Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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MULE IN THE BARNYARD TIRED AND SICK
BOY WITH A PIN ON THE END OF A STICK
BOY JABS MULE, MULE GIVES A LURCH
SERVICES MONDAY AT THE CORNER CHURCH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THIS IS A FAVORITE POEM RIDDLE OF HIS MOTHER'S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT FRANCIS CLUB
Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS ; INDIRECTION EUPHEMISM ; MISTREATMENT OF ANIMALS, PUNISHMENT FOR ; POETIC VUSTICE ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 03-20-1972
LYRICAL VERSE- CHILDREN'S RHYME:
SPRING, SPRING, SPRING
THE BIRD IS ON THE WING.
ABSURD, ABSURD, ABSURD
THE WING IS ON THE BIRD.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL
Keyword(s): ITERATION ; RHYME: AABB ; SATIRE OF IDIOM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 03-23-1968
CINDERELLA
CINDERELLA, DRESSED IN YELLA',
WENT UPSTAIRS AND KISSED HER FELLA'.
Submitter comment: NOT A JUMP ROPE RHYME
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COLOR OF CLOTHES ; FELLOW YELLOW ; RHYME: AA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
BEWARE OF BOYS WHOSE EYES ARE BLUE,
THEY'LL KISS YOU ONCE AND ASK FOR TWO.
BEWARE OF BOYS WITH EYES OF GREEN,
THEY'LL KISS YOU ONCE AND NEVER BE SEEN.
BEWARE OF BOYS WITH EYES OF BLACK,
THEY'LL KISS YOU ONCE AND NEVER COME BACK.
YOU WILL KNOW ALL KINDS OF JOYS,
IF YOU WILL ONLY BEWARE OF BOYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ADVICE ; COLOR OF EYES AS BASIS OF PERSONALITY TRAITS ; COUPLETS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
A DRIVER'S NIGHT PRAYER
NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP,/ I PARKED MY CAR ACROSS THE STREET.
AND IF IT ROLLS BEFORE I WAKE,/I PRAY THE LORD TO PULL THE BRAKE.
Submitter comment: TAKEN FROM INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK.
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): IMPERFECT RHYME ; QUATRAIN ACCIDENT AUTOMOBILE PARODY OF PRAYER ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR
VERSE (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; CYNICAL INSIGHT (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)
NEEDLES AND PINS,/ NEEDLES AND PINS,/ WHEN YOU GET OLDER,/ YOUR
TROUBLE BEGINS. P.S. DON'T COME TO ME.
Where learned: AUTOGRAPH BOOK
Keyword(s): LOSS OF YOUTH ; REPETITION ; RHYME: AABA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Cynical insight |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
TELL YOUR MOTHER AND FATHER (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; GIRL CHANGING HER NAME (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)
TELL YOUR MOTHER TO HOLD HER TONGUE,/FOR SHE LIKED BOYS WHEN SHE
WAS YOUNG./ TELL YOUR FATHER TO DO THE SAME,/ FOR HE WAS THE ONE
WHO CHANGED HER NAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; AUTOGRAPH BOOK ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CENSURE OF PARENTS ; MARRIAGE ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Girl changing her name |
Date learned: 11-03-1968
CONVERSION; SPIT (CLASSIFIER,S TITLE)
IF SOMEONE SWEEPS YOUR FEET WITH A BROOM
YOU MUST SPIT ON THE BROOM TO KEEP YOU FROM HAVING BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): PREVENTION OF BAD LUCK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions P883.2 |
Date learned: 11-18-1971
KENTUCKY BEAR
THERE WAS A MOTHER AND FATHER IN KENTUCKY WHOSE THREE-YEAR-OLD
DAUGHTER CAME UP MISSING ONE DAY. SHE WAS SEARCHED FOR FOR FOUR DAYS
AND NOT FOUND. ON THE FOURTH DAY A MAN CAME TO HER HOUSE AND TOLD HER
PARENTS THAT HE WOULD SHOW THEM WHERE THEIR DAUGHTER WAS IF THEY
WOULD GIVE HIM A MEAL. THEY FED HIM AND AFTERWARD HE LED THEM INTO
THE WOODS. THE GIRL WAS FOUND NEAR A LOG WHERE A BEAR WAS BRINGING
HER FOOD. THE GIRL SAID THAT THE BEAR HAD BEEN TAKING CARE OF HER AND
FEEDING HER. NOT KNOWING ANY BETTER THE GIRL THOUGHT THE BEAR WAS A
DOG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ;
Keyword(s): DAUGHTER ; MISTAKEN IDENITY (BEAR THOUGHT TO BE A DOG) ; TO GIVE IS TO RECEIVE--STRANGER GIVEN MEAL FOR SHOWING PLACE OF LOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 11-20-1968
THE HATCHET MAN
TWO GIRLS WENT TO THE BEACH FOR THE SUMMER WHERE THEY RENTED A
COTTAGE. PEOPLE AROUND THE AREA WARNED THEM ABOUT THE HATCHET MAN
WHO COMES OUT ON THE BEACH EACH SUMMER AND HAS ALREADY KILLED THREE
PEOPLE THIS SEASON. THE GIRLS FIGURED THEY WOULD BE ALRIGHT IF THEY
LOCKED THE DOORS EACH NIGHT. ONE NIGHT ONE OF THE GIRLS HAD A DATE
AND SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO MEET THE GUY ON THE BEACH. TO BE SAFE, THEY
DECIDED TO WORK OUT A SIGNAL SO THAT THE GIRL LEFT INSIDE THE HOUSE
WOULD KNOW WHEN TO OPEN THE DOOR. LATER ON IN THE EVENING THE
GIRL HEARD SOME NOISES AT ONE OF THE WINDOWS. THEN THE NOISE WENT
AWAY. BUT AFTER A FEW MINTUES SHE HEARD THE NOISE AGAIN, THIS TIME
AT THE FRONT DOOR. SHE HEARD SOMETHING SCRATCHING AT THE DOOR AND
IT KEPT GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. SHE SCREAMED AND TOLD IT TO GO
AWAY. THE SCRATCHING SLOWLY FADED AWAY. AFTER A WHILE THE GIRL FELL
ASLEEP. WHEN SHE AWOKE THE NEXT MORNING SHE OPENED THE DOOR AND FOUND
DEEP SCRATCH MARKS IN IT, BLOOD ON THE PORCH AND HER GIRLDFRIEND,S
PURSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS ; COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): INATTENTION TO WARNINGS-SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT ; MURDER OF GIRL
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
JOHN C. WOBBLESQUAW
HE WAS MY FATHER,S GREAT, GREAT, GRANDFATHER ON HIS MOTHER,S SIDE.
ACCORDING TO THE LEGEND, HE BUILT MACKINAC ISLAND.
HE HAD A GIRLFRIEND ACROSS THE STRAITS, AND HE USED TO LIKE TO SEE
HER, SO HE WOULD SWIM ACROSS THE STRAITS. HE SAW LITTLE WHITE STONES
ON THE LOWER PENINSULA SIDE AND HE USED TO TAKE THEM TO HER.
NOW HE WAS A STRONG FELLOW, BUT HE TIRED WITH ALL THE STONES WHILE
SWIMMING, SO HE USED TO DUMP THEM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STRAITS.
THIS WAS A HOT ROMANCE, BUT HE COULDN,T GET ACROSS THE STRAITS WITH
SOME MORE STONES. THAT,S HOW HE BUILT MACKINAC ISLAND. BECAUSE IF YOU
GO THERE TODAY, YOU CAN SEE THE LITTLE WHITE STONES IN THE SAND.
or something like that.
Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; STONES USED TO MAKE BRIDGE NOW A HISTORIC PATH ; STONES USED TO MAKE BRIDGE OF LOVE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
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
TRICKING SPIES
IN WORLD WAR ONE, WHEN SPIES WHO HAD INFILTRATED INTO ENEMY RANKS
WERE CAPTURED. THEY WERE PUT TO THE TEST. WHEN A GERMAN SPY
WHO CLAIMED TO BE FRENCH WAS CAUGHT, HE WAS ASKED TO REPEAT THE
WORD "GRENOUILLE" (FROG), WHICH SHOULD
SOUND SOMEWHAT LIKE GRRUNWEEAH
BUT A GERMAN WOULD ALWAYS SAY GRUNWEEHKH, MAKING A HARSH GUTTURAL
SOUND. SIMILARLY, WHEN A FRENCH SPY WAS CAUGHT BY THE GERMANS, HE
WAS ASKED TO SAY HATHAWAY BUT A FRENCHMAN COULD ONLY SUCCEED IN
SAYING HASSAWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; SAINT MARYS RECTORY
Keyword(s): PRONUNCIATION OF FOREIGN WORDS REVEALS IDENTITY AND NATIONALITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
TALE
THERE WAS A TEACHER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT WHO WAS REALLY
STRANGE, ONE DAY HE WAS LECTURING ON A PLAY BY SHAKESPEARE, AND
HE STARTED TO READ A CHARACTER IN THE PLAY WHO HAPPENED TO BE WOUNDED
IN THE LEG. THE TEACHER LIMPED AROUND IN FRONT OF THE CLASS, HOLDING
HIS LEG WITH ONE HAND AND GESTURING WILDLY WITH THE OTHER.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SPEECH, THE BELL RANG. THE TEACHER PICKED UP
HIS BRIEF CASE AND LIMPED OUT OF THE ROOM, STILL HOLDING
HIS LEG.
Submitter comment:
INFORNANT HEARD THE STORY FROM A FACULTY MEMBER AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ECCENTRIC ENGLISH PROFESSOR ; FEIGNED LAMENESS CONTINUED ; PSYCHOSOMATIC ILLNESS (LAMENESS)
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR. ; NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
THERE WAS A BELIEF THAT A MOTHER WOULD DIE IF THE EVIL SPIRIT
CAME UPON HER BEFORE SHE WAS ABLE TO BE CHURCHED. MY GRANDFATHER
RECALLED THAT AFTER MY UNCLE JOSEPH WAS BORN THE EVIL SPIRIT
TRIED TO HARM MY GRANDMOTHER. ONE NIGHT, MY GRANDFATHER WAS
AWAKENED BY THE SOUND OF TAPPING AND SOMEONE CALLING FOR MY
GRANDMOTHER. MY GRANDMOTHER DID NOT HEAR IT SO MY GRANDFATHER
WENT TO THE DOOR BUT NO ONE WAS THERE. THE TAPPING AND
CALLING FOR MY GRANDMOTHER OCCURED THREE TIMES. THE THIRD TIME
WHEN HE WENT TO THE DOOR HE CALLED OUT: WHOEVER YOU ARE
SHOW YOUR FACE IF IF YOU ARE GOOD AND BEGONE IF YOU ARE EVIL.
AGAIN, THERE WAS NO ONE AND IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): CHURCHING OF WOMAN ; DEMON SUMMONS WOMAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 01-15-1970
Entry filtered.
CAMPSONG SARAH THE WHALE
IN FRISCO BAY THERE WAS A WHALE, THEY FED HER OYSTERS BY THE PAIL,
BY BATHTUB, BY TEACUP, BY THIMBLE AND BY SCHOONER.
HER NAME WAS SARAH AND WHEN SHE SMILED,
SHE SHOWED HER TEETH FOR MILES AND MILES,
AND TONSILS, AND SPARE RIBS AND THINGS TOO FIERCE TO MENTION.
OH, WHAT YOU DO WITH A WHALE LIKE THAT? OH, WHAT WOULD YOU DO
IF SHE SAT ON YOUR HAT? OR YOUR TOOTHBRUSH, OR YOUR COUNSELOR,
OR ANYTHING'S THAT'S USEFUL LIKE THAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
James Callow Keyword(s): SATIRE OF CAMP COUNSELOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Daily Life Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
POPE JOKE
DID YOU HEAR THAT CARDINAL SICOLA IS IN THE RUNNING FOR POPE?
IF HE WERE CHOSEN THEN WE WOULD HAVE POPE SICOLA
Submitter comment:
A RASH OF JOKES BEGAN IN 1978 RIGHT AROUND THE TIME OF THE
SELECTION OF THE NEW POLISH POPE. THESE JOKES ARE REALLY JUST
STANDARD POLISH JOKES WITH A RELIGIOUS TWIST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MILFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON PEPSI COLA, A SOFT DRINK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
PARODY OF A NURSERY RHYME
MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB...THAT'S WHAT SHE GETS FOR SLEEPING IN THE
BARN.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BESTIALITY SODOMY BUGGERY ; BIRTH OF ANIMAL FROM HUMAN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: CA00001969
PROSE ROUND ; FORMULA TALE
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT. WE WERE ALL SITTING AROUND THE
CAMPFIRE WHEN SUDDENLY UNCLE JOE WALKED UP, AND SOMEONE CALLED OUT
"UNCLE JOE, TELL US A STORY}" AND HE BEGAN: "IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY
NIGHT. WE WERE ALL SITTING AROUND THE CAMPFIRE WHEN SUDDENLY UNCLE
GEORGE WALKED UP, AND SOMEONE CALLED OUT, "UNCLE GEORGE, TELL US A
STORY}" (THIS IS REPEATED, USING A DIFFERENT NAME EACH TIME.)
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN INVOLVING NAMES ; INTERESTING COMBINATION OF ROUND AND CHAIN TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: CA00001968