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 C730 returned 95 results.
ANIMAL RHYME
THE ELEPHANT IS A PRETTY BIRD,
IT FLITS FROM BOUGH TO BOUGH.
IT BUILDS ITS NEST IN A RHUBARB TREE
AND WHISTLES LIKE A COW.
Where learned: ONTARIO ; OAKVILLE
Keyword(s): HUMOR ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.442 |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
ROLL CALL SHA BOOGIE CHECK CHECK ME OUT, ROLL CALL SHA BOOGIE CHECK
CHECK ME OUT. MY NAME IS? THEY CALL ME? I'M A (SIGN),
SO CHECK ME OUT
Submitter comment: THE SIGN REFERS TO YOUR ZODIAC SIGN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-14-1980
HAY-DE-HAY HAY-DE-HO
WIBLEY-WIBLEY-WABLY-WO
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP TO THE SKY........
TROUP 766 IS PASSING BY!
Submitter comment:
THIS IS THE CHANT THE GIRL SCOUTS SING WHILE HIKING
AT CAMP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CADENCE CHANT ; GIRL SCOUTS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 02-00-1984
Belief: Children's Song
STEP ON A CRACK, BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK. STEP ON A LINE
BREAK YOUR FATHER'S SPINE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT USED TO SING THIS WHEN SHE PLAYED HOPSCOTCH ON
THE SIDEWALK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; Father ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE
James Callow Keyword(s): GAME SONG
GIANT RACE
FOR I'M THE LAST OF THE GIANT RACE,
THE BIG MEN FROM MULDARE.
IT TAKES A NAVY TO WASH MY FACE,
AND AN ARMY TO COMB MY HAIR.
TWENTY MEN AND A SIX INCH GUN
COULD SIT ON MY BIGGEST TOE.
AND WHEN I'M THIRSTY IT'S ONLY FUN
TO DRINK UP A SEA OR SO.
IF YOU HAD THE SIGHT OF MY SMALLEST EYE,
YOU COULD SEE THE MICE ON THE MOON.
AND IF YOU WERE AS LONG IN THE LEGS AS I,
YOU COULD WALK THERE PRETTY SOON.
FOR I'M THE LAST OF THE GIANT RACE,
THE BIG MEN FROM MULDARE.
IT TAKES A NAVY TO WASH MY FACE,
AND AN ARMY TO COMB MY HAIR.
Submitter comment:
THIS POEM WAS PASSED DOWN THROUGH THE FAMILY. ALL THE
CHILDREN IN MY FATHER'S FAMILY WOULD BEG MY GRANDPA TO
RECITE THIS POEM FOR THEM. IT WAS DEFINITELY A FAVORITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HYPERBOLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
MAMA, MAMA HAVE YOU HEARD, DADDY IS GONNA BUY ME A
MOCKING BIRD? IF THAT MOCKING BIRD DON'T SING,
DADDY'S GONNA BY ME A DIAMOND RING. IF THAT DIAMOND
RING DON'T SHINE, DADDY'S GONNA BUY ME BOTTLE OF WINE.
IF THAT BOTTLE OF WINE GETS BROKE, DADDY'S GONNA BUY
ME A BILLY GOAT. IF THAT BILLY GOAT RUNS AWAY,
DADDY'S GONNA MY BOODY AYE. IF MY BOODY AYE GETS
SORE, DADDY'S GONNA BUY ME A GROCERY STORE. IF THAT
GROCERY STORE BURNS DOWN, DADDY'S GONNA BUY AN EVENING
GOWN. IF THAT EVENING GOWN DON'T FIT, DADDY'S GONNA
SAY "I QUIT, I QUIT."
Keyword(s): CHAIN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 03-00-1985
TAUNTING VERSE
I'M GOING DOWN TOWN TO SMOKE MY PIPE
AND I WON'T BE BACK 'TIL BROAD DAYLIGHT.
