Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ACTION returned 310 results.
WHO AM I? RIDDLE
Q: I SQUEEZE/ THROUGH THE TINIEST CRACK./ I RACE/ LIKE A TRAIN ON
A TRACK./ I WHISTLE AND ROAR/ AND RATTLE THE DOOR./ AND AS SOON AS
I GO/ I AM BACK./ WHO AM I?
A: THE WIND.
Submitter comment:
I FOUND THIS ACTIVITY BOOK IN THE ATTIC.
FROM: "LOTS OF THINGS TO DO"
(AKRON, OHIO: THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO., 1951) THE PAGES ARE
NOT NUMBERED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; HARDWARE (Q) ; NATURAL ; TRANSPORTATION (Q)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
RIDDLE
Q: YOU CAN NOT SEE IT,/ BUT YOU KNOW IT IS THERE/ YOU CAN SEE WHAT
IT DOES/ TO YOUR HAT/ TO YOUR HAIR./ WHAT IS IT?
A: THE WIND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; CLOTHES (Q) ; NATURAL ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
RIDDLE
Q: VERY NICE, VERY NEAT -/ HAS TEETH, CANNOT EAT.
A: A COMB
Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; NOTION ITEMS (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q)
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ASSONANCE ; REPETITION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 09-29-1967
RIDDLE IN VERSE
Q: I'VE MANY TEETH BUT I DON'T BITE/ IN FACT, I KEEP YOU LOOKING
RIGHT.
A: A COMB
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; NOTION ITEMS (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
RIDDLE IN VERSE
Q: I HAVE ONE PERFECT EYE/ BUT STILL I CANNOT SEE/ AND YET THAT ONE
GOOD EYE/ IS USEFUL AS CAN BE.
A: A NEEDLE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; NOTION ITEMS (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
RIDDLE VERSE
Q: OLD MOTHER TWITCHETT HAD BUT ONE EYE, / AND A LONG TAIL WHICH
SHE LET FLY;/ AND EVERY TIME SHE WENT THROUGH A GAP,/ A BIT OF HER
TAIL SHE LEFT IN A TRAP.
A: A NEEDLE
Data entry tech comment: ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS IN THE 5 X 8 CARD FILES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; HARDWARE (Q) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PERSONS (Q)
James Callow Keyword(s): LONG TAIL= THREAD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 11-12-1968
RIDDLE - THE CAKE
Q: YOU'LL EAT THIS CAKE WITH GREAT REGRET-/ IT'S GOOD FOR NOTHING
UNTIL WET.
A: A BAR OF SOAP
Submitter comment:
I FOUND THIS ACTIVITY BOOK IN THE ATTIC.
FROM: "LOTS OF THINGS TO DO"
(AKRON, OHIO: THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO., 1951) THE PAGES ARE
NOT NUMBERED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; EATABLES (Q) ; EATABLES (Q) ; NOTION ITEMS (A)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
RIDDLE
Q: AS ROUND AS AN APPLE,/ AS DEEP AS A CUP,/ AND ALL THE KING'S
HORSES/ CAN'T PULL IT UP.
A: A WELL.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMALS (Q) ; EATABLES (Q) ; PARTICULAR ; PERSONS (Q)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
( 20 ) RIDDLES
Q: 1. DUI SESLES PER KALNELIZ NESOEINA. - TWO SISTERS DO NOT MEET
OVER A HILL.
A: EYES.
Q: 2. DU RATU PAGIRY STOUI. - TWO WHEELS STANDING BY THE FOREST.
A: EARS.
Q: 3. PILNA LUKTELE BALTEZ VISTELIZ. - A HOUSE FULL OF WHITE HENS.
A: MOUTH AND TEETH.
Q: 4. MIZSLIUZ TEVAS KALNE GULI. - THE FATHER OF RIDDLES IS LYING
IN THE HILL.
A: TONGUE.
Q: 5. ZIBA DIENA, ZIBA NAKTIZ. - SPARKLES AT NIGHT, SPARKLES DURING
THE DAY.
A: WINDOW.
Q: 6. VISI JODO, NIEKAS NEPASERIA. - EVERYONE FOR IODINE, NO ONE
FEEDS IT.
A: DOOR STEP.
Q: 7. NEI PATI VDGO, NEI KITAM DUODA. - NEITHER DOES SHE EAT HERSELF,
OR GIVE TO ANOTHER.
A: A LOCK.
Q: 8. MASA MOTERELE VISAZ PASAULIZ APRENGIA. - A SMALL WOMAN DRESSES
THE WHOLE WORLD.
A: A SEWING NEEDLE.
Q: 9. MAZAS PUODELIS, SKANI KOSELE. - A SMALL POT, GOOD BROTH.
A: PEANUT. ?M Q: 10. PRAMUSI LEDAZ, RASI SIDABRAZ; PRAMUSI SIDABRAZ, RASI AUKSAZ. -
BREAK THE ICE, YOU'LL FIND SILVER; BREAK THE SILVER, YOU'LL FIND
GOLD.
A: AN EGG.
Q: 11. DVIEM PUPOM VISAZ LAUKAZ APSEJA. - WITH TWO PEAS YOU SOW A
WHOLE FIELD.
A: WITH EYES.
Q: 12. DU BEGA, DU VEJA. - TWO RUN, TWO CHASE.
A: WHEELS.
Q: 13. ATLEKE PAUKSTIS BE SPARNUZ, IZKANDO ZINOQUI BE DANTUZ. - A
BIRD FLEW BY WITH NO WINGS, BIT A MAN WITH NO TEETH.
A: BULLET.
Q: 14. SUDEGE AZUOLAS BE ANGLIUZ, BE PELENIZ. - AN OAK BURNED WITH
NO COAL, WITH NO ASHES.
A: A CANDLE
Q: 15. MISKE GIMEZS, IMSKE ANGES, PAREINA NAMO KEPUIUZ KILNOTI. -
BORN IN A FOREST, GREW UP IN A FOREST, COMES HOME TO RAISE HATS.
A: CROSS.
Q: 16. ILGAS - BE GALO, GILUS - BE DUGNO. - LONG - WITH NO END, DEEP
- WITH NO BOTTOM.
A: A RING.
Q: 17. PENKI TVARTAI, VIENOS DURYS. - FIRE BURNS, ONE DOOR.
A: GLOVES.
Q: 18. PER VANDENIZ EIDAMAS NEPRIQERIA, PER UGNIZ - NESUDEGA.
WALKING THROUGH WATER, DOESN'T DROWN; THROUGH FIRE - DOESN'T BURN.
A: A SHADOW.
Q: 19. JOKI ZIRGAS ZVENGIA, NET KAMANOS SKAMBA. - FAR DOES A HORSE
NEIGH, EVEN THE ROOF TOPS ECHO.
A: THUNDER.
Q: 20. KAD ATSIKELTUZ, DANGEZ PAREMTUZ, KAD RENKAS TURETUZ, VAGIZ
PAGAUTUZ. - IF COULD GET UP, HOLD UP THE HEAVEN; IF HAD HANDS,
WOULD CATCH A THIEF.
A: A ROAD.
Submitter comment:
IN LITHUANIAN, THESE RIDDLES RHYME. HOWEVER, THE TRANSLATION DOES NOT
BRING OUT THE TRUE AND REAL RHYTHM OF THEM.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMALS (Q) ; BUILDINGS (Q) ; HARDWARE (Q) ; NATURAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 03-24-1972
RIDDLE
Q: THIRTY WHITE HORSES/ UPON A RED HILL./ NOW THEY STAMP,/ NOW THEY
CHAMP,/ NOW THEY STAND STILL.
A: TEETH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMALS (Q) ; PARTICULAR AREAS (Q) ; PARTS OF THE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
TWO, THREE, AND FOUR LEGS RIDDLE
Q: TWO LEGS SAT UPON THREE LEGS,/ WITH ONE LEG IN HIS LAP;/ IN COMES
FOUR LEGS,/ AND RUNS AWAY WITH ONE LEG./ UP JUMPS TWO LEGS,/ CATCHES
UP THREE LEGS,/ THROWS IT AFTER FOUR LEGS,/ AND MAKES HIM BRING BACK
ONE LEG.
A: TWO LEGS, A BOY; THREE LEGS, A STOOL; ONE LEG, A ROAST LEG OF
LAMB; FOUR LEGS, A DOG.
Submitter comment:
I FOUND THIS IN AN OLD MOTHER GOOSE COLORING BOOK WHICH WAS IN THE
ATTIC. THE COVER AND SOME PAGES WERE MISSING. IT IS AT LEAST TEN
YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMALS (A) ; NUMBERS AND MEASUREMENTS (Q)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
CLERGY RIDDLE
Q: TELL ME IF YOU CAN/ WHO IS THE HIGHLY FAVORED MAN/ THAT HAS
MARRIED MANY A WIFE/ BUT IS SINGLE ALL HIS LIFE.
A: A PRIEST.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; CAUSAL OPPOSITIONAL ; PERSONS (A) ; PERSONS (Q)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
ELIZABETH RIDDLE
Q: ELIZABETH, ELSPETH, BETSY AND BESS,/ THEY ALL WENT TOGETHER TO
SEE A BIRD'S NEST./ THEY FOUND A BIRD'S NEST WITH FIVE EGGS IN,/
THEY ALL TOOK ONE AND LEFT FOUR IN.
A: ELIZABETH, ELSPETH, BETSY AND BESS ARE ALL THE SAME GIRL.
Data entry tech comment: FUNCTION: TO TEACH NICKNAMES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMALS (Q) ; EATABLES (Q) ; NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
TRUE RIDDLE
Q: THOUGH GOOD FELLOWS WE ARE/ WE CAN'T HOPE TO BE SAVED; / FROM OUR
VERY FIRST DAY/ TO OUR LAST WE'RE ENSLAVED./ OUR OFFICE IS HARDEST/
AND FOOD SURE THE WORST/ BEING CRAMMED WITH RAW FLESH/ TILL WE'RE
READY TO BURST./ THOUGH LOW IN OUR STATE/ EVEN KINGS WE SUPPORT/ AND
AT BALLS HAVE/ THE PRINCIPAL SHARE OF SPORT.
A: A PAIR OF SHOES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS IS ONE RIDDLE SHE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER
BECAUSE IT WAS THE ONLY QUESTION ON A SENIOR ENGLISH EXAM AT
DETROIT'S MILLER HIGH SCHOOL AROUND 1940.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; EATABLES (Q) ; ENTERTAINMENT (Q) ; PERSONS (Q)
James Callow Keyword(s): RHYME INVERSION ; SYNTAX
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
RIDDLE
Q: THEY HAVE TONGUES, BUT THEY DO NOT TALK./ YOU TIE THEM UP WHEN
YOU GO FOR A WALK./ WHAT ARE THEY?
A: SHOES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; CAUSAL ; CLOTHES (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
WHAT AM I? RIDDLE
Q: I HAVE NO FEET, AND WHEN I RUN,/ I USE MY HANDS INSTEAD./ MY
FACE IS ROUND, JUST LIKE THE SUN, / AND YET I HAVE NO HEAD.
A: A WATCH.
Submitter comment:
I FOUND THIS ACTIVITY BOOK IN THE ATTIC.
FROM: "LOTS OF THINGS TO DO"
(AKRON, OHIO: THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO., 1951)
THE PAGES ARE NOT NUMBERED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; NATURAL PHENOMENA (Q) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
PROVERB
AS UNPLANNED AS A HICCUP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
Keyword(s): ONOMATOPEIA
James Callow Keyword(s): COMPARISON ; INVOLUNTARY ; SPONTANEOUS REACTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 10-00-1971
CUSTOM
ON EASTER MORNING, APPROXIMATELY 5:00 A.M., THE PRIEST APPROCHES
( APPROACHES ) THE FRONT DOOR OF THE CHURCH AND KNOCKS 3 TIMES
WITH A CRUCIFIX.
Submitter comment:
(THIS IS A SIGN THAT CHRIST HAS RISEN WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED LIKE
THE TOMB WAS OPENED.)
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): SYMBOLIC ACTION
| Subject headings: | DRAMA -- Religious CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
CURSE OF DONERAILE
ALAS HOW DISMAL IS MY TALE;
I LOST MY WATCH IN DONERAILE.
MY DUBLIN WATCH, MY CHAIN AND SEAL
PILFERED AT ONCE IN DONERAILE.
MAY FIRE AND BRIMSTONE NEVER FAIL
TO FALL IN SHOWERS IN DONERAILE.
THE FATE OF POMPEY AT PHORSALE
BE THAT CURSE OF DONERAILE.
MAY EGYPT'S PLAGUE AT ONCE PREVAIL
TO THIN THE KNAVES OF DONERAILE.
MAY EVERY POST, GAZETTE, AND MAIL
SAD TIDINGS BRING OF DONERAILE.
MAY FROST AND SNOW AND SLEET AND HAIL
BENUMB EACH JOINT IN DONERAILE.
MAY WOLVES AND BLOODHOUNDS TRACE AND TRAIL
THE CURSED CREW OF DONERAILE.
MAY EVERY MISCHIEF FRESH AND STALE
ABIDE HENCEFORTH IN DONERAILE
MAY NEITHER FLOUR NOR OATENMEAL
BE FOUND OR KNOWN IN DONERAILE.
MAY CURSES WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
POUR WITH FULL FORCE ON DONERAILE.
MAY EVERY TRANSPORT WONT TO SAIL
A CONVICT BRING FROM DONERAILE.
MAY COLD AND HUNGER STILL CONGEAL
THE STAGNANT BLOOD OF DONERAILE.
MAY CHARON'S BOAT TRIUMPHANT SAIL
COMPLETELY MANNED FROM DONERAILE.
AND MAY GRIM PLUTO'S INNER JAIL
FOREVER GROAN WITH DONERAIL.
Submitter comment:
IT IS A GREAT CURSING BALLAD; WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1808, IT IS AS
POPULAR TODAY AS IT WAS THEN. IN DONERAILE AT THE TIME, LIVED
A GALWAY SCHOOLMASTER, PAT O'KELLY, WHO FANCIED HIMSELF A BIT OF
A POET. ONE DAY HE LOST HIS WATCH IN THE LOVELY NORTH CORK
VILLAGE AND WAS NEVER RETURNED. HE IMMEDIATELY SAT DOWN AND WROTE
THIS BALLAD. FAR TOO LONG TO GIVE IN FULL, HERE ARE A FEW COUPLETS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; UNION
Keyword(s): CURSE ; IRELAND ; OVERREACTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Hate BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 11-26-1972
SUPERSTITION
AT 12 MIDNIGHT, NEW YEAR'S EVE, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY
OPEN YOUR FRONT DOOR TO LET THE OLD YEAR OUT AND
WELCOME THE NEW YEAR IN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
Keyword(s): SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 12-31-1963