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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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SINGING, DANCING, AND CLAPPING GAME
A SAILOR WENT TO SEA, SEA, SEA.
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE, SEE, SEE,
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD SEE, SEE, SEE,
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP, BLUE, SEA, SEA, SEA.
A SAILOR WENT TO CHOP, CHOP, CHOP.
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD CHOP, CHOP, CHOP,
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD CHOP, CHOP, CHOP,
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE CHOP, CHOP, CHOP,
A SAILOR WENT TO KNEE, KNEE, KNEE,
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD KNEE, KNEE, KNEE,
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD KNEE, KNEE, KNEE,
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE KNEE, KNEE, KNEE.
A SAILOR WENT TO OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT,
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT,
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD OOH-WHAT-YOU-COT,
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE, OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT.
A SAILOR WENT TO SEA, CHOP, KNEE, OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT,
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEA, CHOP, KNEE, OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT,
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD SEA, CHOP, KNEE, OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT,
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP, BLUE, SEA,
CHOP, KNEE, OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FINAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 11-00-1974
SINGING, DANCING AND CLAPPING GAME.
EENIE-MEENIE GYPSA-LEENIE, WHO SHOT AHMALEENIE? AHCHEE-KAHCHEE,
LIBERACE, I LOVE YOU. TOO-TOO. I SAW YOU WITH YOUR BOYFRIEND LAST
NIGHT. HOW DO YOU KNOW? I PEEKED THROUGH THE KEYHOLE, NOSY! WASH
THOSE DISHES, LAZY! JUMP OUT THE WINDOW, CRAZY! GIVE ME SOME CANDY
STINGEY! SO EENIE-MEENIE, GYPSA-LEENIE, WHO SHOT AHMALEENIE?
AHCHEE-KAHCHEE, LIBERACE, I LOVE YOU. TOO-TOO::
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NONSENSE WORDS ; TELEVISION PERSONALITY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 11-00-1974
NO-SPILL-SALT
IF YOU SPILL SALT YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK UNLESS YOU DO THIS,
TAKE A HAND FULL OF SALT AND THROW IT OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER.
THIS WILL REVERSE THE BAD LUCK AND GIVE YOU GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED THIS FOLKLORE FROM HER CHILDHOOD DAYS OF HER HOME TOWN.
THIS SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF IS SYMPATHETIC MAGIC BECAUSE THERE IS A
PRIMITIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN SPILLING AND THE THROWING THE SALT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17 |
Date learned: 00001930'S
FRONT DOOR---PLEASE
IF YOU COME IN THE FRONT DOOR THEN YOU MUST LEAVE BY THE FRONT DOOR.
IF NOT THEN YOU WILL CAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE HOUSE
BAD LUCK FOR SURE.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER HOME TOWN DURING HER ADOLESCENT STAGE.
THIS SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE HOME. THIS
PRACTICE KEEPS THE HOME SAFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ENTERING LEAVING ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001930'S
OLD SAYINGS
IF YOU DROP A KNIFE A MAN IS COMING
IF YOU DROP A FORK A WOMAN IS COMING
IF YOU DROP A SPOON A CHILD IS COMING
PERHAPS THE MAN COMING HUMMING
PERHAPS THE WOMAN BECOMING LOVING
PERHAPS THE CHILD COMING STUMBLING.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER HOME TOWN DURING HER ADOLESCENT STAGE.
THIS OLD SAYING IS A VERSE THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNICATION
BETWEEN AN OBJECT AND THE FORETELLING OF THE FUTURE.
THE INFORMANT WASN'T SURE WHETHER THIS COULD BE {A} SONG OR NOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.860 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 00001930'S
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE FAMILY ALWAYS SETS AN EXTRA PLACE AT THE TABLE FOR THE
CHRISTMAS MEAL IN CASE ANYONE COMES IN NEED OF FOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHARITY HOSPITALITY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 10-10-1974
POLISH PROVERB
GOSC W DOMU; BOG W DOMU. TRANSLATION: GUEST IN THE HOUSE; GOD IN
THE HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS ; HOSPITALITY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-10-1974
MNEMONIC DEVICE
MY VERY EDUCATED MOTHER JUST SERVED US NINE PICKLES.
Submitter comment:
THIS SENTENCE HELPS TO REMEMBER THE PLANETS IN THE ORDER OF NEAREST
TO THE SUN TO FURTHEST FROM THE SUN
INFORMANT SAID HE LEARNED THE DEVICE FROM SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AT
SCHOOL. HE DIDN'T REMEMBER WHO TOLD IT TO HIM BUT SAID IT WAS USED
BY ALMOST EVERYONE IN HIS CLASS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; NEPTUNE ; PLANETS: MERCURY, VENUS, EARTH, MARS, JUPITER, SATURN, ; PLUTO ; URANUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
REVERSING A BABY'S SLEEP CYCLE
IF YOU WANT TO REVERSE A BABY'S SLEEP CYCLE YOU TURN IT HEAD OVER
HEELS AND THE SLEEP CYCLE WILL REVERSE.
Submitter comment: SAID HE DIDN'T REALLY BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
MT[ VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
I KNOW A GIRL ALL DRESSED IN RED,
SHE'S GOT A PARKING METER BY HER BED.
Submitter comment: SOME OF THESE ITEMS ARE FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION FOLKLORE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ELIZABETH ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLUSION TO PROSTITUTION
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
SONG
IF YOU SPRINKLE WHEN YOU TINKLE,
BE A SWEETY AND WIPE THE SEATY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; CHEEKTOWAGA
James Callow Keyword(s): ADMONITION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
(KIND AND UNKIND STORY) ST. PETER STORY
ONCE UPON A TIME IN A SMALL TOWN IN SICILY, THERE LIVED A MEAN
STEPMOTHER WITH TWO DAUGHTERS, ONE OF WHOM WAS HER NATURAL DAUGHTER
AND THE OTHER WAS HER STEPDAUGHTER. HOWEVER, HER STEPDAUGHTER, BEING
THE PRETTIER OF THE TWO GIRLS, WAS ALWAYS IN THE KITCHEN SCRUBBING
THE POTS AND PANS AND DOING ALL THE DIRTY WORK THAT HAD TO BE DONE,
WHILE THE NATURAL DAUGHTER WAS JUST LAYING AROUND DOING NOTHING AND
GETTING SELFISH AND MORE SELF-CENTERED EVERY DAY. WELL, THIS
STEPMOTHER MADE THE BREAD FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN AND DELIVERY WAS
MADE DAILY BY HER TWO DAUGHTERS. ONE DAY AS THE BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER
WAS WALKING DOWN THE ROAD, SHE MET AN OLD, BEARDED MAN SITTING ALONG
THE ROADSIDE. HE ASKED HER FOR A SMALL PIECE OF BREAD BECAUSE HE HAD
NOT EATEN FOR TWO DAYS. THE YOUNG GIRL TOOK PITY ON HIM AND GAVE HIM
THE WHOLE LOAF OF BREAD. HE THANKED HER AND TOLD HER IF SHE HEARD THE
ROOSTER CROW ONCE ON THE WAY HOME, SHE WAS NOT TO TURN AROUND. BUT,
IF THE ROOSTER CROWED TWICE, SHE WAS TO TURN AROUND QUICKLY. BEING AN
OBEDIENT GIRL, WHEN THE ROOSTER CROWED ONCE SHE KEPT RIGHT ON
WALKING, BUT WHEN SHE HEARD HIM CROW TWICE, SHE QUICKLY TURNED
AROUND AND AS SHE DID SO, A DIAMOND APPEARED IN THE MIDDLE OF HER
FOREHEAD MAKING HER MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN EVER. UPON RETURNING HOME
AND EXPLAINING WHAT HAPPENED TO HER STEPMOTHER, THE NATURAL DAUGHTER
WANTED TO GO THE SAME ROAD HER SISTER FOLLOWED THE DAY BEFORE.
HOWEVER, BEING SELFISH AND MEAN, WHEN THE POOR OLD MAN APPROACHED HER
AND ASKED FOR A MORSEL OF BREAD, SHE SPAT UPON HIM AND TRIED TO RUN
AWAY. THEREFORE, ANGERED BY HER ACTIONS, HE TOLD HER TO TURN AROUND
IF SHE HEARD THE ROOSTER CROW ONCE, AND TO WALK STRAIGHT AHEAD IF SHE
HEARD HIM CROW TWICE. UPON DOING THIS, AS SHE TURNED AROUND WHEN THE
ROOSTER CROWED ONCE, A BIG HORN GREW IN THE MIDDLE OF HER FOREHEAD,
MAKING HER UGLIER THAN SHE WAS BEFORE.
Submitter comment:
FROM ITALY IN THE EARLY 1900'S
THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS TO SHARE WITH OTHERS AND HAVE PITY ON
THOSE LESS FORTUNATE THAN YOU, FOR THE LITTLE OLD MAN WAS REALLY ST.
PETER IN DISGUISE, SAID MY GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ITALY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
BLUE MIST
IT IS BELIEVED THAT UPON A CERTAIN STREET IN GROSSE ILE, AT A
CERTAIN TIME, THE BLUE MIST DESCENDS UPON ANY CAR THAT TRESPASSES
THERE.
Submitter comment: THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A STORY AS TO THE WHY OF THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): GROSSE ILE IS AN ISLAND IN THE DETROIT RIVER ; GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-00-1974
THE EGG
PUT AN EGG IN YOUR SHOE AND BEAT IT.
Submitter comment:
MRS. FRENDO JUST SNICKERED AS SHE FINISHED THIS ONE, EXPECTING A
GROAN BEFORE MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN SLANG: BEAT IT FOR GO AWAY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 01-00-1974
CHAIN LETTERS
WHEN YOU RECEIVE A CHAIN LETTER YOU SHOULD PUT IT BACK INTO THE
ENVELOPE, BURN IT ON ALL FOUR CORNERS, AND RETURN IT TO THE SENDER.
Submitter comment: I USED BOTH OF THESE METHODS AND NO BAD LUCK CAME TO ME.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Word Letter |
Date learned: CA11001973
DEATH
NEVER HAVE TWO CLOCKS IN THE SAME ROOM KEEPING TIME BECAUSE IN A
TWO CAR ACCIDENT MEMBERS IN BOTH CARS WILL DIE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): SIMULTANEITY
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: CA11001973
NEVER WEAR CLOTHES ON THE WRONG SIDE ESPECIALLY UNDERGARMENTS BECAUSE
PEOPLE WILL LIE TO YOU.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): LYING ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: CA11001973
DEATH
NEVER WALK BACKWARDS OR IT WILL CAUSE YOUR MOTHER TO DIE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: CA11001973
LUCK
NEVER SIT A BABY ON THE EDGE OF A TABLE TO FEED HIM BECAUSE IT
WILL CAUSE HIM TO TEETH HARD.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: CA11001973
LUCK
LEFT HANDED PEOPLE HAVE A TENDENCY TO BE CRAZY BECAUSE THEY DO
THINGS BACKWARDS.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; UNICE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: CA11001973