Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE FOLLOWING HIGH SCHOOL CHEER WAS USED AT KICKOFFS IN FOOTBALL
GAMES AND AT TIPOFFS IN BASKETBALL GAMES:
"FEE FI FO FUM
LOOK OUT (OPPOSING TEAM'S NICKNAME) HERE WE COME."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): JACK AND THE BEANSTALK ; LINE FROM CANTE FABLE ; THREAT?
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival Custom Festival |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
GOLD PIN
THE GREEK PEOPLE ARE VERY MUCH AFRAID OF THE EVIL EYE.
A BABY MUST WEAR A GOLD PIN ON HIS GOWN
TO PROTECT HIM AGAINST THE EYE.
ONCE A CHILD HAS BEEN BEWITCHED BY THE EVIL EYE
ONLY CERTAIN WOMEN MAY RID HIM OF THE SPEEL.
THIS WOMAN SAYS CERTAIN WORDS IN GREEK.
I DO NOT KNOW THEM , BUT THEY ARE A SORT OF PRAYER.
THIS WOMAN MAY TELL WHOMEVER SHE PLEASES THE WORDS,
AND THEN THIS PERSON IS ABLE TO CAST OFF THE EVIL
EYE SPELL. NO MAN HOWEVER MAY BE TOLD
THESE SECRET WORDS. MY MOTHER IN LAW
KNOWS THEM, AND AFTER SHE REPEATS THEM SHE SPITS.
IF THE BABY BEGINS TO YAWN, THE SPELL IS GONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): INCANTATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 06-29-1964
CONJURATION
I WAS TOLD SOME YEARS AGO THAT WHEN
I WAS AROUND A YEAR OLD. I GOT TO CRYING AND
WOULD NOT STOP. I WOULD NOT STOP FOR ANYONE OR
ANYTHING.
MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD MY MOTHER THAT SOMEONE HAD GIVEN ME
THE EVIL EYE AND THAT WAS WHY I CRIED SO. SHE WANTED TO
TRY SOME "ITALIAN WITCHCRAFT" ON ME TO REMOVE THE EVIL EYE.
AT FIRST MY MOTHER WOULD NOT LET HER, BUT GRANDMA KEPT ASKING
UNTIL SHE DID. GRANDMA TOOK A BOWL OF WATER AND DROPPED
SOME WHEAT IN IT, SHE WATCHED THE GRAIN SINK AND COME
BACK TO THE SURFACE WITH SOME AIR BUBBLES. THE BUBBLES MEANT THAT
INDEED, SOMEONE HAD GIVEN ME THE EVIL EYE. TO REMOVE IT SHE
WENT THROUGH A RITUAL WHICH COMBINED
WITCHCRAFT AND CHRISTIANITY. FIRST,
MADE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS TO HERSELF AND TO ME. THEN SHE
BROKE THE BUBBLES, DIPPED HER FINGER IN THE WATER, MADE A
SIGN OF THE CROSS ON MY FOREHEAD AND SAID THE FOLLOWING VERSES;
OCCHI E MALOCCHI
CORNICELLI A L'OCCHI
SQUATA LE INVIDIA
E CREPA IL MALOCCHIA.
WHICH IN ENGLISH IS:
EYE OF EVIL
GIVEN TO THEE
SQUASH THE ENVY
AND BURST THE EVIL.
AS SOON AS SHE FINISHED ALL THIS , I STOPPED CRYING, TO THE
JOY OF ALL WHO HAD PUT UP WITH MY WAILING FOR A WEEK STRAIGHT.
MY MOTHER SAID THAT THERE WAS NO REASON WHY I WAS CRYING.
THE DOCTOR COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH ME. AS I HAVE SAID,
I CRIED FOR A WEEK STRAIGHT AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL IMMEDIATELY
AFTER GRANDMA HAD FINISHED.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): INCANTATION
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BELIEF
SAY THE LORD'S PRAYER BACKWARDS AND YOU
WILL SEE THE DEVIL.
Keyword(s): INCANTATION
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 01-22-1970
BELIEF
IF YOU LOOK IN A MIRROR ON RAINY NIGHTS AND STARE
INTO THE MIRROR WHILE SAYING "I BELIEVE IN ROSEMARY'S BABY"
AND CONCENTRATE HARD, IT IS BELIEVED THAT YOU CAN
SEE ROSEMARY KILLING HER BABY.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; SAINT HYACINTH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): INCANTATION
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 02-29-1972
BELIEF ABOUT CLEFT IN CHIN
IF YOU HAVE A CLEFT IN YOUR CHIN-
YOU ARE HONEST, CLEAN CUT, AND ALL AMERICAN.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): AMERICAN ; CLEAN CUT ; HONESTY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Ears, noise in ear |
Date learned: 02-20-1972
BUTTER
ON THE INFORMANT'S FARM IN MANITOBA EXCESS BUTTER WAS USED TO
GREASE AND LUBRICATE THE MACHINERY. IT WAS FOUND TO BE SUPERIOR
TO OIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CANADA
| Subject headings: | Favorites Food Drink -- Animal product Butter |
Date learned: 09-00-1971
LIMERICK
ONE NIGHT A YOUNG AMOROUS SIOUX
HAD A DATE WITH A MAIDEN HE KNIOUX
THE CORONER LATER FOUND
THAT THE COUPLE HAD DROWNED
PADDLING A LEAKY CANIOUX
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; CACOGRAPHY ; CANOE ; DEATH ; FRENCH SPELLING ; RHYME: AABBA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO
( SONG ) LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO RUNNIN' THROUGH THE FOREST
SCOOPIN' UP THE FIELD MICE AND HITTIN' THEM OVER THE HEAD.
( SPOKEN ) AND ALONG COME THE GOOD FAIRY...AND SHE SAID,
" LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO, I'LL GIVE YOU 3 CHANCES,
( SUNG ) I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU RUNNIN' THROUGH THE FOREST, SCOOPIN'
UP THE FIELD MICE AND HITTIN' THEM OVER THE HEAD--AND--
IF YOU DON'T DO WHAT I TELL YOU, I'LL TURN YOU INTO A GOON " .
BUT THE NEXT DAY--
(SUNG) LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO WAS RUNNIN' THROUGH THE FOREST,
SCOOPIN' UP THE FIELD MICE AND HITTIN' THEM OVER THE HEAD.
( SPOKEN ) AND ALONG CAME THE GOOD FAIRY...AND SHE SAID,
" LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO, I'LL GIVE YOU 2 CHANCES, ETC.
BUT THE NEXT DAY--
( REPEATED, BUT NOW WITH ONLY 1 CHANCE )
( SPOKEN ) FOO-FOO BLEW HIS CHANCES, SO THE FAIRY TURNED HIM INTO A
GOON, AND
NARRATOR 1 " DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE MORAL IS?"
NARRATOR 2 " I SURE DO, "
( TOGETHER IN UNISON ) " HARE TODAY, GOON TOMORROW. "
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SANG THIS SONG FOR ME BY HERSELF, BUT IT ACTUALLY SHOULD
BE DONE WITH TWO PEOPLE, ONE ACTING AS NARRATOR AND THE OTHER AS
THE GOOD FAIRY. THE TUNE SHOULD BE SUNG TO THIS MELODY:
" G-G-G-A-B ( REST ) B ( REST ) - A-G-A-B-G-D
GGG-A-B-B-A-G-A-B-G " ( GUITAR NOTES )
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; BRUNVAND C30 ; CANTE FABLE ; PUN ; SHAGGY DOG CANTE FABLE ; THE RABBIT THAT WAS CHANGED INTO A GOON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 12-02-1971
FELON
PUT WARM HOLY OIL ON A FALLON TO OPEN IT UP.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT USED HOLY OIL FROM ST. ANNE DE BEAUPRE TO OPEN A FALLON
ON HER FINGER.
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS BELIEF ; SHRINE IN QUEBEC, CANADA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-19-1967
VERSE
MINNIE MINNIE HA HA, WENT TO SEE HER PAPA,
PAPA DIED, MINNIE CRIED. MINNIE HAD A BABY,
CALLED HIM TINY TIM, PUT HIM IN THE BATHTUB
TO TEACH HIM HOW TO SWIM.
DRANK A GALLON OF WATER, ATE A BAR OF SOAP,
MINNIE CALLED THE DOCTOR, MINNIE CALLED THE NURSE,
MINNIE CALLED THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
OUT WENT THE DOCTOR, OUT WENT THE NURSE,
IN STAYED THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
Data entry tech comment: THERE CAN ALSO BE ADDED ANOTHER VERSE BETWEEN LINES 9 AND 10.
Where learned: LIBRARY
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; BATHTUB VERSE MONOLOGUE ; JUMP ROPE RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
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 |
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
LEGEND OF BEAR ISLAND
THERE IS AN INDIAN LEGEND THAT TELLS HOW THE FAMOUS MICHIGAN BEAR
ISLAND WAS MADE. IT WAS SAID THAT A MOTHER BEAR AND HER TWO CUBS
WERE ATTEMPTING TO SWIM ACROSS LAKE MICHIGAN, BUT THEY EACH WERE
OVERCOME BY EXHAUSTION BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN SWIM 5 TO 6 MILES.
THEIR BODIES NOW FORM THE BIG BEAR ISLAND AND THE TWO SMALL BEAR
ISLANDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BATTLE CREEK
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; SLEEPING BEAR SAND DUNE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
REMEDY
I REMEMBER MY GRANDMOTHER CURING A YOUNG CHILD OF A FEAR. IT'S A
RITUAL. WHEN A CHILD IS AFRAID OF SOMETHING, YOU GET SOME WHITE ROCK.
IT'S A SOFT ROCK, I DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF IT. THE ROCK IS PUT INTO A
SKILLET AND HEATED. AS IT HEATS, IT SOFTENS, AND IT WILL FORM INTO A
FIGURE OF WHAT THE CHILD IS AFRAID OF. THE FEAR IS REMOVED FROM THE
CHILD THIS WAY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION DIVINATION ; HOMEOPATHIC ; MEXICAN-AMERICAN CURE
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
REMEDY
EATING SNAKE MEAT WILL CURE RHEUMATISM.
Submitter comment:
HE HEARD THIS FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER, WHO SAID IT WORKED FOR HER. YOU
HAVE TO EAT IT REGULARLY IN ORDER FOR IT TO DO ANY GOOD. RATTLESNAKE
MEAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE BEST.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MEXICAN-AMERICAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
REMEDY
DRINKING OREGANO TEA WILL HELP IF YOU HAVE A COLD. YOU HAVE TO MAKE
IT REAL STRONG AND DRINK IT REAL HOT. USUALLY I DRINK THREE CUPS A
DAY WHEN I'M SICK.
Submitter comment: HE SAYS IT WORKS FOR HIM.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MEXICAN-AMERICAN
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
Entry filtered.
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
Entry filtered.