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 AA returned 1455 results.
BLACK AMERICAN
TO RID ARTICLES OF MILDEW, LET THEM
SOAK IN BUTTERMILK AND SALT, THEN
PLACE THEM IN THE SUN.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
Keyword(s): MILDEW
| Subject headings: | Favorites |
MY FAMILY HAS ALWAYS SAID THAT (A) PERSON WHOSE BIRTHDAY
IT WAS COULD NOT TALK WHEN EATING HIS PIECE OF CAKE.
CAUSE IF THEY DID, THEIR WISH WOULD NOT COME TRUE. IT
WAS JUST A RULE. IT WAS WHAT WE WERE TOLD. WE NEVER
QUESTIONED IT.
Submitter comment:
IT IS STILL A FAMILY TRADITION TODAY. (EVEN THOUGH MY
WISHES DON'T ALWAYS COME TRUE.)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DINING ROOM ; ROSEVILLE
Keyword(s): MUTE
James Callow Keyword(s): FOOD
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- P647 |
Date learned: 00001940S
"THE PRETTIEST GIRL"
EACH LINE IS REPEATED BY A SECOND SINGER
THE PRETTIEST GIRL,
I EVER SAW,
WAS SIPPIN CI-
DER THROUGH A STRAW,
THE PRETTIEST GIRL I EVER SAW, WAS SIPPIN CIDER
THROUGH A STRAW
I ASKED HER IF,
SHE'D SHOW ME HOW,
TO SIP SOME CI-
DER THROUGH A STRAW,
I ASKED HER IF SHE'D SHOW ME HOW,
TO SIP SOME CIDER THROUGH A STRAW
SO LIP TO LIP,
AND JAW TO JAW,
WE SIPPED SOME CI-
DER THROUGH A STRAW,
SO LIP TO LIP AND JAW TO JAW,
WE SIPPED SOME CIDER THROUGH A STRAW.
THE STRAW DID SLIP,
I KISSED HER LIP,
FROM SIPPIN CI-,
DER THROUGH A STRAW,
THE STRAW DID SLIP, I KISSED HER LIP,
FROM SIPPIN CIDER THROUGH A STRAW
AND NOW I'VE GOT,
A MOTHER IN LAW,
FROM SIPPIN CI-
DER THROUGH A STRAW,
AND NOW I'VE GOT A MOTHER IN LAW,
FROM SIPPIN CIDER THROUGH A STRAW
AND 49 KIDS,
ALL CALL ME PAW,
FROM SIPPIN CI-
DER THROUGH A STRAW,
AND 49 KIDS ALL CALL ME PAW,
FROM SIPPIN CIDER THROUGH A STRAW
THE MORAL OF,
THIS LITTLE TALE,
IS SIP YOUR CI-
DER THROUGH A PAIL,
THE MORAL OF THIS LITTLE TALE,
IS SIP YOUR CIDER THROUGH A PAIL.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 00001950S
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, MR. HOOKRADLE OWNED THE CORNER HOUSE,
MUCH LIKE OUR LOT TODAY. (WE LIVE ON A CORNER PARCEL.)
HE (MR. HOOKRADLE) SAID, "IF YOU CUT MY CORNER I'LL
CUT YOUR EARS OFF." ALL THE LITTLE KIDS WERE AFRAID OF
HIM. HE WOULD SAY, "WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME DOWN TO MY
BASEMENT AND SEE MY EAR COLLECTION?" HE SAID HE HAD AN
EAR-ROOM FULL TO HIS CEILING. NO ONE EVER CUT ACROSS HIS
LAWN AGAIN.
