Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TONGUE TWISTER/RIDDLE (CATCH)
ROUND AND ROUND THE ROCK RAN THE RAGGED RIDER.
HOW MANY R'S IN THAT?
ANSWER: NONE - THERE ARE NO R'S IN "THAT".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00001950S
GRACE BEFORE EATING A MEAL
GOD IS GREAT,
GOD IS GOOD.
LET US THANK HIM
FOR THIS FOOD.
Submitter comment:
OUR FAMILY ALWAYS SAID THIS GRACE BEFORE MEALS. I DON'T
THINK WE USED ANY OTHERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION ; SLANT RHYME: GOOD, FOOD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00001960S
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
I WISH YOU LUCK,
I WISH YOU JOY,
I WISH YOU FIRST A BABY BOY.
AND WHEN HIS HAIR BEGINS TO CURL,
I WISH YOU THEN A BABY GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): BIRTH ; INITIAL ITERATION ; RHYME: ABBCC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1933
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
HAPPY HAVE WE MET
HAPPY HAVE WE BEEN,
HAPPY MAY WE PART,
AND HAPPY MAY WE MEET AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION ; MEDIAL ITERATION ; RHYME: ABCB ; SLANT RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1933
"BLOODY MARY" (BRAVERY GAME)
A TEST OF BRAVERY IN MY GRADE SCHOOL WOULD BE A GAME CALLED
"BLOODY MARY".
FIRST, ONE WOULD GO INTO A SCHOOL BATHROOM, TURN OUT THE LIGHTS
AND FILL THE SINK WITH WATER. AFTER STARING INTO THE WATER FOR
THIRTY SECONDS, ONE WOULD QUICKLY LOOK INTO A MIRROR IN HOPE OF
SEEING THE GHOST OF "BLOODY MARY" STABBING HERSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA ; CASS ELEMENTARY
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION ; FEAR TEST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: CA00001970
BLOOD ON THE RISERS
HE WAS JUST A ROOKIE TROOPER,
AND HE SURELY SHOOK WITH FRIGHT.
HE CHECKED OFF HIS EQUIPMENT,
AND MADE SURE HIS PACK WAS TIGHT.
HE HAD TO SIT AND LISTEN TO THOSE
AWFUL ENGINES ROAR.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
(CHORUS) GORY, GORY WHAT A HELLUVA WAY TO DIE.
GORY, GORY WHAT A HELLUVA WAY TO DIE.
GORY, GORY WHAT A HELLUVA WAY TO DIE.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
IS EVERYBODY HAPPY,
CRIED THE SERGEANT LOOKING UP?
OUR HERO FEEBLY ANSWERED, YES,
AND THEN THEY STOOD HIM UP.
HE JUMPED INTO THE ICY BLAST,
HIS STATIC LINE UNHOOKED.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
(CHORUS) MM
HE COUNTED LOUD, HE COUNTED LONG,
HE WAITED FOR THE SHOCK.
HE FELT THE WIND, HE FELT THE COLD,
HE FELT THE AWFUL DROP.
HE JERKED THE CORD, THE SILK SPILLED OUT,
AND WRAPPED AROUND HIS LEGS.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
(CHORUS) MM
THE RISERS SWUNG AROUND HIS NECK,
CONNECTORS CRACKED HIS DOME.
SUSPENSION LINES WERE TIED IN KNOTS,
AROUND HIS SKINNY BONES.
HIS CANOPY BECAME HIS SHROUD,
AND HE HURLED INTO THE EARTH.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
(CHORUS) MM
THE DAYS HE LIVED AND LOVED AND LAUGHED,
KEPT RUNNING THROUGH HIS MIND.
HE THOUGHT ABOUT THE GIRLS BACK HOME,
THE ONES HE LEFT BEHIND.
HE THOUGHT ABOUT THE MEDICS,
AND HE WONDERED WHAT THEY'D FIND.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
(CHORUS) MM
THE AMBULANCE WAS ON THE SPOT.
THE JEEPS WERE RUNNING WILD.
THE MEDICS JUMPED AND SCREAMED WITH GLEE,
AND ROLLED THEIR SLEEVES AND SMILED.
FOR IT HAD BEEN A WEEK OR SO
SINCE LAST A CHUTE HAD FAILED.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
(CHORUS) MM
HE HIT THE GROUND, THE SOUND WAS SPLAT.
HIS BLOOD WENT SPURTING HIGH.
HIS COMRADES THEN WERE HEARD TO SAY,
WHAT A HELLUVA WAY TO DIE.
HE LAY THERE ROLLING TO AND FRO,
IN THE WELTER OF HIS GORE.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
(CHORUS) MM
THERE WAS BLOOD UPON THE RISERS.
THERE WAS BRAIN UPON THE CHUTE.
INTESTINES WERE A'DANGLIN' FROM
THIS PARATROOPER'S BOOTS.
THEY PICKED HIM UP STILL IN THE CHUTE,
AND POURED HIM FROM HIS BOOTS.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
(CHORUS)
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A MARCHING CADENCE SUNG TO THE TUNE
OF "BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC." UNITED
STATES ARMY AIRBORNE SCHOOL IS A THREE-WEEK
COURSE OF INSTRUCTION AT FORT BENNING,
GEORGIA. THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF INSTRUCTION
CONSIST OF GROUND AND TOWER TRAINING. THE
THIRD WEEK CONSISTS ENTIRELY OF SUCCESSFULLY
COMPLETING FIVE PARACHUTE JUMPS FROM AN AIRCRAFT
IN FLIGHT. AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF
GROUND AND TOWER TRAINING, BUT PRIOR TO JUMP
WEEK, "BLOOD ON THE RISERS" RECORDINGS ARE
PLAYED ON LOUDSPEAKERS THROUGHOUT THE STUDENT
COMPANY AREA AS A FORM OF GOOD-NATURED INTIMIDATION
BY THE CADRE.
"RISERS" REFERS TO HEAVY NYLON STRAPS WHICH
EXTEND FROM THE PARACHUTE HARNESS TO THE SUSPENSION
LINES. "STATIC LINE" IS A CORD WHICH IS SNAPPED
TO A WIRE RUNNING THE LENGTH OF THE INTERIOR OF
THE AIRCRAFT, AND WHICH OPENS THE CHUTE
AUTOMATICALLY AS THE JUMPER EXITS THE AIRCRAFT.
THE "COUNT" REFERS TO THE JUMPER'S SILENTLY
COUNTING TO FOUR AND AWAITING THE OPENING SHOCK
OF THE PARACHUTE, LETTING HIM KNOW THAT THE
PARACHUTE HAS DEPLOYED SAFELY. THE "CONNECTORS"
ARE HEAVY ALUMINUM CLIPS WHICH ATTACH THE RISERS
SECURELY TO THE PARACHUTE HARNESS AT CHEST LEVEL.
"SUSPENSION LINES" ARE THE SEVERAL NARROW NYLON
CORDS WHICH RUN FROM THE RISERS TO THE EDGE OF
THE PARACHUTE CANOPY.
THE SONG IS SUNG BY THE STUDENT COMPANY
AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY AS THE PARACHUTIST
WINGS ARE PINNED ON AFTER THE FIFTH QUALIFYING
JUMP.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; FORT BENNING
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION (STANZA 3). ; MEDIAL ITERATION (STANZA 3).
TONGUE TWISTERS
SAY EACH ONE OF THESE 3 TIMES RAPIDLY
SEE THE SEASHELLS SHINE BY THE SEASHORE.
BOY, GIRL, BOY, GIRL, BOY, GIRL, BOY, GIRL.
SEVEN SLIPPERY SEALS SAT SUNNING SILENTLY SIDE BY SIDE.
MIKE THE MILKMAN BRINGS MILK ON MONDAY.
TAMMY TIGER TAUGHT TIMMY TIGER TO TELL TIME.
"SAY!" SAID I, "SAY WHAT YOU SAID AGAIN."
Submitter comment: WE USED TO TRICK EACH OTHER WITH THESE IN GRADE SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001960S
NAMES OF MY RELATIVES
IN MY FAMILY ALL OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS HAVE THEIR NAMES
BEGIN WITH THE LETTER J.
JALAL, JALILA, JAMAL, JOHN, JENNIFER, JULIA, JANETTE, JANE, JACK,
JOSEPH, AND JAMES OR JEFFERSON.
IN MY BROTHER JALAL'S FAMILY HIS KIDS' NAMES BEGIN WITH THE K
SOUND. CARMEN, CONNIE, KIMBERLY, CAROLINE, AND DENNY. HOW DID
THAT GUY GET IN THERE? IT'S THEIR ONLY BROTHER.
IN MY SISTER JALILA'S FAMILY, HER KIDS' NAMES BEGIN WITH THE
LETTER R, RITA, RONNIE, AND ROBERT.
IN MY AUNT SALEEMA'S FAMILY, HER KIDS' NAMES ALL BEGIN WITH
THE LETTER L, LEATH, LINDA, LAHEEB, AND LANA.
