Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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COMMON DENONINATOR
NO MATTER HOW HIGH AND GREAT THE THRONE
WHAT SITS ON THE SEAT IS THE SAME AS YOUR OWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM FOR BUTTOCKS ; HUMILITY ; OBSERVATION ; RHYME:AA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-14-1968
GOOD NIGHT
GOOD NIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT.
DON'T LET THE BED BUGS BITE.
IF THEY DO, PUT THEM IN A STEW
AND GET UP AND EAT THEM AT HALF PAST TWO.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): FOOD ; GORE ; INSECTS ; INTERNAL RHYME ( TWO PAIRS) ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
OH DEAR,
BREAD AND BEER,
I GOT MARRIED,
AND NOW YOU'RE HERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD ; RHYME: AABA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
BIRDIE, BIRDIE IN THE SKY,
DROP A WHITE WASH IN MY EYE,
ME NO WORRY,
ME NO CRY,
ME JUST HAPPY COWS DON'T FLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD IN
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; BABY TALK ; EUPHEMISM: WHITEWASH FOR BIRD DUNG ; RHYME: AABAA ; SUGGESTION COW DUNG
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
FOUND A PEANUT
FOUND A PEANUT, FOUND A PEANUT
FOUND A PEANUT JUST NOW.
I JUST NOW FOUND A PEANUT.
FOUND A PEANUT JUST NOW.
Submitter comment:
EVERY WHERE REPEATS THE SAME REPETITIOUS WAY. I LEARNED THIS SONG
AROUND THIRD GRADE AND ALSO SANG IT AT CYO GIRLS CAMP.
REPEAT SAME AS ABOVE
BROKE IT OPEN
FOUND IT ROTTEN
ATE IT ANYWAY
GOT SICK
CALLED A DOCTOR
SAID I WOULDN'T DIE
DIED ANYWAY
WENT TO HEAVEN
PLAYED A HARP
BROKE A STRING
WENT TO HELL
SHOVELLED COAL
BURNT MY FINGER
OUCH
Data entry tech comment: MY DARLING CLEMENTINE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD ; TELLER KILLED IN HIS OWN STORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
IT'S RAINING
IT'S RAINING , IT'S POURING,
THE OLD MAN IS SNORING,
HE BUMPED HIS HEAD AND
HE WENT TO BED AND HE
COULDN'T GET UP IN THE MORNING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): NICKNAME FOR GOD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
PREGNANCY BELIEF
IF A WOMAN EATS ERASERS, SHE IS GOING TO HAVE A BABY.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-22-1972
BELIEF
OLIVES AND EGGS ARE PASSION FRUITS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): APHRODISIAC ; Consume ; Consumption ; Eat ; Eggs ; FOOD ; Olives ; Passion
James Callow Keyword(s): APHRODISIACS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Food Drink -- Animal product Egg BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: 10-01-1965
VOMITING
WHEN YOU HAVE FOOD POISONING AND VOMIT,
DRINK A GLASS OF WATER WITH A TEASPOONFUL
OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD POISONING ; STOMACH AILMENTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 03-10-1971
WORMS
A CURE FOR STOMACH WORMS IS TO PUT MINT IN THE PERSON'S BOTTOM
AND PUT CHEESE IN THEIR MOUTH.
WORMS HATE CHEESE BUT THEY LIKE MINT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER-IN-LAW PERFORMED THIS IN FRONT OF HER
TO INFORMANT'S DAUGHTER, WHEN THE CHILD WAS SIX YEARS OLD.
THE CHILD STOPPED CHOCKING AND WAS CURED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM: BOTTOM FOR ANUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 01-21-1972
CUCKOO MOTHER
A LONG, LONG TIME AGO, A WIDOW MOTHER LIVED ON A FARM WITH HER
THREE SONS; STRONG AS OAK TREES AS BROAD AS TREE-TRUNKS. THEY
LIVED MANY YEARS HAPPILY, EVERYONE'S RESPECTED, TILL HER SONS
GREW UP. AND WHEN THEY GREW UP, THE KING INVITED THEM TO RIDE
WITH HIM INTO WAR. ONE RODE OUT TO THE EAST, ANOTHER TO THE SOUTH,
AND THE THIRD, THE YOUNGEST--TO THE WEST. WHEN THEY RODE OUT,
THROUGH THE THREE YEARS NOT ONE SENT ANY WORD AND THE MOTHER
DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER THEY WERE ALIVE OR DEAD. SHE CRIED, BUT
DIDN'T GIVE UP HOPE, THAT SOMEDAY THEY WILL RETURN, TO CALM
HER OLD DAYS. BUT WHEN THE THIRD SPRING CAME, SHE WENT OUT
ON TOP OF A HILL AND SAW, THAT A HORSE WAS RIDING EMPTY-SADDLED.
