Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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Entertainment: Game
Method of Choosing "it" for Games:
(Rhyme is chanted by one person who, at the same time, points to the children one by one. I will indicate when the person points by partially unerlining the corresponding words.)
Eenie meenie minie moe
Catch a rabbit by the toe
If he hollers, let him go
My mother told me to choose the very best one
O U T spells out goes you.
Submitter comment:
I learned this in my grade school days in Detroit.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570.560, C300.03] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications.
Where learned: Myself
Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Entertainment ; GAME ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Entertainment: Game
Variations of "one potato, two potato" method of choosing "it':
(Rhyme is chanted by one person as all the children stand in a circle with both fists in front, thums up. The person taps each fist in the circle of fists, not neglecting his own. I will indicate the words correcponding to the taps by partial underlining.)
One potato, two potao, three potato, four.
Five potato, six potato, seven potato, more.
The first hit on more is put behind the back and the rhyme continues until only one fist remains, this person being "it.")
Submitter comment:
My mother learned this rhyme in her grammar school days in Detroit.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570.560, C300.021] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHILDHOOD ; Elimination ; Entertainment ; GAME ; POTATO ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Entertainment: Game
A Chant for Picking the "It":
This is a chant that the neighborhood kids used to choose the "it" in their games. It went: "1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato, 4. 5 potato, 6 potato, 7 potato, or." The person who "or" fell on was out and the rhyme started again.
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from his friends.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Entertainment ; GAMES ; Playground ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Entertainment: Game
A Chant for Picking the "IT":
To pick the "it" the people playing would gather together and someone would say: "Engine, Engine, number nine. Going down Chicago Line. If the train falls off the track, do you want your money back?"
The person who "back" was said to is out and the rhyme is started over.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] is crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BASEBALL GAME. ; CHILDREN ; Elimination ; Entertainment ; Playground ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Entertainment: Game
Childhood Game:
When they were kids, they had a game called "Step on a crack and you'll break your mother's back." They would run along the sidewalk but not step on the pavement cracks or they would "break their mother's back" and lose.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C870] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): Entertainment, Tabu, Game, Childhood ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.520 |
Ethnic: German
Tros, tros, tril,
Der Bauerhat ein Phil,
Das Philchen will nicht lauffen,
Der Bauer will verkaufen,
Tros, tros, tril.
This verse was sung by a grandfather to a small child. It accompanied a little game in which the grandfather sat with his knees crossed. On his right leg the child was seated facing the grandfather who grasped the child's hands. As the grandfather sings the verse, he gives the child a "pony" ride on his leg.
The verse tells of a farmer who had a horse, the horse would not run, so the farmer wants to sell the horse.
Submitter comment:
The informant remembers her German-born father entertaining his grandchildren with this game in Kenosha, Wisconsin about 30 years ago.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Loose (very loose) translation:
Tros, Tros, tril, The Bauerhat a Phil, The Philchen will not often run, the farmer wants to sell, Tros, Tros, tril.
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C520, C750] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Entertainment ; ETHNIC ; Fable ; GAME ; GERMAN ; HORSE ; Play ; RHYME ; SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.520 |
Entertainment: Game
"Pony Boy" game:
Put a small child on lap. Child should be facing you. Bounce shild up and down by bouncing your own knees. Continue the bouncing and sing:
Pony Boy, Pony Boy
Won't you be my Pony Boy?
Marry me; carry me
Right across the lane.
Giddy-up, Giddy-up....
(gradually bounce faster - at height of speed, extend your legs out and let child slide down, saying:)
Whoa! Don't you drop him!
(slide child back up).
Submitter comment:
My sister taught me it. As a nurse in the nursery she used to do it with the children.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C524.360] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHILD ; Entertainment ; GAME ; HORSE ; Pony ; RHYME ; SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.520 |
Entertainment: Games
"It":
One of several methods of determining who would be "it" in games like tag and hide and seek was found in the following rhyme:
Lincoln, Lincoln, I been thinking,
What the world have you been drinking?
It ain't bourbon, it ain't wine,
Oh My God, it's turpentine!
All the participants put one foot into a circle. One goes through this rhyme and eliminates the participants one at a time. The one who is left is it.
Submitter comment:
I often used this methid to determine who would be it in the games in Washington DC (1950's)
Data entry tech comment:
motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C500, C750, C500.1; S555] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: Myself
Keyword(s): CHILD ; CHILDREN ; Choice ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; GAME ; Play ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | -- .C750520 |
Entertainment: Games
Hide and Seek Call:
When playing hide and seek, and the person who is it cannot find everyone, he calls out "Ally Ally in Free" and all those who are still hidden come out of their places to hide again for the next game.
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from the other kids in the neighborhood
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Bn [C524, S70] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CHILD ; CHILDREN ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; GAMES ; Play
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.520 |
Entertainment: Games
Jump Rope Song:
Two, Four, Six, Eight, teacher's got a bellyache.
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from a friend
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHILD ; CHILDHOOD ; Entertainment ; GAMES ; Play ; RHYME ; SONG
| Subject headings: | -- .C750560 |
Entertainment: Games
Jump Rope Song:
Two, four, six, eight, time to transubstantiate.
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from neighborhood friends
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out. replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHILD ; CHILDREN ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; GAME ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Entertainment: Games
Jump Rope Song:
Catch me, Catch me, Catch me if you can.
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from the neighborhood kids
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out. Replaced with C750.560
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHILD ; CHILDHOOD ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; Play
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Entertainment: Game
Method of Choosing "IT":
To choose an "it," all of the players put both feet in a circle and let one person say; "engine, engine, number nine; going down Chicago Line; If the train falls off the track, do you want your money back?" The person could then respond Yes or No. The choice he picked is the number of feet more the count is advanced - (yes=3, no=no) and that person is excluded. This keeps up until only one is left.
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from his buddies.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHILDHOOD ; Diversion ; Elimination ; Entertainment ; GAME ; Play
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Entertainment: Game
Jump Rope Song:
Changing Bedrooms Number 1/ Changing Bedrooms Number 2/ Changing Bedrooms Number 3/ Changing Bedrooms Number 4/ Changing Bedrooms Number 5/ etc. etc.
Two people are jumping at opposite sides of the rope. They must switch places on every number.
Submitter comment:
Informant learned it from her friends.
Data entry tech comment:
motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out/replaced with current classification
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CHILD ; Entertainment ; GAMES ; Jump Rope ; Play ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Entertainment: Game
Jump Rope Song:
Cinderella, dressed in yella,
went upstairs to kiss a fella
how many kisses did she receive?
(Hot pepper count until she misses)
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from the neighborhood kids.
Data entry tech comment:
motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out/ replaced with current classification
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): Entertainment ; GAMES ; Jump Rope ; Play
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750 .560 |
Entertainment: Game
Jump Rope Song:
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, go upstairs / Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, say your prayers / Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn out the light / Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, say goodnight.
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from her friends.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN crossed out / Replaced with C750.560
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CHILD ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; GAME ; Jump Rope ; Play
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Entertainment: Game
Jump Rope Song:
Not last night, but the night before, 24 robbers came knocking at my door. I went out (jump out of rope) to let them in (jump back in) and here's what they said to me:
"Spanish Dancer do the kicks, kicks, kicks, kicks, (jump with legs far apart)
Spanish Dancer do the splits, splits, splits, splits, (jump up with legs extended)
Spanish Dancer turn around, round, round, (turn rope)
Spanish Dancer Touch the ground, ground, ground. (touch the ground)
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from the neighborhood kids
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Entertainment ; GAMES ; Jump Rope ; Play ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Entertainment: Game
Jump Rope Song:
Mable, Mable, set the table. Don't forget the salt, but don't forget the red hot peppers. (when "red peppers" is said, the rope is spun faster.)
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from neighborhood kids.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out / replaced with current classification
Keyword(s): CHILD ; CHILDREN ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; GAME ; Jump Rope ; Play ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Superstition
Bad Luck:
If you see a black cat on ground hog's day, destruction is at hand.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD.
Collector's last name may be: Supenski, Suprinski, Serpenski, Surpinski...
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Black ; CAT ; Destruction ; Groundhog ; OMEN ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |
Superstition
Never cross the path of a black cat becasue bad luck will follow.
Data entry tech comment:
motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P752] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Myself
Keyword(s): Black ; CAT ; jinx ; LUCK ; OMEN ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |