Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Men returned 558 results.
AUTOGRAPH BOOK RHYME
BURN YOUR TONGUE AND THINK OF ME.
WHEN YOU ARE OLD AND DRINKING TEA,
Submitter comment: RHYME FROM INFORMANT'S JUNIOR HIGH AUTOGRAPH BOOK, 1929-1933.
Keyword(s): COUPLET ; RESENTMENT ; SURPRISE ENDING
James Callow Keyword(s): COMMAND ; REMEMBRANCE ; RHYME: AA ; WISH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
AUTOGRAPH
ROSES ARE RED
VIOLETS ARE BLUE
SUGAR IS SWEET
AND SO ARE YOU. MM
BUT WHEN ROSES ARE WILTED
AND VIOLETS ARE DEAD
SUGAR IS LUMPY
AND SO IS YOUR HEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; COMPLIMENT ; CONTRAST ; FLOWERS ; HUMOR ; INSULT ; METER: IAMBS ; METER: TROCHEES ; QUATRAINS ; SARCASM ; STUPIDITY ; SURPRISE ENDING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
JACK HAGGERTY
MY NAME IS JACK HAGGERTY, FROM GREENVILLE I CAME.
MY VIRTUE'S DEPARTED, AT LAST I PROCLAIM.
THE STRONG DARTS OF CUPID HAVE CAUSED ME MUCH GRIEF.
MY HEART'S TORN ASUNDER, I GET NO RELIEF. MM MM
MY STORY I'LL TELL YOU WITHOUT NO DELAY,
HOW A SWEET LITTLE LASSIE, MY HEART STOLE AWAY.
SHE WAS THE BLACKSMITH'S OWN DAUGHTER, ON THE FLAT RIVER SIDE
AND I ALWAYS INTENDED TO MAKE HER MY BRIDE. MM MM
I WORKED ON THE RIVER, I EARNED QUITE A STEAK.
I WAS STEADFAST AND STEADY, I NE'ER PLAYED THE RAKE.
FROM TOP BAR TO HOUSE TOP, I WAS VERY WELL KNOWN.
THEY CALLED ME JACK HAGGERTY, THE PRIDE OF THE TOWN. MM MM
ONE DAY ON THE RIVER, A LETTER I RECEIVED.
IT CAME FROM MY TRUE LOVE, FROM ME SHE WAS RELIEVED.
SHE'D MARRIED AN OLD LOVE, SHE HAD LONG TIME DELAYED
AND THE NEXT TIME I'D SEE HER, SHE'D NOT BE A MAID. MM MM
TO HER MOTHER JANE TUCKER, I LAY ALL THE BLAME.
SHE CAUSED HER TO FORSAKE ME, GO BACK ON MY NAME.
SHE CAST OFF THE LOGGER, THAT GOD WOULD SOON TIE
AND LEFT ME A WANDERER TO THE DAY THAT I DIE. MM MM
SO ITS FAREWELL FLAT RIVER, FOR ME THERE'S NO REST.
I'LL SHOULDER MY PEEVE, AND I WILL GO WEST.
I'LL GO TO MUSKEGON, SOME COMFORT TO FIND
AND I'LL LEAVE THIS FLAT RIVER AND ITS GAY GIRLS BEHIND. MM MM
COME ALL YOU BOLD RAFTMEN, WITH HEARTS KIND AND TRUE.
DON'T DEPEND ON A WOMAN, YOU'LL GET LEFT IF YOU DO.
BUT IF YOU EVER MEET ONE WITH DARK CHESTNUT CURL,
JUST REMEMBER JACK HAGGERTY AND THE FLAT RIVER GIRL. MM MM
THE SONG JACK HAGGERTY WAS ABOUT A YOUNG MAN FROM OVER BY
THE GREENVILLE AND GRAND RAPIDS AREA. HIS GIRL, THAT HE
THOUGHT HE WAS TO MARRY, RAN OFF AND MARRIED ANOTHER. SO
THIS SONG WAS FORMED AS A WARNING TO THE OTHER RIVER BOYS
TO BEWARE OF WHAT THE GIRLS MIGHT DO TO THEM. AT THAT AGE
IN HISTORY, MANY EVENTS AND LORE WERE LEFT BEHIND IN THE
FORM OF SONGS OR POEMS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A VERY POPULAR VERSION OF A VERY POPULAR LUMBER-
JACK BALLAD. THERE ARE ABOUT SIX OTHER VERSIONS OF THIS
SHANTY-BOY BALLAD. IT IS MOST COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE FLAT
RIVER GIRL."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
Keyword(s): LINE 91900 STAKE FOR STEAK ; LINE 94300 RAFTSMEN FOR RAFTMEN
James Callow Keyword(s): LUMBERJACK
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C230 |
Date learned: 00001930S
WHEN A FEMALE IS IN HER CYCLE, SHE SHOULDN'T TOUCH
ANY PLANT OR CROPS BECAUSE IF SHE DOES THEN THEY WILL
DIE. THE REASON FOR THIS IS BECAUSE GOD CURSED WOMEN WITH
THIS CURSE BECAUSE EVE NED AND SO THE CURSE IS SIN
SINFUL AND CAN KILL LIVING PLANTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MENSTRUATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Human Life BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
A MAN WAS SENT TO PRISON FOR SIXTY DAYS WITH THE CONDITION
THAT HE WOULD BE RELEASED AFTER 30 DAYS IF HE COULD STAY
ALIVE THAT LONG WITH NOTHING TO EAT. THE ONLY PERSON
WHO VISITED HIM DURING THAT TIME WAS HIS DAUGHTER.
AFTER 30 DAYS HE APPEARED HEALTHY AND HAPPY BEFORE THE
JUDGE WHO ASKED HIM HOW HE DID IT. THE MAN REPLIED WITH
THIS RIDDLE: I WAS A BABY AND BECAME A MAN AND BECAME
A BABY AGAIN. THE DAUGHTER WHO VISITED HIM IN PRISON
WAS NURSING HER BABY AT THE TIME AND KEPT HER FATHER
ALIVE THE SAME WAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
THERE IS ROOM FOR MY NAME IN YOUR ALBUM,
THERE IS ROOM FOR MY NAME IN YOUR HEART,
THERE IS ROOM FOR US BOTH IN HEAVEN,
WHERE WE MAY NEVER PART.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): INCREMENTAL REPETITION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Pious reflection |
Date learned: 00001890S
IF A GIRL HAS BEEN BAD TO HER PARENTS OR HAS TRIED TO HIT
THEM, HER HAND WILL COME OUT OF HER GRAVE UNTIL IT IS SLAPPED
DOWN.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HER BOYFRIEND. HIS
GRANDMOTHER TOLD HIM THIS STORY WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE BOY.
SHE SAID THAT IT COULD ONLY HAPPEN TO GIRLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; JUSTICE ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Gesture |
GHOST STORY
"A LITTLE BOY GOT KILLED BY A TRAIN WHEN HE WAS PLAYING
ON SOME RAILROAD TRACKS. HE HAD BEEN TOLD NOT TO PLAY
ON THE TRACKS. THE TRAIN HIT HIM REAL HARD AND PULLED HIM
FOR A REAL LONG WAY. THE TRAIN CUT HIS BODY UP INTO
HUNDREDS OF PIECES. HIS MOM AND DAD WENT UP AND DOWN THE
TRACKS PICKING UP HIS BODY PARTS. IF YOU LISTEN AT NIGHT
AT THE TIME THE BOY WAS KILLED, YOU CAN HEAR HIM CALLING
TO HIS MOM AND DAD. HE SAYS,'MOMMY, HERE'S A PIECE OF ME.
AND HERE'S ANOTHER PIECE OF ME.'"
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SHAMOKIN
Keyword(s): DISOBEYED PARENTS
James Callow Keyword(s): DISMEMBERMENT BY MISFORTUNATE ACCIDENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00001934CA
Entry filtered.
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, MY FAMILY VISITED MY
COUSINS IN ILLINOIS ON A YEARLY BASIS.
EVERY TIME I STAYED WITH MY GRANDFATHER I ALWAYS
NOTICED THAT HE HAD A COPPER BRACLET ON.
AFTER YEARS OF QUESTIONING HIM AND GETTING NO
RESPONSE HE FINALLY TOLD ME IT WAS TO
KEEP THE ARTHRITIS DEVIL AWAY.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER WORKED ON A FARM ALL OF HIS LIFE
AND TO THIS DAY HE DOES NOT HAVE ARTHRITIS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; TAYLOR
Keyword(s): AILMENT ; Arthritis ; Bracelet ; Copper ; CURE ; Homeopathy ; PREVENTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001970CA
LUMINARIES
ON CHRISTMAS EVE THE STREET LIGHTS IN MY SUBDIVISION
ARE NOT LIT. ALL OF THE RESIDENTS PLACE A LUMINARY
CANDLE IN A PAPER BAG AND SET THE BAG, WITH THE
CANDLE LIT, ALONGSIDE THE CURB.
Submitter comment:
WE HAVE BEEN PARTICIPATING IN THIS RITUAL FOR
AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY
James Callow Keyword(s): LUMENS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 00-00-1978
MY MOTHER WAS A BAKER, A BAKER, A BAKER.
MY MOTHER WAS A BAKER AND THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID UMM, UMM.
MY FATHER WAS A GARBAGE MAN, A GARBAGE MAN, A GARBAGE MAN.
MY FATHER WAS A GARBAGE MAN AND THIS IS WHAT HE SAID UMM, UMM,
P-U.
MY SISTER WAS A MOVIE STAR, A MOVIE STAR, A MOVIE STAR.
MY SISTER WAS A MOVIE STAR AND THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID UMM, UMM,
P-U, CURLY WHIRLY, WHOOP-D-DO.
MY BROTHER WAS A COWBOY, A COWBOY, A COWBOY.
MY BROTHER WAS A COWBOY AND THIS IS WHAT HE SAID UMM, UMM, P-U,
CURLY WHIRLY, WHOOP-D-DO, BANG, BANG, YOU'RE DEAD FIFTY BULLETS
IN THE HEAD.
MY GRANDFATHER WAS A TAILOR, A TAILOR, A TAILOR.
MY GRANDFATHER WAS A TAILOR AND THIS IS WHAT HE SAID UMM, UMM, P-U,
CURLY WHIRLY, WHOOP-D-DO, BANG, BANG, YOU'RE DEAD FIFTY BULLETS IN
THE HEAD, OUCH.
Submitter comment: YOU PINCH THE PERSON YOU ARE TELLING THIS TO WHEN YOU SAY OUCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Flint
James Callow Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE ; INCREMENTAL REPETITION
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 00-00-1978 ; 11-00-1987
NEVER TAKE A TUB BATH OR WASH YOUR HAIR DURING YOUR
MENSTRUAL PERIOD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER TOLD HER THIS, INFORMANT IS
NOT SURE OF THE SIGNIFICANCE, BUT ALL HER FRIENDS
WERE TOLD THE SAME THING FROM THEIR MOTHERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CURSE ; MENSTRUATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00-00-1945
RIDDLE
WHAT DO WEEDS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE IN COMMON?
IF YOU GIVE THEM AN INCH THEY WILL TAKE A YARD.
Where learned: NEW YORK CITY ; NEW YORK
James Callow Keyword(s): GREED ; MEASUREMENT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 05-00-1990
Entry filtered.
SILVER JACK
HE WAS JOHN DRISCOLL, FRIENDS--AND BEST KEEP A CIVIL
TONGUE IN YOUR HEAD AND BE SPARING WITH THE LINGERING
LOOK, IF YOU WERE IN HIS WHEREABOUTS WHEN THE SAGINAW
VALLEY WAS STREWN WITH THE SAWDUST AND GAUDY LEGENDS OF
LUMBERJACKS AND RIVERMEN.
HE WAS THE REDOUBTABLE "SILVER JACK" DRISCOLL. THEY SAID
HE COULD BEND A RAILROAD SPIKE BARE-HANDED - THAT HE
COULD BOOST A BARREL OF SALT UP OVER HIS HEAD AND HOLD
IT THERE WHILE DRINKING A PINT OF WHISKEY HELD BETWEEN
CLENCHED TEETH.
THEY SAID YOU NEVER SAW A BIG MAN SO CAT-QUICK -- WHETHER
WHIRLING HIS BIG, HARD FISTS IN A SALOON BRAWL, OR
KNUCKLED TIGHTLY ABOUT THE HANDLE OF A TWO-BITTED AXE
MEASURING A FOREST PINE.
THEY SAID SILVER JACK WAS A KIND OF ROUGHSHOD, LUMBER
DAY ROBIN HOOD WHO CUDGELED TORMENTORS OF THE WEAK.
THEY SAID HE WAS A SAVAGE VARLET AND BULLY WHO LIKED
TO WATCH BLOOD SPURT AFTER HIS FIST STRUCK.
THEY SAID MANY THINGS OF SILVER JACK DRISCOLL, MOST
CONTROVERSIAL LUMBERJACK AND RIVERMAN OF HIS TIME.
HE PLIED THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF THE MICHIGAN
PINELANDS AND LOG STREAMS. THERE IS A RECORD OF HIM
IN MINNESOTA AND CANADA. BUT IT WAS IN THE SAGINAW
VALLEY THAT DRISCOLL ENDURED LASTING FAME -- CALL
IT NOTORIETY IF YOU WILL.
SOME SAID HE WAS CALLED SILVER JACK BECAUSE OF
PREMATURELY WHITE HAIR. OTHERS SAID HIS WAS FLAXEN-
WHITE. THERE ARE SEVERAL OLD-FASHIONED "TINTYPE"
PHOTOGRAPHS WHICH SHOW HIM A WITH CAREFULLY POMADED
MANE OF BLACK HAIR.
OLDTIME LOGGERS -- LONG DEPARTED FROM THIS VALE OF
NEON LIGHTS AND CHROME-PLATED GADGETS OF MODERN LIVING
ONCE TALKED OF THE SIGHT IT WAS TO SEE SILVER JACK
SWINGING DOWN THE CHALK-COVERED BOARDWALKS OF EAST
SAGINAW (NOW THE EAST SIDE) AND SAGINAW CITY (NOW
THE WEST SIDE).
THEY SAID NEVER WAS SUCH A ONE AS SILVER JACK TO
"BLOW HER IN" WITH A FAT WINTER'S PAYCHECK, AFTER
THE LOGS HAD BEEN DRIVEN DOWN THE RIVER OVER
FRESHET-SWOLLEN TRIBUTARIES OF THE SAGINAW.
OTHERS CLAIMED JACK DRISCOLL WAS GOADED INTO MOST
OF HIS MANY FISTIC INTERLUDES -- THAT HE HAD, IN
THE LUMBER ERA, THE EQUIVALENT OF A WILD WEST
TWO-GUN REPUTATION SOMEBODY ALWAYS WANTED TO TEST.
SOME VOWED HE WAS MUCH MISUNDERSTOOD AND MALIGNED -
A CHAP AN EARNEST PREACHER MIGHT HAVE FASHIONED INTO
AT LEAST A PROPER DEACON IN A DESERVING PARISH.
BUT HISTORY RECORDS THAT DRISCOLL, AN ACKNOWLEDGED
SOMETIME VISITOR IN LOCAL VILLAGE "POKEYS" IN THE
MICHIGAN PINELANDS, ALSO SERVED FIVE YEARS'
IMPRISONMENT IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN PRISON. HE
WAS SENTENCED BY SAGINAW COUNTY CIRCUIT JUDGE
DEWITT GAGE ON A CHARGE OF ARMED ROBBERY. ADMIRERS
SAID HE WAS FRAMED. THE LAW SAID OTHERWISE.
SILVER JACK DRISCOLL DIED APRIL 1, 1895, IN A
HOTEL IN L'ANSE, MICHIGAN.
WHATEVER HIS EPITAPH, IT COULD HARDLY BE ADEQUATE,
SAINT OR SCALAWAG. HISTORIANS AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL,
ARE NOT AGREED EVEN TODAY.
Submitter comment:
I AM NOT SURE WHO WROTE THIS STORY BUT IT DID COME
FROM THE FIRST ANNUAL TIMBER TOWN FESTIVAL
MAGAZINE AROUND 1950.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): LUMBERJACKS ; SAGINAW VALLEY LOGGING
James Callow Keyword(s): STRONG MEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Wart Remedies
Take a piece of string and tie a knot in it for each wart
that you have. Dig a hole, and bury the string.
When the string rots, your warts will be gone.
Count the number of warts you have, and write the number
in chalk on the inside of the oven door. When the number
fades, your warts will be gone.
Submitter comment:
When I was twelve I had warts all over my hands and I was
really upset about them. My mother told me these remedies,
told to her by her mother.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HEMLOCK
James Callow Keyword(s): Divestment
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00-00-1982
I'm bringing home a baby bumble bee.
Won't my mommy be so proud of me
For bringing home a baby bumble bee, OUCH HE BIT ME!!!!!
I'm mashing up my baby bumble bee.
Won't my mommy be so proud of me
For mashing up my baby bumble bee, Ugh, what a mess!!
I'm licking up my baby bumble bee.
Won't my mommy be so proud of me
For licking up my baby bumble bee, Ohh, I feel sick!!!
I'm puking up my baby bumble bee.
Won't my mommy be so proud of me
For puking up my baby bumble bee, Eew, what a mess!!
I'm mopping up my baby bumble bee.
Won't my mommy be so proud of me
For mopping up my baby bumble bee, there all clean.
I'm bringing home a baby dinosaur.
Won't my mommy hide behind the door.
I'm bringing home a baby dinosaur, OOPS, HE ATE ME!!!
Submitter comment:
This song is done with lots of hand motions and
pretend gestures.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HEMLOCK
James Callow Keyword(s): INCREMENTAL REPETITION ; REFRAIN ; Teller killed in his own story.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00001970S
It was said if you wore two hats you were going to get a double
whooping.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVER ROUGE
James Callow Keyword(s): Punishment -- beating
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Head |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
There was a man who set off to give away some beautiful
horses and roosters to the man of the household. He put the
horses in the bottom of his truck and the roosters on the top.
He drove up to one house, saw some children and began to ask who
was the man of the house. A man came out and said in a harsh
voice, "What the hell do you want to know who the man of the
house is. Can't you see I'm wearing the overalls? So now you
know I'm the man of this house." The man with the horse and
roosters told him, "You don't have to get all upset, I just want
to know who the man of the house is because I have something to
give him totally free."
He had the man of the house look at what he had brought and told
him he could have any of the horses in the truck if he was the
man of the house. The man looked and looked but all of the
horses were too beautiful to pick from so he turned around and
called his wife to come help pick. The man carrying the gifts
ask, "Why do you need to call for your wife if you are the man of
the house and since you can't pick for yourself, you just take
one of those roosters from up top."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PETTICOAT GOVERNMENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote PROSE NARRATIVE -- Married couple |