Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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COUNTING VERSE
ONE, TWO BUCKLE MY SHOE
THREE, FOUR SHUT THE DOOR
FIVE, SIX PICK UP STICKS
SEVEN, EIGHT LAY THEM STRAIGHT
NINE, TEN BIG FAT HEN.
Submitter comment:
I REMEMBER THIS VERSE FROM MY CHILDHOOD, BUT CAN ONLY ASSOCIATE
IT WITH COUNTING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COUNTING OUT NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.534 |
CHILDREN'S VERSE
TATTLE-TALE; TATTLE-TALE
HANG IT ON A BULL'S TAIL
IF THE BULL STARTS TO PEE
YOU WILL HAVE A CUP OF TEA
Where learned: TOLD TO ME IN MY APARTMENT
Keyword(s): NONSENSE
James Callow Keyword(s): REBUKE ; SLANG FOR URINATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 10-15-1969
RHYME
KAREN ANNIE, SAT ON HER FANNY,
ATE A BANNANIE,
AND PLAYED THE PIANIE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A LITTLE REMARK THAT MY FATHER ALWAYS SAID TO MY SISTER
WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG.
Data entry tech comment:
BY PROFESSOR CALLOW
WHEN ASKED IF INFORMANT'S SISTER'S MIDDLE NAME WAS ANNIE,
COLLECTOR SAID YES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG FOR BANANA, PIANI, BUTTOCKS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech C870.582 |
Date learned: 10-21-1969
BED CHARM
MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, AND JOHN
BLESS THE BED THAT I LIE ON
FOUR CORNERS TO MY BED
FOUR ANGELS ROUND MY HEAD
ONE AT HEAD AND ONE AT FEET
AND TWO TO GUARD MY SOUL ASLEEP.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): RHYME: AABBCC PRAYER
James Callow Keyword(s): FOUR EVANGELISTS
Date learned: 00-00-1965
NOW I LAY ME DOWN
NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP
I PRAY THE LORD MY SOUL TO KEEP
THY LOVE GO WITH ME ALL THE NIGHT
AND WAKE ME WITH THE MORNING LIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): RELIGION PRAYER RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
GOOD SILVER, GOOD MEAT,
GOOD GOD, LET'S EAT.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): PARODY HUMOR BLESSING
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION
Entry filtered.
GRAFFITI
GOD DIDN'T CREATE THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS.
HE GOOFED AROUND FOR SIX AND THEN
PULLED AN ALL-NIGHTER.
Data entry tech comment: A SIMILAR VERSE WAS USED IN THE MOVIE "OH GOD}"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; BASEMENT CARVEL 2
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL: GENESIS PARODY HUMOR TIME
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
Entry filtered.
LEGEND OF ST. LAWRENCE
IT IS BELIEVED THAT WHILE ST. LAWRENCE WAS LITERALLY BEING BURNED ON
A RED HOT GRILL FOR HIS CHRISTIAN FAITH, HE SAID TO ONE OF THE
SOLDIERS, WHO WAS WATCHING HIM ROAST, "PLEASE, TURN ME OVER FOR I'M
DONE ON THIS SIDE."
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
James Callow Keyword(s): BRAVERY ; ENDURANCE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
SAINT BRENDON OF IRELAND
A SAINT MENTIONED IN THE SAGAS OF VIKINGS THIS LEGENDARY CHARACTER
SAILED TO THE NEW WORLD ON THREE OCCASIONS IN THE SIXTH CENTURY.
HE IS MENTIONED IN SPANISH MAPS (THE GREAT NAVIGATOR OF THE TIME )
WHERE HE IS CREDITED WITH THE DISCOVERY OF MANY ISLANDS. ON HIS
FIRST TRY, HE TRAVELED TO GREENLAND (WHERE THE REMAINS OF A CHURCH
IS STILL IN EXISTENCE.) HIS SECOND TRIP TOOK HIM TO NOVA SCOTIA
AND ON HIS FINAL TRIP, HE JOURNEYED TO THE MAINLAND ALL THE WAY DOWN
TO FLORIDA, WHERE HE FOUND ANOTHER IRISHMAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HISTORICAL ; RELIGION
James Callow Keyword(s): BRENDAN ; IRONY ; SURPRISE ENDING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 02-01-1968
VENGEANCE TREE LEGEND AT NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY
" THE VENGEANCE TREE IS NEAR THE SHORE OF ST. MARY'S LAKE ON THE
NOTRE DAME CAMPUS, SOUTH BEND, IND. AN INDIAN ACCUSED OF MURDERING A
WHITE MAN WAS TRIED NEAR THE SITE. HE SWORE INNOCENCE, AND SAID THAT
THE TREE WOULD STAND AS WITNESS TO HIS INNOCENCE. TODAY, THE TREE
WITH ITS FIVE BRANCHES STANDS AS PROOF OF HIS UPRAISED HAND IN
SWEARINGHIS FREEDOM FROM GUILT. IT IS A SYCAMORE TREE NEAR CORBY HAL
.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): PLACE NAMES
James Callow Keyword(s): INDIANA ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 686 Fifths PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
ERIEVIEW CONSTRUCTION WORKER
A FEW YEARS BACK THE CITY OF CLEVELAND WAS CONSTRUCTING AN URBAN
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT CALLED ERIEVIEW. THE PROJECT HAD BEEN BESET BY A
NUMBER OF STUMBLING BLOCKS FROM FINANCING TO RACIAL TROUBLE.
ONE WINDY DAY A WORKER FELL FROM ONE OF THE UPPER-MOST FLOORS TO HIS
DEATH. AS A LASTING REMEMBERANCE, HIS WORKERS ON THE LOWER FLOORS
QUOTED HIM AS SAYING, AS HE FLEW BY "OH, SHIT"
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): HUMOR ; OBSERVATION
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTICLIMAX ; OHIO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
SMART VINCENT
IT IS TOLD THAT THERE IN A CITY OR TOWN, THERE ALWAYS COMES
ALONG A SMART YOUNG MAN AS OFTEN AS A GOOD FARM HAND. BUT OUT IN
THE FARM VILLAGES THERE ALSO COMES ALONG A SMART BOY-WITH A ROUND
HEAD.
IN ONE PARISH THERE WAS A BOY NAMED VINCENT, (WHO) FROM BIRTH WAS
VERY SMART. HIS PARENTS WERE POOR, SO THERE WAS NO MONEY TO SEND
HIM TO SCHOOL WITH. WHEN HE TURNED TWELVE, HIS FATHER GAVE HIM TO A
RICH MAN AS HIS MESSENGER. BEING WITH THE MAN, VINCENT LEARNED HOW
TO WRITE. IN THE FARMS, THE CHILDREN OFTEN GET OUT OF HAND, BECAUSE
THERE IS NO ONE TO LOOK AFTER THEM; BUT VINCENT DIDN'T, HE WAS
FAITHFUL TO HIS MASTER AND DIDN'T OVERLOOK THE SMALLEST THING.
AFTER HE GREW AWHILE, HIS MASTER RAISED HIM TO A HIGHER POSITION,
DRESSED HIM IN THE BEST CLOTHES, PAID HIM A GOOD SALARY AND TOOK HIM
EVERYWHERE WITH HIM. VINCENT DECIDED THAT OUR PEOPLE ARE MUCH TOO
TALKATIVE, THEY TELL EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE-TO THOSE NECESSARY AND T
THOSE NOT NECESSARY. THAT'S WHY HE DECIDED THAT HE WILL NOT TELL
ANYTHING TO ANYONE WITHOUT LYING.
ONE TIME THEY WENT TO VILNIUS. THE MASTER WENT TO THE TOWN AND
VINCENT STAYED ON AT THE HOTEL. AFTER AN HOUR, A STRANGE MAN CAME U
TO HIM AND STARTED TALKING:
"I READ YOUR MASTER'S PASSPORT AND I KNOW THAT HE CAME FROM THE
NORTHERN COUNTRY: TELL ME, WHAT'S NEW UP THERE BY YOU?"
"WHILE LEAVING THE RIVERFRONT, WE HEARD THE CHURCH BELLS CHIMING.
MAYBE SOMEBODY DIED," ANSWERED VINCENT.
"BUT THAT ISN'T WHAT I ASKED," SAID THE MAN. "I WANT TO KNOW
WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE SAYING."
"THE PEOPLE AND PRIESTS SAY PRAYERS EVERY MORNING AND EVENING."
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ME. I HEARD THAT THE PEOPLE ROSE UP."
"TRUE, TRUE," ANSWERED VINCENT. "AS SOON AS DAWN COMES AROUND,
EVERYONE RISES."
"AND WHAT DO THE RISEN WORK?"
"OH, ANYTHING THAT THEIR MASTERS TELL THEM TO: ONE GOES OUT TO
PLOW, ANOTHER TO HERD THE SHEEP AND SO ON."
"WHAT KIND OF PERSON ARE YOU}? I'M ASKING YOU IF THERE IS ANY
FIGHTING BY YOU?}"
"WELL, WHILE BEING IN SAULIAI, A MAN DID GET INTO A FIGHT WITH A
JEW, BUT THE AUTHORITIES SEPARATED THEM."
"YOU'RE RATTLING NONSENSE. I WANT TO KNOW ISN'T THERE A WAR AT
YOUR PLACE?"
"THERE IS, THERE IS," ANSWERED VINCENT.
"AH, THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW} WHERE AND WHO IS FIGHTING."
"MY MASTER'S BARNYARD, THERE IS AN OLD ROOSTER, WHO IS ALWAYS
FOREVER FIGHTING WITH THE TURKEY. I WONDER WHO IS GOING TO DO THE
OTHER IN?" ANSWERED VINCENT.
"I SEE THAT I WON'T BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND YOU." SAID THE GUEST.
"TELL ME, WHAT IS YOUR MASTER PLANNING TO DO?"
"OH, HE'S PLANNING TO GO HOME TOMORROW."
"TELL ME, ARE THE MASTERS AND NOBLEMEN GETTING RUFFLED AGAINST
THE GOVERNMENT?"
"SOMETIMES THEY GET RUFFLED," ANSWERED VINCENT. "MY MASTER,
GOING FOR THE GOVERNMENT, IS COMBING HIS HEAD, BUT RUFFLING HIS HAIR
ESPECIALLY HIS FOREHEAD HAIRS."
"MAY YOU BURN WITH YOUR WAY OF TALKING}" SAID THE ANGERED GUEST.
"THE DAMNED NORTHERNERS: COULDN'T FIND OUT ANYTHING FROM HIM." HAVIN
SAID THAT, HE LEFT.
AFTER THE GUEST LEFT, THE MASTER SOON CAME HOME, AND FINDING THE
DOOR UNLOCKED, SAID:
"WHY DIDN'T YOU LOCK UP, BECAUSE THIS IS THE CITY. SOMEONE
COULD ROB YOU. MAYBE SOMEONE WAS HERE?"
"THERE WAS SOME FAT-CHICK WITH RED HAIR AND DUMPY NOSE,"
ANSWERED VINCENT.
"OH DEAR, PRAY TELL ME WHAT HE ASKED AND WHAT YOU TOLD HIM}"
VINCENT TOLD HIS MASTER ABOUT HIS TALK WITH THE STRANGER. HIS
MASTER, HEARING THIS, TOOK HIM AND HELD HIM TO HIS HEART.
"YOU'RE NOT MY SERVANT, BUT MY SON. DO YOU KNOW, THAT THAT WAS
THIS CITY'S FIRST MAIN THEIF? IF YOU WOULD'VE ANSWERED HIM
DIFFERENTLY, HE WOULD HAVE ROBBED ME AND MANY MORE}"
OUR PEOPLE TELL TOO MUCH TO THE WRONG PEOPLE, ANYTHING THAT COMES
INTO THEIR HEADS. THIS STORY TEACHES US NOT TO OPEN OUR HEARTS FULL
TO ANYONE.
Submitter comment:
SAULIAI-- A FARM CITY IN NORTHERN LITHUANIA.
TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN BY RAMUNE STONYS.
Where learned: DISCUSSION
Keyword(s): PRODIGAL SON BIBLE SERVANT GOSSIP FAITHFULNESS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
ENVELOPE MESSAGE
D. D. L. D. S. D. B.
DELIVER 'DE LETTER, 'DE SOONER 'DE BETTER.
Submitter comment: INITIALS ARE PLACED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENVELOPE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): TYPOGRAPHICAL VERSE ABBREVIATION
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 10-15-1965
ENVELOPE MESSAGE
>. W. A. K. SEALED WITH A KISS
Submitter comment: THE INITIALS ARE PLACED ON THE BACK OF THE ENVELOPE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): TYPOGRAPHICAL VERSE ABBREVIATION LOVE LETTERS
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 10-02-1965
BELIEF
SOME PEOPLE IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS BELIEVE THAT WHEN A PERSON
SNEEZES HIS SOUL HAS ESCAPED. TO GET THE SOUL BACK, THEY SHOUT VERY
LOUDLY, "SOUL, COME BACK HERE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS BELEF SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-02-1967
COLLEGE FOLKLORE
WHEN THE CLOCK-TOWER STRIKES 10 P.M.-A LIVE STAGE SHOW CAN BE SEEN
PERFORMING IN THE WINDOWS OF THE HOLDEN HALL'S RESIDENCE FACING THE
MEN'S RESIDENCE WINDOWS AT RENO HALL.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): HUMOR COLLEGE FUN
James Callow Keyword(s): I ASKED COLLECTOR ABOUT THIS. HE SAID THE GIRLS PUT THIS ON FOR ; THE BOYS' BENEFIT.
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
KNEE HIGH
IF A FARMER'S CROP OF CORN IS "KNEE HIGH BY THE 4TH OF JULY," HIS
CROP WILL BE A GOOD ONE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July 4 Independence Day BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
PROVERB: ANCESTOR
IF A MAN FAILS, HE BLAMES HIS ANCESTORS.
ONLY A FOOL BLAMES OTHERS IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG FOR HIM.
Keyword(s): ANCESTRY ; PLACING BLAME
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR