Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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HAUNTED HOUSE
THERE IS A HOUSE DOWN THE BLOCK FROM MINE WHICH HAS BEEN
CONSIDERED HAUNTED FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. IT IS A SMALL,
TYPICAL LITTLE BRICK HOME, RATHER DARK IN APPEARANCE BUT NOT THE
LEAST FORBODING. UNTIL ONE HEARS THE STRANGE CIRCUMSTANCES
SURROUNDING THE HISTORY OF THIS HOUSE, THAT IS. OVER TEN YEARS
AGO, A MIDDLE AGED COUPLE LIVED THERE. THE MAN WAS VERY STRANGE.
I CAN REMEMBER AS A CHILD WATCHING HIM WALK TO THE BUS STOP,
ALWAYS WEARING THE SAME BROWN SUIT, THE SAME BROWN HAT, AND WALKING
THE SAME SHUFFLING WALK. NEIGHBORS GOSSIPED CONSTANTLY ABOUT HIM,
BUT SINCE HE BOTHERED NO ONE, NOR DID HIS WIFE, HE WAS FOR THE MOST
PART IGNORED. THEN ONE DAY, POLICE CARS WERE PARKED IN FRONT OF
THE COUPLE'S LITTLE HOME. IT SEEMS THE WOMAN'S DEAD BODY HAD
BEEN FOUND LOCKED IN A CLOSET...SHE HAD BEEN HUNG. IT WAS AN
UNSOLVED MURDER, HOWEVER THE NEIGHBORS ALWAYS HAD THEIR SUSPICIONS.
IT SEEMS THE ROPE AROUND THE DEAD WOMAN'S NECK HAD BEEN TIED INTO
A STRANGE AND INTRICATE KNOT, FREQUENTLY USED BY SAILORS ON BOARD
A SHIP, THE OLD MAN WAS KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN IN THE NAVY.
THE OLD MAN CONTINUED HIS LIFE JUST AS BEFORE, EVERYDAY WALKING TO
WORK IN THE SAME SUIT, AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED TO ALTER HIS LIFE
IN THE SLIGHTEST. HOWEVER, WE CHILDREN WERE INFORMED NEVER TO GO
NEAR THIS HOUSE, WHICH OF COURSE MADE US ALL THE MORE CURIOUS. ONE
DAY, WE WERE SCROUNGING AROUND THE MAN'S GARAGE, WHEN WE FOUND A
BOX OF OLD ROPES BURIED FAR BACK IN A CORNER. SCREAMING, WE RAN
FROM THE GARAGE.
A FEW YEARS AFTER THIS HAPPENED, SIRENS WERE HEARD SCREAMING DOWN
THE STREET LATE IN THE NIGHT. FLASHING RED FIRE TRUCKS WERE
SPRAYING WATER OVER THE LITTLE HOUSE. LATER, IT WAS MADE KNOWN
THE STRANGE LITTLE OLD MAN WAS DEAD. HE HAD BURNED TO DEATH IN HIS
FAVORITE EASY CHAIR. NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE BY HIM TO GET OUT, THE
FIRE HAD BEEN DELIBERATELY SET, AND ALL DOORS TO THE HOUSE (INCLUDIN
DOORS INTO THIS FRONT ROOM HAD BEEN BOLTED.
THIS MAY AT FIRST APPEAR TO BE JUST A SAD STORY OF TWO LONELY OLD
PEOPLE, WITH PERHAPS A RATHER NEUROTIC TWIST. HOWEVER, AFTER MANY
UNSUCCESSFUL YEARS OF TRYING TO RENT OR SELL THIS HOME, THE HOUSE
HAS FINALLY BEGUN TO BE OCCUPIED BY A CONSTANTLY CHANGING STRING OF
WIFE NEVER SPEAKS TO ANYONE. THE CHILDREN ARE ALSO STRANGE...THEY
QUIETLY TO WORK EVERY DAY WEARING THE SAME SUIT (BROWN), AND THE
PEOPLE WHO IN MANY WAYS RESEMBLE THE OLD COUPLE...THE HUSBAND GOES
LOVE TO PLAY WITH ROPES.
AND THIS IS A TRUE STORY.