IF I CATCH YOU GONE WHEN I GET BACK,
I'LL BEAT YOU 'TIL YOU'RE BLUE AND BLACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER HILLS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1942
IF GOD IS LOVE
AND LOVE IS BLIND
THEN RAY CHARLES MUST BE GOD!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FAULTY REASONING ; NONSEQUITUR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
"1492"
IN 1492 COLUMBUS SAILED THE OCEAN BLUE
HE SAILED THE OCEAN WITH NEARLY A WHEEL
JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT THE HECK WAS THE DEAL!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-08-1985
"DREAMS"
HOLD FAST TO DREAMS
FOR IF DREAMS DIE
LIFE IS A BROKEN-WINGED BIRD
THAT CANNOT FLY.
HOLD FAST TO DREAMS
FOR WHEN DREAMS GO
LIFE IS A BARREN FIELD
FROZEN WITH SNOW.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
"THEY WILL SAY"
OF MY CITY THE WORST THAT MEN WILL SAY IS THIS:
YOU TOOK LITTLE CHILDREN AWAY FROM THE SUN AND THE DEW,
AND THE GLIMMERS THAT PLAYED IN THE GRASS/UNDER THE GREAT
SKY AND THE RECKLESS RAIN/YOU PUT THEM BETWEEN WALLS TO
WORK/SMOTHERED AND BROKEN FOR BREAD AND WAGES/TO EAT DUST
IN THEIR THROATS AND DIE EMPTY HEARTED/FOR A LITTLE
HANDFUL OF PAY ON A FEW SATURDAY NIGHTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-08-1985
HOW A MINORITY
REACHING A MAJORITY
SIEZING AUTHORITY
HATES A MINORITY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FEMININE RHYME ; TRIPLE RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-08-1985
"THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH"
HIS BROW IS WET WITH HONEST SWEAT
HE EARNS WHATE'ER HE CAN
AND LOOKS THE WHOLE WORLD IN THE FACE
FOR HE OWES NOT ANY MAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-05-1985
BLACK AMERICAN
IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT, DON'T
FAKE IT, LET SOMEBODY ELSE TAKE
IT, CAUSE IT'S NOT THE DEPTHS OF
THE RIVER THAT DROWNS A MAN, IT'S
THE WATER. SHOW AS FAT IS GREASY,
YOU WILL GO SEE SISTER LOUWEEZY,
AND MONA LISA WAS A WOMAN.
Submitter comment:
CURIOUS ABOUT SISTER LOUWEEZY, HE
INFORMED ME THAT SHE WAS A VOO-DOO
WOMAN.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 09-20-1985
HU - UCKLE, BU- BUCKLE, HU-UCKLE-I,
HU-UCKLE, BU-BUCKLE, HUCKLEBERRY PIE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-06-1987
A warm sunny day makes aches and pains go away.
A walk in the rain brings them back again.
Submitter comment:
He made this up on one of his many walks in the
sun and rain.
Where learned: FLORIDA ; DelRay Beach
Keyword(s): WEATHER
| Subject headings: | Observation Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Old English Saying
Mirror, mirror tell me
Am I pretty or plain?
Or am I downright ugly, and ugly to remain?
Shall I marry a gentleman?
Shall I marry a clown?
Or shall I marry old knives and scissors
Shouting through this town?
Submitter comment: A saying of women in fear of becoming an "old maid."
Where learned: ENGLAND ; LONDON
Keyword(s): Knife Grinder
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR
Keyword(s): caring, love
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1991
Irish Prayer
May those who love us, love us;
And those who don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limp.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Marine City
Keyword(s): CURSE
James Callow Keyword(s): enemies
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1991
Mock Wedding
There is an annual "Mock Wedding" party among the
lifeguards at Windmill Pointe Park. The name of each guard
is written on a piece of paper, and put into a pot. There is
a list of all the participants in the wedding, such as: the
bride, groom, wedding party, photographer, parents of bride
and groom, drinking buddies, flower girl and ring bearer,
choir, jilted lovers, priest, etc.
One by one the names are drawn, and written on the list of
titles, respectively (according to male & female).
The different groups of people in the wedding can come up
with themes for their members. Example: One year the bride
and her maids & buddies, all wore black. One year they
dressed like hippies.
The day of the "wedding" the ceremony takes place. As the
choir sings its creative songs, others play their part.
After the ceremony, a "good time" is had by all at the
reception.
Submitter comment:
Our mock wedding took place in the old bathhouse at the
park. It has been converted into a hall for real parties
as well.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): tradition, pretend
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 06-00-1987