Where learned: MOM
Keyword(s): KNIFE
James Callow Keyword(s): OTOMANIAC
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00001940S
GHOST OF SOUMI COLLEGE
NINA WAS A DORM STUDENT AT SOUMI COLLEGE. SOUMI IS A SMALL
COLLEGE IN HANCOCK, MICHIGAN IN THE UPPER PENINSULA, IN COPPER
COUNTRY. THE GIRL'S DORM AT SOUMI WAS BUILT IN 1869;
THE DORM BUILDING WAS ONCE USED FOR CLASSES, SERVICES, AND
LIVING QUARTERS. ONE DARK LONELY NIGHT, A GROUP OF STUDENTS
GATHERED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE DORM, OLD MAIN. THEY
STARTED TO EXCHANGE STORIES OF STRANGE HAPPENINGS. THEY
ALL HAD STRANGE EXPERIENCES ON THE FIRST FLOOR. THAT
NIGHT, UNEXPLAINED KNOCKING ON ALL WALLS IN DISORDERED
TIME SEQUENCES SCARED
NINA AND HER ROOMMATE, VICKY. THEY WAITED UP THE FOLLOWING
NIGHT, AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME GHOSTLY OCCURRENCE. IN
OTHER FIRST FLOOR DORM ROOMS, SHADES POPPED OPEN, AND
SHELVES FELL OFF THE WALLS. ONE STUDENT FELT A BREEZE
BRUSH PAST HER, AND SAW A DARK SHADOW. ONE GIRL WAS
AWAKENED BY A STRANGE SENSATION; SHE FELT A TUGGING
AT HER COLLAR. SHE EXPERIENCED THIS THREE TIMES. THERE
WERE REPORTS OF VAGUE SOUNDS LIKE MUFFLED VOICES, AND
FEELINGS OF PRESSURE AND HEAT. ONE TIME, NINA'S
ROOMMATE SAW A VISION OF AN OLD MAN IN A DERBY HAT
STANDING IN A MIST. ANOTHER GIRL SAW AN IMAGE OF A BLACK
COFFIN. NINA VISITED A PRIEST, AND GOT SOME HOLY WATER.
NINA AND HER ROOMMATE SPRINKLED THE WATER IN THE FIRST
FLOOR DORM ROOMS, AND THEN HEARD POUNDING ALL OVER THE
ROOMS, AS IF "SOMEONE WAS MAD AT WHAT WE WERE DOING."
VICKY INVESTIGATED OLD MAIN IN THE COLLEGE'S ARCHIVES.
SHE FOUND THAT THERE WAS ONCE AN OLD PASTOR NAMED
UHAU NIGHTGANDER. IN HIS PHOTOGRAPH, HE WAS WEARING A
DERBY. OLD MAIN ONCE CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND THE COLLEGE HAD TO
REBUILD. WHEN UHAU DIED, THE FUNERAL WAS HELD ON THE
FIRST FLOOR OF OLD MAIN. THE VAGUE VOICES WERE THOUGHT TO
BE THE CONGREGATION OF THE FUNERAL SERVICE. ALL OCCURRENCES
SEEMED TO BE EXPLAINED BY THE HISTORICAL FACTS VICKY
UNCOVERED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HANCOCK
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
THERE WAS ONCE A MAN AND WIFE WHO LIVED OUT IN THE
COUNTRY. ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS, HE WOULD DRINK. HE WOULD
THEN COME HOME, AND BEAT HIS WIFE. HE LEFT THE HOUSE ONE
OF THESE NIGHTS, AND STARTED TO WALK DOWN THE ROAD.
HE TRIED TO HITCHHIKE A RIDE. A DRIVER WITH A HORSE AND
WAGON CAME BY, AND PICKED HIM UP. THEY TALKED, AND SLOWLY
THE MAN STARTED TO NOTICE THE DRIVER. HE WAS WEARING BLACK
CLOTHES AND A BLACK HAT. AFTER A WHILE, HE LOOKED DOWN
AND SAW THAT THE MAN HAD ONE REGULAR FOOT, AND ONE HOOVED
FOOT. THE DRIVER KNEW THE MAN NOTICED THE FOOT AND REALIZED
WHO HE WAS, THE DEVIL. THE DRIVER SAID, "IF I EVER FIND OUT
YOU HAVE BEATEN YOUR WIFE AGAIN, I WILL TAKE YOU FOR ANOTHER
RIDE, AND NO ONE WILL EVER FIND YOU AGAIN. THE MAN NEVER
BEAT HIS WIFE AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
IN THE BARRIO (CORK TOWN), THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS WOULD
GATHER TOGETHER, AND GO TO THE COUNTRY. THEY WOULD TRY
TO EARN EXTRA MONEY PICKING CROPS IN THE SUMMER WHILE
SCHOOL WAS OUT. ONE GROUP WENT UP TO TRAVERSE CITY,
MICHIGAN TO PICK THE CHERRY CROPS. THEY BUNKED IN SHACKS
WHERE THE PICKERS WERE HOUSED, OUT IN THE COUNTRY.
ONE STILL, QUIET, BLACK SUMMER NIGHT FRAN HEARD A SCREAMING
OR CRYING WOMAN. FRAN ASKED HER BROTHER ERNIE TO
INVESTIGATE. ERNIE WOULDN'T GO, HE WAS SCARED TOO. IT
WASN'T A WOLF, AND IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN A DEER OR RACCOON.
THE CRYING LASTED FOUR TO FIVE MINUTES; THEN IT WOULD STOP.
AN HOUR LATER THE CRYING WOULD START AGAIN FOR ABOUT
FIVE MINUTES. THE NEXT DAY, FRAN AND ERNIE ASKED ABOUT THE
CRYING WOMAN. THEY WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS ONCE A MURDER
IN A COTTAGE NEARBY, AND THAT YOU HEAR THE CRYING ONCE A
MONTH. THE RESIDENTS OF THE AREA HAVE BECOME USED TO THE
CRYING SOUND. THE POLICE WERE TIRED OF COMING OUT TO
INVESTIGATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
THERE WAS ONCE A MAN WHO ALWAYS WAS LOOKING FOR A
GOOD TIME; A GOOD PARTY. ONE NIGHT HE WAS DRUNK AND
HE HEARD MUSIC AND VOICES IN THE WOODS. IT SOUNDED FUN
SO HE WANTED TO GO TO THIS PARTY. SO, HE WALKED, AND
WALKED, AND WALKED, UNTIL HE FOUND THE HOUSE WHERE THE MUSIC
WAS COMING FROM. HE ENTERED THE HOUSE AND JOINED THE
PARTY. HE TALKED TO PEOPLE, AND SOON HE BEGAN TO
RECOGNIZE PEOPLE. HE SAID, "I KNOW HIM. WAIT, HE'S SUPPOSED
TO BE DEAD. IT CAN'T BE HIM." HE BEGAN TO REALIZE
THAT ALL THE PEOPLE AT THE PARTY WERE PEOPLE WHO HAD DIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
ONE OF THE GREATEST TERRORS FEARED BY THE IBO TRIBE IN NIGERIA
IS THE OGBANJE, A CHANGELING, WHICH IS A CHILD THAT CONSTANTLY
DIES AND RETURNS TO ITS MOTHER TO BE BORN AGAIN. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE
TO SAVE THE CHILD FROM DYING. MUTILATION OF THE CORPSE MAY
TERRIFY THE CHILD'S SPIRIT INTO STAYING AWAY FROM THE MOTHER,
BUT THIS DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF THE
CHILD BEING BORN AGAIN BEARING THE SCARS OF THE MUTILATION
ON ITS BODY. THE ONLY TO SAVE THE CHILD IS TO FIND THE
IYI-UWA, THE ENCHANTED OBJECT THAT MAINTAINS THE CHILD'S
SOUL, AND DESTROY IT. THEN THE CHILD WILL NOT DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-13-1987
BAD LUCK
IT IS A BELIEF IN PUERTO RICO THAT IF YOU WALK BACKWARDS
INTO ANY OCEAN, THAT IT WILL TAKE AWAY ALL OF YOUR BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: HER GRANDFATHER TOLD HER THIS
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Still water Large body. BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 00-00-1970 ; 11-00-1987
THE PAPER FORTUNE TELLER
WHEN WE WERE KIDS WE MADE FORTUNE TELLERS BY FOLDING
A PIECE OF PAPER A CERTAIN WAY. ONCE IT WAS COMPLETE
THE PERSON WHO WANTED THEIR FORTUNE TOLD WOULD
PICK A NUMBER ON ONE OF THE TELLER'S FLAPS. THE PERSON
OPERATING THE FORTUNE TELLER WOULD THEN COUNT
THAT MANY NUMBERS. THEN THE PERSON WAS TOLD TO PICK
A COLOR. THEN THEY WOULD SPELL OUT THE COLOR. THEN
THEY WOULD PICK A FLAP AND THEIR FORTUNE WOULD
BE WRITTEN UNDER IT.
