Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE DRESS.
A GIRL, PRESUMABLY A RELATIVE OF A FRIEND OR CLASSMATE, BOUGHT A
DRESS FOR A HIGH SCHOOL PROM. WHILE WEARING THE DRESS, SHE BECAME
VIOLENTLY ILL AND DIED LATER AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL. UPON INVESTIGATION
IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE DRESS HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED
FROM THE STORE AND RETURNED. THE FIRST " OWNER " WAS A GIRL OF
THE SAME AGE WHO WORE THE DRESS TO BE LAID OUT BEFORE HER FUNERAL
IT WAS THE EMBALMING FLUID WHICH CAUSED THE SECOND OWNER'S DEATH.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): FATAL DRESS. ; THE POISONED DRESS. TY Z551 IN BAUGHMAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: CA00001965
AUTOGRAPH
IT'S THE SONGS YOU SING AND THE SMILES YOU WEAR,
THAT PUT THE SUNSHINE EVERYWHERE.
Data entry tech comment:
PUNCTUATION ADDED BY KEYPUNCHER
LINE DIVISION CHANGED BY KEYPUNCHER
Where learned: ALASKA
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; COUPLET ; OBSERVATION ; SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Good wishes (sincere) |
Date learned: 06-25-1947
GOOD, BETTER, BEST,
I WILL NEVER REST,
UNTIL THE GOOD IS BETTER,
AND THE BETTER, BEST.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS IN FIFTH GRADE AT ST.
MICHAEL'S SCHOOL IN SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN. SHE RECITED IT, ALONG WIT
OTHER SAYINGS, EVERY DAY BEFORE HER MATH CLASS. THE TEACHER'S NAME
WAS SISTER CONRADIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): AMBITION ; ASSONANCE ; FINAL ITERATION ; RHYME:AABA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
SMART VINCENT
IT IS TOLD THAT THERE IN A CITY OR TOWN, THERE ALWAYS COMES
ALONG A SMART YOUNG MAN AS OFTEN AS A GOOD FARM HAND. BUT OUT IN
THE FARM VILLAGES THERE ALSO COMES ALONG A SMART BOY-WITH A ROUND
HEAD.
IN ONE PARISH THERE WAS A BOY NAMED VINCENT, (WHO) FROM BIRTH WAS
VERY SMART. HIS PARENTS WERE POOR, SO THERE WAS NO MONEY TO SEND
HIM TO SCHOOL WITH. WHEN HE TURNED TWELVE, HIS FATHER GAVE HIM TO A
RICH MAN AS HIS MESSENGER. BEING WITH THE MAN, VINCENT LEARNED HOW
TO WRITE. IN THE FARMS, THE CHILDREN OFTEN GET OUT OF HAND, BECAUSE
THERE IS NO ONE TO LOOK AFTER THEM; BUT VINCENT DIDN'T, HE WAS
FAITHFUL TO HIS MASTER AND DIDN'T OVERLOOK THE SMALLEST THING.
AFTER HE GREW AWHILE, HIS MASTER RAISED HIM TO A HIGHER POSITION,
DRESSED HIM IN THE BEST CLOTHES, PAID HIM A GOOD SALARY AND TOOK HIM
EVERYWHERE WITH HIM. VINCENT DECIDED THAT OUR PEOPLE ARE MUCH TOO
TALKATIVE, THEY TELL EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE-TO THOSE NECESSARY AND T
THOSE NOT NECESSARY. THAT'S WHY HE DECIDED THAT HE WILL NOT TELL
ANYTHING TO ANYONE WITHOUT LYING.
ONE TIME THEY WENT TO VILNIUS. THE MASTER WENT TO THE TOWN AND
VINCENT STAYED ON AT THE HOTEL. AFTER AN HOUR, A STRANGE MAN CAME U
TO HIM AND STARTED TALKING:
"I READ YOUR MASTER'S PASSPORT AND I KNOW THAT HE CAME FROM THE
NORTHERN COUNTRY: TELL ME, WHAT'S NEW UP THERE BY YOU?"
"WHILE LEAVING THE RIVERFRONT, WE HEARD THE CHURCH BELLS CHIMING.
MAYBE SOMEBODY DIED," ANSWERED VINCENT.
"BUT THAT ISN'T WHAT I ASKED," SAID THE MAN. "I WANT TO KNOW
WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE SAYING."
"THE PEOPLE AND PRIESTS SAY PRAYERS EVERY MORNING AND EVENING."
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ME. I HEARD THAT THE PEOPLE ROSE UP."
"TRUE, TRUE," ANSWERED VINCENT. "AS SOON AS DAWN COMES AROUND,
EVERYONE RISES."
"AND WHAT DO THE RISEN WORK?"
"OH, ANYTHING THAT THEIR MASTERS TELL THEM TO: ONE GOES OUT TO
PLOW, ANOTHER TO HERD THE SHEEP AND SO ON."
"WHAT KIND OF PERSON ARE YOU}? I'M ASKING YOU IF THERE IS ANY
FIGHTING BY YOU?}"
"WELL, WHILE BEING IN SAULIAI, A MAN DID GET INTO A FIGHT WITH A
JEW, BUT THE AUTHORITIES SEPARATED THEM."
"YOU'RE RATTLING NONSENSE. I WANT TO KNOW ISN'T THERE A WAR AT
YOUR PLACE?"
"THERE IS, THERE IS," ANSWERED VINCENT.
"AH, THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW} WHERE AND WHO IS FIGHTING."
"MY MASTER'S BARNYARD, THERE IS AN OLD ROOSTER, WHO IS ALWAYS
FOREVER FIGHTING WITH THE TURKEY. I WONDER WHO IS GOING TO DO THE
OTHER IN?" ANSWERED VINCENT.
"I SEE THAT I WON'T BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND YOU." SAID THE GUEST.
"TELL ME, WHAT IS YOUR MASTER PLANNING TO DO?"
"OH, HE'S PLANNING TO GO HOME TOMORROW."
"TELL ME, ARE THE MASTERS AND NOBLEMEN GETTING RUFFLED AGAINST
THE GOVERNMENT?"
"SOMETIMES THEY GET RUFFLED," ANSWERED VINCENT. "MY MASTER,
GOING FOR THE GOVERNMENT, IS COMBING HIS HEAD, BUT RUFFLING HIS HAIR
ESPECIALLY HIS FOREHEAD HAIRS."
"MAY YOU BURN WITH YOUR WAY OF TALKING}" SAID THE ANGERED GUEST.
"THE DAMNED NORTHERNERS: COULDN'T FIND OUT ANYTHING FROM HIM." HAVIN
SAID THAT, HE LEFT.
AFTER THE GUEST LEFT, THE MASTER SOON CAME HOME, AND FINDING THE
DOOR UNLOCKED, SAID:
"WHY DIDN'T YOU LOCK UP, BECAUSE THIS IS THE CITY. SOMEONE
COULD ROB YOU. MAYBE SOMEONE WAS HERE?"
"THERE WAS SOME FAT-CHICK WITH RED HAIR AND DUMPY NOSE,"
ANSWERED VINCENT.
"OH DEAR, PRAY TELL ME WHAT HE ASKED AND WHAT YOU TOLD HIM}"
VINCENT TOLD HIS MASTER ABOUT HIS TALK WITH THE STRANGER. HIS
MASTER, HEARING THIS, TOOK HIM AND HELD HIM TO HIS HEART.
"YOU'RE NOT MY SERVANT, BUT MY SON. DO YOU KNOW, THAT THAT WAS
THIS CITY'S FIRST MAIN THEIF? IF YOU WOULD'VE ANSWERED HIM
DIFFERENTLY, HE WOULD HAVE ROBBED ME AND MANY MORE}"
OUR PEOPLE TELL TOO MUCH TO THE WRONG PEOPLE, ANYTHING THAT COMES
INTO THEIR HEADS. THIS STORY TEACHES US NOT TO OPEN OUR HEARTS FULL
TO ANYONE.
Submitter comment:
SAULIAI-- A FARM CITY IN NORTHERN LITHUANIA.
TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN BY RAMUNE STONYS.
Where learned: DISCUSSION
Keyword(s): PRODIGAL SON BIBLE SERVANT GOSSIP FAITHFULNESS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
STRAIGHT DOUBLE TALK PROVERB
IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN DON'T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN.
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): CIRCULAR REASONING ; ROUND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
MARCH
IF MARCH COMES IN LIKE A LION, IT GOES OUT LIKE A LAMB.
Keyword(s): ANIMAL COMPARISON ; CONTRAST. ; WEATHER.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Month PROVERB -- Weather Proverb |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
MARCH
IF MARCH COMES IN LIKE A LION IT GOES OUT LIKE A LAMB.
IF MARCH COMES IN LIKE A LAMB IT GOES OUT LIKE A LION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): ANIMAL COMPARISON ; CONTRAST. ; WEATHER.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Month PROVERB -- Weather Proverb |
BED
IF YOU MAKE YOUR BED HARD, LAY IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PERSONAL ADVICE FURNITURE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-12-1972
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO FIND TROUBLE, COMPLAIN FOR NOTHING AND THAT
WILL MAKE TROUBLE AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER, NELLY CARPE SAID THIS WHEN INFORMANT WAS A CHILD
INFORMANT CLAIMED HER GRANDMOTHER ALSO SAID THIS TO HER MOTHER,
NELLY CARPE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE
James Callow Keyword(s): CIRCULAR REASONING
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
PROVERBIAL SAYING
LAY DOWN WITH THE DOGS AND GET UP WITH THE FLEAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): ANIMAL COMPARISON ; COMPANIONS ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 01-20-1971
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
INNOCENCE IS ITS OWN DEFENCE ( DEFENSE ).
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ASSONANCE ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
INSIDE INFORMATION HELPS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ASSONANCE ; OBSERVATION
James Callow Keyword(s): USEFULNESS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
AFRICAN PROVERB
AN INTELLIGENT ENEMY IS BETTER THAN A STUPID FRIEND.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WEST SENECA
Keyword(s): ASSONANCE ; CONTRAST ; OBSERVATION
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTITHESIS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
POLISH PROVERB
IN THE OLD STOVE, THE DEVIL IS BURNING.
TRANSLATION OF
W STARYM PIECU DIABEL PALI. (POLISH)
Submitter comment:
THE CONTEXT IS INTERESTING. IT IS GENERALLY APPLIED TO AN OLDER MAN
WHO SHOWS INTEREST IN A YOUNGER GIRL OR GIRLS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ASSONANCE ; OBSERVATION
James Callow Keyword(s): OLD AGE DOES NOT RULE OUT AMOROUS INCLINATIONS. ; SYMBOL: FIERY DEVIL FOR SEXUAL INTEREST
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
THE BROLGA
THE BROLGA OR AUSTRALIAN CRANE
HOLDS DANCING ORGIES ON THE PLAIN;
AND STUDENTS OF THE RUSSIAN BALLET
HAVE CREPT IN CROWDS ACROSS THE MALLEE
FAR BEYOND THE DESERT GRASSES
TO WHERE THE BROLGA HOLDS ITS CLASSES;
AND MANY A MOTIF FOR THE LEG
HAS EMANATED FROM AN EGG.
BUT CERTAIN PURISTS DO NOT CARE
FOR SUCH TECHNIQUE AND PRUDES DECLARE
SPECIFIC MOVEMENTS OF THE BROLGA
UNACADEMIC, IF NOT VOLGA.
Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ASSONANCE ; DANCE ; HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; PRONUNCIATION ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.444 |
CLASS MOTTO
IF YOU WANT TO KILL TIME, WORK IT TO DEATH.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ADVICE ; PERSONIFICATION ; SWIFTIES?
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1957
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY YULE,
TAKE A FRIEND AND GO TO SHULE.
Submitter comment:
YULE IS AT CHRISTMAS TIME, AND SHULE IS A JEWISH HOUSE
OF WORSHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
Keyword(s): HOLIDAYS ; MOCK EPIC ; PARODY OF SONG ; RELIGIOUS ; RELIGIOUS OR PIOUS MOCK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.642 |
Date learned: 10-03-1971