Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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CRACK THE WHIP
THIS GAME WAS PLAYED WITH ROLLERSKATES, AND THERE WAS NO LIMIT TO
THE PLAYERS. IT BEGAN WITH THE LEADER WHO SKATED ALONG, AND THEN
SOMEONE GRABBED ONTO HIS HAND, AND THIS CONTINUED UNTIL A CHAIN OF
PEOPLE FORMED. BUT IN ANY TIME OF THE GAME, THE LEADER MADE A
QUICK HALF MOON TURN, WHICH CAUSED A WHIP THAT USUALLY THREW THE
LAST PERSON OUT OF LINE AND WITH A GOOD BRUISE.
Submitter comment:
MY DAD LEARNED THIS GAME IN HAMTRAMCK AS A YOUNG BOY. HE ENJOYED
PLAYING IT THEN, BUT NOW THOUGHT IT WAS KIND OF ROUGH WHEN THE LAST
PERSON ON THE WHIP SCRAPED HIS LEGS BAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
LONDON BRIDGE
HOLD UP THE GATE GO HIGH AS THE SKY, LET KING GEORGES HORSES GO BY
THIS IS THE LIGHT TO PUT YOU TO BED, AND THIS IS THE HATCHED TO CUT
OFF YOUR HEAD. CHIP CHOP CHUM. WHEN THEY SAY CHIP, CHOP, CHUM, THEY
CATCH SOMEONE AND SWAY THEM BACK AND FORTH.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER LEARNED THIS IN 1938, IN MARIAN, ALABAMA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 11-14-1980 ; 00-00-1938
BATMAN AND ROBIN
BATMAN AND ROBIN, ROBIN, ROBIN, BATMAN AND ROBIN ALL NIGHT LONG,
WALKING THROUGH THE ALLEY, ALLEY, ALLEY, WALKING THROUGH THE ALLEY
ALL NIGHT LONG, WHAT DID I SEE, I SAW A BIG FAT MAN FROM TENNESSEE,
I BETCHA FIVE DOLLARS I CAN SHOOT HIM DOWN, I BETCHA FIVE DOLLARS I
CAN SHOOT HIM DOWN, BOOM SHI WALLY WALLY, BOOM SHI WALLY WALLY,
BOOM SHI WALLY WALLY ALL NIGHT LONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 11-14-1980
EVERYTIME MY GRANDMOTHER SNEEZES WITH FOOD IN HER MOUTH, SOMEONE
IN OUR FAMILY DIES.
Submitter comment:
I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE SHE WAS 7. SHE IS 80
YEARS OLD NOW
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-14-1980 ; 00-00-1900
THE STORY OF ELLA REED
SHE WAS BORN INTO SLAVERY AND SHE LIVED IN VIRGINIA. SHE HAD A MOTHER
AND A FATHER AND ONE SISTER AND BROTHER. ONE DAY THEY WERE WORKING
IN THE FIELD AND A WHITE COUPLE CAME AND TOOK HER AWAY FROM HER
PARENTS.THEY CRIED AND CRIED. THEY WERE IN A BUGGY AND IT SEEMED
LIKE THEY RODE FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS. SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL AND SHE
GREW UP IN A BIG HOUSE. AND SHE WAS FRAIL AND HER HEALTH WAS BAD.
SHE DIDN,T HAVE TO WORK IN THE FIELDS. SHE WAS A HOUSE SLAVE AND SHE
LEARNED TO DO ALL THE HOUSE WORK. SHE REMEMBERED OFTEN HAVING BAD
HEADACHES AND SHE REMEMBERED THEM CUTTING HER BEHIND THE NECK TO
BLEED HER AND SHE GUESSED IT WAS BECAUSE THE HEADACHES SHE HAD.
SHE WAS A STUBBORN SLAVE AND AS SHE GREW UP THEY WOULD WHIP HER
BECAUSE SHE WOULD NOT SAY PRAY MASSAH TO THEM. SHE LIVED TO BE 101
YEARS OLD AND BEFORE SHE DIED SHE MARRIED JOHN REED AND SHE WAS
PART AFRICAN AND PART INDIAN.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER WAS TOLD THIS STORY IN 1938. I WAS TOLD THIS STORY IN 1970.
ELLA REED WAS MY GREAT GREAT GRANDMOTHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 11-14-1980 ; 00-00-1938
FLORIDA SUPERSTITION
"!OU SHOULD NEVER USE THE LAST MATCH IN A BOX, OR YOUR HOUSE
WILL CATCH FIRE"
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
GEORGIA HALLOWEEN CUSTOM
"DADDY TOLD US THAT EVERY HALLOWEEN NIGHT,
YOU SHOULD FACE SOUTH-EAST AND SAY A LITTLE RHYME I CAN'T REMEMBER,
AND IT WOULD PREVENT BLACKBEARD'S GHOST FROM GETTING YOU."
Submitter comment:
THE COLLECTOR RESEARCHED THIS GEORGIA SUPERSTITION, AND FOUND
THAT BLACKBEARD'S ISLAND, THE SITE WHERE THE ENGLISH PIRATE
SUPPOSEDLY ESTABLISHED HIS HEADQUARTERS, LIES JUST OFF OF
GEORGIA'S SOUTH-EAST COAST.
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
FLORIDA HALLOWEEN CUSTOM
"WE WERE ALWAYS RUNNING AROUND ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT. WE DIDN'T GO
TRICK OR TREATING LIKE THEY DO NOW, BUT WE'D GO LOOK FOR HOT-STEAMS
ON THE COUNTRY ROADS. THEY WERE LIKE GHOSTS THAT WOULD STRETCH
ACROSS THE ROAD AND BLOCK THE WAY. IF THEY CAUGHT YOU, THEY'D
SUCK YOUR BREATH, AND TO PREVENT IT, YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO SAY MM
"ANGEL BRIGHT, LIFE IN DEATH
GET OFF THE ROAD, DON'T SUCK MY BREATH'. MM
WE BELIEVED IN HOT-STEAMS, BUT WE NEVER DID SEE ONE".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST LEARNED OF "HOT-STEAMS" FROM CHILDHOOD FRIENDS
IN FLORIDA. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT HOT-STEAMS
UNTIL SHE READ HARPER LEE'S "TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD",
WHICH MENTIONED HOT-STEAMS WITH THE SAME RHYME.
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
ALABAMA SUPERSTITION
"WHEN YOU'RE WALKING DOWN THE STREET WITH SOMEONE
AND YOU COME TO A TREE OR A POST, ONE PERSON'S SUPPOSED TO
WALK AROUND ONE SIDE OF IT AND SAY 'BREAD AND BUTTER', WHILE THE
OTHER PERSON WALKS AROUND THE OTHER SIDE AND SAYS 'SALT AND PEPPER'.
IF YOU DON'T DO THIS, YOU'LL HAVE A FIGHT BEFORE THE DAY IS OUT."
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE FIRST LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Conversions SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
EASTER EGG CRACK
A TRADITION OF THE GREEKS AT EASTER IS THE EGG CRACK. EVERYONE GETS
A RED EGG WHICH THEY HIT AGAINST ANOTHER. IF ONE CRACKS, HE IS OUT
AND THE ONE THAT REMAINS WHOLE IS KEPT FOR SEVEN YEARS, AND
THEN IT CAN BE BROKEN. IT MUST BE A RED EGG BECAUSE RED REPRESENTS
CHRIST'S BLOOD AND THE CRACK REPRESENTS COMING OUT OF SORROW OF HIS
DEATH AND THE JOY OF HIS RISING. THIS TRADITION GOES BACK TO THE DAYS
OF CHRIST.
Submitter comment:
WHEN MY NEIGHBOR TOLD ME THIS STORY, I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS A TERRIFIC
ONE. IT HAD SO MUCH MEANING TO IT. SHE REMEMBERED DOING IT WHEN SHE
WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday BELIEF -- P681 P681.1 BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
GREEK FUNERAL SERVICE
A SPECIAL MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR DEPARTED SOULS IS CALLED MNEMOSIMON.
AFTER THE MASS IS READ, A DISH OF BOILED SWEETENED KERNELS AND FRUITS
CALLED KOLLIVA, IS DISTRIBUTED IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE DEAD. THE
KOLLIVA IS BLESSED BY THE PRIEST AND THEN EATEN AT THE CHURCH BY
FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. THE BOILED WHEAT GERM SYMBOLIZES RESURREC-
TION AND IS TRADITIONALLY OFFERED FORTY DAYS AFTER DEATH AND ONE
YEAR AFTER DEATH.
IT IS NOT SERVED AT ANY OTHER TIME.
Submitter comment:
THE GREEK MEMORIAL SERVICE IS DIFFERENT THAN OURS, EXCEPT FOR THE
MEAL AFTERWARDS. THEIR MEAL CONSISTS OF DIFFERENT FOOD THAN OURS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): RESURRECTION SYMBOL
Date learned: 00-00-1980
"BUZZ"
THIS DRINKING GAME IS BEST WHEN PLAYED WITH 5-10 PEOPLE.
THE GROUP ARRANGES ITSELF IN A CIRCLE AND, BEGINNING IN A
CLOCKWISE DIRECTION, EACH PERSON SAYS ONE NUMBER STARTING WITH
1, 2, 3... AND SO ON. WHEN THE NUMBER SEVEN IS REACHED,
THE PERSON WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO SAY THE NUMBER SEVEN SAYS BUZZ
INSTEAD, AND THE DIRECTION REVERSES. THIS CONTINUES UNTIL THE NEXT
SEVEN OR MULTIPLE OF SEVEN. E.G., 7, 14, 17, 21, 27, 28, 35...
REVERSING DIRECTION EACH TIME "BUZZ" IS SAID.
WHEN A PERSON DOES NOT SAY BUZZ AT THE PROPER TIME (ON A SEVEN
OR ONE OF ITS MULTIPLES) THEN HE/SHE LOSES. THE PENALTY FOR LOSING
IS USUALLY DRINKING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF BEER (ABOUT 6 TO 12 OUNCES).
THIS MUST BE CONSUMED VERY RAPIDLY.
Submitter comment:
VARIATIONS OF THE GAME USE OTHER NUMBERS AND THEIR MULTIPLES
SUCH AS THE NUMBERS 3, 4, 6, 8, AND 9. WHEN USING EASIER NUMBERS
SUCH AS 5 AND 7, IT IS POSSIBLE TO USE BOTH NUMBERS SAYING
"BUZZ FOR 5 AND ITS MULTIPLES, AND "BANG FOR 7 AND ITS MULTIPLES,
REVERSING DIRECTION ONLY WHEN "BUZZ" IS SAID.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | 686 Fifths 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C531 |
Date learned: 00-00-1978
"500"
THIS GAME INCLUDES FROM THREE PLAYERS AND UP, ONE PLAYER IS
DESIGNATED AS THE THROWER, AND THE REST OF THE PLAYERS GROUP THEM-
SELVES THIRTY TO FIFTY YARDS AWAY. THE THROWER THEN HURLS A
SMALL BALL (USUALLY A TENNIS BALL) IN THE DIRECTION OF THE
GROUP OF PLAYERS. THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO CATCH THE BALL
IN THE AIR, OR AT LEAST BEFORE IT BOUNCES THREE TIMES. IT IS
IN THIS WAY THAT POINTS ARE SCORED. POINTS ARE DISTRIBUTED IN
THIS MANNER: IF YOU CATCH THE BALL IN THE AIR--100 POINTS;
ON ONE BOUNCE--75 POINTS; ON TWO BOUNCES--50 POINTS; ON THREE
BOUNCES--25 POINTS. IF THE BALL BOUNCES MORE THAN THREE TIMES
IT IS DECLARED DEAD. ALL PLAYERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO CATCH THE BALL
ON ANY GIVEN TOSS. WHEN ONE PLAYER REACHES 500 POINTS, THE GAME
IS ENDED, AND THE PLAYER WHO ACCUMULATED 500 POINTS BECOMES THE
NEW THROWER. POINTS DO NOT CARRY OVER FROM GAME TO GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
"PURDIDDLE"
THIS GAME IS ALMOST ALWAYS PLAYED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE
OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO FIND CARS WITH ONE HEADLIGHT
INOPERABLE. WHENEVER ONE OF THE PLAYERS NOTICES A CAR WITH
ONE HEADLIGHT OUT, HE OR SHE SAYS "PURDIDDLE" AND POINTS TO THE CAR.
IF A BOY SAYS PURDIDDLE THEN ALL THE BOYS IN THE CAR OWE HIM A
BEER AND ALL THE GIRLS OWE HIM A KISS. IF A GIRL SAYS PURDIDDLE,
THEN ALL THE BOYS IN THE CAR OWE HER A KISS AND ALL THE GIRLS OWE
HER A BEER OR A MIXED DRINK (WHICHEVER SHE PREFERS).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): PERDIDDLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
NEW YEAR'S DREAMS
IN POLAND, IT IS A BELIEF THAT IF YOU DREAM ABOUT MARRYING A
PERSON THREE DAYS IN A ROW; ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, NEW YEAR'S DAY,
AND THE DAY AFTER, YOU WILL MARRY THAT PERSON BEFORE THE NEXT
YEAR COMES.
Submitter comment:
THERE IS ONE POINT TO BE MENTIONED IN REGARDS TO NEW YEAR'S EVE.
IT IS BELIEVED THAT SPIRITS ARE RESTLESS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE AND
THEY WANDER IN AND OUT OF HOUSES. THEREFORE, ON THAT DAY,
POLES ARE CAREFUL NOT TO WAVE SHARP OBJECTS IN THE AIR SUCH AS;
KNIVES, SCISSORS, AND PENCILS, SO AS NOT TO INJURE A SPIRIT AND
GIVE HIM CAUSE TO BE ANGRY WITH THEIR HOUSEHOLD. ALSO, THE POLES
WOULD LEAVE PLATES OF FOOD NEXT TO EMPTY CHAIRS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF
THE HOUSE. IF THEY WOULD DO THESE THINGS, THEY THOUGHT THE SPIRITS
WOULD THEN FEEL FREE TO BLESS THEIR HOUSEHOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Date learned: 00-00-1978
HOW MANY CALIFORNIANS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB?
FOUR; ONE TO CHANGE IT, AND THREE TO EXPERIENCE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
TRAP METAPHOR
THERE ONCE WAS AN OLD BLACK MAN NAMED UNCLE WILLIE. NOW UNCLE
WILLIE LIVED A FAIRLY HAPPY LIFE ON A FARM DOWN SOUTH. ONE DAY,
HIS MASTER DECIDED TO SELL THE FARM, BUT WILLIE DIDN'T LIKE THAT
IDEA TOO MUCH, HE JUST PLAIN DID NOT WANT TO MOVE. SO WHEN THE
BUYERS CAME TO SEE THE FARM, WILLIE HAD A PLAN. NOW WILLIE KNEW
THESE FOLKS WERE INTELLIGENT, BUT, HE WASN'T NO DUMMY EITHER.
NOW, WHITES BACK IN THEM DAYS, THEY DIDN'T TRUST THE BLACKS
SO WILLIE KNEW THAT THEM BUYER FOLKS WOULD JUST DO THE OPPOSITE
OF WHAT HE SAID. WILLIE'S MASTER TOLD HIM TO TAKE THE FOLKS AROUND
SO HE DID. AFTER HE GOT OUT OF EARSHOT, HE SAID, "NOW, IF YOU
WANT MY OPINION, YOU WON'T BUY THIS FARM 'CAUSE THERE'S GHOSTS
HERE." THEN HE TOOK THEM TO SOME SCARY SPOTS AROUND THE FARM.