Submitter comment: I CAN'T THINK OF A SPECIFIC INFORMANT
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; RIVERSIDE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 11-00-1987
LAST PERSON OUT OF OHIO LEAVES THEIR SOUL THERE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED OF THIS WHEN SHE WAS ON A CHARTER BUS COMING
BACK FROM OHIO TO MICHIGAN AND EVERYONE ON THE BUS RUSHED TOWARD
THE FRONT OF THE BUS SO THEY WOULD NOT BE THE LAST PERSON TO CROSS
THE BORDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, OHIO BORDER
Date learned: 00-00-1975 ; 11-00-1987
THE OTHER DAY
I SAW A BEAR
OUT IN THE WOODS
A WAY OUT THERE
HE LOOKED AT ME
I LOOKED AT HIM
HE SIZED UP ME
I SIZED UP HIM
HE SAID TO ME
WHY DON'T YOU RUN
CUZ I SEE YOU AIN'T
GOT ANY GUN
AND SO I RAN
RIGHT OUTTA THERE
BUT AFTER ME
CAME THAT BIG BEAR
AHEAD OF ME
I SAW A TREE
OH LUCKY ME
TO SEE A TREE
THE NEAREST BRANCH
WAS TEN FEET UP
I'D HAVE TO JUMP
AND TRUST MY LUCK
AND SO I JUMPED
INTO THE AIR
BUT I MISSED THAT BRANCH
A WAY UP THERE
NOW DON'T YOU FRET
AND DON'T YOU FROWN
CUZ I CAUGHT THAT BRANCH
ON THE WAY BACK DOWN
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS AS A GIRL SCOUT. THE LEADER SINGS EACH
LINE AND THE REST OF THE GROUP REPEATS IT. THEN EACH SET OF FOUR
LINES IS SUNG TOGETHER BY THE WHOLE GROUP.
Date learned: 00-00-1977 ; 11-00-1987
MY MOTHER WAS A BAKER, A BAKER, A BAKER.
MY MOTHER WAS A BAKER AND THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID UMM, UMM.
MY FATHER WAS A GARBAGE MAN, A GARBAGE MAN, A GARBAGE MAN.
MY FATHER WAS A GARBAGE MAN AND THIS IS WHAT HE SAID UMM, UMM,
P-U.
MY SISTER WAS A MOVIE STAR, A MOVIE STAR, A MOVIE STAR.
MY SISTER WAS A MOVIE STAR AND THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID UMM, UMM,
P-U, CURLY WHIRLY, WHOOP-D-DO.
MY BROTHER WAS A COWBOY, A COWBOY, A COWBOY.
MY BROTHER WAS A COWBOY AND THIS IS WHAT HE SAID UMM, UMM, P-U,
CURLY WHIRLY, WHOOP-D-DO, BANG, BANG, YOU'RE DEAD FIFTY BULLETS
IN THE HEAD.
MY GRANDFATHER WAS A TAILOR, A TAILOR, A TAILOR.
MY GRANDFATHER WAS A TAILOR AND THIS IS WHAT HE SAID UMM, UMM, P-U,
CURLY WHIRLY, WHOOP-D-DO, BANG, BANG, YOU'RE DEAD FIFTY BULLETS IN
THE HEAD, OUCH.
Submitter comment: YOU PINCH THE PERSON YOU ARE TELLING THIS TO WHEN YOU SAY OUCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Flint
James Callow Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE ; INCREMENTAL REPETITION
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 00-00-1978 ; 11-00-1987
IF YOU TAKE ALL OF YOUR POTATO PEELINGS AND PUT THEM IN THE FIRE-
PLACE AND BURN THEM WITH YOUR FIRE, YOU WILL NEVER HAVE ANY CREOSOTE
BUILD-UP, AND YOU WILL NEVER NEED YOUR CHIMNEY SWEPT.
Submitter comment:
SHE SWEARS THAT THIS IS TRUE, AND SHOWED ME HER CHIMNEY FLUE, WHICH
HASN'T BEEN CLEANED IN FIVE YEARS TO PROVE IT. THE FLUE WAS CLEAN
AS A WHISTLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Ortonville
James Callow Keyword(s): CREOSOTE ; FIREPLACE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: 00001930S CA.