AND SHE RECOGNIZED IT AS HER OLDEST SON'S HORSE. SHE
RECOGNIZED AND REALIZED, THAT HER OLDEST SON WAS NO LONGER ALIVE.
AND WHEN SHE REALIZED THIS, SHE CRIED FOR THREE DAYS AND THREE
NIGHTS. BUT THE PEOPLE TOLD HER: "DON'T CRY, THAT YOUR SON DIED
IN WAR. GOD GAVE, AND GOD TAKETH AWAY. BETTER YOU ASK HIM TO
RETURN YOUR OTHER TWO SONS WELL." WHILE THEY WERE CALMING HER,
THEY SAW A SECOND HORSE COME GALLOPING UP, NEIGHING AS IF
WEEPING HIMSELF. THE REIGNS PULLED OFF, THE SADDLE SPLASHED WITH
BLOOD AND THE HORSE ITSELF WOUNDED. HE RAN UP TO THE GATE, KNELT
DOWN ON ALL FOURS AND FELL OVER DEAD. AND THE MOTHER RECOGNIZED
THAT THE SECOND HORSE BROUGHT HER PAINFUL NEWS. SHE BEGAN TO CRY
EVEN MORE PAINFULLY, THAT NOW HER SECOND SON WAS DEAD. THE
PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW TO COMFORT HER NOW. "IF ONLY. LORD, I KNEW
WHERE MY SONS LIE. WITH A FOX I'D RUN THERE, WITH A BIRD I'D FLY
THERE, ON THEIR GRAVES I WOULD CRY." SHE CRIED DAY AND NIGHT,
CURSING HER FUTURE, WAITING FOR HER YOUNGEST SON. BUT WHILE
SHE WAS CRYING, THE THIRD HORSE CAME HOME, TOO, INJURED AND
WOUNDED. HE RAN UP TO THE GATES, NEIGHED SORROWFULLY AND
KNEELING ON ALL FOURS, FELL OVER DEAD. THE MOTHER RECOGNIZED THAT
NOW HER THIRD SON WOULDN'T COME HOME. SHE FELL TO THE GROUND
FROM THE GRIEF AND TURNED INTO A CUCKOO BIRD, CUCKOOD IN A
SORROWFUL WAY AND FLEW AWAY TO FOREIGN LANDS IN SEARCH OF HER
SONS: SHE FLIES AND HUNTS FOR THEM YEAR ROUND IN THE STRANGE LANDS,
AND IN THE SPRING TIME COMES HOME, FLIES THROUGH THE FORESTS,
CRYING FOR HER SONS. AND WHEN THE DAY COMES THAT THE YOUNGEST
SON'S HORSE CAME HOME, SHE AGAIN FLIES OUT TO THE FOREIGN LANDS
TO SEARCH FOR THEM. AND THAT'S HOW IT ALWAYS WAS, AND ALWAYS WILL
BE....
Submitter comment: (TRANSLATED FROM LITHANIA BY RAMUNE M. STONYS)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): BIRDS, ANIMALS, TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
ABOUT A MOUSE, THAT WAS A CAT, DOG AND TIGER
IT IS SAID: THAT IF A TIGER HAS THE HEART OF A MOUSE, THEN IT
WOULD BE BETTER IF HE DIDN'T SEE OR MEET A CAT. ONE TIME, A CROW
WAS CARRYING A MOUSE IN HIS BEAK, AND FLYING OVER A FOREST WHEN HE
DROPPED IT. IN THAT FOREST LIVED A MAN THAT KNEW MAGIC. AND
THE MOUSE DROPPED DOWN BY THE MAN'S FEET. SEEING THE MOUSE,
THE MAN PICKED HIM UP AND CARRIED HIM INTO HIS HUT. MANY DAYS
THE MOUSE LIVED WITH THE MAN. THE MAN FED HIM, WATERED HIM
AND THE MOUSE WAS HAPPY. BUT ONE TIME, GOING OUT OF THE HUT,
HE SAW A BIG CAT NOT TOO FAR AWAY. HE RAN BACK INTO THE HUT,
CRAWLED INTO THE FARTHEST AND DARKEST CORNER AND SHOOK FROM FRIGHT.
SEEING THIS, THE MAN ASKED: "WHT'S WRONG? WHY ARE YOU SHAKING?"
"O MY GOOD MAN," SQUEEKED THE MOUSE, "NOT FAR AWAY FROM
OUR HUT I MET A CAT AND NOW I'M DYING FROM FRIGHT}" AFTER
THINKING FOR AWHILE, THE MAN SAID: "ALRIGHT, I'LL DO IT SO THAT
YOU'LL NEVER BE AFRAID OF CATS AGAIN} GO TO BED. IN THE
MORNING WHEN YOU WAKE UP, YOU'LL BE A CAT--NOT A MOUSE." THE MAN
DID AS HE PROMISED: THE MOUSE WOKE UP AS A CAT. "--NOW YOU DON'T
HAVE TO BE AFRAID OF CATS ANYMORE. YOU ARE A CAT YOURSELF,"
SAID THE MAN. HAPPILY, THE CAT-MOUSE RAN OUT OF THE HUT.
AND WHEN SHE WANTED TO TWIST AROUND IN THE SUN, SHE AGAIN SAW
THE CAT. THE POOR THING IMMEDIATELY FORGOT THAT SHE HERSELF WAS
A CAT, AND RAN BACK INTO THE HUT. "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?" ASKED
THE MAN. "HOW COME YOU'RE FRIGHTENED AGAIN?" THE CAT WAS
LIED. "I MET A DOG IN THE FOREST: HE STARTED CHASING ME AND I
BARELY MANAGED TO ESCAPE FROM HIM. THE MAN SAID AGAIN: "GO TO SLEEP.
IN THE MORNING YOU'LL WAKE UP AS A DOG, AND YOU WON'T HAVE TO
BE AFRAID OF DOGS ANYMORE." AND THAT'S HOW IT WAS: IN THE MORNING
THE CAT WOKE UP AS A DOG AND BARKING LOUDLY, RAN OUT OF THE
HUT. BUT NEARING A TREE SHE AGAIN SAW THE CAT. THE CAT ALSO
SAW THE DOG. SHE THOUGHT THAT THE DOG WAS GOING TO ATTACK,
SO SHE PREPARED TO DEFEND HERSELF, HISSED, LIFTED HER RIGHT PAW
AND LOUDLY MEOWD. HEARING THE CAT MEOWING, THE DOG RAN INTO THE
HUT FRIGHTENED. "WHAT FRIGHTENED YOU THIS TIME?" ASKED THE
MAN. THE DOG WAS ASHAMED TO ADMIT, THAT HE HAD BEEN FRIGHTENED
BY A CAT, SO AGAIN HE LIED: "O MY GOOD MAN, NOT FAR FROM
OUR HUT I MET A TIGER} UP TO NOW I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND
HOW I MANAGED TO GET AWAY ALIVE} "WELL, I'LL MAKE IT SO THAT
FROM NOW ON, YOU WON'T BE AFRAID OF ANYTHING. TOMORROW YOU
SHALL WAKE UP AS A TIGER." AND THAT'S HOW IT WAS: IN THE MORNING
THE DOG WOKE UP A TIGER AND DECIDED: "IT DOESN'T BEFIT ME,
RULER OF THE ANIMALS TO LIVE IN A MERE MAN'S HUT} I WILL GO INTO
THE FOREST AND LET THE OTHER ANIMALS TREMBLE AT MY POWER AND
BRAVERY}" THINKING THIS, THE TIGER STEPPED OUT OF THE HUT AND
HEADED FOR THE DARK JUNGLE. AND SUDDENLY HE SAW THE CAT. AND
THE CAT SAW THE TIGER. OUT OF FRIGHT, THE CAT'S FUR STOOD
ON END, BACK ARCHED AND EYES CRACKED FIRE. "NOW I'M DEAD}"
THOUGHT THE CAT. "FROM THE TIGER I WILL NOT ESCAPE}" THE TIGER,
IN WHOSE BREAST BEAT THE HEART OF A MOUSE, SAW THE CRACKLING
EYES AND IMMEDIATELY RAN OFF TO THE MAN'S HUT. HE SHOT INTO THE
HOUSE, CRAMPED HIMSELF INTO THE FARTHEST CORNER AND LAYED
THERE WITH TEETH CHATTERING OUT OF FRIGHT. THE MAN WAS
SUPRISED: "HOW COME YOU ARE TREMBLING AGAIN? IS THERE IN OUR
LAND AN ANIMAL STRONGER THAN THE TIGER?" "THERE IS..." WHISPERED
THE TIGER. "WHAT IS HE?" ASKED THE SUPRISED MAN. "A..A..
CAT}" THEN THE MAN UNDERSTOOD AND SAID: "A TIGER, IN WHOSE
BREAST BEATS THE HEART OF A MOUSE, IS WEAKER THAN A CAT. LET HIM,
THAT HAS A HEART OF A MOUSE, ALWAYS BE A MOUSE. HAVING SAID
THIS, THE MAN TURNED THE TIGER BACK INTO A POOR LITTLE MOUSE.
Submitter comment:
(THIS IS THE TALE RETOLD AND ILLUSTRATED BY MARCIA BROWN
AS "ONCE A MOUSE"9)
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
VERSE
IF IN HEAVEN WE DON'T MEET,
HAND-IN-HAND WE'LL STAND THE HEAT.
Submitter comment: I FIRST HEARD THIS IN OHIO IN THE 1950'S
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM FOR HELL
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00001950'S
LOVE MAKING
IT WAS MIDNIGHT ON THE BACK PORCH
TWO LIPS WERE TIGHTLY PRESSED
THE OLD_MAN GAVE THE SIGNAL
THE BULL DOG DID THE REST.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM ; KISSING ; RHYME: ABCB ; SLANG FOR FATHER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 09-12-1965
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
POEM
MY TEACHER LOVES ME, SHE THINKS I AM DEAR,
SHE'S KEPT ME FOR THE 4TH STRAIGHT YEAR}
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM FOR FLUNKING ; IRONY ; RHYME: AA ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-16-1965
CHILD RHYME
JOHNNY MORGAN PLAYED THE ORGAN,
JIMMY PLAYED THE DRUM,
HIS SISTER PLAYED THE TAMBOURINE
TILL FATHER SMACKED HER BUM.
Where learned: ONTARIO ; OAKVILLE
Keyword(s): FAMILY MEMBER CHAIN ; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ; RHYME: ABCB ; SLANG FOR BUTTOCKS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
LIMERICK
A SENIOR AT LUNCH AT PURDUE/DISCOVERED A MOUSE IN HIS STEW.
SAID THE WAITER, "DON'T SHOUT/AND DISPLAY IT ABOUT.
OR THE PROFS WILL BE WANTING ONE TOO."
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): 4 LINE STANZA HUMOR LIMERICK FOOD ; RHYME: AABBA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR
THE CHICKENS
SAID THE FIRST LITTLE CHICKEN/WITH A QUEER LITTLE SQUIRM,
"I WISH I COULD FIND/ A FAT LITTLE WORM."
SAID THE NEXT LITTLE CHICKEN,/ WITH AN OLD LITTLE SHRUG:
"I WISH I COULD FIND,/ A FAT LITTLE BUG."
SAID A THIRD LITTLE CHICKEN,/ WITH A FAINT LITTLE MOAN:
"I WISH I COULD FIND/ A WEE GRAVEL STONE."
"NOW SEE HERE," SAID THE MOTHER,/ FROM THE GREEN GARDEN PATCH,
"IF YOU WANT ANY BREAKFAST,/ JUST COME HERE AND ASK."
Submitter comment: DEMONSTRATE ACTIONS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): CHAIN ; QUATRAIN FOOD ; RHYME: ABCB ; TALKING ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
TOO MUCH CHEESE
THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN NAMED NED,/WHO, JUST BEFORE GOING TO BED,
ATE VERY MUCH/ OF A CHEESE THAT WAS DUTCH__/ AND WHEN HE WOKE UP HE
WAS DEAD }
Submitter comment:
ORIGIN: AUNT MARY WHO LIVES IN ST. LOUIS, MO. USED TO SAY THIS RIME
TO HIM BEFORE GOING TO BED.
Where learned: FITZGERALD PLAYGROUND ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD ; RHYME: AABBA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 07-29-1964