Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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COMMON DENONINATOR
NO MATTER HOW HIGH AND GREAT THE THRONE
WHAT SITS ON THE SEAT IS THE SAME AS YOUR OWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM FOR BUTTOCKS ; HUMILITY ; OBSERVATION ; RHYME:AA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-14-1968
VERSE
WHEN YOU GO FISHING,
TAKE A LINE.
WHEN YOU GO KISSING,
TAKE YOUR TIME.
Where learned: LIBRARY
Keyword(s): ADVICE ; HUMOR ; IMPERFECT RHYMES ; INITIAL ITERATION ; RHYME: ABAB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 09-22-1967
VERSE
YOUR HEART IS NOT A PLAYTHING,
YOUR HEART IS NOT A TOY.
BUT IF YOU WANT IT BROKEN,
JUST GIVE IT TO A BOY.
Where learned: LIBRARY
Keyword(s): ADVICE ; ADVICE: ABCB ; INITIAL ITERATION ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.320 |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
MAY THE ROAD RISE TO MEET YOU,
MAY THE WIND BE ALWAYS AT YOUR BACK,
MAY THE SUN SHINE WARM UPON YOUR FACE,
AND THE RAINS FALL SOFT UPON YOUR FIELDS.
AND UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN,
MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND.
Submitter comment: PERHAPS THE MOST WIDELY QUOTED IRISH VERSE IN THE UNITED STATES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BLESSING ; INITIAL ITERATION ; PRAYER ; RHYME: ABCDEF NO RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.322 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
BIRDIE, BIRDIE IN THE SKY,
DROP A WHITE WASH IN MY EYE,
ME NO WORRY,
ME NO CRY,
ME JUST HAPPY COWS DON'T FLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD IN
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; BABY TALK ; EUPHEMISM: WHITEWASH FOR BIRD DUNG ; RHYME: AABAA ; SUGGESTION COW DUNG
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
CHILDREN'S SONG
A SAILOR WENT TO SEA, SEA, SEA
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE, SEE, SEE;
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD SEE, SEE, SEE
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA, SEA, SEA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FINAL ITERATION ; HOMOPHONES ; SONG ; SPONDEES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
CHILDREN'S SONG
MY FATHER IS A GARBAGE MAN ( HOLD NOSE AND SAY P-U ).
MY MOTHER IS A COOK ( RUB STOMACH AND SAY MMM-M
).
MY SISTER IS A HAIR-CURLER ( MAKE CORKSCREW MOTION ON HEAD AND SAY
WHIRR-WHIRR).
MY BROTHER IS A CROOK %POINT FINGER LIKE A GUN AND SAY BANG-BANG<.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SONG WITH GESTURES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
" DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN ME SCHOOL "
I POINT TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
HEAD ACHER, HEAD ACHER YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINT TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY SWEATS BROWER, YA MAMA DEAR,
SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAY " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY EYE BLINKER, YA MAMA DEAR,
EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINT TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY CHEESE SMELLER, YA MAMA DEAR,
CHEESE SMELLER, EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINT TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY COOKIE DUSTER, YA MAMA DEAR,
COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER, EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER,
HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY BULL-SHOOTER, YA MAMA DEAR,
BULL SHOOTER, COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER, EYE BLINKER,
SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY JAW BREAKER, YA MAMA DEAR,
JAW BREAKER, BULL SHOOTER, COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER,
EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY RUBBER NECKER, YA MAMA DEAR,
RUBBER NECKER, JAW BREAKER, BULL SHOOTER, COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE
SMELLER, EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS "VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY CHEST PROTECTOR, YA MAMA DEAR,
CHEST PROTECTOR, RUBBER NECKER, JAW BREAKER, BULL SHOOTER,
COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER, EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER
HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY TUMMY ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
TUMMY ACHER, CHEST PROTECTOR, RUBBER NECKER, JAW BREAKER,
BULL SHOOTER, COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER, EYE BLINKER,
SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY TROUBLE MAKER, YA MAMA DEAR,
TROUBLE MAKER, TUMMY ACHER, CHEST PROTECTOR, RUBBER NECKER,
JAW BREAKER, BULL SHOOTER, COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER,
EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN ACTION SONG I LEARNED WHEN I WAS IN KINDERGARTEN. AS YOU
SING THE SONG YOU ACTUALLY POINT TO THE VARIOUS PARTS MENTIONED. CO
1. HEAD ACHER-FORE HEAD
2. SWEATS BROWER-ABOVE EYES
3. EYE BLINKER-EYE LIDS
4. CHEESE SMELLER-NOSE
5. COOKIE DUSTER-UPPER LIP
6. BULL SHOOTER-MOUTH
7. JAW BREAKER-JAW
8. RUBBER NECKER-NECK
9. CHEST PROTECKER-CHEST
10. TUMMY ACHER-STOMACH
11. TROUBLE MAKER-FANNY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE SONG ; GERMAN DIALECT NAMES ; SONG WITH GESTURES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 04-04-1972
LITTLE COTTAGE IN THE WOOD
LITTLE OLD MAN BY THE WINDOW STOOD,
SAW A RABBIT HOPPING BY
KNOCKING AT HIS DOOR.