EACH MALE BORN IN THE FAMILY BUILDS A THRONE-TYPE CHAIR WHEN
HE REACHES THE AGE OF MATURITY (USUALLY 12 OR 13). HE THEN TAKES
THIS CHAIR WITH HIM IN HIS TRAVELS UNTIL HE IS WED. UPON WEDDING,
HE KEEPS THE CHAIR IN A POSITION OF GOOD SIGHT IN THE LIVING
ROOM OF HIS FAMILY DOMICILE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS STARTED LONG AGO WHEN HIS ANCESTORS LOST THEIR THRONE
OF THE TURKISH EMPIRE. SINCE THAT TIME THE TRADITION HAS LIVED
IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: TULSA ; OKLAHOMA
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Household furniture and utensil |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
MR. TWADOWSKI, THE MAN IN THE MOON
THERE WAS A MAN NAMED TWADOWSKI WHO WANTED SOMETHING VERY BAD.
HE WANTED IT SO BAD THAT HE MADE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL TO SELL
HIS SOUL. WHEN THE DEVIL AND HIS HELPERS CAME TO COLLECT
TWADOWSKI, HE RAN FOR A CHURCH SO THAT HE WOULD BE SAVED. THE
CHURCH WAS LOCKED. TWADOWSKI WAS CLINGING TO THE DOOR KNOB WHEN
THE DEVIL'S HELPERS CAUGHT HIM. HE WAS CLINGING SO HARD THAT THEY
HAD TO PULL THE DOOR OFF THE CHURCH TO CARRY HIM AWAY. AS THEY
WERE CARRYING HIM, HE KEPT SAYING THE HAIL MARY. WITH EACH HAIL
MARY, THE DOOR AND TWADOWSKI BECAME HEAVIER. FINALLY THE DEVIL
AND HIS HELPERS COULD NO LONGER CARRY TWADOWSKI. SO THEY DROPPED
HIM OFF ON THE MOON. AND TO THIS DAY YOU CAN STILL SEE HIS
SMILING FACE IN THE MOON.
Submitter comment: THIS STORY CAME OVER FROM POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Expression of Fixed Form |
Date learned: 00-00-1913
THIS MAN HAD WENT TO CUT SOME WOOD FOR A FIRE, SO ON THE WAY BACK TO
THE CABIN WITH THE MULE AND DOG, THE MAN STARTED WHIPPING THE MULE
TO GO FASTER, SO THE MULE STOPPED AND TURNED AROUND AND SAID, I'M
GOING AS FAST AS I CAN, AND THE MAN AND DOG STARTED RUNNING, SO THEY
STOPPED ON THIS LOG AND THE MAN SAID TO HIMSELF, I CAN'T BELIEVE
THAT MULE TALKED AND THE DOG SAID, YEH-A, I HEARD HIM. AND THE MAN
STARTED RUNNING TOWARDS HOME. HE GOT HOME AND HIS WIFE AND THE CAT
WAS IN THE KITCHEN, AND THE MAN SAID THE MULE TALKED AND THE DOG
TALKED; THEN THE CAT SAID, "WHAT DID THEY TALK ABOUT?"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 11-19-1987
TWO MEN WERE RIDING IN AN AUTOMOBILE. THE DRIVER SAYS TO THE
PASSENGER, GET OUT AND SEE IF MY BLINKERS ARE WORKING. THE GUY
GETS OUT OF THE CAR AND SAYS, THEY'RE WORKING, THEY'RE NOT WORKING,
THEY'RE WORKING, THEY'RE NOT WORKING!!!!
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 12-02-1987
NO FUTURE
THERE ONCE WAS A FORTUNE TELLER WHO READ PALMS. SHE NEVER SPOKE OF
ANY BAD OCCURENCES SHE SAW, ONLY GOOD ONES. ONE DAY A BEAUTIFUL
YOUNG GIRL WALKED IN AND REQUESTED HER PALM BE READ. THE FORTUNE
TELLER ATTEMPTED TO READ HER PALM BUT COULD NOT AND SHE WAS VERY
PUZZLED. "I CAN'T SEEM TO READ YOUR PALM, I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED
THIS BEFORE." THE GIRL, FURIOUS, LEFT THE HOME OF THE PALM READER.
AS THE GIRL WAS CROSSING THE STREET TO GET TO HER CAR,
ALL OF A SUDDEN OUT OF NOWHERE A CAR APPEARED AND STRUCK
HER DOWN DEAD. THE FORTUNE TELLER COULD NOT READ HER PALM
BECAUSE THE YOUNG GIRL HAD NO FUTURE TO READ.
| Subject headings: | Prophet / Seer / Soothsayer Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |