Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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OBSERVATION
ONLY ON CHRISTMAS EVE, IT'S BELIEVED THAT THE CATTLE TALK AMONG
THEMSELVES. THEY TALK OF THE DAY, DURING THE NEW YEAR WHEN THEY WILL
CART THE CASKET OF ONE OF THE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS TO THE CEMETERY.
CART THE CASKET OF ONE OF THE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS TO THE CEMETARY.
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER DURING THE EARLY 1900'S. IT WAS
CONSIDERED TO BE OLD SAYING EVEN THEN. DURING THE 1800'S ONE MAN
DID DIE AND HIS CATTLE TOWED HIS BODY TO THE CEMETERY (THIS COULD
HAVE BEEN THE ORIGIN OF THIS SAYING).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 11-14-1971
SAYING
A GREEN CHRISTMAS MAKES A FULL GRAVEYARD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER WHO SAID THE SAYING WAS USED IN
DUNDEE, SCOTLAND WHERE SHE LIVED UNTIL SHE WAS AROUND 30 YEARS OLD.
INFORMANT'S MOTHER CAME TO AMERICA IN 1912, THREE YEARS AFTER
INFORMANT WAS BORN.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL
O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL, JOYFUL AND TRIUMPHANT,
O COME YE, O COME YE TO BETHLEHEM: COME AND
BEHOLD HIM BORN THE KING OF ANGELS:
SING, CHOIRS OF ANGELS, SING IN EXULTATION, O SING,
ALL YE BRIGHT HOSTS OF HEAVEN ABOVE: GLORY TO GOD
ALL GLORY IN THE HIGHEST.
YEA, LORD, WE GREET THEE, BORN THIS HAPPY MORNING.
JESUS TO THEE BE ALL GLORY GIVEN, WORD OF THE
FATHER, NOW IN FLESH APPEARING.
CHORUS
O COME, LET US ADORE HIM, O COME LET US
ADORE HIM, O COME LET US ADORE HIM, CHRIST
THE LORD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 01-20-1971
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
GRANDPA USED TO SAY THAT IF YOU GO TO THE
BARN ON CHRISTMAS EVE AT MIDNIGHT
YOU WILL HEAR THE ANIMALS TALK.
BUT YOU WILL NEVER LIVE TO TELL ABOUT IT.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER FATHER, INFORMANT
STATED THAT SHE REALLY BELIEVED IT.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
YOUR FIRST GUEST ON CHRISTMAS DAY
SHOULD BE A MAN, THAT MEANS GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SEEMED TO BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
TO PROTECT AGAINST HARM:( ITALIAN)
IN ITALY FISHERMEN HAVE A SPECIAL PRAYER
WHICH THEY SAY WHEN A HURRICANE OCCURS.
THE PRAYER IS SAID IN THE FACE OF THE STORM WHILE MAKING
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS TO "CUT THE TAIL OF THE STORM."
THE PECULAR ELEMENT IS THAT THIS PRAYER CAN NOT BE
LEARNED OR READ FOR THE FIRST TIME EXCEPT
ON AUGUST 14TH OR CHRISTMAS EVE. THE INFORMANT DID NOT KNOW THE
PRAYER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): PECULIAR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August 14 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve BELIEF -- Prayer |
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL
IT IS CUSTOMARY ON CHRISTMAS EVE, TO HAVE A SEVEN COURSE MEAL WHICH
INCLUDES, DRIED FRUITS, WHICH ARE BOILED, WHITE MUSHROOM SOUP,
FISH WITH BOILED WHOLE POTATOES, A DOUGH-LIKE FOOD CALLED
"PIEROGI ", HERRING WITH BREAD, PLUMS, CAKES AND COOKIES, COFFEE
OR TEA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
WE OPEN OUR CHRISTMAS GIFTS AS SOON AS THE FIRST STAR
APPEARS ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANTS FAMILY DID THIS SINCE SHE WAS A CHILD - THEY
STILL DO IT TODAY.
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 11-20-1971
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
IF A MAN DOES NOT ENTER THE HOUSE FIRST ON CHRISTMAS
MORNING, THE HOUSE WILL BE PLAGUED WITH SICKNESS AND BAD
LUCK DURING THE COMING YEAR. (THE STRONGER THE MAN THE
BETTER THE GOOD LUCK). THIS CUSTOM IS PRACTICED BY POLISH-AMERICANS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; SEXIST
Date learned: 10-25-1970
CZECH CHRISTMAS BELIEF
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, AFTER MIDNIGHT MASS, THE FIRST MEMBER OF THE
FAMILY TO RETURN HOME AND LOOK THROUGH THE KEYHOLE OF THE FRONT
DOOR OF HIS HOUSE WOULD SEE A VISION OF THE NEXT PERSON IN HIS
FAMILY TO DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Date learned: 10-27-1969
CUSTOM
FOR CHRISTMAS EVE, THE FAMILY HAS AN ODD NUMBER OF DISHES
FOR CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER. THIS DINNER IS CALLED WIGILIA.
Date learned: 02-22-1970
CHILDREN'S SONG
OH, CHRISTMAS TREE OH CHRISTMAS TREE
YOUR BRANCHES GREEN DELIGHT US.
OH CHRISTMAS TREE OH CHRISTMAS TREE
YOUR BRANCHES GREEN DELIGHT US
THEY'RE GREEN WHEN THE SUMMER DAYS ARE BRIGHT.
THEY'RE GREEN WHEN WINTER SNOW IS WHITE
OH CHRISTMAS TREE OH CHRISTMAS TREE
YOUR BRANCHES GREEN DELIGHT US.
Submitter comment: HEARD IN ST. MICHAEL'S SCHOOL.
Where learned: SAINT MICHAEL GRADE SCHOOL
Keyword(s): SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 12-02-1967
BLESSED CANDLE
IN IRELAND, AT CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE GETS A LARGE CANDLE, ABOUT
3 FEET HIGH, AND LIGHTS IT ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND LETS IT BURN ALL
NIGHT. THEN IT IS LIT AGAIN ON NEW YEARS' EVE AND AGAIN IT BURNS
ALL NIGHT. IF THERE IS ANY CANDLE LEFT ON NEW YEARS MORNING THEN
YOU HAVE A BLESSED CANDLE. IN AMERICA THEY USE SMALLER CANDLES
AND DON'T LEAVE THEM BURN ALL NIGHT.
Submitter comment:
PRACTICED IN IRELAND, 1915
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 01-10-1964
CHRISTMAS TRADITION IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA
EARLY IN DECEMBER, ON THE FEAST OF ST. NICHOLAS, A MAN DRESSED AS
ST. NICK WOULD COME TO SCHOOL AND PASS OUT CANDY TO THE CHILDREN.
ON CHRISTMAS, THERE WAS NO SANTA CLAUS AND NO GIFTS WERE
EXCHANGED. ON THE NIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS A FAMILY FROM THE END OF THE
VILLAGE WOULD GO TO SING CAROLS TO THEIR NEIGHBOR, THEN THE TWO
FAMILIES TOGETHER WOULD GO TO THE NEXT NEIGHBOR ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's residence
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR
ADVENT CUSTOM
IN HER FAMILY, AT THE BEGINNING OF ADVENT THEY EACH OFFER UP
SOMETHING TO THE CHRIST CHILD. ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THEY WRITE DOWN
WHAT THEY OFFERED UP AND PUT IT IN A BOX AND WRAP IT UP AND PUT IT IN
THE MANGER SO THAT ON CHRISTMAS DAY CHRIST WOULD ALSO RECIEVE
PRESENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Date learned: 03-00-1971
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM ADVENT PREPARATION COMING OF CHRIST
IT IS A CUSTOM FOR SOME PEOPLE TO MAKE A CHRISTMAS WREATH FOUR WEEKS
PRIOR TO THIS DAY. THE WREATH IS MADE WITH FOUR CANDLES. STARTING
WITH THE FIRST WEEK ONE CANDLE IS BURNED. EVERY WEEK A CANDLE IS
BURNED UNTIL THE FOURTH WEEK OR CHRISTMAS EVE. ON CHRISTMAS EVE THE
FAMILY OBSERVES THEIR TRADITIONAL FAMILY DINNER WHEN THE FIRST STAR
APPEARS IN THE SKY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT AND HER FAMILY PRACTICE THIS CUSTOM EVERY YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 645 September 23 Equinox to December 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 11-05-1971
HOLIDAY FUN
WHEN A CHILD, MRS. MALONY, AND OTHER YOUNG GIRLS OF THE FAMILY AND
NEIGHBORHOOD WENT AROUND BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S COLLECTING
PIECES OF CHRISTMAS CAKE FROM THE NEIGHBORS. IF A GIRL ENDED WITH
12 PIECES OF CAKE SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MARRIED BEFORE HER NEXT
BIRTHDAY.
Submitter comment:
MRS. MALONY LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD. SHE WAS BORN AND
RAISED IN IRELAND
Where learned: DETROIT ; RECTORY ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HOLY NAME
Keyword(s): MARRIAGE PREDICTION
Date learned: 02-19-1967
CHRISTMAS PREDICTION
THE TWELVE DAYS BEFORE X-MAS THE WAY YOU ACT THESE DAYS REFLECTS THE
WAY YOU WILL ACT THE NEXT YEAR.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT, ASSUMED
Date learned: 10-22-1968
CLEANLINESS
IF YOU TAKE A BATH BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR, YOU WILL BE CLEAN
ALL YEAR. ( DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR THE SPIRIT WILL BE PURGED ).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
Date learned: 03-01-1968
RUMANIAN CUSTOMS
CHRISTMAS: THE RUMANIAN PEOPLE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS BY MAKING
HAND-MADE ORNAMENTS FOR THEIR HOUSE;
Submitter comment: INFORMANT CALLED THIS CUSTOM A "FAMILY AFFAIR".
Data entry tech comment: ROMAINIAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT FORD MOTOR CO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Decorations |
Date learned: 11-30-1971