Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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GOOD LUCK
IF YOU STUMPLE ON YOUR FOOT, OR IT MAY ITCH, THAT'S A
SIGN FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
SHE REMEMBERED THIS ITEM FROM TIMES WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG. BUT
IT WAS TOLD TO HER FROM HER MOTHER AND NEIGHBORS USUALLY BY WORD
OF MOUTH. HER MOTHER AS WELL AS HER MOTHER'S MOTHER BELIEVED
THAT OLD SAYINGS ARE WORTH REMEMBERING. THE INFORMANT REGARDS
THIS FOLK ITEM AS A PIECE OF GOLD FOR A GUIDE LINE OF LIFE'S
EXPERIENCE.
SHE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
THIS IS A SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; VIRGINIA ; PHILADELPHIA ; RICHMOND
James Callow Keyword(s): STUMBLE?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
SHE'S--MARKED:
BURNING "S" ON THE FACE OF A FEMALE WAS TO SHOW THAT SHE WAS AN
AN ADULTERER. THE MARK COULD BE ALSO CUT ON HER FACE.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING HIS LATE ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HIS HOME TOWN.
THIS ITEM WAS TOLD TO HIM BY HIS ACQUAINTANCES WHEN HE VISITED IRELAND. THIS
TALE CAME ABOUT IN THE EARLY YEARS OF IRELAND'S BIRTH. THE SIGN WAS PUT ON THE
WOMAN'S FACE SO TO TELL "THE WORLD" OF HER SIN. I DIDN'T GET AN EXPLANATION WHY
THEY USED THE LETTER S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): BRANDING ; PUNISHMENT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001930S
BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU LEAVE HERE
DON'T LET THE DOOR KNOB HIT YOU
WHERE THE GOOD LORD SPLIT YOU.
THIS MEANS GOOD-BYE AND BE CAREFUL, OUT HERE IN THIS WORLD.
Submitter comment:
SHE USED A PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH IN EXPLAINING THIS ITEM.
THE INFORMANT SEEMS TO REMEMBER THIS ITEM FROM HER EARLY ADOLESCENT
YEARS IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD, WHERE SHE LIVED FOR 16 YEARS. SHE
WAS CUNNING IN THE WAY SHE TOLD THIS ITEM. HER ASSOCIATES IN THE
ROOM MAY HAVE PROMOTED THIS ACTION.
THIS IS A VERSE THAT SHE REMEMBERED FROM MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): CROTCH OR BUTTOCKS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 00001960S
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
INFORMANT'S GRANDMOTHER, ON NEW YEAR'S EVE GOES OUT THE BACK DOOR
AT 11:59 AND SLOWLY WALKS TO THE FRONT DOOR AND WALKS IN AT 12:01
SIGNIFYING THE END OF THE OLD YEAR AND THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW
YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve |
Date learned: 11-22-1974
POLISH PRAYER
ZA TWE MAMO PRACE TROSKI BEDA PROSIE MATKI BOSKI BY CIE
OBDARZYLA ZDROWIEM JAK WOSNE VIECEJ POWIEM. TRANSLATION: FOR ALL
YOUR WORK AND WORRY, I BESEECH THE MOTHER OF GOD TO GIFT YOU
WITH HEALTH AND WHEN I GROW UP I'LL TELL YOU MORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT: GIFT AS VERB ; PIOUS GOOD WISHES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.643 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 21 equinox to June 20 |
Date learned: 11-07-1974
FLY LEAF PROSE
IN CASE OF FIRE, THROW IN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BOOK ; FLY-LEAF INSCRIPTION
| Subject headings: | Z220 |
Date learned: CA00001968
LIMERICK
THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY FROM YETTA/ WHO FANCIED HERSELF IN A SWETTA/
THREE REASONS SHE HAD/ TO KEEP WARM WAS NOT BAD/ BUT THE OTHER TWO
REASONS WERE BETTA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): INDIRECTION FOR BREASTS ; SWEATER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
REMEDY
FOR CHANGE OF LIFE (THROUGH THE YEARS)- TOMARINDO, CINNAMON STICKS,
FRESH NUTMEG-CHIPPED, ANISE, CLOVES, PEPPERMINT LEAVES, AND ROSEMARY
LEAVES, THEN THEY BOIL IT. AND FOR EVERY QUART, THEY ADD THE JUICE
OF 3 LEMONS, PUT IN THE SKINS AND FERMENT IT IN A JAR FOR 3 DAYS .
THEN STRAIN IT WITH A CHEESECLOTH. THEN THEY ADD 3 JIGGERS OF
ANNISETTE LIQUEUR. THEN THEY ADD 7 OUNCES OF HONEY. THEY DON'T
BELIEVE IN HORMONE SHOTS FOR CHANGE OF LIFE.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL IN
TEXAS. SHE WAS TAUGHT THIS BY HER MOTHER OR GRANDPARENTS, PRIMARILY
HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL BEE ; PLANTS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit Food Drink -- Brew of leaf, bark, root Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-10-1973
REMEDY
POOR PEOPLE WITH TUBERCULOSIS USE THIS- RICE WATER TEA WITH HONEY
DAILY AT EVERY OPPURTUNITY BY ITSELF OR MIXED WITH JUICES OF THE
TROPICAL FRUITS THEY GROW THERE (IN TEXAS) SUCH AS PAPAYA JUICE,
MANGOS, CACTUS JUICE, AND COCONUT MILK, ALMOST LIKE A FULL MEAL TO
THE WEAK PERSON. ALL THE FRUITS ARE STRAINED AND THE RICE WATER
TEA IS MADE WITH RICE WATER AND PEPPERMINT LEAVES OR ANY OTHER TEA
LEAVES.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL
IN TEXAS. SHE WAS TAUGHT THIS INFORMATION BY HER MOTHER OR
GRANDPARENTS, PRIMARILY HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL BEE ; PLANT
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit Food Drink -- Animal product Food Drink -- Brew of leaf, bark, root BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-10-1973
REMEDY
FOR ARTHRITIS AND ACHES CAUSED BY OLD AGE, ETC. - 10 TO 12 OUNCES OF
MAJORANA BOILED IN A QUART OF WATER. USED AS A CHASER OR WITH
WHISKEY, TEQUILA, ETC.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL
IN TEXAS. SHE WAS TAUGHT THIS BY HER MOTHER OR GRANDPARENTS,
PRIMARILY HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): MARJORAM? HERB? ; PLANT SPICE
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Flavoring Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-10-1973
DRINK
FOR BABIES- FOR NUTRITION MIX A CAN OF PET MILK WITH 1 CAN OF WATER
PLUS RICE WATER WITH HONEY. RICE WATER IS THE WATER LEFT AFTER
BOILING RICE.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL
IN TEXAS. SHE WAS TAUGHT THIS BY HER MOTHER OR GRANDPARENTS,
PRIMARILY HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL INSECT BEE
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal Food Drink -- Animal product Food Drink -- Brew of leaf, bark, root BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-10-1973
FROGS
THE FIRST TIME YOU HEAR A FROG AT THE END OF WINTER, IT WILL GET
COLD AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS THREE TIMES BEFORE SPRING COMES.
Submitter comment:
THIS BELIEF IS SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT A GROUNDHOG MUST SEE HIS
SHADOW BEFORE SPRING COMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL AMPHIBIAN
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- P663 |
Date learned: 02-00-1974
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
GOOD NIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT,
DON'T LET THE MOSQUITOES BITE.
Where learned: OHIO ; YOUNGSTOWN
James Callow Keyword(s): VARIATION: BEDBUGS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 00001950S AND 00001960S
LIMERICK
THERE ONCE WAS A GIRL NAMED ANNHEISER,
WHO SAID THAT NO GUY COULD SURPRISE HER.
UNTIL A GUY NAMED GIBBONS,
UNTIED ALL HER RIBBONS,
AND NOW SHE'S SADDER BUT WISER.
Submitter comment: SOME OF THESE ITEMS ARE FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION FOLKLORE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; NEW YORK ; ALBANY ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): BEER BRAND NAME PUNS: ANHEISER & BUDWEISER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
SONG
JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS,
JINGLE ALL THE WAY,
OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE,
IN A HORSE DRAWN CHEVROLET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TRAVERSE CITY ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; PARODY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
SONG
JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS,
JINGLE ALL THE WAY,
OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE,
IN A CRACKED UP CHEVROLET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TRAVERSE CITY ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; PARODY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
LITTLE BOY BLUE
COME BLOW YOUR HORN.
THE SHEEP IN THE MEADOW
THE COWS IN THE CORN.
OH WHERE'S THE LITTLE BOY
WHO'S ALWAYS ASLEEP?
HE'S UNDER THE HAYSTACK
EATING THE SHEEP.
Submitter comment: SOME OF THESE ITEMS ARE FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION FOLKLORE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TRAVERSE CITY ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): PARODY ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
DID YOU EVER THINK, WHEN THE HEARSE ROLLS BY,
THAT MAYBE YOU'LL BE THE NEXT TO DIE?
THE WORMS CRAWL IN AND THE WORMS CRAWL OUT
AND THE WORMS GO CRAWLING ALL ABOUT.
Submitter comment:
MY GREAT AUNT LOOKS ON THIS AS BEING RATHER GRUESOME NOW BUT ADMITS
THAT SHE ENJOYED SAYING IT WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER.
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.346 |
Date learned: 00-02-1974
THE STIGMATA OF PADRE PIO
PADRE PIO OF SAN GIOVANNI DI ROTONDO IN ITALY HAS THE STIGMATTA OF
OUR LORD ON HIS HANDS. THE WOUNDS ARE SAID TO BE OPEN ABOUT ONCE A
MONTH. ALSO ONLY MEN WERE ALLOWED TO SEE THIS. THE REASON FOR
THIS IS UNKNOWN.
Submitter comment:
I ALSO HAD A CHANCE WHILE IN ITALY IN 72, TO SEE THIS SIGHT, HOWEVER
I CANNOT ACCOUNT FOR IT. THE WOUNDS WERE OPEN AND BLEEDING AS HE SAID
MASS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF ; SEXISM ; STIGMATA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-00-1974
GARDEN GATE JOKE
DON'T KISS YOUR GIRL BY THE GARDEN GATE,
CAUSE LOVE IS BLIND BUT THE NEIGHBORS AIN'T.
Submitter comment:
SHE EMPHASIZED THAT THIS WAS A STRICT RULE OF THOUGHT BACK WHEN SHE
WAS YOUNG. HOWEVER SHE DID GIGGLE AS SHE RECITED IT, GIVING THE
IMPRESSION THAT SHE WAS PULLING MY LEG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DELRAY ; DETROIT ; ETHNIC SECTION
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 01-00-1974