHEN THE CHILD SAYS RED LIGHT, EVERYONE STOPS RUNNING
AND GREEN LIGHT THEY HAVE TO KEEP RUNNING UNTIL SOMEONE
CALLS RED LIGHT. CHILDREN OFTEN PLAYED THIS GAME ON
A WARM DAY WITH MANY CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 01-23-1971