Submitter comment:
I CAN'T EXPLAIN THE REASON WHY THE PARENTS DID THIS, MAYBE TO
CALL ONE OF THE KIDS AND MANY WOULD ANSWER BECAUSE OF THE SAME
BEGINNING SOUND. I REMEMBER MY MOM WOULD RATTLE OFF FOUR OR
FIVE OF OUR NAMES BEFORE SHE GOT WHO SHE WANTED RIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname Favorites |
Date learned: 00001960S
AS A YOUNG, CATHOLIC CHILD, THE INFORMANT WAS
FAMILIAR WITH THE CHURCH'S OPINION OF SINNERS. AT
THE PART OF THE MASS WHEN THE CONGREGATION CHANTED,
"LAMB OF GOD, HAVE MERCY ON US. LAMB OF GOD, HAVE
MERCY ON US. LAMB OF GOD, GRANT US PEACE," THE
INFORMANT RECITED, WITH GREAT RELIGIOUS ZEAL,
"LAMB OF GOD, HAMMER SINNERS. LAMB OF GOD, HAMMER
SINNERS. LAMB OF GOD, GRANT US PEACE!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
MRS.MERRIWEATHER
CUT OFF ALL OF THE LIGHTS IN THE HOUSE AND STAND IN FRONT OF A
MIRROR AND SAY 15 TIMES, WHILE TURNING AROUND IN A 360 DEGREE
CIRCLE, MRS. MERRIWEATHER, MRS. MERRIWEATHER; AND HER BLOODY
FACE WILL APPEAR BEFORE YOU.
Submitter comment: NO ONE HAS REACHED 15 TIMES, ALL WERE AFRAID OF IT.
Where learned: DETROIT ; NORWEST THEATER
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- P689 P689.1 SPEECH -- FamilyGroup |
Date learned: 01-30-1984
TO CALL BACK SOMEONE YOU LOVE FROM THE DEAD
PLACE A LETTER WRITTEN TO A DECEASED MEMBER OF THE FAMILY ON TOP
OF A GLASS OF WATER AND PLACE IT UNDER YOUR BED. YOUR BELOVED ONE
WILL COME AND VISIT YOU IN PEACE. BEWARE: NEVER PERFORM THIS TASK
ON A FULL MOON NIGHT OR EVIL SPIRITS WILL HAUNT YOU.
Where learned: DETROIT ; NORWEST THEATER
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Word Letter |
Date learned: 01-30-1984
GHOST STORY
"A FRIEND OF MY BOYFRIEND'S MOVED INTO A HOUSE THAT USED TO BE
OWNED BY A COLONEL IN THE CONFEDERATE ARMY. ONE NIGHT WHEN MY
BOYFRIEND'S FRIEND'S PARENTS WERE OUT OF TOWN, MY BOYFRIEND WENT
OVER THERE TO SPEND THE NIGHT. HIS FRIEND WAS AFRAID OF THE HOUSE.
HE SAID THAT HE HEARD WEIRD NOISES ALL THE TIME. SO, THE TWO OF
THEM MADE AN AGREEMENT; THEY WOULD SLEEP IN SEPARATE BEDROOMS AND
IF EITHER OF THEM HEARD OR SAW ANYTHING, THEY WOULD WRITE IT DOWN
AND SHOW IT TO EACH OTHER (THIS WAS ACTUALLY IN FUN BECAUSE THEY
DIDN'T REALLY EXPECT TO SEE OR HEAR ANYTHING). HOWEVER, AS THEY
WERE GOING UP TO THEIR ROOMS, THEY SAW A MAN DRESSED IN A
CONFEDERATE'S UNIFORM. EACH OF THEM RAN INTO A ROOM AND WROTE
DOWN WHAT THEY SAW--THEY SAW THE SAME THING. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THEY
SPENT THE NIGHT AT MY BOYFRIEND'S HOUSE THAT NIGHT."
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): CONFEDERATE GHOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001979CA
EAT NOT, WANT NOT.
Submitter comment:
IF YOU DON'T EAT SOMETHING, SOON YOU NO LONGER HAVE A TASTE
FOR IT.
James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS ; ITERATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-19-1984
THIS IS ANOTHER STORY I HEARD WHEN I WAS ABOUT TEN YEARS OLD.
IT'S FROM DETROIT. I WAS TOLD AFTER MIDNIGHT, IT YOU GET A GLASS
OF WATER AND A PIECE OF PAPER, TAKE IT TO THE BASEMENT OF YOUR
HOME, PUT THE GLASS OF WATER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR AND PUT THE
PAPER ON TOP OF THE GLASS. TURN OUT THE LIGHTS IN THE BASEMENT
AND IN THE ENTIRE HOUSE, AND IF YOU WOULD CALL THE NAME OF THE LAST
PERSON IN FAMILY THAT DIED HE OR SHE WOULD APPEAR.
THE CORRECT WAY TO DO THIS IS TO HAVE A SMALL CANDLE BURNING NEXT
TO THE GLASS OF WATER AND PAPER. CALL THE DEAD PERSON'S NAME
WHILE LOOKING AT THE GLASS OF WATER. AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF
CALLING OUT THE DEAD PERSON'S NAME, THE PAPER WILL BEGIN TO
SPIN AROUND THE THE SPIRIT OF THE DEAD PERSON WOULD APPEAR.
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
TONGUE TWISTER
SAY, "THE SINKING STEAMER STILL SANK," AS FAST AS
YOU CAN, TEN TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
BLUEBIRD
BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD, IN AND OUT MY WINDOW,
BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD, IN AND OUT MY WINDOW,
BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD, IN AND OUT MY WINDOW,
OH, AREN'T YOU TIRED?
Submitter comment:
I HAVE HEARD THIS SONG SUNG WITH THREE OTHER ENDINGS.
THEY ARE; OH, AREN'T YOU WEARY? PLEASE, WON'T YOU REST?
AND, FLY, FLY, AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
JA SAM MAJKO CURA FINA (MOTHER, I AM A FINE GIRL)
JA SAM MAJKO CURA FINA (MOTHER, I AM A FINE GIRL
UDAT CHU SE ZA MARINA. AND A SAILOR I WILL MARRY
CHIRI-BIRI BELA MARE MOJA. CHIRI-BIRI BELA MARE MOJA.
CHIRI-BIRI BELA MARE MOJA. CHIRI-BIRI BELA MARE MOJA.
CHIRI-BIRI BELA MARE MOJA. CHIRI-BIRI BELA MARE MOJA.
ODOH U MARINE. I AM OFF TO THE SEA.)
Submitter comment:
THE LANGUAGE IS SERBO-CROATIAN, A BRANCH OF SOUTH SLAVIC
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): CROATIA
James Callow Keyword(s): ITERATION ; TAMBURITZA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Love |
Date learned: 00001977CA
TI NEZNASH SHTO JE LJUBAV (YOU KNOW NOT OF LOVE)
TI NEZNASH SHTO JE LJUBAV (YOU KNOW NOT OF LOVE.
TI NEZNASH SHTO JE JAD. YOU KNOW NOT OF SORROW.
TI NEZNASH, ZLATO MOJE, MY DARLING, YOU KNOW NOT
DA TEBE LJUBIM JA. THAT I DO LOVE YOU.)
Submitter comment: THE LANGUAGE IS SERBO-CROATIAN, A BRANCH OF SOUTH SLAVIC
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): CROATIA ; TAMBURITZA
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Love |
OJ TI VILO VELEBITA (VELEBIT: CROATIAN MAJESTY)
OJ TI VILO, VILO VELEBITA VELEBIT, CROATIAN MAJESTY
TI NASHEG RODA DIKA SYMBOL OF PRIDE FOR OUR RACE
TVOJA SLAVA JESTA NAMA SVETA YOUR GLORY, TO US, IS ALMOST HOLY.
TI VILO VELEBITA VELEBIT, CROATIAN MAJESTY
TI NASHEG RODA DIKA SYMBOL OF PRIDE FOR OUR RACE,
ZHIVILA PREMILA. ZHIVILA PREMILA. MAY YOU LIVE AND PREVAIL AS A
ZHIVILA, OJ PREMILA, TI VILO SVI HRVATA! SYMBOL OF CROATIANS
UNITED.
Submitter comment:
THE LANGUAGE IS SERBO-CROATIAN, A BRANCH OF SOUTH SLAVIC
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): CROATIA
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION ; PATRIOTISM ; TAMBURITZA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Admiration Praise Adulation |
Date learned: 00001979CA
LIJEPA NASHA DOMOVINO (OUR BEAUTIFUL HOMELAND)
LIJEPA NASHA DOMOVINO (OUR BEAUTIFUL HOMELAND
OJ JUNACKA ZEMLJO MILA. OH, LAND OF HEROES!
STARE SLAVE DJEDOVINO FATHERLAND OF OLD, DEAR TRADITIONS
DA BI VAZDA SRETNA BILA! FOREVER FORTUNATE MAY YOU BE!
MILA KANO SI NAM SLAVNA DEAR TO US ARE YOUR CELEBRATED
MILA SI NAM TI JEDINA REGIONS. YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE DEAR
MILA KUDA SI NAM RAVNA TO US. ALSO DEAR ARE YOUR WONDROUS
MILA KUDA SI PLANINA. PLAINS. DEARER STILL YOUR FORESTS
AND MOUNTAINS.
Submitter comment:
THE LANGUAGE IS SERBO-CROATIAN, A BRANCH OF SOUTH SLAVIC
THIS IS THE NATIONAL ANTHEM OF CROATIA.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): TAMBURITZA
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION ; PATRIOTISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Admiration Praise Adulation |
Date learned: 00-00-1977