Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for DEATH returned 183 results.
LYRICAL VERSE DEATH
HERE LIES THE BODY OF SOLOMON PEASE.
UNDER THE DAISIES, UNDER THE TREES.
BUT PEASE ISN'T HERE, ONLY THE POD
PEASE SHELLED OUT AND WENT HOME TO GOD.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): EPITAPH COUPLETS DEATH VEGETABLES-PEAS METAPHOR PUN-SLANG ; RHYME:AA
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 04-02-1968
MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOHN,
BLESS THE BED THAT I LIE ON.
ALL FOUR CORNERS ROUND ABOUT,
WHEN I GET IN, WHEN I GET OUT.
FOUR CORNERS TO MY BED,
FOUR ANGELS ROUND MY HEAD;
ONE TO WATCH AND ONE TO PRAY,
AND TWO TO BEAR MY SOUL AWAY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD IN SCHOOL
Where learned: TOLEDO
Keyword(s): PIOUS DEATH ANGELS SLEEPING BIBLICIAL ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
NO WIFE FOR REPLACEMENT
A MAN'S CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. IT BEING INSURED,
HE WENT AT ONCE TO THE INSURANCE OFFICE AND DEMANDED HIS MONEY.
HE WAS GIVEN A FORM TO FILL OUT, AND WAS TOLD THAT HE COULD
NOT GET THE MONEY, BUT THE CAR WOULD BE REPLACED.
"OH," SAID HE, "IF THAT'S THE WAY YOU DO BUSINESS, I WANT
TO CANCEL MY WIFE'S LIFE INSURANCE POLICY IMMEDIATELY."
Data entry tech comment: ITEM PUNCHED AS IT APPEARED ON CARD
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): HUMOR ; INSURANCE ; MARRIAGE ; NONSENSE ; PREPARATION FOR DEATH ; SURPRISE ENDING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
ORANGE GROVE
A BOY AND GIRL IN FLORIDA WENT OUT PARKING IN AN ORANGE GROVE.
WHEN THEY WERE READY TO LEAVE THE BOY FOUND THAT HE WAS OUT OF
GAS. HE WAS REALLY DISGUSTED WITH HIMSELF AS HE STOMPED AWAY,
WARNING THE GIRL TO LOCK THE DOORS AND WAIT FOR HIM IN THE CAR.
HOURS PASSED AND THE GIRL WAS GETTING VERY WORRIED. IT WAS COLD
AND SHE WAS VERY TIRED SO SHE FELL ASLEEP. A TAP AT THE WINDOW
WOKE HER. A POLICEMAN TOLD HER TO GET OUT AND GO TO THE PATROL
CAR AND HE'D TAKE HER HOME. AS HE HELPED HER TO THE CAR HE WARNED
HER NOT TO LOOK BACK AT THE OTHER CAR. AS HE CLOSED THE DOOR
SHE GLANCED BACK AT THE OTHER CAR. THERE WAS HER BOYFRIEND'S
HEAD, ON THE ROOF, STREAMING BLOOD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): Boyfriend ; DEATH ; Girlfriend ; MURDER ; PARKING ; Urban Legend ; VIOLENT
James Callow Keyword(s): DECAPITATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
YELLOW MIKE
BACK IN 1940 THERE WAS A TRAIN WHICH WAS PASSING THROUGH HASTINGS,
MICHIGAN DURING THE NIGHT. A LARGE CRATE WHICH WAS ON THIS TRAIN
FELL OUT OF THE DOOR OF ONE OF THE BOX CARS. A MAN WHO WAS KNOWN AS
MIKE WENT TO SEE WHAT WAS IN THE BOX. AS HE LIT A MATCH AND LOOKED
INSIDE THE BOX, HE SAW A CREATURE WHICH LOOKED LIKE A MAN BUT IT WAS
TOTALLY COVERED WITH LONG YELLOW HAIR. BECAUSE OF THIS IT WAS NAMED
YELLOW MIKE. THE NEXT DAY YELLOW MIKE WAS PUT IN THE HASTINGS'
INSANE ASYLUM. TWO DAYS LATER THE ASYLUM CAUGHT FIRE. SOME OF THE
PATIENTS WERE SAVED AND MANY WERE BURNED TO DEATH. NOBODY SAW
YELLOW MIKE COME OUT, SO THEY FIGURED THAT HE HAD BEEN BURNED TO
DEATH. THE NEXT MORNING FARMERS IN THE AREA REPORTED FINDING
THEIR CATTLE AND OTHER LIVESTOCK LITERALLY TORN APART AND THAT
THERE WAS YELLOW HAIR LYING AROUND. ALSO A LADY SAID THAT HER SON
AND HIS GIRLFRIEND HAD NOT YET RETURNED FROM THEIR DATE. THE TWO
WERE LATER FOUND IN AN AREA BY GUN LAKE WHICH IS CALLED DEVILS' SOUP
BOWL.(IT IS A WELL VISITED SPOT BY PARKERS). THEIR BODIES WERE
TORN APART AS IF SOME ANIMAL HAS GOTTEN AHOLD OF THEM. THERE WAS
ONLY YELLOW HAIR LYING AROUND AND UNDER THE BOY'S FINGERNAILS
THERE WAS YELLOW HAIR. IMMEDIATELY TWENTY MEN WERE STATIONED AT
DEVILS' SOUP BOWL. EIGHTEEN MEN WERE STATIONED AT THE LOW GRADED
SIDE AND THE OTHER TWO AT THE STEEP GRADED SIDE BECAUSE THEY
FIGURED IF YELLOW MIKE WAS IN THERE HE WOULD COME OUT ON THE LOW
GRADED SIDE. THEIR ORDERS WERE TO SHOOT TO KILL AND NOT WOUND
HIM. IF HE WERE TO BE WOUNDED HE WOULD BECOME WORSE THAN HE ALREADY
WAS. ONE OF THE EIGHTEEN SAW YELLOW MIKE AND FIRED BUT HE ONLY
WOUNDED HIM. ONE OF THE TWO FROM THE OTHER SIDE RAN OVER TO SEE
WHAT WAS HAPPENING. WHEN HE DIDN'T RETURN THE OTHER GUY WENT OVER
TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. WHEN HE GOT THERE HE FOUND NINETEEN
MUTILATED BODIES. HIS FRIEND WAS JUST BARELY ALIVE AND THE LAST
THING HE SAID WAS THAT IT WAS YELLOW MIKE AND HE'S WOUNDED. ALL
NINETEEN WERE BURIED ON A HILL NEAR BY NOW CALLED GRAVES' HILL
AND THERE IS A BOULDER OVER EACH GRAVE. WELL THEY FIGURED YELLOW
MIKE WOULD DIE AS A WOUNDED SO THEY DIDN'T BOTHER TO TRACK HIM
DOWN. HASTING LATER ON STARTED GETTING REPORTS FROM JACKSON,
MICHIGAN AND EVEN FARTHER SOUTH OF ANIMALS BEING KILLED AND
FINDING YELLOW HAIR BY THEM. IT SEEMS EVEN UP TO THIS DAY THAT
YELLOW MIKE COMES NORTH FOR THE SUMMER AND GOES SOUTH DURING
MICHIGAN'S COLD SEASON. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS TRUE YOU
CAN GO TO HASTING'S CITY LIBRARY AND UNDER THE HISTORY OF THE
CITY OF HASTING YOU WILL FIND THIS TALE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): PLACE NAMES, MURDER ; VIOLENT DEATHS
James Callow Keyword(s): DEVIL'S SOUP BOWL, MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
THE DOG
TWO WOMEN WERE COMING HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT, WHEN THEY HEARD ON
THE RADIO THAT A PSYCHOPATHIC MANIAC HAD ESCAPED FROM THE STATE
MENTAL HOSPITAL. ONE OF THE WOMEN, WHO LIVED WITH HER PARENTS,
ASKED THE OTHER, WHO LIVED ALONE WITH HER GERMAN SHEPARD DOG, IF
SHE WOULD LIKE TO STAY AT HER HOUSE FOR THE NIGHT. THE WOMAN
REFUSED SAYING THAT SHE WAS SAFE WITH HER DOG. WHEN SHE ARRIVED
HOME, SHE WAS GREETED BY HER DOG AND WENT TO BED. DURING THE
NIGHT SHE HEARD HER DOG YELP SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WHEN SHE PUT HER
HAND DOWN BY THE SIDE OF THE BED, WHICH IS WHERE HER DOG USUALLY
SLEPT, SHE FOUND THAT HER DOG WAS STILL THERE. SHE REASSURED HER-
SELF BY PETTING THE DOG SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN SHE WOKE UP THE
FOLLOWING MORNING, SHE NOTICED THAT HER DOG WAS MISSING. SHE
FINALLY WENT INTO THE BATHROOM TO WASH UP, AND THERE SHE DISCOVERED
HER DOG HANGING DEAD FROM THE SHOWER. THERE WAS A SCREAM. SHE HAD
REALIZED THAT SHE HAD BEEN PETTING THE MANIAC INSTEAD OF HER DOG ALL
NIGHT.
Submitter comment: . I HEARD THIS ON A HUNTING TRIP ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): VIOLENT DEATH
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
AX MURDER HOLLOW, PENNSYLVANIA
THERE IS AN AREA IN PENNSYLVANIA KNOWN AS AX MURDER HOLLOW. THERE
WAS A MASS MURDER WHICH TOOK PLACE IN THE AREA AND ALL THE DEATHS
WERE THE RESULT OF AN AX. PEOPLE GO THERE NOW ON HALLOWEEN EXPECTIN
TO SEE THE MURDERER REAPPEAR.
James Callow comment: MURDERER NOT CALLED A GHOST, ONLY IMPLIED.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): VIOLENT DEATHS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-15-1968
THE MYTH OF THE YELLING WOMAN
DURING THE LATTER PART OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY, A SPANISH SHIP,
RICHLY LADEN WITH RICHES, WAS BESET BY ENGLISH PIRATES, WHO KILLED
EVERY PERSON ON BOARD AT THE TIME OF THE CAPTURE, EXCEPT A
BEAUTIFUL LADY, A PASSENGER ON THE SHIP, WHO WAS BROUGHT ASHORE
AT NIGHT AND BRUTALLY MURDERED AT A LEDGE OF THE ROCKS. AS THE
FISHERMEN WHO LIVED NEAR WERE AWAY IN THEIR BOATS, THE WOMEN AND
CHILDREN, WHO WERE STARTLED FROM THEIR SLEEP BY HER PIERCING SHRIEKS
DARED NOT ATTEMPT A RESCUE. TAKING HER A LITTLE WAY FROM SHORE IN
THEIR BOAT, THE PIRATES FLUNG HER INTO THE SEA AND AS SHE CAME TO
THE SURFACE AND GRABBED FOR THE BOAT, THEY WHACKED AT HER HANDS
WITH CUTLASSES. SHE WAS HEARD TO CRY, LORD, SAVE ME} MERCY} O,
LORD, JESUS, SAVE ME} THE NEXT DAY THE PEOPLE FOUND HER MURDERED
MANGLED BODY ON THE ROCKS AND PREPARED IT FOR BURIAL. IT WAS
INTERRED WHERE IT WAS FOUND, BUT, ALTHOUGH IT WAS LAID IN THE EARTH
WITH CHRISTIAN FORMS, FOR ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS THE VICTIM'S
CRIES AND APPEALS WERE REPEATED, ON EACH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CRIME,
WITH SUCH DISTINCTNESS AS TO SCARE ALL WHO HEARD THEM AND MOST OF
THE CITIZENS OF THAT COMMUNITY CLAIMED TO HEAR THE CRIES AT ONE
TIME OR ANOTHER.
Submitter comment:
MRS. ORESTE SAID THAT SHE HEARD ABOUT THIS MYTH FROM HER AUNT WHO
HEARD IT FROM SOMEONE ELSE. SHE FIRST HEARD ABOUT THE TALE ABOUT
THIRTY YEARS AGO AND CLAIMS THAT ANOTHER ONE OF HER RELATIVES
ACTUALLY HEARD THE SHRIEKS OF THE WOMAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND HAVEN
Keyword(s): VIOLENT DEATH
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Myth PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-00-1963
POLISH PROVERB
IN A LITTLE WHILE, MANY SOULS WILL FACE GOD.
TRANSLATION OF
QUIELE DUSZ STANIE ZA CHWILE, PRZED BAGIEM. (POLISH)
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A SAYING OFTEN USED BEFORE A BATTLE. MY FATHER REMEMBERS THI
FROM POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): DEATH ; PREDICTION ; WAR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- War BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-26-1967
SIAMESE TWINS
SIAMESE TWINS WHO WERE JOINED AT THE ARM WERE SEPARATED AND LIVED
IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. WHEN LATER IN LIFE ONE DIED
IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT THE OTHER DIED SUDDENLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON
HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME AS A TRUE STORY WHICH BEV HAD READ ABOUT SOME YEARS (AGO).
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
James Callow Keyword(s): SIMULTANEOUS DEATH OF TWINS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
DEAD MAN SITS UP
THERE WAS A MAN THAT DIED IN A CHAIR SITTING UP AND WHEN
THEY PUT HIM IN THE CASKET, THEY HAD TO TIE HIM DOWN TO MAKE HIM LIE
FLAT. WHEN THEY WERE HAVING A WAKE FOR HIM AND WERE DRINKING OUT
OF A JUG, THE MAN SAT UP IN THE COFFIN.
EVERYONE ELSE TOOK OFF FOR PARTS UNKNOWN SO THAT THE DEAD MAN WAS
ALONE.
Submitter comment:
MR. YOUNT BELIEVED THIS TO BE TRUE AS EVERYONE ELSE KNEW
THE MAN AND ALSO BELIEVED IT.
HAPPENED IN HOLLISTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): POST-MORTEM REFLEX
James Callow Keyword(s): DEATH WATCH OR WAKE ; RIGOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
AUTOGRAPH VERSE
LONG MAY YOU LIVE
HAPPY MAY YOU DIE
SITTING ON A LOG
EATING APPLE PIE.
Submitter comment: (1939 BIRCH TREE, MONTANA)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CLIPPED IAMBIC ; DEATH ; HAPPINESS ; HUMOR ; LONGEVITY ; QUATRAIN ; RHYME: ABCB ; WISH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Good wishes (sincere) |
Date learned: 03-01-1972
"THE JAM ON GERRIES ROCK" MM
1. MM
COME ALL YOU YOUNG BOLD SHANTY BOYS, AND LIST WHILE I RELATE
THIS CONCERNING A YOUNG SHANTY BOY, AND HIS UNTIMELY FATE
CONCERNING A YOUNG SHANTY BOY SO MANLY, TRUE AND BRAVE
'TWAS ON THE JAM AT GERRIES ROCK, HE MET HIS WATERY GRAVE MM
2. MM
'TWAS ON ONE SUNDAY MORNING, AS YOU WILL QUICKLY HEAR
THE LOGS WERE PILED UP MOUNTAIN HIGH, WE COULD NOT KEEP THEM
CLEAR
OUR FOREMAN SAYS, "TURN OUT BRAVE BOYS, WITH HEARTS DEVOID OF
FEAR
WE'LL BREAK THE JAM AT GERRIES ROCK, AND FOR EDMORE TOWN WE'LL
STEER MM
3. MM
NOW SOME OF THEM WERE WILLING, WHILE OTHERS THEY WERE NOT
TO WORK ON JAMS ON SUNDAYS, THEY DID NOT THINK WE OUGHT
BUT FIVE OF OUR BRAVE CANADIAN BOYS, DID VOLUNTEER TO GO
TO BREAK THE JAM ON GERRIES ROCK, WITH THEIR FOREMAN JACK
MONROE MM
4. MM
THEY HAD NOT ROLLED OFF MANY LOGS, 'TILL THEY HEARD A CLEAR
VOICE SAY
"I'D HAVE YOU BOYS BE ON YOUR WATCH, FOR THIS JAM WILL SOON
GIVE WAY"
THESE WORDS WERE SCARCELY SPOKEN TILL THE MASS DID BREAK AND GO
IT CARRIED OFF THOSE FIVE BRAVE BOYS, AND THEIR FOREMAN YOUNG
MONROE MM
5. MM
WHEN THE REST OF OUR BRAVE SHANTY BOYS, THE SAD NEWS CAME TO
HEAR
IN SEARCH OF THEIR DEAD COMRADES, TO THE RIVER THEY DREW NEAR
WHILE SEARCHING FOR THE BODIES, WHICH FLOATING DOWN DID GO
ALL CRUSHED AND BLEEDING BY THE BANK, WAS THAT OF YOUNG MONROE MM
6. MM
THEY DRAGGED HIM FROM HIS WATERY GRAVE, BRUSHED BACK HIS RAVEN
HAIR
THERE WAS ONE FAIR FORM AMONG THEM, WHOSE SAD CRIES RENT THE
AIR
THERE WAS ONE FAIR FORM AMONG THEM, A GIRL FROM SAGINAW TOWN
WHOSE MOANS AND CRIES AROSE TO THE SKIES FOR HER TRUE LOVE
WHO'D GONE DOWN MM
7. MM
FAIR CLARA WAS A NOBLE GIRL, THE RIVERMAN'S TRUE FRIEND
WHO WITH HER WIDOWED MOTHER, LIVED AT THE RIVER'S BEND
THE WAGES OF HER OWN TRUE LOVE, THE BOSS TO HER DID PAY
THE SHANTY BOYS MADE UP FOR HER, A GENEROUS PURSE NEXT DAY MM
8. MM
THEY BURIED HIM MID SORROWS DEEP, 'TWAS ON THE FIRST OF MAY
COME ALL YOU YOUNG SHANTY BOYS, AND FOR YOUR COMRADE PRAY
ENGRAVED UPON A HEMLOCK TREE WHICH, BY THE GRAVE DID GROW
WAS THE NAME AND DATE OF THIS SAD FATE, OF OUR SHANTY BOY
MONROE MM
9. MM
FAIR CLARA DID NOT LONG SURVIVE, HER HEART WAS FILLED WITH
GRIEF
AND SCARCELY SIX MONTHS AFTER, DEATH CAME TO HER RELIEF
AND WHEN THE TIME HAD PASSED AWAY AND SHE WAS CALLED TO GO
HER LAST REQUEST WAS GRANTED TO BE LAID BY YOUNG MONROE MM
10. MM
COME ALL YOU YOUNG BOLD SHANTY BOYS, I'D HAVE YOU CALL AND SEE
TWO GREEN MOUNDS BY THE RIVER SIDE, WHERE GROWS THE HEMLOCK
TREE
THE SHANTY BOYS CLEARED FOR THE SPOT, BUT THE LOVERS THEY LAY
LOW
THERE'S HANDSOME CLARA VERNON, AND HER TRUE LOVE JACK MONROE MM MM
THIS WAS A TRUE HAPPENING. MY GRANDFATHER KNEW OF IT AT THE
TIME IT HAPPENED. YEARS AGO, IN THE LUMBERING DAYS, WHEN A
TRAGEDY WOUULD HIT, SOME ONE USUALLY MADE UP A SONG ABOUT IT. MM
THE JAM, WHICH IS SANG OF IN THE SONG THE JAM ON GERRIES ROCK,
WAS WHEN THE LOGS WHICH WERE BEING FLOATED DOWN THE RIVER,
WOUULD JAM UP. THE CAUSE OF THIS WOULD BE THAT ONE OR TWO
LOGS WOULD TURN SIDEWAYS, INSTEAD OF FLOATING END FIRST DOWN
THE RIVER. YOU SEE THE MEN WOULD CUT THESE LOGS IN THE WIN-
TER TIME, AND THEY WERE HAULED BY SLEIGH TO A RIVER AND PILED
ON THE BANK, AND THEN IN THE SPRING, WHEN THE ICE MELTED IN
THE RIVERS, AND THE WATER WAS HIGH, THE LOGS WERE DUMPED INTO
THE RIVER AND FLOATED DOWN STREAM TO A LUMBER MILL, WHERE THEY
WERE SAWED INTO LUMBER. I SAW THIS ALL HAPPEN WHEN I WAS A
CHILD AT MICHELSON, HERE IN ROSCOMMON COUNTY.
