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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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HOW DOES THE BIG MOUNTAIN CALL HIS SON? (HE YELLS, "HEY CLIFF")

Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON FIRST NAME

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 00-00-1972

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WHAT DID THE RIGHT EYE SAY TO THE LEFT EYE? (THERE'S SOMETHING
BETWEEN US THAT SMELLS.)

Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): NOSE ; PUN ON SMELLS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 00-00-1972

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Entertainment: Game

TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR
GO UPSTAIRS/ TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR SAY YOUR PRAYERS/ TEDDY BEAR,
TEDDY BEAR TURN OFF THE LIGHT/ TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR SPELL
GOODNIGHT/ G-O-O-D-N-I-G-H-T/ ROPE IS SKIPPED ONCE FOR EACH LETTER
RECITED.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD - 02-22-2011

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON

Keyword(s): Diversion ; GAME ; Jump Rope ; Play ; RHYME ; Stairs ; Teddy Bear ; VERSE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: 10-30-1972

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LOCK THE DOOR AND THROW AWAY THE KEY

THE INFORMANT WITNESSED THE FOLLOWING IN A KINDERGARTEN CLASS. THE
GESTURE WAS MADE BY THE TEACHER. THE MEANING WAS FOR THE CHILDREN TO
BE QUIET. IN GESTURE FORM THE TEACHER MADE BELIEVE HER MOUTH WAS A
LOCK AND IN HER HAND A KEY. SHE PUT HER HAND UP IN FRONT OF HER
MOUTH AND MADE BELIEVE SHE WAS LOCKING THE DOOR. SHE THEN THROWS THE
MAKE BELIEVE KEY AWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON

James Callow Keyword(s): PANTOMIME

Subject headings: Shadow / Pantomime
SPEECH -- Gesture
SPEECH -- To Be Seen

Date learned: 10-30-1972

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PLANTING CUSTOM

IT IS A CUSTOM IN ITALY FOR GARDENERS WANTING TALL, LEAFY VEGETABLES
TO PLANT THEM AT NIGHT WHEN THE MOON IS FULL. IF WISHING ROOTED
VEGETABLES, YOU PLANT THEM AT HALF MOON.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM AN ITALIAN FRIEND WHO STILL CARRIES ON
THIS CUSTOM TODAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F476
BELIEF -- Moon

Date learned: 09-25-1972

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BIRTH

WHEN AN EXPECTANT MOTHER IS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENED BY SOMEONE DRESSED
IN A FRIGHTENING COSTUME, THE BABY WOULD BE BORN IN RESEMBLANCE OF
THE COSTUME.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AND DOES NOT HOLD IT TO BE
TRUE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: 09-25-1972

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IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES, SOMEONE IS COMING WITH HOLES IN THEIR
BRITCHES.

Submitter comment: MRS. HAMPTON CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE SHE GOT IT FROM BUT SHE'S
KNOWN IT A LONG TIME. JUST SOMETHING SAID WHEN YOUR NOSE ITCHES.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): RHYME

Subject headings: Spirit / Mind / Body
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 10-07-1972

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FOR GOOD LUCK FOR A YEAR, A GOOD LUCKING PERSON, MAN OR WOMAN
1MUST RING THE DOORBELL ON NEW YEARS EVE OR DAY.

Submitter comment: I KNOW OF MANY FAMILIES BESIDES THE LOCKHARTS WHO BELIEVE IN THIS

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): GOOD LOOKING? HANDSOME?

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42

Date learned: 01-01-1972

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TO CURE CHICKEN POX, AFTER DARK GO TO THE CHICKEN HOUSE, LAY DOWN
AND LET A BLACK HEN FLY OVER YOU.

Submitter comment: MRS. HAMPTON WAS TOLD THIS SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT DID NOT BELIEVE
IT.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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VERSE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

BEANS, BEANS, THE MUSICAL FRUIT, THE MORE YOU EAT THE MORE YOU TOOT,
THE MORE YOU TOOT, THE BETTER YOU FEEL, SO EAT BEANS AT EVERY MEAL.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM: TOOT FOR FART ; RHYME: AABB ; SCATALOGICAL

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse

Date learned: 09-20-1972

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RETORT

WHEN SOMEONE HAS CALLED YOU A DIRTY OR A NASTY NAME, YOU ARE TO
RETORT WITH "I KNOW YOU ARE BUT WHAT AM I?"

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT, MY YOUNGER SISTER, SAYS THIS IS A VERY GOOD WAY TO
KEEP BIG MOUTHS AWAY BECAUSE THIS RETORT HAS A CIRCULAR MOTION
TO IT, AND YOU COULD KEEP SAYING IT ALL DAY.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): METONYMY: BIG MOUTH FOR OFFENSIVE TALKER ; SLANG: BIG MOUTH FOR OFFENSIVE TALKER

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 09-20-1972

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VERSE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

THE NIGHT WAS DARK, THE SKY WAS BLUE, AROUND THE CORNER A WAGON FLEW.
A SHOT WAS FIRED, A SCREAM WAS HEARD, AND A MAN WAS HIT BY A FLYING TURD.

Submitter comment:

THIS VERSE IS CURRENTLY GOING AROUND CLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): RHYME: AABB ; SCATALOGICAL

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture

Date learned: 09-20-72

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VERSE

FATHER MOSES KILLED A SKUNK, MOTHER MOSES COOKED THE SKUNK,
BABY MOSES ATE THE SKUNK, HOLY MOSES! HOW THEY STUNK!

Submitter comment: THIS ENTRY INTO THE INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK WAS SIGNED BY CONNIE
KEYSE.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): FINAL ITERATION ; RHYME: AAAA

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse

Date learned: 06-09-1944

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Entry filtered.

VERSE

OF ALL THE BIRDS ON BELLE ISLE, I'D RATHER BE A DUCK,
SO I COULD SWIM UP AND DOWN AND WATCH THE PEOPLE PICNIC.

Submitter comment: SIGNED "YOUR DREAM BOY, RONNIE" IN THE INFORMANT'S 1944 AUTOGRAPH
BOOK.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM ; LOCALIZATION ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 06-09-1944

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VERSE

WHEN YOU SEE A MONKEY IN A TREE, PULL ITS TAIL AND THINK OF ME.

Submitter comment: THIS VERSE WAS TAKEN FROM THE INFORMANT'S EIGHTH GRADE AUTOGRAPH BOOK
FROM NICHOLS SCHOOL IN DETROIT IN JUNE, 1944.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; RHYME: AA

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse

Date learned: 06-09-1944

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VERSE

WHEN YOU ARE MARRIED AND ARE DOING THE DISHES, THINK OF ME AND
MY GOOD WISHES.

Submitter comment: "VIRGINIA VERBEKE" IS THE NAME SIGNED UNDER THIS ENTRY IN THE
INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): MARRIAGE ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse

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VERSE

WHEN YOU ARE OLD AND OUT OF SHAPE. REMEMBER CORSETS...$4.98.

Submitter comment: "DOLLY HALSIG" IS THE NAME SIGNED UNDER THIS ENTRY
ON THE INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): OLD AGE ; RHYME: AA

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse

Date learned: 06-09-1944

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VERSE

WHEN YOU ARE STANDING ON A STUMP, THINK OF ME BEFORE YOU JUMP.

Submitter comment: THIS PIECE OF ADVICE WAS FOUND IN THE INFORMANT'S 8TH GRADE AUTOGRAPH
{BOOK}

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): RHYME: AA

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse

Date learned: 06-09-1944

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VERSE

YOUR HEART IS NOT A PLAYGROUND,
YOUR HEART IS NOT A TOY,
BUT IF YOU WANT IT BROKEN,
JUST GIVE IT TO A BOY.
WANT IT BROKEN, JUST GIVE IT TO A BOY.

Submitter comment: THIS VERSE WAS TAKEN FROM AN AUTOGRAPH BOOK BELONGING TO THE
INFORMANT,
WHO IS MY MOTHER. THIS SAME VERSE WAS FOUND THREE TIMES IN THE
BOOK, SO IT MUST HAVE BEEN A POPULAR VERSE WITH THE EIGHTH GRADE
AT NICHOLS SCHOOL IN DETROIT, JUNE 1944.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): RHYME: ABCB ; SEXISM

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse

Date learned: 06-09-1944

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"EVERY DAY WE WOULD WALK DOWNTOWN TO TIEDKIES(IN TOLEDO, OHIO)
AND MEET
DAD WHERE WE'D BUY THE GROCERIES, LOOK AT THE ORGAN IN THE STORE, GO
THROUGH THE COFFEE DEPARTMENT AND SMELL ALL THE DIFFERENT SMELLS, AND
WATCH THE MAN PLAY THAT OLD ORGAN. PEOPLE WOULD NEVER THINK OF
WALKING THAT FAR NOW."

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SINCE BURNED DOWN. ; TIEDKIES WAS A DEPARTMENT & GROCERY STORE. IT HAS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion

Date learned: 11-05-1972

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