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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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MY MOTHER'S UNCLE TAUGHT HER THIS LITTLE BALLAD ABOUT A FARM
GIRL AND A TRAVELING SALESMAN:
"A FARMER'S DAUGHTER NAMED LOU'ELLER
WAS THE PRETTIEST GIRL FOR MILES AROUND.
BUT THAT POOR GIRL DINT HAVE NO FELLER
UNTIL ONE DAY WHEN SHE WENT TO TOWN.
SHE WENT DOWN TO THE VILLAGE DEPOT
TO WATCH THAT EVENIN' TRAIN COME IN
AND MET A DRUMMER FROM THE CITY WITH
TWO GOLD TEETH AND A WALKIN' CANE.

THEY WENT DOWN TO THE VILLAGE DRUGSTORE
AND AT THE COUNTER THEY DID SAT
HE FILLED HER FULL OF SASPARILLA
TILL SHE DINT KNOW WHERE SHE WAS AT.

ALAS! ALACK! FOR PORE LOUELLER
SHE STARTED SOMETHING SHE COULD NOT STOP
NOW EVER' TIME SHE GETS A NICKEL
SHE BLOWS IT IN ON SODY-POP.

AND IN THE EVENIN'S IN THE SUMMER
AT THE DEPOT DOOR SHE WAITS IN VAIN
AND ROLLS HER EYES AT EVER' DRUMMER
THAT GITS FROM OFF THAT EVENIN' TRAIN."

Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI

James Callow Keyword(s): DRUMMER = SALESMAN

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C230

Date learned: 00001950S

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To her knowledge, when a child of Greek descent is born, he or
she is given a charm (a golden eye) to protect him or her from what
is called a "matiasma." Roughly translated it means "given the eye"
or "eyed." This happens when someone admires someone out of jealousy
out loud. For example, "His voice is so incredible. I wish I had it."
Once one is eyed, if he or she is not wearing the charm or if one
doesn't say "ftousou" which is a Greek word that means "to spray
saliva," he or she is condemned to sickness. (When said, ftousou
literally sprays saliva in the person's face.)

Submitter comment: This particular superstition is feared by my informant because,
as a child, she was "eyed" and became seriously ill. All was tried to
lower my informant's fever but nothing worked. Finally, with
hesitation, a witch doctor was summoned and the fever disappeared
within a single day. To this day she has believed in the curse and
gave me and her other son the golden eye. However, both have been
misplaced and to this date have not been found.

Where learned: GREECE

Keyword(s): AILMENT ; SICKNESS ; unexplained

James Callow Keyword(s): amulet, talisman

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman
BELIEF -- Witch Shaman
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 00001943CA

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IN IRELAND, THE IRISH CUSTOM IN ADVENT, IS TO HAVE A
BOWL OF STRAW AND A MANGER SCENE. WHEN A GOOD DEED IS
PERFORMED, THE PERSON TAKES A PIECE OF STRAW AND PUTS
IT IN THE CRIB. THE OBJECT AND THOUGHT IS TO MAKE THE
CRIB AS SOFT AS POSSIBLE FOR THE INFANT JESUS

Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; IRELAND

Keyword(s): MANGER

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL

Subject headings: 645 September 23 Equinox to December 20
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw

Date learned: 00001968 FALL

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Wedding Custom

To find out the last initial of the man you'll marry, say the letters of the alphabet as you turn the stem of the apple. (one letter for each turn). The letter it breaks on is the initial.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Keyword(s): ALPHABET ; Apple ; CUSTOM ; Groom ; Initial ; Man ; MARRIAGE ; Marry ; Stem ; WEDDING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

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TO DETERMINE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR
BOY (OR GIRL) FRIEND, YOU WRITE OUT BOTH YOUR NAMES
AND CROSS OUT ALL IN-COMMON LETTERS (TAKING FIRST
AND LAST NAME SEPARATELY). THEN RECITE ON THE
REMAINING LETTERS "LOVE, MARRIAGE, FRIENDSHIP, HATE."
THE ONE RECITED ON THE LAST LETTER IS HOW THAT PERSON
FEELS ABOUT THE OTHER ONE.
EXAMPLE: JOHN DOE (WITH CROSSED OUT N, D, O, E=F
MARYANNE DOUGHERTY (WITH N, E, D, O, E CROSSED OUT)=
L. JOHN THINKS OF MARYANNE AS A FRIEND AND MARYANNE
LOVES JOHN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ONOMANCY

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 11-10-1968

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MY STEP-FATHER KEEPS TWO SILVER DOLLARS IN HIS
POCKET TO KEEP FROM BEING POOR.

James Callow Keyword(s): talisman ; WEALTH

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth

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ENCHANTMENT OF THE SIGN

WHEN "THE SIGN" IS IN THE BODY, ESPECIALLY NEAR THE HEART,
ANIMALS ARE DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. THE SIGN STARTS IN THE
FEET, MOVING UP INTO THE BODY AND HEAD, THEN DOWN AGAIN.
IT IS ONLY IN THE FEET FOR A FEW DAYS. THE SIGN IS IN THE
HEART WHEN THE MOON IS BEGINNING TO GET FULL, AND IS THERE
SEVERAL DAYS AFTER IT BEGINS TO GET SMALLER. A CALENDAR
SHOWING MOON CHANGES CAN BE USED TO DETERMINE WHERE THE
SIGN IS, BY THOSE WHO KNOW HOW.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): ALMANAC ZODIAC

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 08-00-1969

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VEGETABLES PLANTED WHEN THE SIGN IS "IN THE BOWELS" WILL
CAUSE BOWEL TROUBLE.

Where learned: ALABAMA ; ALBERTVILLE

Keyword(s): ALAMANAC ZODIAC

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable
BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming

Date learned: 06-17-1972

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BEANS SHOULD BE PLANTED WHEN THE SIGN IS "IN THE ARMS."

Where learned: ALABAMA ; ALBERTVILLE

Keyword(s): ALMANAC ZODIAC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming

Date learned: 06-17-1972

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IF YOU PULL A TOOTH IN HE SIGN OF THE HEART, IT WILL BLEED
WORSE.

Where learned: PARIS ; TENNESSEE

Keyword(s): ALMANAC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue

Date learned: 06-19-1970

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PLANT CUCUMBER SEEDS ON TWIN DAYS IN MAY.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): GEMINI ZODIAC ALMANAC

Subject headings: 686 Seconds / Twice / Two
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming

Date learned: 07-03-1970

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TEETH SHOULD BE PULLED WHEN THE "SIGNS" ARE BELOW THE KNEES.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DORM ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): ALMANAC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue

Date learned: 05-08-1969

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YOU SHOULD NEVER WEAN A BABY UNTIL HIS ZODIAC SIGN IS IN HIS
KNEE OR HE WILL CRY HIMSELF TO DEATH.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): ALMANAC ASTROLOGY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 07-00-1972

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CUT OR BRUISE BUSHES WHEN THE SIGNS ARE IN THE HEART DURING
MAY OR AUGUST AND THEY WILL DIE.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SHELBYVILLE

Keyword(s): ALMANAC ASTROLOGY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August
BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming

Date learned: 06-30-1973

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DON'T PLANT BEANS WHEN THE SIGN IS IN THE ARMS. THEY WILL BE
LONG RUNNERS WITH NO BEANS.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SHELBYVILLE

Keyword(s): ALMANAC ASTROLOGY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming

Date learned: 06-30-1973

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THE BEST TIME TO PLANT BEANS IS WHEN THE SIGN IS IN THE FEET.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SHELBYVILLE

Keyword(s): ALMANAC ASTROLOGY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming

Date learned: 06-30-1973

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DON'T PLANT ANYTHING WHEN THE SIGNS ARE IN THE BOWELS OR SECRETS.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SHELBYVILLE

Keyword(s): ALMANAC ASTROLOGY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming

Date learned: 06-30-1973

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DEHORN COWS WHEN THE SIGNS ARE IN THE KNEES OR FEET.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SHELBYVILLE

Keyword(s): ALMANAC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Animal Husbandry Farming Ranching

Date learned: 06-30-1973

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CASTRATE BULLS OR PIGS WHEN THE SIGN IS IN THE KNEES, FEET,
OR LEGS.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SHELBYVILLE

Keyword(s): ALMANAC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Animal Husbandry Farming Ranching

Date learned: 06-30-1973

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BLOOD CIRCULATES IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE BODY ACCORDING TO
THE SIGN OF THE MOON. IF YOU HAVE A TOOTH PULLED UNDER THE
WRONG SIGN OF THE MOON, WHEN THE BLOOD IS CONCENTRATED IN
THE HEAD, YOU WILL BLEED TO DEATH.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT COULD NOT REMEMBER THE SIGN OF THE MOON.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): ALMANAC

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue
BELIEF -- Moon
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Surgery

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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