" HELP ME, HELP ME, SIR " , HE SAID.
" FORE THE HUNTER SHOOTS ME DEAD " .
" COME LITTLE RABBIT, COME WITH ME, ( COME INSIDE )
HAPPY WE WILL ALWAYS BE " .
( ALSO " SAFELY WE'LL ABIDE " )
Submitter comment: INFORMANT DEMONSTRATED GESTURES THAT WENT WITH THIS SONG:
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SONG WITH GESTURES ; TALKING ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 12-02-1971
LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO
( SONG ) LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO RUNNIN' THROUGH THE FOREST
SCOOPIN' UP THE FIELD MICE AND HITTIN' THEM OVER THE HEAD.
( SPOKEN ) AND ALONG COME THE GOOD FAIRY...AND SHE SAID,
" LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO, I'LL GIVE YOU 3 CHANCES,
( SUNG ) I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU RUNNIN' THROUGH THE FOREST, SCOOPIN'
UP THE FIELD MICE AND HITTIN' THEM OVER THE HEAD--AND--
IF YOU DON'T DO WHAT I TELL YOU, I'LL TURN YOU INTO A GOON " .
BUT THE NEXT DAY--
(SUNG) LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO WAS RUNNIN' THROUGH THE FOREST,
SCOOPIN' UP THE FIELD MICE AND HITTIN' THEM OVER THE HEAD.
( SPOKEN ) AND ALONG CAME THE GOOD FAIRY...AND SHE SAID,
" LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO, I'LL GIVE YOU 2 CHANCES, ETC.
BUT THE NEXT DAY--
( REPEATED, BUT NOW WITH ONLY 1 CHANCE )
( SPOKEN ) FOO-FOO BLEW HIS CHANCES, SO THE FAIRY TURNED HIM INTO A
GOON, AND
NARRATOR 1 " DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE MORAL IS?"
NARRATOR 2 " I SURE DO, "
( TOGETHER IN UNISON ) " HARE TODAY, GOON TOMORROW. "
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SANG THIS SONG FOR ME BY HERSELF, BUT IT ACTUALLY SHOULD
BE DONE WITH TWO PEOPLE, ONE ACTING AS NARRATOR AND THE OTHER AS
THE GOOD FAIRY. THE TUNE SHOULD BE SUNG TO THIS MELODY:
" G-G-G-A-B ( REST ) B ( REST ) - A-G-A-B-G-D
GGG-A-B-B-A-G-A-B-G " ( GUITAR NOTES )
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; BRUNVAND C30 ; CANTE FABLE ; PUN ; SHAGGY DOG CANTE FABLE ; THE RABBIT THAT WAS CHANGED INTO A GOON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 12-02-1971
PREGNANCY BELIEF
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN LIFTS HER ARMS ABOVE HER HEAD SHE WILL LOSE
HER BABY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM ONE OF HER FRIENDS.
Data entry tech comment:
THERE ARE SEVERAL LIKE THIS IN THE ARCHIVE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 840 BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-01-1971
MEDICINAL BELIEF
BEST TONIC FOR POOR APPETITES WAS TEA MADE FROM WILD CHERRY BARK AND
RATSBANE (SPOTTED WINTERGREEN). THE INFORMANT ADVISED ME THAT THIS
TONIC WAS GIVEN TO HER AS A CHILD AND TASTED TERRIBLE.
Keyword(s): APPETITE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-01-1971
EARACHE
IF YOU HAVE AN EARACHE, FIND SOMEONE WHO SMOKES A CIGAR, AND HAVE HIM
BLOW THE SMOKE IN YOUR EAR. THE SMOKE WILL GO IN ONE EAR AND THE
INFECTION WILL BE BLOWN OUT THROUGH THE OTHER EAR.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): IMITATIVE MAGIC ; TOBACCO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-26-1972
LIGHTNING
IF YOU LIGHT CHARCOAL BEFORE A STORM
YOU WILL NEVER GET HIT BY LIGHTING.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): PREVENTION ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001950'S
NUN'S TALE
IF A GIRL SITS ON A BOY'S LAP, SHE SHOULD PUT A PHONE BOOK BENEATH
HER UNLESS THE GUY IS HER FATHER OR A RELATIVE, IN WHICH CASE A NEWS-
PAPER WILL BE SUFFICIENT, ACCORDING TO THE NUNS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): NEWSPAPER SITTING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 02-12-1968
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU MOVE INTO A BRAND NEW HOUSE, THERE WILL BE A DRASTIC CHANGE
IN THE FAMILY (BIRTH, DEATH, MARRIAGE).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): OMEN ASSOCIATED WITH NEWNESS.
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC "LUCY"
LUCY MET THE TRAIN
THE TRAIN MET LUCY
THE TRACK WAS JUICY
THE JUICE WAS LUCY
Keyword(s): CHIASMUS ; EUPHEMISM ; FEMININE RHYME ; FINAL ITERATION ; INITIAL ITERATION ; RHYME: ABBC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
VERSE FROM MURDER
LIZZY BORDON TOOK AN AX/
AND GAVE HER MOTHER FORTY WHACKS/
WHEN SHE SAW WHAT SHE HAD DONE/
SHE GAVE HER FATHER FORTY-ONE.
Submitter comment:
THE FOLLOWING VERSE CAME ABOUT AFTER A FAMOUS MURDER TOOK PLACE.
I AM NOT SURE OF THE SPELLING OF THE NAME.
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING CORRECTED BY KETPUNCHER
Where learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ANTICLIMAX ; NARRATIVE VERSE JUMP ROPE RHYME ; NONSEQUITUR ; RHYME: AABB ; SURPRISE ENDING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 11-22-1968
I HAD A GOOD JOB AND I QUIT
HIP HIP, HIP HIP
I HAD A GOOD JOB AND I QUIT
FIRST THEY FIRED ME,
THEN THEY FIRED ME,
THEN I GOT MAD AND I QUIT.
Submitter comment: HE HEARD IT IN HIGH SCHOOL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RICHMOND
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM ; ITERATION ; NARRATIVE VERSE ; RHYME: ABBA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1929
MY BOYFRIEND
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME PEACHES,
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME PEARS,
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME FIFTY CENTS,
AND KICKED ME DOWN THE STAIRS.
I GAVE HIM BACK HIS PEACHES,
I GAVE HIM BACK HIS PEARS,
I GAVE HIM BACK HIS FIFTY CENTS,
AND KICKED HIM DOWN THE STAIRS.
MY MOTHER NEEDED PEACHES,
MY MOTHER NEEDED PEARS,
MY MOTHER NEEDED FIFTY CENTS,
AND KICKED ME DOWN THE STAIRS.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IN DETROIT CHILDHOOD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BODILY ACTIVITY ; INCREMENTAL REPTITION ; INITIAL ITERATION ; REFRAIN ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |