Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT.
Where learned: OHIO ; Sylvania
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; RETORT ; SYMBOL ; THINK IT OVER
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CART AND HORSE
A PERSON WHO HAD BEEN CARRIED AWAY AND JUMPED
INTO SOMETHING WITHOUT THINKING MIGHT HAVE BEEN SAID TO HAVE
PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; PRECIPITOUS ; REVERSAL ; SYMBOL ; TRANSPORTATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 09-00-1969
HOW TO DETERMINE SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
IF AN EXPECTING MOTHER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT SEX HER CHILD WELL BE SHE
SHOULD HAVE HER FUTURE MID-WIFE AID HER IN THE FOLLOWING TEST. IF
THE WOMAN IS FIVE TO NINE MONTHS EXPECTANT SHE SHOULD REST ON THE
FLOOR ON HER BACK WITH BOTH ARMS STRAIGHT AT THEIR SIDES, HER LEGS
AND FEET TOGETHER AND RELAX ALL THOUGHTS OF DOUBT ABOUT THE TEST
WORKING OR NOT. THE MID-WIFE IS TO WASH HER HANDS IN A MIXTURE OF
VINEGAR AND SALT AND HOLD A LONG CHAIN BELONGING TO THE EXPECTANT
WOMAN'S MOTHER; THE CHAIN SHOULD HAVE A HEAVY OBJECT ON ITS END, SUCH
AS A CAMEO OR THE LIKING. THE MID-WIFE IS TO HOLD THE CHAIN AND
OBJECT OVER THE WOMAN'S STOMACH AND ASK, "WHAT'S IT GONNA BE LORD,
THE LIKINGS OF ME OR THEE, LORD?" AT THAT POINT THE HANGING OBJECT
SHOULD REST ON THE WOMAN'S STOMACH AND IT SHOULD BE SLOWLY RAISED AND
AGAIN RESTED, RAISED, RESTED AND SO ON. IF THE OBJECT ON THE CHAIN
SWINGS CLOCKWISE AS IT'S RAISED AND LOWERED ONTO THE UNBORN CHILD, IT
WILL BE A MALE. BUT IN THE EVENT THAT THE OBJECT SWINGS
COUNTER-CLOCKWISE, THE UNBORN CHILD WILL BE A FEMALE. THE OBJECT'S
MOVEMENT WILL BE ONLY SLIGHT. THIS TEST SHOULD BE DONE AT LEAST FIVE
TIMES AND IF THE TEST "PROVES" THE CHILD TO BE A MALE AT LEAST THREE
OUT OF THE FIVE TRYS, THE MOTHER SHOULD EXPECT A SON AND LIKEWISE, IF
THE OBJECT SWINGS TO THE LEFT OR COUNTER-CLOCKWISE AT LEAST THREE OF
THE FIVE TRIES, THE MOTHER
WILL HAVE A DAUGHTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
POLISH FUNERAL
IN POLAND NO EMBALMING TAKES PLACE. THE DECEASED IS LAID OUT
FOR 3 DAYS IN THEIR OWN HOME.
CANDLES ARE SET AT THE HEAD AND FOOT OF THE DECEASED.
FLOWERS ARE THEN ARRANGED AROUND THE CASKET, WHICH
IS SET ON A SMALL PLATFORM USED BY THE VILLAGE. THE CASKET IS
MADE OF VARNISHED WOOD, AND IS
USUALLY DECORATED BY FOLK ART COMMON
TO THAT REGION. THIS IS SOMETIMES DONE WITH STEEL
PINS TO OUTLINE THE
DESIGN OR IS PAINTED ON TOP OF THE CASKET. ON THE FOURTH DAY,
THE BURIAL TAKES PLACE. A PROCESSION FROM THE HOUSE TO THE
CHURCH FORMS WITH THE ALTAR BOYS
GOING FIRST. THE OUTSIDE BOYS CARRY
LIGHTED CANDLES, WHILE THE BOY IN THE MIDDLE CARRIES THE CRUCIFIX.
THEN THE PRIEST FOLLOWS, LEADING HYMMS FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL.
A HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE FOLLOWS, CARRYIMG THE BODY OF THE DECEASED.
THE FLOWERS FROM THE HOUSE ARE PUT AROUND THE CASKET, AND THE REST
ARE PUT ON TOP OF THE CARRIAGE. MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY FOLLOW IN
ORDER OF RELATEDNESS TO THE DECEASED. EXAMPLE=HUSBAND AND KIDS
FIRST. A MASS IS SAID AT THE CHURCH FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL.
ALL TRADITIONAL SONGS OF THE PARTICULAR REGION ARE SUNG. AT THE
END OF MASS, THE SAME PROCESSION IS FORMED IN EXACTLY THE SAME
ORDER AS BEFORE. AGAIN THE PRIEST LEADS THE MOURNERS IN LOCAL
HYMMS. THE CARRIAGE FOLLOWS WITH
THE MOURNERS BEHIND THE CARRIAGE.
AT THE CEMETERY, THE GRAVE HAS
ALREADY BEEN DUG, WITH THE PLANKS PLACED
ACROSS THE HOLE. THE PRIEST
SAYS THE RITUAL AND BLESSES THE
GROUND. THEN THE CASKET IS NAILED SHUT,
AND IS LOWERED INTO THE GRAVE.
THE RELATIVE CLOSEST TO THE DECEASED THEN THROWS THE FIRST HANDFUL
OF DIRT. THEN EVERYONE, IN FAMILY ORDER, THROWS A HANDFUL OF
DIRT. EVERYONE LEAVES IN ORDER TO GIVE THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY A
CHANCE TO PAY THEIR FINAL RESPECTS.
Submitter comment:
VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THIS FUNERAL CHANGE FROM REGION TO REGION.
ATTENDED FUNERAL AS SUCH MYSELF WHILE IN POLAND
Where learned: POLAND ; CHELMNO
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-00-1971
IRISH GIFT BELIEF
WHENEVER A SHARP OBJECT IS GIVEN AS A GIFT A PENNY SHOULD BE GIVEN
ALONG WITH IT. THE PENNY INSURES THAT FRIENDSHIP WILL NOT BE BROKEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS GIVEN TO MRS. CHESNEY BY MATILDA MELLON, HER MOTHER,
WHO WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-16-1975
DIVINATION OF DESTINY
WHEN A BABY IS VERY YOUNG PLACE A COIN, BEER AND A ROSARY WITHIN THE
REACH OF THE BABY. IF THE BABY FIRST REACHES FOR THE COIN, IT WILL
ALWAYS HAVE MONEY. IF IT REACHES FOR THE BEER IT WILL FAVOR THE
DRINK. IF IT FIRST REACHES FOR THE ROSARY THE BABY IS DESTINED TO
BECOME RELIGIOUS.
Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS GIVEN TO MRS. CHESNEY BY MATILDA MELLON, HER MOTHER, WHO WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; SYMBOLS ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 09-16-1975
IRISH BELIEF ABOUT THE MOON
WHENEVER THE MOON IS RED IT MEANS THERE WILL BE BLOODSHED.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS GIVEN TO MRS. CHESNEY BY MATILDA MELLON, HER MOTHER,
WHO WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): INTERNAL RHYME ; SYMBOL ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Sign Color BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 09-16-1975
IRISH GIFT BELIEF
WHENEVER A PURSE IS GIVEN AWAY THERE SHOULD ALWAYS BE A PENNY IN IT
TO INSURE THAT THE RECIPIENT WILL ALWAYS HAVE WEALTH.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS GIVEN TO MRS. CHESNEY BY MATILDA MELLON, HER MOTHER,
WHO WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-16-1975
JAMAICAN SPIRIT BELIEF
NEVER HIT A BLACK DOG AT NIGHT BECAUSE IT MIGHT BE A GHOST. THERE
WERE GUYS WHO WOULD STONE STRAY DOGS UNTIL ONE NIGHT THEY SAW A BLACK
DOG. THEY THREW STONES AT IT BUT SOON FELT TNE STONES COMING BACK
AT THEM NO MATTER WHERE THEY WOULD GO. THE STONES JUST KEPT
FOLLOWING THEM. THEY ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL.
Submitter comment: DONALD LEE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN BUFF BAY, JAMAICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL COLOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 10-31-1975
THE WHITE WITCH OF ROSE HALL
THERE WAS ONCE A WOMAN WHO WAS CALLED THE WHITE WITCH OF ROSE HALL.
SHE WAS CALLED THIS BECAUSE HER HAIR AND SKIN WAS VERY WHITE AND
AT NIGHT SHE WOULD RIDE AMOUNG THE SLAVES DRESSED IN WHITE AND ON
A WHITE HORSE TO FRIGHTEN THEM. SHE WAS MISTRESS OF A BIG
PLANTATION AND WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE KILLED FOUR OF HER FIVE
HUSBANDS. SHE HERSELF WAS KILLED BY THE FIFTH WHEN HER FATHER
TOLD HIM WHAT SHE DID TO HER HUSBANDS. THE WHITE WITCH BURIED HER
HUSBANDS NEAR THE HOUSE AND PLANTED A COCONUT TREE ABOVE THEM.
IF YOU GO TO THE RUINS OF THAT PLANTATION YOU WILL SEE FIVE
COCOANUT TREES IN A ROW WITH NO OTHER TREES AROUND. SHE IS UNDER
ONE OF THEM.
Submitter comment:
DONALD LEE HAS VISITED THE RUINS OF ROSE HALL AND HAS SEEN
THE FIVE COCONUT TREES.
DONALD LEE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN BUFF BAY, JAMAICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BLUEBEARD: SEX REVERSAL ; COLOR ; NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Fifths PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 10-31-1975
JAMAICAN MUMP PREVENTION IN ANIMALS
TO KEEP PUPPIES FROM GETTING MUMPS PUT RED CLOTH AROUND THEIR NECKS.
Submitter comment: DONALD LEE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN BUFF BAY, JAMAICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; COLOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-31-1975
SLOVAK CHRISTMAS SUPPER CUSTOM
BEFORE CHRISTMAS DINNER THE OLDEST MALE MEMBER OF THE HOUSEHOLD
TAKES A CLOVE OF GARLIC AND DIPS IT INTO HONEY. HE THEN MAKES
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS ON THE FOREHEAD OF EACH MEMBER OF THE
HOUSEHOLD. THIS SIGNIFIES THE SWEETNESS AND BITTERNESS OF LIFE.
Submitter comment: SLOVAK IMMIGRANTS. THEY NOW LIVE IN ERII, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Body part Senses Forehead BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
SLOVAK CHRISTMAS SUPPER CUSTOM
HAY WOULD BE PLACED UNDER THE SUPPER TABLE ON CHRISTMAS TO
SIGNIFY THE STABLE IN WHICH CHRIST WAS BORN.
Submitter comment:
JOHN MIHAL
LEARNED THIS ITEM FROM HIS FATHER'S PARENTS WHO WERE
SLOVAK IMMIGRANTS. THEY NOW LIVE IN ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration |
Date learned: 10-15-1975
THE FOLLOWING IS A SONG THAT IS SUNG WHILE DRINKING BEER:
"IN HEAVEN THERE IS NO BEER,
THAT'S WHY WE DRINK IT HERE.
AND WHEN WE ARE GONE FROM HERE
OUR FRIENDS WILL BE DRINKING ALL THE BEER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; CHIASMUS ; DRINKING SONG ; RHYME: AAAA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Daily Life Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
THE FOLLOWING IS A VERSE THE RESPONDENT LEARNED FROM A CUSTOMER WHO
SAID IT WAS AN OLD MEXICAN SAYING:
"HE WHO DRINKS GETS DRUNK;
HE WHO GETS DRUNK GOES TO SLEEP;
HE WHO GOES TO SLEEP DOES NOT SIN;
HE WHO DOES NOT SIN GOES TO HEAVEN;
SO LETS ALL DRINK AND GO TO HEAVEN."
Where learned: DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; CUMULATIVE FORMULA ; RATIONALIZATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Food Drink C855.447 |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
THE FOLLOWING VERSE IS INSCRIBED ON A SIGN AT THE ENTRANCE OF PAT
SULLIVAN'S TAVERN:
"COME TARRY HERE
AND WELCOME BE
AND QUAFF THE
FOAMING BREW.
A FRIENDLY WORD,
A SMILE, A SONG,
WILL CHEER THE
HEART OF YOU."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; COMARADERIE ; IRREGULAR RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Food Drink C855.447 |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
IN A BAR, IF A CUSTOMER PUTS HIS EMPTY GLASS ALONGSIDE THE WOODEN
EDGE OF THE COUNTER IT SIGNALS TO THE BARTENDER THAT HE WILL HAVE
ANOTHER OF WHAT HE HAS BEEN DRINKING. THE BARTENDER WILL
AUTOMATICALLY BRING THE DRINK, VERBAL TRANSACTIONS ARE NOT NECESSARY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion Food Drink -- MenuService Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
WHEN SETTING THE TABLE FOR CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER, AN EXTRA PLATE IS
ALWAYS PUT OUT FOR THE "UNINVITED GUEST." THIS IS DONE BECAUSE OF THE
BELIEF THAT CHRIST MIGHT COME TO THE HOME IN THE FORM OF A NEEDY
INDIVIDUAL SEEKING FOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHARITY ; POLISH CUSTOM
Date learned: 10-00-1975
DRINKING STROHS BEER, MORE SO THAN INBIBING ANY OTHER BREW, WILL
RESULT IN THE PERSON GETTING A HANGOVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; PROPAGANDA
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
AN OLD SUPERSTITION THIS INDIVIDUAL LEARNED WAS THAT ONE COULD
ASCERTAIN THE AMOUNT OF YEARS ONE HAD REMAINING IN LIFE BY COUNTING
THE NUMBER OF CARS IN THE NEXT FUNERAL PROCESSION TO PASS BY. EACH
CAR REPRESENTED AN ADDITIONAL YEAR TACKED ON THE PERSONS LIFE SPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; NUMBERS ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 10-00-1975