Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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GREEK WEDDING CUSTOM
AT A WEDDING, WRAP A CLOTH AROUND THE BRIDE AND GROOM.
THIS SIGNIFIES JOINING TOGETHER AS ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
RUSSIAN WEDDING CUSTOM
WHEN A BRIDE AND GROOM ARE MARRIED EITHER A DOLL OR A BEAR IS PLACED
ON THEIR CAR. THIS SIGNIFIES WHAT THEY WANT THEIR FIRST CHILD TO BE.
A DOLL IS A GIRL AND A BEAR IS A BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: CA0001969
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
A GAMBLER'S LESSON
FAR AWAY BY A RIVER, THERE WAS A LITTLE WHITE HOUSE IN WHICH THERE LIVED A FAMILY.
A FATHER, MOTHER, A BOY AND A GIRL. THEY HAD ONE PROBLEM, THEIR FATHER LIKED TO GAMBLE
AND DRINK. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEIR MOTHER GOT VERY SICK. THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO SEND
HER TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE THE FATHER GAMBLED EVERYTHING HE EARNED. THE MOTHER DIED. THE
GIRL WAS HELPING WITH EVERYTHING AROUND THE HOUSE AND THE BOY WAS TRYING TO EARN MONEY FOR
THE LIVING OF THE FAMILY. ONE DAY THE BOY WAS DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY. HE WAS ALWAYS WONDERING
HOW HIS SISTER WAS MANAGING AT HOME AND WAS ALWAYS VERY SAD. HIS ARMY BUDDY WAS ASKING HIM WHY
HE WAS SO SAD. HE TRIED TO HIDE THE ANSWER FROM HIM, BUT FINALLY TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD A BEAUTIFUL
SISTER WHO COULD NOT MANAGE THE HOME BECAUSE OF THE FATHER'S GAMBLING. HIS FRIEND PROMISED TO
HELP HIM DURING HIS NEXT FURLOUGH. HE WENT TO A THEATRE AND BOUGHT HIMSELF A DEVIL OUTFIT. WHEN
FURLOUGH TIME CAME, HE PUT THE OUTFIT ON, AND ON TOP OF IT, THE BEST SUIT THA HE COULD FIND.
WHEN THEY REACHED THE BOY'S HOME, THEY COULDN'T FIND THE BOY'S FATHER. THE SISTER TOLD HIM THAT
THEIR FATHER WAS A FEW MILES AWAY AT AN INN. THE BOY'S FRIEND WENT TO THE INN AND ASKED FOR THE MAN.
THE INNKEEPER TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS PLAYING CARDS IN THE CORNER. HE WENT OVER TO THE CORNER AND GREETED
THE GAMBLERS, ASKING PERMISSION TO JOIN THEM. THEY ACCEPTED HIM. HE WAS A VERY GOOD CARD PLAYER AND
STARTED TO WIN FROM THE BEGINNING. A FEW HOURS LATER, ONLY THE GIRL'S FATHER WAS LEFT IN THE GAME.
ALL THE OTHERS HAD STOPPED PLAYING BECAUSE THEY HAD LOST EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAD. THE GIRL'S FATHER
WAS LOSING ALSO. BY ELEVEN O'CLOCK, HE ASKED FOR ONE FREE HAND OF CARDS. HE HAD LOST EVERYTHING. THE
BOY GAVE IT TO HIM. IT ALSO WAS A LOSING HAND. THE MAN WANTED TO QUIT AND TOLD THE BOY THAT HE HAD NO
MONEY TO GAMBLE. THE BOY TOOK HIS GLOVES OFF. RED, LONG FINGERNAILS WERE STICKING OUT FROM HIS DEVIL'S
OUTFIT, AND WHEN HE REMOVED HIS HAT, LITTLE HORNS WERE STICKING OUT FROM HIS HAIR. HE SAID, "NOW WE ARE
GOING TO PLAY FOR YOUR SOUL. I WOULD LIKE TO WIN YOUR SOUL." THE MAN JUMPED UP AND STARTED TO RUN TOWARDS
HIS HOME. THE YOUNG MAN WAS PURSUING HIM. THERE WAS A CHURCH BY THE ROAD. THE MA RAN INTO IT. THE MAN TOOK
THE SEAT CLOSEST TO THE ALTAR. THE BOY, OUTSIDE THE CHURCH, WHISTLED HIS WAY TO HIS FRIEND'S HOME. THE MAN
WAITED TILL THE PRIEST CAME IN AND ASKED FOR CONFESSION. THE BOY RETURNED ALL THE WINNINGS TO HIS FRIEND AND
ASKED TO MARRY HIS SISTER. FROM THAT DAY ON, THEY WERE A VERY HAPPY FAMILY. THEIR FATHER DID NOT DRINK OR GAMBLE ANYMORE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS STORY AT AN EVENING OF FAMILY STORY TELLING I LUKOWA, POLAND.
HE LAUGHED QUITE A BIT WHEN DESCRIBING THE DEVIL AN THE EFFECT IT HAD ON THE GAMBLING FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND ; LUKOWA
James Callow Keyword(s): SOLDIER DISGUISED AS DEVIL REFORMS COMPULSIVE GAMBLER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 00-00-1934
JUMP ROPE RHYME
I ASKED MY MOTHER FOR FIFTEEN CENTS
TO SEE THE ELEPHANT JUMP THE FENCE
HE JUMPED SO HIGH
HE TOUCHED THE SKY
AND DIDN'T GET BACK
TILL THE FOURTH OF JULY.
HOW HIGH DID HE JUMP?
1, 2, 3, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; COUNTING ; HYBERBOLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July 4 Independence Day |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
IN GERMANY MY MOM AND DAD SHOPPED AT A LOCAL BUTCHER. LATER MY MOM
FOUND OUT HE GOT SOME OF HIS MEAT FROM HUMANS. MY MOM WOULD NOT
EAT MEAT FOR A LONG TIME AFTER THAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business Food Drink -- Meat BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
WHEN YOUR CAR GOES OVER TRAIN TRACKS, LIFT YOUR FEET AND TOUCH THE
CEILING OF THE CAR. IF YOU DO NOT DO THIS, YOU WILL LOSE YOUR
BOYFRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH
EVERY MARCH 19TH, IT IS COMMON AMONG MANY SICILIANS TO CELEBRATE
THE FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH. IT IS TRADITIONALLY REPRESENTED BY
THE PREPARATION OF HOMEMADE SPAGHETTI WHICH CONTAINS TWELVE
DIFFERENT KINDS OF BEANS AND PEAS TO REPRESENT EACH OF THE
TWELVE APOSTLES. THESE INCLUDE: SPLIT PEAS, KIDNEY BEANS,
CHICK PEAS, HORSE BEANS, LINTO BEANS, LIMA BEANS, BLACKEYE
PEAS, GREEN BEANS, CRANBERRY BEANS, SWEET PEAS, PINTO BEANS,
AND NORTHERN BEANS.
Submitter comment:
DURING THE FEAST MANY SICILIAN FAMILIES CELEBRATE THE OCCASION
BY RECREATING THE LIFE OF JESUS AND HIS APOSTLES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 19 Feast of St. Joseph BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: CA00001920
FOLKLORE OF NEA YEAR'S DAY
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY EVERGREEN IS HUNG ABOVE THE DOOR. THIS INSURES
A LONG PROSPEROUS YEAR.
Submitter comment: THIS IS DONE IN JAPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: CA00001935
( IRISH PROVERB )
IN ALL THINGS TWO.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN OLD IRISH SAYING. INFORMANT GOT THIS FROM HER FRIEND WHO'
( WHOSE ) GRANDMOTHER SAID IT. THE GRANDMOTHER WAS MARY DELAHAUTE WH
YATES ( YEATS ) WROTE HIS LOVE POEMS TO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS ; OBSERVATION PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
AN INDUSTRIOUS WIFE IS THE BEST SAVINGS ACCOUNT.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER FATHER.
Where learned: INDIANA ; VEEDERSBURG
Keyword(s): MARRIAGE ; OBSERVATION
James Callow Keyword(s): BANKING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 11-23-1967
BIRD PROVERB (SPANISH)
IN LAST YEAR'S NESTS THERE ARE NO BIRDS TODAY.
TRANSLATION OF
SPANISH TEXT NOT KEYPUNCHED. SEE ORIGINAL 5 X 8 INCH CARD.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): METAPHOR ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
IN LOVE, THERE IS ALWAYS ONE WHO KISSES AND ONE WHO OFFERS THE CHEEK
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): METAPHOR ; OBSERVATION ; REPETITION
James Callow Keyword(s): LEADING AND FOLLOWING AMONG LOVERS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 04-05-1971
INNOCENCE IS ITS OWN DEFENCE ( DEFENSE ).
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ASSONANCE ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-00-1968