"NOW IF YOU WANT MY OPINION," WILLIE SAID, " YOU WON'T BUY THIS
FARM 'CAUSE THE PLACE IS A SHAMBLES, AND THE ORCHARDS ARE DRY."
THEN HE TOOK THEM TO SOME MESSY SPOTS. THEN WILLIE SAID, "NOW IF
YOU WANT MY OPINION, YOU WON'T BUY THIS FARM, 'CAUSE YOU'LL HAVE
TO CHAIN ME HERE 'CAUSE I WANT TO LEAVE POWERFUL BAD." WELL
THE BUYER'S WIFE, NOW SHE BELIEVED HIM AND SAID, "WE BETTER NOT
BUY THIS FARM." BUT THE HUSBAND THOUGHT TO HIMSELF, SOMETHING'S
UP, SO HE DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND BUY THE FARM, AND WHAT'S MORE,
HE MADE A DEAL WITH THE MASTER TO KEEP WILLIE ON THE FARM.
SO, WILLIE, HE GOT TO STAY ON THE FARM, JUST LIKE HE WANTED,
AND HE GOT RID OF HIS NASTY OLD MASTER TO BOOT.
Submitter comment:
THE BASIC PRINCIPLE BEHIND TRAP METAPHOR AS BOB EXPLAINED TO ME,
IS THAT "BLACKS DON'T GET MAD, THEY GET EVEN." THIS IS EVIDENT
IN HOW UNCLE WILLIE GOT RID OF HIS OLD MASTER. AS I WAS LISTENING
TO THIS STORY, I WAS AMAZED AT HOW IT CONFORMS TO ALMOST ALL OF
ULRIK'S LAWS FOR FOLKTALES. SOME EXAMPLES ARE: THE LAW OF THREES
WHEN WILLIE GIVES THEM THREE REASONS FOR NOT BUYING THE FARM, ALSO,
THE LAW OF CONCENTRATION ON A LEADING CHARACTER IS CLEARLY
FULFILLED. THE MOST INTERESTING OF THE LAWS MANIFESTED IN THIS ST-
ORY IS THE LAW OF LOGIC. NORMALLY, WE WOULD NOT CONSIDER WILLIE'S
LOGIC USEFUL TO GAIN AN END, YET IN THIS STORY IT IS NOT ONLY
REAL, BUT IT IS FEASIBLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): OL MASSA AND JOHN STORY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 11-26-1980
THERE WAS A LADY WHO WAS SO UGLY, THAT SHE HAD TO SNEAK UP
ON A GLASS OF WATER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
WHEN A MEMBER OF THE FRATERNITY IN WHICH I(NEAL) BELONG BECOMES
ENGAGED HE IS THROWN INTO THE CHIPPEWA RIVER.
Submitter comment:
THIS TRADITION IS EXTREMELY INTERESTING TO ME.
IT IS MUCH LIKE THAT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH THROWING THE
GROOM OVER THE FENCE. I ASKED MY INFORMANT WHO STARTED THIS AND
WHY IT WAS DONE BUT HE DID NOT KNOW.
THE CHIPPEWA RIVER RUNS THROUGH MOUNT PLEASANT, MICHIGAN
INFORMATION ASKED FOR OF THIS
INFORMANT WAS RESTRICTED TO LORE
ABOUT CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MOUNT PLEASANT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
TROLLS
THE PEOPLE FROM THE UPPER PENINSULA,
WHERE I COME FROM CALL THE PEOPLE
IN THE LOWER PENINSULA TROLLS BECAUSE YOU ARE BELOW THE BRIDGE.
Submitter comment:
AS MARK SAID THAT, HE MADE A HAND GESTURE ON THE "BELOW" BY PUTTING HIS HAND BY HIS KNEE, PALM UP AND
SHAKING HIS HAND HORIZONTALLY TO
SHOW THAT BY BELOW HE DOESN'T MEAN UNDER. HE WAS ALSO LAUGHING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARQUETTE
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname Favorites SPEECH -- Gesture PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 11-00-1980