Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PUT SOME FLAVORING ON THE GUMS FOR A TOOTHACHE.
Submitter comment: FLAVORING IS A BAKING EXTRACT.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; WAUGH
Keyword(s): REMEDY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Remedy |
PUT KEYS DOWN YOUR BACK FOR A NOSEBLEED.
ANY SET OF KEYS WILL WORK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): REMEDY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Entry filtered.
SOME FOLKS USED TO PULL GRASS FROM THE EDGE OF THEIR
YARD AND CALL THIS "FEVER GRASS." THEY'D BOIL THE ROOTS
AND SERVE THEM AS TEA; THE TEA ACTED AS A LAXATIVE.
Submitter comment:
THE LAXATIVE ONLY WORKED IF THE ROOTS THAT WERE USED
TO MAKE IT WERE FROM THE CORNER OF THE YARD.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; PICKENS
Keyword(s): "NATURAL" REMEDY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-14-1984
IF IT TOUCHES YOUR LIPS, IT GOES ON YOUR HIPS.
Submitter comment:
THIS MEANS IF YOU EAT SOMETHING "FATTENING," YOU'LL GAIN
WEIGHT IN YOUR HIP AREA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DIET ; METONYMY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb BELIEF -- Body part Senses PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
RAIN RHYME
IT'S RAINING, IT'S POURING,
THE OLD MAN IS SNORING.
BUMPED HIS HEAD
ON THE HEAD OF THE BED
AND COULDN'T GET UP
IN THE MORNING.
Submitter comment:
THIS RHYME WAS SAID WHENEVER THERE WAS A THUNDERSTORM. THE
OLD MAN'S SNORING REFERRED TO THE THUNDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): NAME FOR GOD: OLD MAN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.465 |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
ENGINE #9 TAG RHYME
ENGINE, ENGINE, NUMBER NINE,
GOING DOWN CHICAGO LINE.
IF THE TRAIN FALL OFF THE TRACK,
DO YOU WANT YOUR MONEY BACK?
YES, NO, MAYBE SO?
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS ANOTHER RHYME TO DETERMINE WHO WOULD BE IT IN A
GAME OF TAG. WHATEVER THE CHOICE WAS (YES, NO, MAYBE SO),
WAS SPELLED OUT. WHOEVER THE KING SAYER WAS POINTING
TO ON THE LAST LETTER WOULD NOT BE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): NAME FOR PERSON CHOOSING "IT" IN A GAME: KING SAYER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.500 SQ[ 84 SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, MY FAMILY VISITED MY
COUSINS IN ILLINOIS ON A YEARLY BASIS.
EVERY TIME I STAYED WITH MY GRANDFATHER I ALWAYS
NOTICED THAT HE HAD A COPPER BRACLET ON.
AFTER YEARS OF QUESTIONING HIM AND GETTING NO
RESPONSE HE FINALLY TOLD ME IT WAS TO
KEEP THE ARTHRITIS DEVIL AWAY.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER WORKED ON A FARM ALL OF HIS LIFE
AND TO THIS DAY HE DOES NOT HAVE ARTHRITIS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; TAYLOR
Keyword(s): AILMENT ; Arthritis ; Bracelet ; Copper ; CURE ; Homeopathy ; PREVENTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001970CA
GARAGE BASEBALL
MY FRIEND AND I WERE SOON BORED WITH CURB BASEBALL, SO
WE DECIDED TO COME UP WITH A NEW GAME CALLED GARAGEBALL.
THIS GAME WAS ALSO PLAYED WITH ONLY TWO PEOPLE, EXCEPT THIS
TIME THE FIELDER PITCHED THE BALL AT THE GARAGE.
WHAT WAS SO UNUSUAL ABOUT THE GAME WAS THAT THE BATTER
FACED THE GARAGE INSTEAD OF THE PITCHER. TO CLARIFY THINGS UP,
THE FIELDER THROWS THE BALL AT THE GARAGE, IT BOUNCES OFF
THE GARAGE AND THE BATTER TRIES TO HIT IT. IF HE MISSES IT IS
A STRIKE, THE BATTER MUST HIT THE BALL BACK AGAINST THE
GARAGE AND THE FIELDER MUST CATCH IT OFF THE BOUNCE
IN ORDER TO GET THE BATTER OUT; IF HE MISSES IT IS A BASE
HIT. SIDES ARE SWITCHED WHEN THREE OUTS HAVE BEEN COMMITTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): GAMES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 07-00-1976
"I CAN'T MOVE"
I CAN'T MOVE, CRIED BILLY TO HIS BROTHER,
PERHAPS WE HAD BETTER CALL MOTHER.
SAID WILLY TO BILLY,
YOU'RE REALLY QUITE SILLY,
YOU'VE GOT YOUR SHOELACES TIED TO EACH OTHER.
Submitter comment:
HEARD THIS WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND IT STILL REMAINS
MY FAVORITE LIMERICK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): LIMERICKS
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
I LIKE TO EAT APPLES AND BANNANAS
I LIKE TO EAT, I LIKE TO EAT, APPLES AND BANNANAS. (2X)
A LAKE TA AAT, A LAKE TA AAT, APPALS AND BANNANAS. (2X)
E LEKE TE EAT, E LEKE TE EAT, EPPELS END BENNENES. (2X)
I LIKE TI IAT, I LIKE TI IAT, IPPILS IND BINNINIS. (2X)
O LOKE TO OAT, O LOKE TO OAT, OPPOLS OND BONNONOS. (2X)
U LUKE TU UAT, U LOKE TU UAT, UPPULS UND BUNNUNUS. (2X)
I LIKE TO EAT, I LIKE TO EAT, APPLES AND BANNANAS. (2X)
Submitter comment: YOU USE THE LONG SOUND OF THE VOWEL EACH TIME YOU CHANGE IT.
Keyword(s): WORD GAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity |
LUMINARIES
ON CHRISTMAS EVE THE STREET LIGHTS IN MY SUBDIVISION
ARE NOT LIT. ALL OF THE RESIDENTS PLACE A LUMINARY
CANDLE IN A PAPER BAG AND SET THE BAG, WITH THE
CANDLE LIT, ALONGSIDE THE CURB.
Submitter comment:
WE HAVE BEEN PARTICIPATING IN THIS RITUAL FOR
AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY
James Callow Keyword(s): LUMENS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 00-00-1978
GAME--LUCY
SOMEONE STARTS OFF BY BEING LUCY,
EVERYONE ELSE REMAINS THEIRSELVES.
THE PLAYERS ARE IN A CIRCLE, LUCY
CALLS A MEMBER OUT, THAT PLAYER HAS TO
SAY ANOTHER PLAYER'S NAME. IF YOU SAY
YOUR NAME OR LUCY'S REAL NAME, THAT
PLAYER IS LUCY NOW AND THE PLAYERS
SWITCH POSITIONS.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME IS PLAYED AT PARTIES
WHEN EVERYONE IS DRINKING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DRINKING GAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity |
Date learned: 00001980S
THIS VERSE WAS TAKEN FROM MY MOTHER'S GRADE SCHOOL AUTOGRAPH BOOK.
MAY YOUR PATH THROUGH LIFE
BE STREWN WITH ROSES
AND ALL YOUR CHILDREN
HAVE PUG NOSES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): METAPHOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
Religious Verse
Men's book with heaps of chaff are stored
God's book doth "golden grains" afford.
Then leave the chaff and spend thy pains
In gathering up thy golden grains.
Submitter comment:
Found in an autograph book from 1880's
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Chaff ; God ; Golden ; Grain ; Language ; Man ; RELIGION ; RHYME ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
"O'LEARY'S BAR"
'TWAS A COLD WINTER'S EVENING.
THE GUESTS WERE ALL LEAVING.
O'LEARY WAS CLOSING THE BAR,
WHEN HE TURNED AND HE SAID TO THE LADY IN RED,
"GET OUT! YOU CAN'T STAY HERE NO MORE."
SHE WEPT A SAD TEAR IN HER BUCKET OF BEER
AS SHE THOUGHT OF THE COLD NIGHT AHEAD,
WHEN A GENTLEMAN DAPPER STEPPED OUT OF THE PHONE BOOTH
AND THESE ARE THE WORDS THAT HE SAID:
"YOUR MOTHER NEVER TOLD YOU
THE THINGS A YOUNG GIRL SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT THE WAYS OF COLLEGE MEN AND HOW THEY COME AND GO--
MOSTLY GO!!!!!"
NOW AGE HAS TAKEN HER BEAUTY
AND SIN HAS LEFT ITS SAD SCAR.
SO, REMEMBER YOUR MOTHERS AND SISTERS, BOYS,
AND LET HER SLEEP UNDER THE BAR
NEXT TO THE GIN,
WITH HIRAM WALKER,
IN SOUTHERN COMFORT.
AND THERE WAS GRANNY SWINGING ON THE OUTHOUSE DOOR
WITHOUT HER NIGHTIE
AND GRANDPA YELLING, "MORE, MORE, MORE!"
SHE WORE PAJAMAS.
Submitter comment:
WHEN THIS IS SUNG BY MEMBERS OF KAPPA BETA GAMMA SORORITY, THE
PARTS OF THE "LADY IN RED" AND THE "GENTLEMAN DAPPER" ARE
ACTED OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON BRAND NAMES OF ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
| Subject headings: | Shadow / Pantomime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad, Song, Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion |
Date learned: 09-00-1985
"DID SALLY RIDE OR WALK TO THE MOON?"
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF AUTOGRAPH VERSE MAKING USE OF THE
NAME OF SALLY RIDE, THE FIRST WOMAN ASTRONAUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON NAME
| Subject headings: | Z210 |
Date learned: 11-08-1985
"DOES GEORGE BURNS WHEN HE SMOKES A CIGAR?"
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF AUTOGRAPH VERSE USING THE
NAME OF COMEDIAN GEORGE BURNS.
James Callow comment: BURNS USES A CIGAR AS A PROP
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON NAME
| Subject headings: | Z210 |
Date learned: 11-08-1985
HOW A MINORITY
REACHING A MAJORITY
SIEZING AUTHORITY
HATES A MINORITY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FEMININE RHYME ; TRIPLE RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-08-1985
BLACK-AMERICAN CURE
FOR SICK HEADACHE, LAY A COLD WET CLOTH ON THE STOMACH WITH
DRY FLANNEL OVER IT. PUT THE FEET INTO HOT MUSTARD WATER,
AND SWALLOW A FEW SPOONFULS OF LEMON JUICE.
Submitter comment:
MRS. GOODEN FAITHFULLY PRACTICES HER OLD-FASHIONED CURES
WHEN NEEDED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE
Keyword(s): MEDICATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |