Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for CHILDREN returned 92 results.
Belief: Children's Song
(1) DON'T STEP ON A CRACK OR YOU'LL BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
(2) IF YOU STEP ON A LINE YOUR MOTHER DRINKS WINE.
Submitter comment:
MY BLACK NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOORS TOLD ME THESE TALES WHEN I WAS A KID.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
Keyword(s): ALCOHOL ; Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE ; Wine
James Callow Keyword(s): NEGRO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 00001960S
Belief: Children's Song
STEP ON A CRACK, BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK. STEP ON A LINE
BREAK YOUR FATHER'S SPINE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT USED TO SING THIS WHEN SHE PLAYED HOPSCOTCH ON
THE SIDEWALK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; Father ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE
James Callow Keyword(s): GAME SONG
Belief: Children's Song
WHEN WALKING DOWN THE STREET SOME CHILDREN WILL CAREFULLY WATCH
WHERE THEY STEP AND SAY, "IF YOU STEP ON A CRACK YOUR MOTHER'S
GOT A BROKEN BACK, AND IF YOU STEP ON A LINE YOUR FATHER DRINKS
WINE.
Submitter comment:
I USED TO PLAY THIS GAME.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD
Keyword(s): ALCOHOL ; Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; Father ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE ; Wine
James Callow Keyword(s): COUNTING
Date learned: 00001958-00001966
Belief: Children's Song
STEP ON A CRACK (AS IN A SIDEWALK) (SIC) BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs and Keywords added by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; ASSUMED
Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE
James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.533 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
Belief: Children's Song
If you step on a crack you'll break your mother's back.
Submitter comment:
Stepping on Cracks Superstition
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] crossed out and replaced with C860.740
Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Myself
Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Belief: Children
Wednesday's Child:
Wednesday's Child is full of woe.
Submitter comment:
(A person born on Wednesday is believed to be ill-fated through-out life.)
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BIRTH ; Born ; CHILDREN ; DAYS OF THE WEEK ; DESTINY ; Destiny, Fate ; Wednesday ; WOE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Ethnic: Belgium
Solemn Communion:
In Belgium, at the age of 12, there would be a Solemn Communion. Although they had made their First Communion at the age of 7, at this time, the children would assemble in Church to renew their Baptismal vows. there were weeklong preparations for the event. Girls wore white gowns, much in the manner of a bridal outfit. There would be a three day celebration. On the first day, the parents and godparents gathered at the child's home. The second day saw the cousins and other immediate relatives there. And on the third day, the neighbors and friends joined in the activities.
Submitter comment:
See also F5444
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): Belgium ; CHILDREN ; CHURCH ; Communion ; Community ; ETHNIC ; FAMILY ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Custom/Belief
Baptism:
In Belgium, children were baptized when they were 3 days old. When the ceremonies were completed, signified by bell ringing at the church, other children would gather outside the church, at which time, the parents of the one baptized would throw chocolate covered almonds or other candy to the awaiting children.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [F543, P686, S720, N247, F533] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): BAPTISM ; Belgium ; CANDY ; CHILDREN ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
Ethnic:Polish
Naming:
It is a custom in Poland, that a child is not given the name of a living grandparent, for fear that either the grandparent or the child will die within seven years.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: CANADA ; WINNIPEG ; MANITOBA
Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Cultural ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FAMILY ; Naming ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
Belief: Children
Determining Sex of Unborn Child:
A pin on a thread, if held motionless over the wrist of an expectant mother, can determine sex of child by the motion which it takes up after it is perfectly still. If pin or needle takes up a circular motion than first child weill be a girl. If needle takes up back and forth motion then a boy. If pin stops and then moves again, this can be used to predict the future sex and number of children.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P860] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: HOME ; NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): ANAPEL ; BELIEF ; Biology ; BIRTH ; CHILDREN ; CUSTOM ; Forecasting ; gender ; Ordain ; Pendulum ; Predictions ; SEX
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Ethnic: Belium
Funeral:
In Belgium, during funeral processions, the children would carry boquets or wreaths of flowers which they had picked.
Submitter comment:
Recorded on tape
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): Belgium ; BURIAL ; CHILDREN ; CUSTOM ; DEATH ; ETHNIC ; FLOWERS ; Funeral ; RESPECT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Entertainment: Game
London Bridge:
London Bridges falling down, falling down. London Bridges falling down, my fair lady. Take the key and lock her up, lock her up. Take the key and lock her up, my fair lady. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
Everyone says the verse, two people hold each other's hands and walk around at Monday and when Sunday comes they put someone between them, swinging their arms back and forth and throwing the person away.
Data entry tech comment:
Entered by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C730.360, C523] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Submission card located in a pile marked C750 Jump Rope Rhyme
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Myself
Keyword(s): Bridges ; CHILDREN ; GAMES ; Jump Rope ; London ; Playground ; Rhymes
| Subject headings: | -- .C750500 |
Entertainment: Game
Method of Choosing IT:
To choose the "it" in a smae, the kids get together and someone would volunteer. Everyone eventually got chosen, and the ones that did not volunteer often enough were made "it" by mob rule. The informant learned it from the neighborhood kids.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570, C570.500] crossde out. Replaced with current classifications.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Entertainment ; GAME ; Playground
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Entertainment: Game
Method of Choosing "it" for Games:
(Rhyme is chanted by one person who, at the same time, points to the children one by one. I will indicate when the person points by partially unerlining the corresponding words.)
Eenie meenie minie moe
Catch a rabbit by the toe
If he hollers, let him go
My mother told me to choose the very best one
O U T spells out goes you.
Submitter comment:
I learned this in my grade school days in Detroit.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570.560, C300.03] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications.
Where learned: Myself
Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Entertainment ; GAME ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Entertainment: Game
A Chant for Picking the "It":
This is a chant that the neighborhood kids used to choose the "it" in their games. It went: "1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato, 4. 5 potato, 6 potato, 7 potato, or." The person who "or" fell on was out and the rhyme started again.
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from his friends.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Entertainment ; GAMES ; Playground ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Entertainment: Game
A Chant for Picking the "IT":
To pick the "it" the people playing would gather together and someone would say: "Engine, Engine, number nine. Going down Chicago Line. If the train falls off the track, do you want your money back?"
The person who "back" was said to is out and the rhyme is started over.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] is crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BASEBALL GAME. ; CHILDREN ; Elimination ; Entertainment ; Playground ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Ethnic: German
Tros, tros, tril,
Der Bauerhat ein Phil,
Das Philchen will nicht lauffen,
Der Bauer will verkaufen,
Tros, tros, tril.
This verse was sung by a grandfather to a small child. It accompanied a little game in which the grandfather sat with his knees crossed. On his right leg the child was seated facing the grandfather who grasped the child's hands. As the grandfather sings the verse, he gives the child a "pony" ride on his leg.
The verse tells of a farmer who had a horse, the horse would not run, so the farmer wants to sell the horse.
Submitter comment:
The informant remembers her German-born father entertaining his grandchildren with this game in Kenosha, Wisconsin about 30 years ago.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Loose (very loose) translation:
Tros, Tros, tril, The Bauerhat a Phil, The Philchen will not often run, the farmer wants to sell, Tros, Tros, tril.
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C520, C750] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Entertainment ; ETHNIC ; Fable ; GAME ; GERMAN ; HORSE ; Play ; RHYME ; SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.520 |
Entertainment: Games
"It":
One of several methods of determining who would be "it" in games like tag and hide and seek was found in the following rhyme:
Lincoln, Lincoln, I been thinking,
What the world have you been drinking?
It ain't bourbon, it ain't wine,
Oh My God, it's turpentine!
All the participants put one foot into a circle. One goes through this rhyme and eliminates the participants one at a time. The one who is left is it.
Submitter comment:
I often used this methid to determine who would be it in the games in Washington DC (1950's)
Data entry tech comment:
motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C500, C750, C500.1; S555] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: Myself
Keyword(s): CHILD ; CHILDREN ; Choice ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; GAME ; Play ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | -- .C750520 |
Entertainment: Games
Hide and Seek Call:
When playing hide and seek, and the person who is it cannot find everyone, he calls out "Ally Ally in Free" and all those who are still hidden come out of their places to hide again for the next game.
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from the other kids in the neighborhood
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Bn [C524, S70] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CHILD ; CHILDREN ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; GAMES ; Play
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.520 |
Entertainment: Games
Jump Rope Song:
Two, four, six, eight, time to transubstantiate.
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from neighborhood friends
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out. replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHILD ; CHILDREN ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; GAME ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |