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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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AT ONE TIME IN A CEMETERY ON U.S. ROUTE 22 NEAR RUSHVILLE,
OHIO, THERE WAS A STRANGE GRAVESTONE MARKER. THE PERSON BURIED
THERE HAD SUPPOSEDLY KILLED HIS WIFE, THOUGH NO ONE COULD PROVE
IT. THIS WIFE HAD A FAVORITE HORSE THAT SHE ALWAYS RODE, AND
HE WAS TAKING THE HORSE AWAY TO SELL IT. AS HE WAS LEADING
THE HORSE OUT OF THE BARN, THE HORSE WENT WILD AND KICKED
THE MAN IN THE HEAD AND KILLED HIM. WHEN THE MAN WAS BURIED,
HIS GRAVESTONE A FEW YEARS LATER HAD A GLOWING HORSESHOE ON
IT AFTER MIDNIGHT. THE GLOWING HORSESHOE CAUSED A GREAT
DEAL OF COMMOTION, AND FINALLY THE SURVIVORS HAD THE GRAVESTONE
REMOVED SO THAT THE MAN COULD REST IN PEACE.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS PASSED TO BRIAN AS A CHILD GROWING UP IN RURAL
OHIO NOT FAR FROM RUSHVILLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-02-1984 ; 00001960S
BAHAMIAN FUNERAL PROCESSION
IN THE BAHAMAS AFTER THE CHURCH CEREMONY IS HELD FOR THE
DECEASED, THE FRIENDS, RELATIVES AND LODGE (THESE ARE SPECIAL
ORGANIZATIONS IN THE BAHAMAS) MEMBERS FORM TWO LINES OUTSIDE
THE CHURCH. THE LODGE'S BAND HEAD THE PROCESSION RENDERING
SONGS LIKE "ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS" WITH A PARTICULARLY
LOUD BUT MOURNFUL THUMP ON THE BASS DRUM. THE PARTICIPANTS IN
A FUNERAL PROCESSION ARE BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS WALKING
SILENTLY AND SOLEMNLY IN PAIRS. LITTLE GIRLS DRESSED IN WHITE
WITH HUGE BUTTERFLY BOWS ATTACHED TO THEIR PIGTAILS AND LITTLE
BOYS IN CLEAN WHITE SHIRTS AND BLACK TROUSERS CARRY IMMENSE
WREATHS OF REAL (AND SOMETIMES ARTIFICIAL) FLOWERS AS WELL.
BEHIND THE CHILDREN WOMEN FOLLOW DRESSED IN THEIR WHITE UNIFORM
OR LODGE DRESSES. THEY ARE FOLLOWED BY A MAN CARRYING A
LODGE BANNER OF ONE OF THE FRATERNAL ORDERS IN THE SAME COLOURS
AS THE MEN'S SASHES OR IN THE LODGE'S COLOURS. THE OFFICIAL
UNIFORM WORN BY THE MEN CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING: BLACK SUITS, WHITE
SHIRTS, BLACK BOWTIES, BLACK TOP HATS, AND SASHES OR APRON-LIKE
WEAR EMBLEMS SUCH AS "BROTHERS" (OR BILLS) AND "DAUGHTERS" (OR
SISTERS) AROUND THEIR NECKS. BEHIND THE PROUD BANNER CARRIER
A GROUP OF TIGHTLY KNIT MEN TAKE THEIR LAST WALK WITH THEIR
LODGE "BROTHER". THESE MEN ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PUSHING THE
COFFIN ON A BIER TOWARD ITS FINAL DESTINATION. THE FAMILY
MEMBERS FOLLOW BEHIND IN ISOLATION (AND TODAY THE IMMEDIATE OR
CLOSE FAMILY FOLLOW IN BLACK CADILLACS BELONGING TO THE FUNERAL
HOME OR MORTICIAN). AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES
IN NASSAU HEARSES AND OTHER COMMODITIES SUCH AS A CAR FOR
THE FAMILY ARE USED. OTHER MEMBERS MAY CHOOSE TO RIDE THEIR
CARS INSTEAD OF MARCHING IN THE PROCESSION, BUT FREQUENTLY
MANY PEOPLE SHOW THEIR RESPECT FOR THE DEAD BY MARCHING IN
THE PROCESSION. THE FACT THAT MOST CHURCHES ARE WITHIN WALKING
DISTANCE OF A CEMETERY IS ALSO ANOTHER REASON. IN SOME CASES
THE CEMETERY MAY BE IN THE CHURCH'S YARD.
AT THE CEREMONIES AROUND THE GRAVE, AFTER THE CHURCH OR
OFFICIAL CEREMONY ARE COLORFUL OR DRAMATIC PERFORMANCES
SUCH AS VARIOUS SIGNALS WITH THE HANDS AND ARMS. FOR EXAMPLE:
(1) THE MEMBERS WOULD STRETCH THEIR ARMS OUT.
(2) THEN THEY WOULD CLASP THEIR ARMS TO THEIR BREASTS THREE
TO FOUR TIMES.
(3) AFTER THIS IS DONE THEY WOULD RESPOND TO A READING FROM THE
BIBLE OR THEIR MANUAL BOOK IN UNISON.
(4) FINALLY THEY WOULD GRASP THE GREEN LEAF OR FOLIAGE THAT
HAD BEEN PINNED TO THEIR LAPELS (OR HATS) AND IN ONE FINAL
GESTURE THROW IT IN THE GRAVE OF THE DECEASED.
Submitter comment:
IN THE BAHAMAS THE LODGE OR ORGANIZATIONS ADD TO THE FLARE
AND TRADITION OF THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE. BAHAMIANS TAKE THEIR
LODGES VERY SERIOUSLY AND KEEP UP THEIR PAYMENTS WHEN THEY ARE
DUE. THEY DO THIS BECAUSE THEY ENJOY HELPING OTHERS IN
THEIR SOCIETY AND PROBABLY BECAUSE THE WANT TO BE PUT DOWN
OR BURIED IN STYLE.
Where learned: BAHAMAS ; NASSAU
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Custom CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001970S
AFTER YOU COMB YOUR HAIR, YOU DON'T THROW THE HAIR THAT'S
REMAINING IN THE COMB AWAY. YOU BURN THE HAIR, THEN FLUSH IT
DOWN THE TOILET. IF YOU DON'T DO THIS, BIRDS WILL FIND YOUR
HAIR AND USE IT TO MAKE THEIR NESTS AND YOU'LL HAVE
HEADACHES FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
Submitter comment:
CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
EXPLICIT INTERDICTION
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
RUBBING A SMALL AMOUNT OF PAREGORIC ACID ON BABY'S GUMS WOULD
EASE THE TEETHING PAIN.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Remedy |
EVERY MONDAY MORNING, MY NEIGHBOR IN CLEVELAND SPRINKLED
SALT ON HER PORCH THEN SWEPT IT AWAY BECAUSE THIS WOULD
KEEP A WOMAN FROM ENTERING HER HOUSE BEFORE NOON.
Submitter comment:
SWEEPING IS STRONG "MEDICINE."
MAGIC
CURSE
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00001950S
MY NEIGHBOR, MRS. PAYNE, BELIEVES IN NOT LETTING A WOMAN
ENTER HER HOME BEFORE NOON ON ANY DAY; SHE DOESN'T EVEN
SPRINKLE SALT LIKE MY OTHER NEIGHBOR DID. SHE THINKS A
WOMAN WHO COMES INTO HER HOME BEFORE THAT TIME WILL BRING
HER BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT THINKS MRS. PAYNE IS FOOLISH.
MY INFORMANT THINKS ALL SUPERSTITIONS ARE FOOLISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Date learned: 10-29-1984
ALONG WITH THE MAIN DISH FOR DINNER, SOUTHERN BLACKS PUT A
WARM OR HOT SWEET POTATO IN A GLASS OF BUTTERMILK AND ATE
IT WITH A SPOON.
Where learned: NORTH CAROLINA ; CARTHAGE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable Food Drink -- Drink from animal product Milk |
Date learned: 10-17-1984
THE WOODEN DISHES
THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY FRENCH-POLISH
GRANDMOTHER (FRATERNAL) SEVERAL TIMES AND SHE SAID
THAT HER GRANDMOTHER TOLD IT TO HER. IT WAS A LESSON IN
RESPECT AND REVERENCE FOR OLD AGE. IT WENT LIKE THIS...
THERE WAS A CERTAIN FAMILY IN A FAIRLY LARGE VILLAGE
WHICH WAS DOING BETTER THAN THE AVERAGE VILLAGER. THIS
FAMILY CONSISTED OF A FATHER, MOTHER, AND TWO
CHILDREN, ONE BOY AND ONE GIRL. IT CAME TO PASS THAT THE
FATHER'S MOTHER DIED AND HIS FATHER WAS LEFT ALONE. AFTER
A FEW YEARS, THE WIDOWED FATHER BECAME TOO FEEBLE TO CARE
FOR ALL HIS NEEDS AND CAME TO LIVE WITH HIS SON AND
FAMILY. NOW, THE WIDOWER HAD A HARD TIME EATING AND
CARING FOR THE CHINA. SOMETIMES HE WOULD LIFT HIS PLATE
AND CLUMSILY DROP IT. THIS HELD TRUE FOR HIS CUP AND
SAUCER; MANY PIECES WERE BROKEN. NOW THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
BECAME VERY FRUSTRATED ABOUT THE LOSS OF HER GOOD CHINA AND
COMPLAINED TO HER HUSBAND ABOUT THE SITUATION SEVERAL TIMES.
AT LAST, THEY DECIDED TO GIVE THE ELDER WOODEN
DISHES, ALTHOUGH NOT LIKE THE REST, WHICH COULD NOT BE
BROKEN. SO FOR SOME TIME, THE ELDER WAS SERVED HIS FOOD
ON DISHES OF WOOD WHILE THE REST OF THE FAMILY DINED UPON
FINE CHINA. ONE DAY, THE MOTHER AND FATHER OF THE FAMILY
SAW THEIR CHILDREN BUSY AT WORK. THEY WERE CURIOUS AS TO
WHAT PROJECT THE CHILDREN WERE ENGROSSED IN. WHEN THE
PARENTS INQUIRED ABOUT THE WORK THEY WERE DOING AND WHAT
IT WAS THEY WERE MAKING, THE CHILDREN REPLIED, "WHY ITS
A SET OF WOODEN DISHES FOR YOU AND MAMA WHEN YOU GET OLD!"
Where learned: POLAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic |
Date learned: 09-00-1984
MY GREAT AUNT BEULAH MAE WANTED HER TWELVE CHILDREN TO
HAVE BEAUTIFUL SKIN, SO WHEN THEY WERE BABIES SHE WIPED
THEIR FACES WITH THEIR WET DIAPERS.
Submitter comment: WHEN I FIRST HEARD THIS, I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT!
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-20-1984 ; 00001950S
"QUENCERA"
"QUENCERA" IS A PARTY GIVEN FOR A GIRL WHO TURNS FIFTEEN
AND BECOMES A WOMAN. THIS BIG COMING OUT PARTY IS MADE UP
OF FOURTEEN GIRLS WEARING THE SAME DRESS AND THE BIRTHDAY
GIRL (THE FIFTEENTH), WEARING A WHITE DRESS THAT LOOKS LIKE
A BRIDAL GOWN. THE BIRTHDAY GIRL HAS 25-50 GODPARENTS THAT
BUY HER THE DRESS, SHOES, CROWN, NECKLACE, RING, AND
EARRINGS; THEY ALSO PAY FOR THE MUSIC, DANCE HALL, AND FOOD.
Submitter comment:
THREE YEARS AGO, MY SISTER-IN-LAW'S NIECE, RUBY, HAD HER
COMING OUT PARTY IN HOLLAND, MICHIGAN.
SPANISH COMING-OUT PARTY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 10-17-1984
FAMILY JOKE
WHEN MY DAD WOULD ASK HIS FATHER WHAT WAS FOR DINNER, MY GRANDPA
WOULD ALWAYS GIVE THE SAME ANSWER. HE'D SAY,
"WELL, WE'RE GONNA HAVE SOME ICE CREAM, COLD CREAM, VASELINE, AND
SANDWICHES, BEEF STEAK, PORK STEAK, HAM, LAMB, SHEEP, AND MUTTON,
HOT POTATOES, COLD POTATOES, AND POTATOES WITH THE SKINS ON THEM."
Submitter comment:
NOW MY DAD JOKES WITH ALL THE KIDS IN MY FAMILY WHENEVER
WE ASK THAT FAMOUS QUESTION, "WHAT'S FOR DINNER?" WE KNOW JUST
WHAT THE REPLY WILL BE. IN OTHER WORDS, NOW WE ASK MY MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
COUNTING OUT RHYME FOR CHOOSING "IT"
OH, A PEANUT SAT ON A RAILROAD TRACK.
HIS HEART WAS ALL A FLUTTER.
AROUND THE BEND CAME NUMBER TEN.
TOOT TOOT PEANUT BUTTER.
THE PERSON WHO IS LANDED ON IS "IT" FOR THE GAME TO BE PLAYED.
WHENEVER THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS WOULD USE THIS RHYME, THEY WOULD
ALWAYS PUNCH EVERYBODY'S HANDS IN THE CIRCLE BECAUSE OF THE
TRAIN SMASHING THE POOR PEANUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
SUPERSTITION
IF A CHILD EATS TOO MUCH SALT, HIS GROWTH WILL BE STUNTED.
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER BELIEVES IN THIS SUPERSTION AND WON'T LET HIS
FAMILY PUT ANY EXTRA SALT ON THE FOOD. HE IS ESPECIALLY
STRICT WITH THE CHILDREN ON THIS SUBJECT SINCE IT COULD
HARM THEM THE MOST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
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
THE GOLDEN ARM
THERE ONCE WAS A RICH MAN AND HE HAD EVERYTHING HE
DESIRED IN LIFE BUT A WIFE. HE HUNTED AROUND THE WHOLE
WORLD AND FINALLY FOUND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN. THEY
GOT MARRIED. ONE DAY HIS WIFE HAD AN AWFUL CAR ACCIDENT
WHICH CAUSED HER TO LOSE AN ARM SO THE RICH MAN BOUGHT
HER AN ARM OF GOLD. SIX MONTHS LATER, SHE DIED. THE DAY
AFTER THE FUNERAL THE RICH MAN WENT OUT TO HIS WIFE'S
GRAVE AND DUG UP THE GOLDEN ARM. HE PUT IT IN HIS BEDROOM
UNDER THE PILLOW. THAT NIGHT, THE GHOST OF HIS WIFE CAME
INTO HIS ROOM. THE RICH MAN ASKED, "WHERE IS YOUR HAIR OF
YELLOW? WHERE ARE YOUR EYES OF BLUE? WHERE ARE YOUR LIPS
OF RED? AND WHERE IS YOUR GOLDEN ARM?"
AT THIS POINT IN THE STORY, THE STORYTELLER REACHES OUT
AND GRABS THE PERSON HE'S TELLING THE STORY TO AND SHOUTS
"YOU GOT IT!"
Submitter comment:
THE LISTENER IS SUPPOSED TO BE STARTLED BY THIS AND JUMP
AT THE ENDING.
LAURIE LEARNED THIS STORY AT GIRLSCOUT CAMP WHILE
SITTING AROUND A CRACKLING FIRE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- B667 |
THE RED RIBBON
THERE ONCE WAS A MAN WHO MARRIED A PRETTY LADY. THIS LADY
WAS ALWAYS WEARING A RED RIBBON AROUND HER NECK. THE MAN
BEGGED HER TO TAKE IT OFF BUT HIS WIFE ALWAYS SAID, "YOU'LL
BE SORRY IF I DO SO I WON'T." BUT THE MAN CONTINUED TO
ASK HER. ONE NIGHT HIS CURIOSITY GOT THE BEST OF HIM.
HE WENT DOWNSTAIRS AND GOT THE SCISSORS. HE QUIETLY
SNIPPED THE RED RIBBON OFF HIS WIFE'S NECK. SUDDENLY,
HER HEAD FELL OFF. AND THEN THE HEAD SAID, "I TOLD YOU
YOU'D BE SORRY."
Submitter comment:
LAURIE LEARNED THIS STORY DOWN THE STREET ONE DAY
WHILE SHE WAS PLAYING WITH A COUPLE OF FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
"CHEWING GUM SONG"
DOES YOUR CHEWING GUM
LOSE ITS FLAVOR
ON THE BEDPOST OVERNIGHT?
CAN YOU CATCH IT ON YOUR TONSILS,
CAN YOU HEAVE IT LEFT AND RIGHT?
DOES YOUR CHEWING GUM
LOSE ITS FLAVOR
ON THE BEDPOST OVERNIGHT?
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER WOULD SING THIS SONG TO US BEFORE BEDTIME
TO MAKE US LAUGH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
Date learned: 00-00-1975
EXPLANATION OF PLACE NAME: COMMERCE TOWNSHIP
THE TOWN IN WHICH I LIVE IS PART OF COMMERCE TOWNSHIP.
A SMALL TRIBUTARY OF THE ROUGE RIVER RUNS THROUGH COMMERCE,
ON WHICH A MILL WAS BUILT IN THE 1800'S. THE TOWNSHIP
WAS NAMED COMMERCE IN THE BELIEF OR HOPE THAT THE MILL AND
THE RIVER WOULD MAKE IT A PLACE FOR COMMERCE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS VERY IRONIC BECAUSE IT BECAME A RESORT TOWN AND
IS NOW A SLEEPY SUBURB, RATHER THAN A BUSTLING PLACE OF
COMMERCE AND TRADE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNION LAKE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 09-00-1984
SODA-POP RHYME
COCA-COLA WENT TO TOWN,
PEPSI-COLA SHOT HIM DOWN.
7-UP PICKED HIM UP,
AND DOCTOR PEPPER FIXED HIM UP.
Submitter comment: THIS RHYME USES NAMES OF POPULAR BRANDS OF SODA POP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVERTISING
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Food Drink C855.400 |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
A MAN HAD A WIFE WHO DIED IN A CAR ACCIDENT.
AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE MAN KEPT A DOLL
THAT BELONGED TO HIS WIFE, IN THE
HOUSE. THE DOLL WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HIS
WIFE. HE WOULD TAKE THE DOLL PLACES
WITH HIM, AND HE WOULD CARRY ON CONVERSATIONS
WITH THE DOLL. HE WAS EVEN KNOWN TO HAVE
ARGUMENTS WITH THE DOLL.
Submitter comment: HE BELIEVES IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1973 ; 00-00-1985