Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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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
A SIGN OF FAVOR* IS WHEN THE BABY WAKES UP
AND FINDS ITS HAIR BRAIDED SUPPOSEDLY BY THE ANGELS.
WHEN IT HAPPENS YOU DON'T COMB IT OUT,
BUT LET IT COME OUT NATURALLY.
Submitter comment:
* WITH THE ANGELS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak |
Date learned: 10-16-1971
PREDICTION, DIVINATION, OBSERVATION
"IF A GUY HAS LOTS OF HAIR ON HIS LEGS HE'LL MAKE A RICH HUSBAND."
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS AT A BAND JOB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HUSBAND ; LEGS ; MARRIAGE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-13-1971
BLONDE
BORN BLONDE, DIE BALD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): BALDNESS ; CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; HAIR COLOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Birth PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-23-1968
CASE OF EVIL EYE CAUSING DEATH
AFTER COMING TO THIS COUNTRY, THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER
LOST A BABY GIRL NAMED CATHERINE BECAUSE SOME FRIEND OF THEIRS
(A MAN) PRAISED THE LITTLE BABY AND IT CAME UNDER A SPELL.
THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYONE IN THE U.S. WHO COULD BREAK THE SPELL
(THERE WERE PEOPLE GOOD AT THIS IN THE OLD COUNTRY).
THE BABY JUST WANED AWAY AND DIED. AND IN LATER YEARS
WHEN ANOTHER RELATIVE WAS GIVEN THE NAME OF CATHERINE SHE GOT
BAD LUCK TO GO WITH IT FROM THE OLD SPELL
AND THAT IS WHY SHE NEVER HAS ANY DATES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ATTACHED TO NAME
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 10-26-1969
BELIEF
A MOTHER LOSES A TOOTH FOR EVERY CHILD THAT SHE BEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHILDBEARING ; PREGNANCY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-04-1970
BIRTH: TREATMENT OF EXPECTANT MOTHERS
FOR EVERY BABY YOU HAVE YOU WILL LOSE A TOOTH.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
Keyword(s): CHILDBIRTH ; LOSS OF TEETH ; PREGNANCY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
DRUNKARDS ODE
HOW WELL DO I REMEMBER,
'TWAS IN THE LATE NOVEMBER,
I WAS WALKING DOWN THE STREET QUITE FULL OF PRIDE,
MY HEART WAS ALL A-FLUTTER
AS I SLIPPED DOWN IN THE GUTTER,
AND A PIG CAME THERE AND LAID DOWN BY MY SIDE;
AND AS I LAY THERE IN THE GUTTER
ALL TOO SOUSED TO EVEN MUTTER,
A LADY PASSING BY WAS HEARD TO SAY:
ONE MAY TELL A BRUTE THAT BOOZES,
BY THE COMPANY HE CHOOSES.
HEARING THIS THE PIG GOT UP AND WALKED AWAY.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: FRATERNITY SONGBOOK
Keyword(s): PROBABLY A DRINKING SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A POLISH SONG: A RED APPLE
CUT IN QUARTERS
WHY DO YOU, MY GIRL
LOOK DOWN ON ME?
GEESE ON THE OTHER BANK
DUCKS ON THE OTHER BANK
CAREFUL GIRL, OR THEY WILL BITE YOU
I WILL KISS YOU, YOU WILL KISS ME.
I WILL NEVER GIVE YOU AWAY, YOU WLL ALWAYS KEEP ME.
A RED APPLE
ROLLING ON THE TABLE
SUCH A GIRL I LOVE
THAT HAS BLACK EYES
POLISH TEXT NOT KEYPUNCHED. SEE ORIGINAL 5X8 INCH CARD.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A KUJAWIAK MELODY, FROM THE KUJAROY REGION OF POLAND. IT IS
A COURTING SONG AND VERY POPULAR. I,VE KNOWN IT SINCE CHILDHOOD.
Data entry tech comment: VERSES IN POLISH LOCATED ON FILE CARD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): BIRDS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Love |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
I,VE GOT SOMETHING IN MY POCKET THAT BELONGS ACROSS MY FACE.
I KEEP IT VERY CLOSE TO ME IN A MOST CONVENIENT PLACE.
I,M SURE YOU,LL NEVER GUESS IT, IF YOU GUESS A LONG, LONG WHILE,
I'LL TAKE IT OUT AND PUT IT ON, IT'S A GREAT BIG BROWNIE SMILE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: LIBRARY
Keyword(s): BROWNIES-GIRL SCOUTS ; Campfire Music ; Lyrics ; RHYME ; RIDDLE IN SONG ; SMILE ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Joy Happiness |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
ST. JOHN'S EVE
ON A PLEASANT ST. JOHN,S EVE
IN THE QUIET OF A PRETTY HILLSIDE
A MOTHER SAT, WHILE AT HER KNEE
A FAINTING DAUGHTER FELL.
O MOTHER, MOTHER, MY HEART ACHES
BECAUSE LEON MAY NOT RETURN,
MAYBE HIS HORSE WILL THROW HIM FROM THE SADDLE
OR AN EVIL PERSON WILL KILL HIM.
(TWICE)
O CAROLINE, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
WHERE ARE ALL YOUR PROMISES?
YOU WROTE, "OH, COME, COME."
NOW YOU ARE IN THE ARMS OF ANOTHER.
MY HORSE, MY HORSE, LET US RETURN HOME.
THEY HAVE NO BREAD FOR US HERE.
THERE IN THE VALLEY WHERE THE STREAM FLOWS,
THERE IS OUR BELOVED HOME.
(TWICE)
POLISH VERSION:
Wieczor Pogodny
Wieczor pogodny Swietego Jana
Ucich pieknego pagorka,
Siedziala matka, na jej kolana
Upada zemdlona corka.
O Mamo, mamo, serce mnie boli,
Bo moze Leon nie wroci,
Moze go konik ze siodia rzuczi,
Albozly czlowiek ubile.
O Karolino, cozes zrobiloa
gdzie twoje wszystkie zaklencia,
Tys mi pisala, ach przyjedz, przyjedz, przyjedz
Teraz zes w innych objenciach.
Koniu muj koniu, wrocmy do domu.
Tu dla nas nie maja chleda.
Tam na dolinie, gdzie strumyk plynie,
Tam nasza chata kochana.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER USED TO SING THIS SONG TO ME WHEN I WAS A CHILD. SHE TOLD
ME SHE LEARNED IT FROM A LADY WITH WHOM SHE WORKED DURING 1926-1929,
IN VARIOUS DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS--WASHINGTON BLVD. BLDG., INDUSTRIAL
BANK BLDG., AND EATON TOWER (NOW BRODERICK TOWER).
THE LADY, SADIE MANDULAK, BROUGHT THE SONG FROM THE UKRAINE.
ON THE NOTE ON WHICH THIS SONG WAS WRITTEN, MY MOTHER WROTE:
"TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE." I TAKE THIS TO MEAN THAT THIS IS
THE WAY THE SONG IS REMEMBERED BY HER.
MY MOTHER USED TO SING THIS, IN ITS POLISH VERSION, TO ME WHEN
I WAS JUST A LITTLE GIRL. I REMEMBER SHE USED TO ROCK ME AND
OFTEN I WOULD FALL ASLEEP TO THE SONG. LATER (13 TO 15 YEARS LATER.
IN FACT.) SHE SANG THE VERY SAME SONG TO MY SISTER, AS SHE PUT
HER TO SLEEP.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BABY ; CHILDREN ; LULLABY ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Sorrow Unhappiness CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23 |
Date learned: 05-00-1965
FOOD (ITOLOBCHIE)
THIS IS A UKRAINIAN DINNER WHICH IS LIKE STUFFED CABBAGE.
IT IS EGG, PEPPER, SALT, RICE, GROUND MEAT OR BACON AND ONIONS.
THIS IS THEN ROLLED IN CABBAGE.
Data entry tech comment: KEYPUNCHER HAS CORRECTED THE COLLECTOR'S SPELLING
Where learned: THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; NORTH QUAD
Keyword(s): HOLOBCHIE?
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Noon mealsDinnerLunch |
Date learned: 03-03-1971
DRINK CUSTOM
IRISH TEA IS HOT AND BLACK, AND ACCORDING TO PERSCRIPTION,
"STRONG ENOUGH FOR A MOUSE TO TROT ON."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RECALLED THIS ON A VISIT TO THE FAMOUS IRISH SEMINARY IN
MAYNOOTH, IRELAND.
Where learned: IRELAND
Keyword(s): HYPERBOLE
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Brew of leaf, bark, root SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
NUMBERS
DON'T ROCK AN EMPTY ROCKING CHAIR, IT MEANS DEATH.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): EMPTINESS ; NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero |
Date learned: 11-06-1967
FIRST STREELIGHT GAME
WHEN THE FIRST STREETLIGHT COMES ON, YOU
ARE TO YELL OUT, ZERO, FIRST STREETLIGHT.
ANOTHER PERSON SHOUTS, ZERO, SECOND
STREETLIGHT. THE PERSON WHO SAYS, ZERO,
THIRD STREETLIGHT, GETS HIT BY THE REST
OF THE GROUP.
Submitter comment:
WE USED TO PLAY THIS EVERY NIGHT WHEN
THE STREETLIGHT WOULD COME ON. THEN
EVERYBODY CAUGHT ON AND WE WOULD HAVE TO
COMPEL SOMEONE TO TAKE THE THIRD PART
SO THE GAME COULD FINISH AND WE COULD SWAT SOMEONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
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
JAPANESE & NUMBER 8
THE NUMBER 8 IS HONORED BY JAPANESE.
JAPAN IS CALLED "EIGHT LARGE ISLANDS." BUDDHIST
DEITIES ARE REPRESENTED ON A LOTUS FLOWER OF
EIGHT PEDALS. THE 88TH BIRTHDAY IS A VERY
GRAND ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Eighths / Eight CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Number P686.1.88 SPEECH -- Place |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
NUMBER 13
THE NUMBER 13 WORN ON LEATHER JACKETS OF MOTORCYCLE GANGS REPRESENTS
MARIJUANA
Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Overall body coverUpper body and arms |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR
PARODY
OH SAY CAN YOU SEE
ANY BEDBUGS ON ME
IF YOU DO
TAKE A FEW
AND I'LL FRY THEM FOR YOU.
Submitter comment: FROM HER GRANDFATHER, MR. HELLER, OF ENGLISH DESCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): FOOD : AABBB ; HUMOR ; STAR SPANGLED BANNER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music |
Date learned: 00001964 SUMMER
MEMORY
REMEMBER M
REMEMBER E
PUT THEM TOGETHER
AND REMEMBER ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FRIENDSHIP ; RHYME: AABA ; SPELLING RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music |
Date learned: 08-00-1964