WOULD NEVER PLAY WITH THE OTHER CHILDREN, NEVER LAUGH, AND SEEM TO
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
James Callow Keyword(s): SUICIDE BY BURNING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
THE DARK STRIPE RUNNING DOWN THE BACK OF A DONKEY IS SAID TO HAVE
ORIGINATED AT THE TIME WHEN THE DONKEY CARRIED CHRIST INTO JERUSALEM
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
LEGEND ABOUT HOLY FAMILY
WHEN MARY, JOSEPH AND JESUS HAD TO GO TO EGYPT TO HIDE FROM HEROD,
THE SOLDIERS WERE CLOSE BEHIND THEM AND THEY WERE IN A DESERT
AREA. THERE WAS NO PLACE TO HIDE EXCEPT AN OBVIOUS CAVE BUT THEY
HID THERE ANYWAY. WHEN THE SOLDIERS CAME THEY DECIDED TO CHECK
THE CAVE BUT WHEN THEY LOOKED INSIDE A SPIDER HAD BUILT A WEB
OVER THE CAVE MOUTH TO HIDE THE FAMILY. WHEN THE SOLDIER SAW THE
WEB HE DIDN'T GO IN BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IF MARY AND JOSEPH HAD GONE I
THEY WOULD HAVE BROKEN THE WEB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-03-1970
WHY A SHAMROCK HAS THREE LEAVES
ST. PATRICK WAS HAVING A HARD TIME CONVERTING THE PAGANS OF IRELAND
TO CATHOLICISM. NEXT HE WENT DIRECTLY TO THE KING, BUT HE FAILED
THERE TOO. ONE DAY HE WAS TELLING THEM ABOUT THE TRINITY BUT THE
PEOPLE COULDN'T CONCEIVE HOW THREE PERSONS COULD BE IN ONE. SO
ST. PATRICK TOOK A SHAMROCK AND POINTED OUT HOW THERE ARE THREE
LEAVES IN ONE ORGANISM. THE KING THOUGHT THIS A LOGICAL EXPLANATION
BECAUSE NO ONE COULD DENY IT. THUS HE WAS BAPTIZED AND HIS SUBJECTS
FOLLOWED HIM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
Keyword(s): THREE AS HOLY NUMBER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 09-29-1968
LEGEND OF CHRIST
ONCE OUR LORD WENT INTO A BAKERY SHOP TO SEEK SOME NOURISHMENT.
EACH TIME THE PROPRIETOR OF THE SHOP PUT THE DOUGH IN THE OVEN IT
GREW SO BIG THAT HE DECIDED TO GIVE IT AWAY. FOR THIS, OUR LORD
PUNISHED HIS GREED BY CHANGING HIM INTO A BIRD. THE BIRD FLEW UP
THE CHIMNEY AND BECAME A RAVEN FROM THE DUST IN THE CHIMNEY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
RELIGIOUS LEGEND
ONE DAY WHEN THE BLESSED VIRGIN WAS WALKING THROUGH THE DESERT SHE
MARVELED AT THE BEAUTY OF THE DATE TREE. SHE EXCLAIMED, "OH",
GOD WAS SO WARMED BY HER EXCLAMATION OF JOY THAT ON EVERY DATE
PIT IS IMPRINTED AN O.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 02-18-1970
LOCAL LEGEND - GREEN MAN
A MAN LIVES IN A NEARBY CITY (LIBRARY) WHO WAS INVOLVED IN AN
ELECTRICAL ACCIDENT. A HIGH VOLTAGE WIRE FELL ACROSS HIS FACE
CAUSING A YELLOW SCAR ACROSS HIS FACE AND THE REST OF HIS FACE TO
TURN GREEN. HE WILL GO OUT IN LOVERS' LANES., AND ROCK THE
CAR FROM SIDE TO SIDE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; BETHEL PARK
Keyword(s): LIBRARY, PENNSYLVANIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
THIS HAPPENED ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS. A GIRL WAS WORKING LATE ONE
NIGHT. WHILE SHE WAS GONE SOME BOYS DECIDED TO PLAY A LITTLE TRICK
ON HER. IN A ROCKER IN HER ROOM THEY PLACED A HUMAN ARM BORROWED
FROM THE BIOLOGY ROOM. THEY REMOVED AS MUCH OF THE FORMILDIHIDE AS
POSSIBLE. NOT WANTING TO MISS ANY OF THE FUN THEY HID IN A SIDE
ROOM WAITING FOR THE GIRL TO ARRIVE. SOON SHE CAME HOME, OPENED
THE DOOR AND TURNED ON THE LIGHTS. MUCH TO THE SURPRISE OF THE BOYS
THERE WAS NO SCREAM. THEY WAITED AND WAITED. SOON THEY COULD WAIT
NO LONGER. THEY PUT A CHAIR ON TOP OF A TABLE AND LOOKED THROUGH THE
WINDOW ABOVE THE DOOR. THIS IS WHAT THEY SAW: THE GIRL WAS SITTING
IN THE ROCKER. HER HAIR HAD TURNED COMPLETELY WHITE. SHE WAS
ROCKING BACK AND FORTH CHEWING ON THE ARM.
Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO COLLECTOR ON A HALLOWEEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
BELIEF
THERE IS A CERTAIN TYPE OF FLOWER THAT HAS RED SPOTS ON IT. THIS
FLOWER ORIGINALLY GREW ON CALVARY HILL AND GOT ITS SPOTS WHEN THE
BLOOD OF THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST DRIPPED ON IT.
Submitter comment:
MISS DAMIN WAS TOLD THIS BY HER HUNGARIAN GRANDMOTHER WHEN SHE WAS
A LITTLE GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL
James Callow Keyword(s): HUNGARIAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals |
Date learned: 12-00-1963
BELIEF
THERE IS A CERTAIN TYPE OF BIRD WHICH HAS A TWISTED BEAK. IT
RECEIVED ITS TWISTED BEAK BECAUSE ON THE CROSS, BIRDS FLEW OVER
JESUS CHRIST. THE LITTLE BIRD STOPPED TO PULL THE NAILS OUT OF
CHRIST'S BLEEDING BODY. BUT HE COULDN'T DO IT AND TWISTED HIS
BEAK TRYING.
Submitter comment:
MISS DAMIN'S GRANDMOTHER, MRS. JOSEPHNE DAMIN, TOLD MARIA THIS WHEN
SHE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL
James Callow Keyword(s): HUNGARIAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals |
Date learned: 12-00-1963
BELIEF
THE CHIPMUNKS HAVE STRIPES ON THEIR BACKS BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI STROKED THEM WITH HIS FINGERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals |
Date learned: 12-00-1963
A DOG IS ONE OF THE MOST PERCEPTIVE OF ANIMALS. HE IS ABLE TO
HAVE SOME SORT OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE DEAD. THERE WAS AN
INSTANCE IN NORTHERN OHIO, WHERE MRS. CAMPBELL GREW UP WHICH SHOWED
THIS POWER OF THE DOG. A WOMAN DIES AND WAS BURIED. THE FAMILY
DOG WOULD BE GONE ALL DAY FROM THE HOME AND RETURN AT NIGHT MUDDY
AND TIRED. THIS WENT ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK. FINALLY THEY DECIDED
TO FOLLOW THE DOG AND SEE WHAT IT WAS DOING. THEY FOLLOWED IT TO
A CEMETERY WHERE THEY FOUND THAT HE HAD BEEN DIGGING TO THE DEAD
WOMAN'S COFFIN. THEY OPENED THE COFFIN AND FOUND OUT THAT THE
WOMAN HAD BEEN BURIED ALIVE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): FAITHFUL ANIMALS
James Callow Keyword(s): PREMATURE BURIAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE,
THE CAT AND THE FIDDLE.
THE COW JUMPED OVER THE MOON;
THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED
TO SEE SUCH SPORT
AND THE DISH RAN AWAY WITH THE SPOON.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A CHILD.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): HYPERBOLE ; INDIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
I SCREAM
YOU SCREAM
WE ALL SCREAM
FOR ICE CREAM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; NORTH QUAD 105
Keyword(s): FINAL ITERATION ; FOOD ; RHYME: AAAA
James Callow Keyword(s): AMPHIBRACH (LINES 3 AND 4) ; TROCHAIC MONOMETER (LINES 1 AND 2)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-06-1971
SAILORS
PINK SKY IN THE MORNING--SAILOR'S WARNING
PINK SKY AT NIGHT--SAILOR'S DELIGHT.
Where learned: APARTMENT
Keyword(s): OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.462 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
IF YOU CUT YOUR HAIR ON YOUR BIRTHDAY, IT WILL BE A BAD YEAR.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION ; TOLD IN
Keyword(s): TABU
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
FIRST BIRTHDAY
ON A BABY'S FIRST BIRTHDAY, PLACE A ROSARY, WHISKEY GLASS AND SOME
MONEY BEFORE HIM. WHICHEVER HE PICKS WILL BE WHAT HE BECOMES;
A PRIEST, A DRUNK, OR A WEALTHY PERSON.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THIS WAS A PRACTICED CUSTOM AMONG HER FAMILY
Where learned: TOLD IN ; MCKENDRICK ; ANCIENT DRAMA CLASS
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-12-1971
JUMP ROPE RHYME - TEDDY BEAR
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR TURN AROUND,
TEDDYBEAR, TEDDY BEAR TOUCH THE GROUND,
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR SHINE YOUR SHOE,
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR OUT GOES YOU.
Submitter comment:
WE OFTEN CHANTED THIS WHILE THE JUMPER WENT THROUGH THE MOTION
IN THE VERSE
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): COMMAND QUATRAIN
James Callow Keyword(s): RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-02-1970
"READY"
APPLES, PEACHES, PUMPKIN PIE,
WHO'S NOT READY,
HOLLER "I"
Submitter comment: CALLED OUT BY PERSON WHO IS "IT" IN TAG.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): COUNTING OUT
James Callow Keyword(s): FRUIT ; VEGETABLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.524 |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
IRISH TOAST
HEALTH AND LONG LIFE TO YOU
LAND WITHOUT RENT TO YOU
A CHILD EVERY YEAR TO YOU
AND MAY YOU DIE IN IRELAND.
Submitter comment: ATTITUDE: TRUSTING
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; TOLD AT HER HOME
Keyword(s): DRINKING BLESSING WISH
James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS ; IDEAL BIRTHDAY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 01-15-1972