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AUTOGRAPH VERSE (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; READING OR WRITING BACKWARDS OR UPSIDE DOWN (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)

I'M THE GIRL OF THE CITY,/THE GIRL OF THE TOWN,
I'M THE GIRL WHO SPOILED YOUR BOOK,/ BY WRITING UPSIDE DOWN.

Submitter comment: THE ABOVE IS WRITTEN UPSIDE DOWN IN AUTOGRAPH BOOK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Reading or writing backwards, upside down

Date learned: 00-00-1963 ; 00-00-1964 ; 00-00-1965

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AUTOGRAPH (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; REMEMBER ME (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)

REMEMBER ME/ REMEMBER YOU,/ REMEMBER THE DAY/ I FOUND YOU AT THE ZOO.

Submitter comment: FROM HER AUTOGRAPH BOOK 1963.

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHAIN ; INITIAL ITERATION ; REPETITION ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me

Date learned: 01-00-1963

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AUTOGRAPH (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; REMEMBER ME (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)

REMEMBER THE BOY OF EYES OF GRAY
WHO KISSED YOU ONCE AND TURNED AWAY.
REMEMBER THE BOY OF EYES OF BROWN
WHO KISSED YOU ONCE AND TURNED YOU DOWN.
BUT REMEMBER THE BOY OF EYES OF BLUE
WHO KISSED YOU ONCE AND ASKED FOR TWO.

Submitter comment: FROM HER AUTOGRAPH BOOK 1963.

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHAIN ; COUPLETS ; INITIAL ITERATION ; REPETITION EYE COLOR ; RHYME: AABBCC

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me

Date learned: 01-00-1963

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UNDERTAKER (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; ROSES ARE RED, AND OTHER SUCH ASSOCIATIONS (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)

ROSES ARE RED/ VIOLETS ARE BLUE
MY FATHER IS AN UNDERTAKER/ AND HE'LL GET YOU.

Where learned: SCRAPBOOK

Keyword(s): PARODY ; PLANTS FLOWERS ; QUATRAIN DEATH ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations

Date learned: 06-00-1965

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VERSE AUTOGRAPH MATERIAL (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; ROSES ARE RED, AND OTHER SUCH ASSOCIATIONS (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)

ROSES ARE RED,/ VIOLETS ARE BLUE/ WHEN I TAKE A SHOWER/ I THINK
OF YOU. DRIP, DRIP, DRIP SUSAN ADAMS

Where learned: AUTOGRAPH BOOK ; HOLY NAME GRADE SCHOOL

Keyword(s): INSULT SLANG ; PARODY ; QUATRAIN FUNCTION ; RHYME: ABCBD

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations

Date learned: 06-00-1961

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SCRIBBLING (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; SCRIBBLING (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)

IF SCRIBBLING IN AUTOGRAPHS/ REMEMBRANCE ASSURES,
WITH THE GREATEST OF PLEASURE/ I'LL SCRIBBLE IN YOURS.

Submitter comment: TAKEN FROM INFORMANT'S EIGHTH GRADE AUTOGRAPH BOOK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): QUATRAIN FRIENDSHIP ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Scribbling

Date learned: 00-00-1929

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AUTOGRAPH BOOK RHYME (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; TENDER SENTIMENT (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)

THEY SAY THAT LOVE IS SIN/ I NEVER ASKED THEM WHY
BUT IF I SIN BY LOVING YOU/ I'LL SIN UNTIL I DIE.

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): QUATRAIN LOVE ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Tender sentiment

Date learned: 00001930-1933

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TULIPS (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; TRANSLATIONS, PLAY ON WORDS, SYMBOL WRITING (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)

TULIPS IN THE GARDEN/ TULIPS IN THE PARK
BUT THE TULIPS I LIKE BEST/ ARE THE TWO-LIPS IN THE DARK.

Submitter comment: UNTITLED AUTOGRAPH BOOK ASSEMBLED BY SHIRLEY POPPERT WITH
ENTRIES DATED JUNE, 1952

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): INDIRECTION ; PUN ; QUATRAIN FLOWERS KISSING ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Translations, plays on words, symbol writing

Date learned: 00-00-1952 ; 07-00-1964

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AUTOGRAPH BOOK RHYME (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; WISECRACKS, GAGS, SILLY STORIES, INSULTS (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)

DOESN'T IT GET YOUR NANNY,/ DOESN'T IT GET YOUR GOAT,
WHEN YOU'RE IN THE BATHTUB,/ AND CAN'T FIND THE SOAP.

Submitter comment: FROM INFORMANT'S JUNIOR HIGH AUTUGRAPH BOOK, 1929-1933

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; GLENSHAW

Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; BATHTUB VERSE ; IMPERFECT RHYME ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults

Date learned: 00001929-1933 ; 10-02-1971

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WISECRACKS, GAGS, SILLY STORIES, INSULTS (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)

ASHES TO ASHES,/ DUST TO DUST,/ IF BOYS DON'T GET YOU,/HALFWITS
MUST.

Submitter comment: FROM INFORMANT'S JUNIOR HIGH AUTUGRAPH BOOK 1929-1933

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; GLENSHAW

Keyword(s): DEATH ; ITERATION ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults

Date learned: 00001929-1933 ; 10-02-1971

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GOOD LUCK: OBJECTS ( CLASSIFIER'S TITLE )

BIRTH STONES ARE LUCKY. YOU HAVE A GOOD LUCK CHARM FOR THE MONTH YOU
WERE BORN IN ALSO, JULY IS A CAT'S EYE.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): BIRTHSTONE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1

Date learned: 11-10-1970

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SUPERSITITION (COLLECTOR,S TITLE)

ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS THINGS TO DO IS PASS SOMEONE ON THE STAIRS.
IF SOMEONE IS COMING UP AND YOU ARE GOING DOWN OR VICE-VERSA IN
ORDER TO WARD OFF BAD LUCK YOU MUST COUNT TO TEN BEFORE YOU PASS.
THE SAME HOLDS TRUE IF YOU ARE GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.
NEVER PASSING ANYONE ON THE STAIRS MIGHT HAVE BEN VERY GOOD ADVICE.
IF THAT PERSON WAS CARRYING SOMETHING HEAVY OR IN SOME WAY OBSTRUCT-
ING PASSAGE. HOWEVER IT HAS GROWN TO BE A VERY STRONG SUPERSTITION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHANGE IN LUCK FROM BAD TO GOOD (IN PASSING ON STAIRWAY).

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Conversions P883.2

Date learned: 11-22-1968

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CONVERSION; SPIT (CLASSIFIER,S TITLE)

IF SOMEONE SWEEPS YOUR FEET WITH A BROOM
YOU MUST SPIT ON THE BROOM TO KEEP YOU FROM HAVING BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE

Keyword(s): PREVENTION OF BAD LUCK

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Conversions P883.2

Date learned: 11-18-1971

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TALE

THERE ONCE WAS A LADY WHOSE HEAD WAS CUT OFF WHEN THE
DOORS OF AN ELEVATOR AT HUDSON'S (DOWNTOWN) CLOSED ON HER.

Submitter comment: THIS TOOK PLACE IN THE 1940'S
INFORMANT WAS TOLD STORY BY HER SISTER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BEHEADING IN ELEVATOR

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 12-01-1967

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STORY ABOUT THE DEVIL,S DANCING IN THE WOODS

IT WAS HARVEST TIME AND ALL THE YOUNG FOLK WERE THRASHING THE GRAINS
THAT HAD JUST BEEN HARVESTED.
ONE AUTUMN NIGHT ABOUT 11 O,CLOCK WHILE THEY WERE THRASHING THE GRAIN
THEY HEARD MUSIC COMING FROM THE RAFTERS, THEY LOOKED UP AND SAW
SOME DEVILS DANCING UP IN THE LOFT. THESE DEVILS WERE ALL BLACK AND
ALL THEIR CLOTHING WERE BLACK. THEY DANCED ON ONE LEG AND ONLY HAD
ONE EYE AND ONE NOSTRIL. THE MUSIC WAS PLAYED ON A SMALL ACCORDION
AND FIDDLE.
THE YOUTHS WERE TYPICALLY BRAVE AND BOISTERIOUS AND DECIDED TO TAKE
THE INSTRUMENTS AWAY. THE DEVILS LEFT AT THE FIRST COCKS CROW
(ONE O,CLOCK) WITH A WHISTLE AND A BANG. SO THE NEXT NIGHT THE
YOUTHS , AS THE DEVILS WERE ABOUT TO LEAVE AT THE COCK,S CROW,
KNOCKED ONE INSTRUMENT OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE DEVILS.
BUT WHEN THEY REACHED THE INSTRUMENT IT WAS JUST A LARGE CHARRED
PIECE OF WOOD. THE NEXT NIGHT THE DEVILS CAME BACK AND BEGGED
CKRYVEL, KRYVEL GIVE US BACK OUR FIDDLE" BUT THE YOUTHS DID NOT
RETURN IT. THE TWO YOUTHS WHO HAD TAKEN IT HAD TO PREPARE THE
STOVE FOR DRYING OUT THE GRAINS BEFORE THE THRASHING. THEY THREW THE
CHARRED WOOD INTO THE STOVE BUT IT WOULDN,T BURN. SO THEY WENT TO
BED AND THE NEXT MORNING THE TWO WERE FOUND STRANGLED.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO MY GRANDMOTHER BT HER GRANDMOTHER WHEN SHE WAS
A CHILD. THE TIME IS APPROXIMATELY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY WHEN THE
STORY WAS TOLD. THE STORY TOOK PLACE AROUND 1850.
SHE TOLD MY GRANDMOTHER THAT SHE ACTUALLY SAW THESE DEVILS.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): DO NOT TAKE THINGS THAT DO NOT BELONG TO YOU -PAYMENT CAN BE COSTLY ; THEFT FORM DEVIL

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon

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KENTUCKY BEAR

THERE WAS A MOTHER AND FATHER IN KENTUCKY WHOSE THREE-YEAR-OLD
DAUGHTER CAME UP MISSING ONE DAY. SHE WAS SEARCHED FOR FOR FOUR DAYS
AND NOT FOUND. ON THE FOURTH DAY A MAN CAME TO HER HOUSE AND TOLD HER
PARENTS THAT HE WOULD SHOW THEM WHERE THEIR DAUGHTER WAS IF THEY
WOULD GIVE HIM A MEAL. THEY FED HIM AND AFTERWARD HE LED THEM INTO
THE WOODS. THE GIRL WAS FOUND NEAR A LOG WHERE A BEAR WAS BRINGING
HER FOOD. THE GIRL SAID THAT THE BEAR HAD BEEN TAKING CARE OF HER AND
FEEDING HER. NOT KNOWING ANY BETTER THE GIRL THOUGHT THE BEAR WAS A
DOG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ;

Keyword(s): DAUGHTER ; MISTAKEN IDENITY (BEAR THOUGHT TO BE A DOG) ; TO GIVE IS TO RECEIVE--STRANGER GIVEN MEAL FOR SHOWING PLACE OF LOST

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being

Date learned: 11-20-1968

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THE HATCHET MAN

TWO GIRLS WENT TO THE BEACH FOR THE SUMMER WHERE THEY RENTED A
COTTAGE. PEOPLE AROUND THE AREA WARNED THEM ABOUT THE HATCHET MAN
WHO COMES OUT ON THE BEACH EACH SUMMER AND HAS ALREADY KILLED THREE
PEOPLE THIS SEASON. THE GIRLS FIGURED THEY WOULD BE ALRIGHT IF THEY
LOCKED THE DOORS EACH NIGHT. ONE NIGHT ONE OF THE GIRLS HAD A DATE
AND SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO MEET THE GUY ON THE BEACH. TO BE SAFE, THEY
DECIDED TO WORK OUT A SIGNAL SO THAT THE GIRL LEFT INSIDE THE HOUSE
WOULD KNOW WHEN TO OPEN THE DOOR. LATER ON IN THE EVENING THE
GIRL HEARD SOME NOISES AT ONE OF THE WINDOWS. THEN THE NOISE WENT
AWAY. BUT AFTER A FEW MINTUES SHE HEARD THE NOISE AGAIN, THIS TIME
AT THE FRONT DOOR. SHE HEARD SOMETHING SCRATCHING AT THE DOOR AND
IT KEPT GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. SHE SCREAMED AND TOLD IT TO GO
AWAY. THE SCRATCHING SLOWLY FADED AWAY. AFTER A WHILE THE GIRL FELL
ASLEEP. WHEN SHE AWOKE THE NEXT MORNING SHE OPENED THE DOOR AND FOUND
DEEP SCRATCH MARKS IN IT, BLOOD ON THE PORCH AND HER GIRLDFRIEND,S
PURSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS ; COLLECTORS HOME

Keyword(s): INATTENTION TO WARNINGS-SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT ; MURDER OF GIRL

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being

Date learned: 11-18-1970

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JOHN C. WOBBLESQUAW

HE WAS MY FATHER,S GREAT, GREAT, GRANDFATHER ON HIS MOTHER,S SIDE.
ACCORDING TO THE LEGEND, HE BUILT MACKINAC ISLAND.
HE HAD A GIRLFRIEND ACROSS THE STRAITS, AND HE USED TO LIKE TO SEE
HER, SO HE WOULD SWIM ACROSS THE STRAITS. HE SAW LITTLE WHITE STONES
ON THE LOWER PENINSULA SIDE AND HE USED TO TAKE THEM TO HER.
NOW HE WAS A STRONG FELLOW, BUT HE TIRED WITH ALL THE STONES WHILE
SWIMMING, SO HE USED TO DUMP THEM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STRAITS.
THIS WAS A HOT ROMANCE, BUT HE COULDN,T GET ACROSS THE STRAITS WITH
SOME MORE STONES. THAT,S HOW HE BUILT MACKINAC ISLAND. BECAUSE IF YOU
GO THERE TODAY, YOU CAN SEE THE LITTLE WHITE STONES IN THE SAND.

 

or something like that.

Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; STONES USED TO MAKE BRIDGE NOW A HISTORIC PATH ; STONES USED TO MAKE BRIDGE OF LOVE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale

Date learned: 00001968 FALL

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JOHN C. WOBBLESQUAW

THIS WAS THE COLDEST WINTER MICHIGAN EVER KNEW, LONG BEFORE THEY
RECORDED TEMPERATURES. JOHN C. LIVED ON A RESERVATION WITH HIS FAMILY
AND FRIENDS. IT WAS SUCH A HARD WINTER THAT THEY RAN OUT OF FOOD AND
WERE IN PRETTY ROUGH SHAPE. SEEING THAT JOHN C. WAS THE STRONGEST,
THEY SENT HIM OUT TO GO HUNTING. THEY HAD SENT OTHERS OUT BEFORE,
BUT THEY DIDN,T GET ANYTHING.
JOHN C. WENT OUT AND HE WAS LOOKING THROUGH THE WOODS AND HE HAD A
FEELING THAT SOMEONE WAS FOLLOWING HIM. HE TURNED AROUND, AND THERE
WAS THIS BIG BLACK BEAR. SO THAT SCARED HIM, SINCE HE NEVER FACED
ONE BEFORE. WELL, HE WAS OUT OF AMMUNITION SINCE HE MISSED OTHER
ANIMALS, SO HE RAN AND RAN UNTIL SWEAT CAME ON HIS FOREHEAD, AND
IT WAS SO COLD THAT IT FROZE RIGHT THERE. HE GOT AN IDEA.
SO HE TOOK THE POWDER OUT OF HIS HORN AND PUT IT IN HIS GUN.
AND HE TOOK A FEW BEADS OF FROZEN PERSPIRATION OFF HIS FOREHEAD AND
PUT THEM IN TOO. THEN HE TURNED AROUND, SHOT THE BEAR, AND HIS
PEOPLE LIVED THROUGH THE WINTER.

Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; FROZEN BEADS OF SWEAT USED FOR AMMUNITION

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale

Date learned: 00001968 FALL

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PROSE NARRATIVE

MY SISTER, WHO IS A NURSE, SINCERELY BELIEVES THAT ONE OF HER
FRIENDS KNOWS ANOTHER NURSE WHO HAD TROUBLE ONE KNIGHT ON THE
FRIENDS KNOWS ANOTHER NURSE WHO HAD TROUBLE ONE NIGHT ON THE
EXPRESSWAY. THE NURSE WAS DRIVING HOME AFTER THE AFTERNOON SHIFT.
SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN A TRUCKDRIVER KEPT POINTING
AT THE CAR. HE DID NOT GIVE UP. BY THIS TIME THE NURSE WAS SO
FRIGHTENED THAT SHE BLEW THE HORN AS SHE DROVE UP
THE DRIVEWAY. SHE CONTINUED TO BLOW THE HORN UNTIL HER HUSBAND
CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE. THE TRUCKDRIVER DROVE UP BEHIND HER.
AS IT TURNED OUT A MAN WAS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE
NURSE'S CAR WAITING TO ATTACK HER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; TRUCKDRIVER SAVES GIRL FROM ATTACK

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend

Date learned: 12-00-1965

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