Submitter comment:
IT IS INTERESTING THAT THIS INFORMANT BELIEVES THAT THIS
INCIDENT HAPPENED IN MICHIGAN AND THAT HER GRANDFATHER KNEW
IT. MANY OTHER ACCOUNTS OF THIS SAME INCIDENT IN VERY SIMILAR
SONGS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN OTHER LUMBERING AREAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
James Callow Keyword(s): LUMBERJACK ; SYMPATHETIC DEATH
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad, Song, Verse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- FO50 BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00001930S
(sung to a funeral dirge)
The worms crawl in
The worms crawl out
The worms play pinochle on your snout.
(spoken in a hushed and fearful tone)
When you see a hearse go by
You may be the next to die.
They wrap you up in a big white sheet
And drop you down a couple of feet.
(sung)
They eat out your eyes
They eat out your nose
They eat out the dirt that's between your toes.
Submitter comment:
When I hummed the melody of the dirge in this song and
asked Elinor if she had learned a children's song with
this same tune, she knew exactly the one I was referring
to, and repeated the one that I had learned, word for word.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
Keyword(s): Death, Burial, Decomposition, Gore
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00001950S
Pictures of counselors, dead on the floor,
Killed by the campers, one and all.
Blood on their shoulders,
Blood on their shirts,
Great big globs of blood on the dirt. MM
When counselors die
When counselors die
Don't bury their bones
Don't bury their bones
Just leave them lie
Just leave them lie
Among the stones
Among the stones
And paint a sign
And paint a sign
In letters green
In letters green
Here lie the bones of the losing team!
Here lie the bones of the losing team!
Submitter comment:
The repeating lines in the second stanza are sung
by two groups who alternate singing. Maryann states
that she was taught this song by her counselors while
attending Maskokie Day Camp in 1967.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; SKOKIE
Keyword(s): death, decomposition, humor
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Legend
I used to babysit on a dark deserted road in the 1970's.
Across from the house was a huge oak tree.
This was the scene of a great tragedy.
It is known in New Baltimore that two young lovers
ran out of gas while they were parked in front of the tree.
The boyfriend went to get gas. While he was gone, she fell
asleep. She heard a banging sound but thought nothing of it.
The next morning the police woke her up and asked her to
step out of the car. She saw her boyfriend hanging from the
tree. His legs hit the car while the wind was blowing, thus
making a thumping noise.
Submitter comment: Old New Baltimore legend
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW BALTIMORE
James Callow Keyword(s): The Boyfriend's Death
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00001970CA
Don't ever laugh when a hearse goes by.
Or you may be the next to die.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): DEATH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00001970S
When people stopped for funerals, this meant not only giving
respect to the deceased but to their family.
Where learned: GEORGIA
Keyword(s): DEATH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
THE GRASS IS RIZ,
WHERE LAST YEAR'S
CARELESS DRIVER IS.
Submitter comment: WRITTEN IN PARISH BULLETIN.
James Callow comment: RDNeedsReview
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): ADVICE ; DEATH ; DRIVING ; METER: IAMBIC ; MONOLOGUE SLANG, DIALECT ; PUN ; RHYME: MASCULINE, ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
AFTER AN OLD LADY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD DIED, THE BOYS WHO HAD
HATED HER WHILE SHE WAS LIVING, TOLD ONE OF THE LITTLE GIRLS
OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THEY WOULD GIVE HER $25.00 IF SHE
WOULD GO STICK A FORK IN THIS LADY'S GRAVE. ONE NIGHT AS SHE
WENT TO GET HER $25.00, SHE TOOK THE FORK WITH HER AND
QUICKLY STABBED IT IN HER GRAVE. HOWEVER, AS SHE TURNED
TO RUN AWAY, SHE FELT A TUG AT HER SKIRT. NOT REALIZING THAT
THE FORK HAD CAUGHT SOME OF HER SKIRT, SHE THOUGHT IT WAS THE
LADY GRABBING HER AND SHE DIED OF A HEART ATTACK ON THE GROVE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): DEATH FROM FRIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 07-01-1970