Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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GREY HAIRS
"EVERY GREY HAIR REPRESENTS A SIN OF THE PERSON WHO HAS IT.
THIS IS PARTICULARLY INDICATIVE WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE GREY HAIR.
PEOPLE WHO DYE THEIR HAIR SHOULD'NT BE TRUSTED.
THEY ARE PROBABLY DECEITFUL ABOUT OTHER THINGS."
Where learned: LETTER
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak |
Date learned: 02-01-1971
IF YOU EAT BREAD CRUSTS YOU WILL HAVE BLACK CURLY HAIR.
Submitter comment:
IN AN ATTEMPT TO CURE MY BLOND HAIR,
MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD TELL ME THIS AS A CHILD.
BLACK HAIR IS CONSIDERED THE LOVELIEST FEATURE
A ROMANIAN WOMAN CAN HAVE AND HAS BEEN CONSIDERED SO FOR GENERATIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BREAD ; ETHNIC SUPERSTITION ; HAIR COLOR ; ROMANIAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak |
Date learned: 11-26-1971
MAGIC MOUSTACHE FORMULA
IF YOU WANT YOUR MOUSTACHE TO GROW
SPRINKLE SALT ON YOUR UPPER LIP
AND SET A GLASS OF WATER NEXT TO THE BED
BEFORE GOING TO SLEEP AT NIGHT.
THE SALT WILL REACH OUT FOR THE WATER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 09-16-1969
THIN LIPS DENOTE CRUELTY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHARACTER TRAITS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue |
Date learned: 01-29-1970
SMALL MOUTH DENOTES STINGINESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHARACTER TRAITS ; MISERLY. ; STINGY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue |
Date learned: 01-29-1970
LARGE EARS DENOTES A GENEROUS NATURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHARACTER TRAITS ; HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Ears, noise in ear |
Date learned: 01-29-1970
IF YOU HAVE BIG EARLOBES YOU ARE GENEROUS.
IF YOU HAVE SMALL EARLOBES YOU ARE STINGY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHARACTER TRAITS ; HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Ears, noise in ear |
Date learned: 11-07-1968
MARRIAGE CUSTOM IN LEBANON
THE OLDEST GIRL GENERALLY GETS MARRIED FIRST. IF THE OLDEST GIRL
DOES NOT GET MARRIED FIRST, PEOPLE THINK THAT THERE IS SOMETHING
WRONG WITH HER. THE YOUNGER SISTERS THEN MUST WAIT FOR THE OLDEST TO
GET MARRIED. THIS CUSTOM IS BEGINNING TO BE LOST AND PUT ASIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRONOLOGY OF MARRIAGE WITHIN FAMILY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Signs of availability |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS:
WHEN IT COMES TO MARRIAGE THE GREEKS FEEL THE OLDEST GIRL SHOULD BE
MARRIED FIRST AND THE REST FOLLOW IN SUCCESSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRONOLOGY OF MARRIAGE WITHIN FAMILY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Signs of availability |
Date learned: 11-14-1969
ONE HUNDRED BOTTLES OF BEER
A HUNDRED BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL,
A HUNDRED BOTTLES OF BEER.
IF ONE OF THOSE BOTTLES SHOULD HAPPEN TO FALL,
NINETY-NINE BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL,
NINETY-NINE BOTTLES OF BEER.
IF ONE OF THOSE BOTTLES SHOULD HAPPEN TO FALL,
NINETY-EIGHT BOTTLES, ETC.
. . .
ONE MORE BOTTLE OF BEER ON THE WALL,
ONE MORE BOTTLE OF BEER,
IF THAT ONE BOTTLE SHOULD HAPPEN TO FALL,
NO MORE BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL.
Submitter comment:
SUNG. GOOD FOR KEEPING CHILDREN OCCUPIED ON LONG AUTOMOBILE
TRIPS, IF YOU CAN STAND IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE, OPPOSITE OF
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 04-00-1968
WHO'S GONNA BE YOUR MAN?
WHO'S GONNA SHOE YOUR PRETTY LITTLE FEET?
AND WHO'S GONNA GLOVE YOUR HANDS?
AND WHO'S GONNA KISS YOUR RED RUBY LIPS?
WHO'S GONNA BE YOUR MAN?
I DON'T NEED NO MAN.
I DON'T NEED NO MAN.
PAPA'S GONNA SHOE MY PRETTY LITTLE FEET,
I DON'T NEED NO MAN.
IF PAPA'S GONNA SHOE YOUR PRETTY LITTLE FEET,
THEN WHO'S GONNA GLOVE YOUR HANDS?
AND WHO'S GONNA KISS YOUR RED RUBY LIPS?
WHO'S GONNA BE YOUR MAN?
I DON'T NEED NO MAN.
I DON'T NEED NO MAN.
MAMA'S GONNA GLOVE MY PRETTY LITTLE HANDS,
I DON'T NEED NO MAN.
IF PAPA'S GONNA SHOE YOUR PRETTY LITTLE FEET,
AND MAMA'S GONNA GLOVE YOUR HANDS,
THEN WHO'S GONNA KISS YOUR RED RUBY LIPS?
WHO'S GONNA BE YOUR MAN?
I DON'T NEED NO MAN.
I DON'T NEED NO MAN.
BROTHER'S GONNA KISS MY RED RUBY LIPS,
I DON'T NEED NO MAN.
IF PAPA'S GONNA SHOE YOUR PRETTY LITTLE FEET,
AND MAMA'S GONNA GLOVE YOUR HANDS,
AND BROTHER'S GONNA KISS YOUR RED RUBY LIPS,
WHO'S GONNA BE YOUR MAN?
I DON'T NEED NO MAN.
I DON'T NEED NO MAN.
THE ONLY, ONLY MAN I EVER DID LOVE,
IS ON THAT TRAIN AND GONE.
THE LONGEST TRAIN I EVER DID SEE,
WAS A HUNDRED COACHES LONG.
AND ON THAT TRAIN WAS THE ONLY, ONLY MAN.
AND ON THAT TRAIN AND GONE.
Submitter comment:
I learned this at camp.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CAMP ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): INCREMENTAL REPETITION ; QUESTION AND ANSWER STRUCTURE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Love |
Date learned: 10-05-1967
HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN
THERE IS A HOUSE IN NEW ORLEANS
THEY CALL THE RISING SUN
AND ITS BEEN THE RUIN OF
MANY A POOR BOY (GIRL) AND
GOD, I KNOW I,M ONE.
MY MOTHER WAS A TAILOR
SOLD MY BRAND NEW JEANS
MY FATHER WAS A GAMBLING
MAN WAY DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS.
(CHORUS)
NOW THE ONLY THING WITH
GAMBLING IS YOU GET AWFULLY DRY.
AND THE ONLY TIME HE IS SATISFIED
IS WHEN HE,S ROARING DRUNK
(CHORUS)
OL MOTHER, TELL YOUR CHILDREN (DAUGHTERS)
NOT TO DO WHAT I HAVE DONE.
SPEND YOUR LIFE IN SIN
AND MISERY, IN THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN.
(CHORUS)
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): Band ; Classic Rock ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; PROSTITUTION ; The Animals
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Sorrow Unhappiness |
Date learned: 10-18-1967
IN THE SERVICE, THE FIRST TIME YOU CROSS THE EQUATOR YOU MUST
RUN THE GAUNTLET AND EVERYONE BEATS ON YOU. YOU MUST DO THIS NO
MATTER WHAT YOUR RANK IS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FIRST TIME ; MILITARY
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 02-00-1970
IRISH SUPERSTITION
IF YOU WASH YOUR FACE IN DEW ON THE FIRST
DAY OF MAY, YOU WILL BE BEAUTIFUL.
Submitter comment:
IN TELLING THIS, THE INFORMANT RECALLS ACTUALLY
WASHING HER FACE IN DEW ON MAY 1ST, AND ENDING
UP WITH A TERRIBLE RASH AND A FEW VISITS TO
A DERMATOLOGIST.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): BAD RESULTS FROM SUPERSTITIOUS PRACTICE ; IRONY ; SKIN
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day |
Date learned: 09-23-1969
LIGHTS
IT IS VERY BAD LUCK IN THE NAVY AIRBORNE FOR THREE FRIENDS TO LIGHT
THEIR CIGARETTES FROM THE SAME MATCH.
Where learned: ROUTE 2 ; W JEFFERSON RD
Keyword(s): MILITARY
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- P535 BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
BIRDIE IN THE SKY
BIRDIE, BIRDIE IN THE SKY
DROPPED SOME WHITE WASH IN MY EYE
I'M NOT A SISSY, I DON'T CRY
I'M JUST GLAD THAT COWS DON'T FLY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; EUPHEMISM: WHITEWASH FOR BIRD DUNG ; RHYME: AAAA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
VERSE
KISS ME CUTE,
KISS ME CUNNING,
KISS ME QUICK
MY DADDY'S COMING.
Where learned: LIBRARY
Keyword(s): COMMAND ; FEMININE RHYME ; HUMOR ; IMPERFECT RHYME ; INITIAL ITERATION ; MEDIAL ITERATION ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
GOD BLESS THE MOON AND GOD BLESS ME.
GOD BLESS THE SOMEBODY I WANT TO SEE.
GOD BLESS THE MOON AND GOD BLESS ME.
AND GOD BLESS THE SOMEBODY I WANT TO SEE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION ; PRAYER ; RHYME: AAAA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
THE BEAR
FUZZY WUZZY WAS A BEAR,
FUZZY WUZZY HAD NO HAIR,
FUZZY WUZZY WASN'T FUZZY
WAS HE?
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; CHIASMUS: FUZZY WUZZY WASN'T FUZZY ; INITIAL ITERATION ; RHYME: AABC ; SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 09-12-1965
THE FROG
THE FROG IS A FUNNY ANIMAL
WHEN HE WALK HE RUN ALMOST,
WHEN HE HOP HE JUMP ALMOST,
WHEN HE SIT HE STAND ALMOST,
HE HAS NO TAIL HARDLY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; FINAL ITERATION ; HUMOR ; INITIAL ITERATION ; RHYME: ABBBC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.440 |
Date learned: 09-12-1965