Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for FUNCTION returned 213 results.
WHISTELING
WHISTLING GIRLS AND CACKLING HENS ALWAYS COME TO SOME BAD ENDS.
LADIES DONT WHISTLE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: CA02001980
A BIRDIE WITH A YELLOW BILL, HOPPED UP ON MY WINDOW SILL.
HE COCKED HIS LITTLE HEAD AND SAID; AREN'T YOU ASHAMED, YOU SLEEPY HEAD}
Submitter comment: FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE LATE TO SCHOOL, THE CLASS WOULD RECITE THI WHILE MAKING THE SHAME-ON-YOU GESTURE WITH THEIR HANDS.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; REBUKE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
MEALS CAN PREDICT THE WEATHER.
EAT ALL OF THE FOOD IN THE SERVING POTS AND YOU,LL HAVE GOOD
WEATHER TOMMOROW.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT BELIEVES THAT THIS WAS PROBABLY USED TO GET PEOPLE
TO EAT THEIR FOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Control Prevention Provocation Protection P892.28 BELIEF -- Control Prevention Provocation Protection P892.88 |
Date learned: 04-00-1980
IF CHILDREN EAT ALL THEIR FOOD ON THEIR PLATES, THEN THE
NEXT DAY WILL BE BRIGHT AND SHINEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: CA00001915
COUNTING GAME
THE MOTHER WOULD LAY TOOTHPICKS ON THE TABLE. THE CHILD WOULD
HAVE TO COUNT THE TOOTHPICKS. THE MOTHER WOULD THEN EITHER
ADD OR SUBTRACT TOOTHPICKS. THE CHILD WOULD THEN COUNT THEM AGAIN.
THIS WOULD BE DONE OVER AND OVER UNTIL THE CHILD KNEW HOW TO
COUNT ACCURATELY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C531 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
TEN LITTLE INDIANS
ONE LITTLE, TWO LITTLE, THREE LITTLE INDIANS. FOUR LITTLE, FIVE
LITTLE, SIX LITTLE INDIANS. SEVEN LITTLE, EIGHT LITTLE, NINE LITTLE
INDIANS. TEN LITTLE INDIAN BOYS.
Submitter comment:
THIS CAN BE USED TO TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO COUNT TO TEN. WHILE THE
SAYING IS SAID AT THE SAME TIME THE CHILD IS RAISING THE FINGERS
THAT CORRESPOND TO THE NUMBERS IN THE GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C531 |
Date learned: 00001940S
PRIESTLY ADVICE TO ME-- DON'T BECOME PART ITALIAN ON DATES-- ROMAN
HANDS.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS PRIESTLY ADVICE TO ME IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; PUN: ROMAN AND ROAMIN' (ROAMING)
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
IF YOU SING AT THE TABLE YOU'LL MARRY A CRAZY MAN.
Submitter comment:
SYD'S GRANDMA TOLD HER THIS ONE WHILE AT THE DINNER TABLE. I THINK
IT ORIGINATES FROM THE VICTORIAN ERA WHEN SILENCE AT MOST OCCASIONS
WAS EXPECTED FROM CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
Date learned: 00-00-1950
THE RUBBERBAND AND THE HAND
THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL WHO GOT INTO THE HABIT OF WRAPPING RUBBER
BANDS AROUND HER WRIST BECAUSE SHE LIKED TO LOOK AT THE IMPRESSIONS
THEY LEFT ON HER SKIN WHEN SHE TOOK THEM OFF. ONE DAY SHE FORGOT SHE
HAD THE RUBBER BANDS ON AND KEPT WEARING THEM.
YEARS LATER THE GIRL'S
HAND TURNED BLACK SO THEY TOOK HER TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE THEY
OPERATED ON HER HAND. THE DOCTOR CUT OPEN HER WRIST TO SEE WHY THE
BLOOD STOPPED FLOWING INTO HER HAND AND HE FOUND THE RUBBER BAND. IT
SEEMS THE RUBBER BAND HAD BECOME IMPRESSED IN HER SKIN AND EVENTUALLY
THE SKIN GREW OVER IT. THE GIRL PROMISED NEVER TO WEAR A RUBBER BAND
ON HER WRIST AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HIS MOTHER WHEN HE WAS A CHILD TO BREAK
HIM OF WEARING RUBBER BANDS. HE SAYS IT WORKED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FEAR ; FUNCTIONAL SCARE STORY
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 03-03-1967
LEGEND__BELLE ISLE
DOWN A CERTAIN STREET AT NIGHT, THERE IS A WITCH THAT HAD SPIKES IN
HER HANDS AND CLAWS AT YOUR CAR, TRYING TOO GET IN IF YOU
PARK TOO LONG
WITH YOUR GIRLFRIEND.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIEND
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION ; BALLROOM
Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL FOLKTALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
AUTOGRAPH BOOK MATERIAL
A SAILOR LOVES HIS C,
AN OLD MAID LOVES HER T,
A CHINAMAN LOVES HIS Q,
BUT I ONLY LOVE YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; HUMOR ; QUATRAIN ; QUEUE ; RHYME: AABB ; SEA ; TEA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
Date learned: 00-00-1928
WRITTEN VERSE
HAD I THE HEAVEN'S EMBRIODERD CLOTHS,
ENWROUGHT WITH GOLDEN AND SILVER LIGHT,
THE BLUE AND THE DIM AND THE DARK CLOTHS,
OF NIGHT AND LIGHT AND THE HALF LIGHT,
I WOULD SPREAD THE CLOTHS UNDER YOUR FEET,
BUT I, BEING POOR, HAVE ONLY MY DREAMS;
I HAVE SPREAD MY DREAMS UNDER YOUR FEET,
TREAD SOFTLY, BECAUSE YOU TREAD ON MY DREAMS.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS WRITTEN IN MY MOTHER'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK WHEN SHE WAS
VISITING ENGLAND IN 1937.
Where learned: ENGLAND
Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; SERIOUSNESS
James Callow Keyword(s): DREAMS ; FUNCTION ; METAPHOR ; POETIC DICTION ; REPETITION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Tender sentiment |
Date learned: 00-00-1937
PROVERBIAL MAXIM
IF YOU CHEAT AND LOSE, THERE WAS NO SENSE IN CHEATING. IF YOU
CHEAT AND WIN, THERE WAS NO SENSE IN PLAYING.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT REMEMBERED THIS AS A WELL-KNOWN SAYING IN HER
FAMILY, BUT IT IS OF NO PARTICULAR ETHNIC ORIGIN.
THIS PROVERB IS USED TO PREVENT CHILDREN FROM GETTING INTO THE
HABIT OF CHEATING AND TO CORRECT THEM WHEN CAUGHT CHEATING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-00-1982
MONSTER BELIEF
IF YOU GO OUT OF YOUR HOUSE WHEN YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE IN BED
AT NIGHT, THE BESTIA WILL CARRY YOU OFF NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN.
THE BESTIA IS AS BIG AS A HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
BESTIA MEANS BEAST IN ITALIAN. THIS SUPERSTITION WAS ACTUALLY
BELIEVED BY THE INFORMANT'S GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
IF LITTLE BOYS STAND WHILE THEY EAT, THEY WILL GET FAT KNEES.
Submitter comment:
MOTHERS TELL THIS TO THEIR CHILDREN SO THEY WILL SIT WHILE
THEY EAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Lower body, legs BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 00001970S
BLOODY BONES
THERE WAS THIS LITTLE BOY AND HIS MOTHER SENT HIM TO
THE STORE TO GET SOME LIVER. BUT INSTEAD THE LITTLE
BOY BOUGHT CANDY. ON HIS WAY HOME HE PASSED A GRAVEYARD
AND DECIDED TO GO DIG UP A LIVER TO TAKE HOME. HE CAME
TO A HEADSTONE WITH THE NAME BLOODY BONES ON IT AND BEGAN
TO DIG. AT DINNER, EVERYONE RAVED ABOUT HOW GOOD THE
LIVER WAS. AFTER DINNER EVERYONE WENT TO BED, BUT WHILE
THE BOY WAS SLEEPING HE HEARD A VOICE. THE VOICE SAID,
"BLOODY BONES GONNA GET YA TONIGHT. BLOODY BONES IN
YOUR CLOSET TONIGHT." FRIGHTENED, THE BOY RAN INTO THE
KITCHEN, BUT THE VOICE FOLLOWED AND SAID, "BLOODY BONES
GONNA GET YA TONIGHT. BLOODY BONES IN THE KITCHEN TONIGHT."
HE TRIED TO ESCAPE BY GOING INTO HIS PARENTS' ROOM BUT
BLOODY BONES FOLLOWED HIM. FINALLY, BLOODY BONES KILLED
HIM AND TOOK HIS LIVER.
Submitter comment:
THE STORY WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT TO FRIGHTEN HER INTO
OBEYING. IF SHE DID SOMETHING WRONG HER GRANDFATHER
WOULD SAY, "BLOODY DONES GONNA GET YA!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COMPENSATION AND POETIC JUSTICE ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 04-00-1983
HOW TO QUIET KIDS
WHENEVER THE CHILDREN USED TO SING AT THE TABLE, I USED TO TELL
THEM THIS OLD SAYING THAT MY MOTHER TOLD ME AS A YOUNGSTER, TO
MAKE THEM STOP: "IF YOU SING AT THE TABLE YOUR HUSBAND WILL
HAVE A CRAZY WIFE." THEY RARELY UNDERSTOOD THE IMPLICATIONS
OF THE SAYING BUT IT CERTAINLY SILENCED THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1932
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AFRAID OF THUNDER AND LIGHTENING SO
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL MY MOMMA TOLD ME THIS STORY.
SHE TOLD ME THAT ALL THE THUNDER WAS JUST SOME ANGELS
PLAYING POOL AND EVERY TIME THEY HIT A BALL WE WOULD
HEAR ITS ECHO. THE LIGHTENING WAS NOTHING MORE THAN A
PRANKSTER ANGEL CUTTING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF UP IN
HEAVEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; MATERNAL ROLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 03-00-1983
SONG
(REFRAIN:)
OLD FOLKS, YOUNG FOLKS, EVERYBODY COME.
COME JOIN THE BIBLE SCHOOL AND HAVE A LOT OF FUN.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHEWING GUM AND RAZORS AT THE DOOR,
AND YOU'LL HEAR SOME BIBLE STORIES THAT
YOU'VE NEVER HEARD BEFORE.
(FIRST STANZA:)
ADAM WAS A PLOWMAN AND EVE WAS HIS SPOUSE.
HE PICKED UP A HAMMER AND BUILT THEMSELVES A HOUSE.
EVERYTHING WAS PEACEFUL, QUIET AND SANE,
TILL EVE HAD A BABY AND THEY STARTED RAISIN' CAIN.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
(SECOND STANZA:)
IN CAME NOAH STUMBLING IN THE DARK.
HE PICKED UP A HAMMER AND HE BUILT HIMSELF AN ARK.
IN CAME THE ANIMALS TWO BY TWO--
THE GIANT HIPPOPOTAMUS AND THE LANKY KANGAROO.
(THIRD STANZA:)
IN CAME THE LION, IN CAME THE BEAR,
IN CAME THE BABOON WITHOUT ANY HAIR;
FOR FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS THEY SAILED AROUND THE
POND,
AND THEY KICKED OUT THE LIONESS BECAUSE SHE WAS A BLOND.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
(FOURTH STANZA:)
NOW DAVID WAS A SHEPHERD BOY, HIS FATHER'S PRIDE AND JOY.
HE MADE HIMSELF A SLINGSHOT--A HARMLESS LITTLE TOY.
IN CAME GOLIATH LOOKIN' FOR A FUSS,
SO HE PICKED UP A PEBBLE AND BOUNCED HIM ON THE CRUST.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED IN NEW YORK. IT WAS USUALLY SUNG ON
LONG CAR TRIPS. THERE ARE MORE STANZAS BUT THIS IS
ALL THE INFORMANT REMEMBERED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
WHEN I WAS A CHILD, MY MOTHER USED TO TELL MY SISTERS
AND ME THAT THE BLESSED MOTHER WOULD CRY IF SHE HEARD
LITTLE GIRLS SINGING AT THE DINNER TABLE OR WHISTLING
AT ANY TIME.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; TABLE MANNERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 00001950S