Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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JUMP-ROPE RHYME
SHIRLEY TEMPLE WENT TO FRANCE
TO TEACH THE GIRLS THE WATUSI DANCE.
FIRST ON THE HEEL THEN ON THE TOE.
SPLIT THE ROPE AND AROUND SHE GOES.
SALUTE TO YOUR PARTNER, CURTSEY TO THE QUEEN,
TOUCH THE BOTTOM OF THE SUBMARINE.
I LIKE COFFEE, I LIKE TEA
I LIKE A WHITE BOY AND HE LIKES ME.
HEY, WHITE BOY, YOU DON'T SHINE.
HERE COMES A COLORED BOY TO BEAT YOUR BEHIND!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MOVIE STAR ; NEGRO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-00-1974
SINGING, DANCING AND CLAPPING GAME.
EENIE-MEENIE GYPSA-LEENIE, WHO SHOT AHMALEENIE? AHCHEE-KAHCHEE,
LIBERACE, I LOVE YOU. TOO-TOO. I SAW YOU WITH YOUR BOYFRIEND LAST
NIGHT. HOW DO YOU KNOW? I PEEKED THROUGH THE KEYHOLE, NOSY! WASH
THOSE DISHES, LAZY! JUMP OUT THE WINDOW, CRAZY! GIVE ME SOME CANDY
STINGEY! SO EENIE-MEENIE, GYPSA-LEENIE, WHO SHOT AHMALEENIE?
AHCHEE-KAHCHEE, LIBERACE, I LOVE YOU. TOO-TOO::
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NONSENSE WORDS ; TELEVISION PERSONALITY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 11-00-1974
JUMP-ROPE RHYME
LULU HAD AN ENGINE, THE ENGINE HAD A BELL
LULU WENT TO HEAVEN AND THE ENGINE WENT TO HELL-O
OPERATOR, GIVE ME NUMBER
IF YOU DON'T I'LL KICK YOUR BLACK BEHIND
THE REFRIGERATOR, THERE IS A PIECE OF GLASS
I HOPE YOU FALL AND CUT YOUR BIG, OLD --
ASK ME NO MORE QUESTIONS, I'LL TELL YOU NO MORE LIES
AND THAT'S HOW MARY AND HER STEAM BOAT DIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-00-1974
IRISH TRICKERY
THROW SALT OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER IN CASE OR IF YOU FEEL
SOMEONE IS IN BACK OF YOU WITH A KNIFE AND TRY TO HARM YOU.
IF YOU FEEL THAT THE PERSON IN BACK OF YOU WILL HARM YOU, BY
ANY MEANS THAT THEY CAN, THEN DO THIS ALSO.
THIS WILL SCARE THEM OFF.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING HIS LATE ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HIS
HOME TOWN.
THIS SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF IS SYMPATHETIC MAGIC BECAUSE IT INVOLES
A SAFETY PRECAUTION OF DANGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): INVOLVES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001930S
EVE OF NEW YEAR
FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE YOU ARE TO HAVE SOURKRAUT AND SPARE RIBS
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED FROM HER ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HER HOME TOWN.
THIS IS A SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF OF HAVING CERTAIN FOODS FOR A
SPECIFIC DAY, IN ORDER TO BRING GOOD LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SAUERKRAUT
Date learned: 00001930S
NO-SPILL-SALT
IF YOU SPILL SALT YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK UNLESS YOU DO THIS,
TAKE A HAND FULL OF SALT AND THROW IT OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER.
THIS WILL REVERSE THE BAD LUCK AND GIVE YOU GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED THIS FOLKLORE FROM HER CHILDHOOD DAYS OF HER HOME TOWN.
THIS SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF IS SYMPATHETIC MAGIC BECAUSE THERE IS A
PRIMITIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN SPILLING AND THE THROWING THE SALT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17 |
Date learned: 00001930'S
GOOD LUCK
IF YOU STUMPLE ON YOUR FOOT, OR IT MAY ITCH, THAT'S A
SIGN FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
SHE REMEMBERED THIS ITEM FROM TIMES WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG. BUT
IT WAS TOLD TO HER FROM HER MOTHER AND NEIGHBORS USUALLY BY WORD
OF MOUTH. HER MOTHER AS WELL AS HER MOTHER'S MOTHER BELIEVED
THAT OLD SAYINGS ARE WORTH REMEMBERING. THE INFORMANT REGARDS
THIS FOLK ITEM AS A PIECE OF GOLD FOR A GUIDE LINE OF LIFE'S
EXPERIENCE.
SHE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
THIS IS A SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; VIRGINIA ; PHILADELPHIA ; RICHMOND
James Callow Keyword(s): STUMBLE?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
STARTING THE NEW YEAR
ON THE FIRST OF THE NEW YEAR YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LET THE FIRST
DARK PERSON THAT YOU KNOW COME THROUGH THE DOOR FIRST
WHILE HE CARRIES A PIECE OF BLACK CHARCOAL (IF NOT MALE THEN
HAVE A FEMALE DO IT).
SO THAT YOU MAY HAVE GOOD LUCK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING HIS LATE ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HIS
HOME TOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING
Date learned: 00001930S
FRONT DOOR---PLEASE
IF YOU COME IN THE FRONT DOOR THEN YOU MUST LEAVE BY THE FRONT DOOR.
IF NOT THEN YOU WILL CAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE HOUSE
BAD LUCK FOR SURE.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER HOME TOWN DURING HER ADOLESCENT STAGE.
THIS SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE HOME. THIS
PRACTICE KEEPS THE HOME SAFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ENTERING LEAVING ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001930'S
GRACE BEFORE MEALS
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT, PUT IT ON THE
TABLE AND I'LL GET ALL I WANT.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING MY STAY IN DETROIT WITH PEOPLE WHO
LIVED THERE A LONG TIME.
THIS VERSE HAS A PARODY AIR ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT CONTRADICTS ITSELF.
I SAY THIS BECAUSE WHEN ONE SAYS PRAYERS ONE WOULD HOPEFULLY BE
EXPRESSING THEIR GRATEFULNESS FOR THE MEALS, AND NOT HAVE AN
SELFISH OR GREEDY AND ANXIOUS ATTITUDE ABOUT EATING THE MEAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PSALM 23 PARODY
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
SHE'S--MARKED:
BURNING "S" ON THE FACE OF A FEMALE WAS TO SHOW THAT SHE WAS AN
AN ADULTERER. THE MARK COULD BE ALSO CUT ON HER FACE.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING HIS LATE ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HIS HOME TOWN.
THIS ITEM WAS TOLD TO HIM BY HIS ACQUAINTANCES WHEN HE VISITED IRELAND. THIS
TALE CAME ABOUT IN THE EARLY YEARS OF IRELAND'S BIRTH. THE SIGN WAS PUT ON THE
WOMAN'S FACE SO TO TELL "THE WORLD" OF HER SIN. I DIDN'T GET AN EXPLANATION WHY
THEY USED THE LETTER S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): BRANDING ; PUNISHMENT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001930S
BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU LEAVE HERE
DON'T LET THE DOOR KNOB HIT YOU
WHERE THE GOOD LORD SPLIT YOU.
THIS MEANS GOOD-BYE AND BE CAREFUL, OUT HERE IN THIS WORLD.
Submitter comment:
SHE USED A PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH IN EXPLAINING THIS ITEM.
THE INFORMANT SEEMS TO REMEMBER THIS ITEM FROM HER EARLY ADOLESCENT
YEARS IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD, WHERE SHE LIVED FOR 16 YEARS. SHE
WAS CUNNING IN THE WAY SHE TOLD THIS ITEM. HER ASSOCIATES IN THE
ROOM MAY HAVE PROMOTED THIS ACTION.
THIS IS A VERSE THAT SHE REMEMBERED FROM MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): CROTCH OR BUTTOCKS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 00001960S
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
INFORMANT'S GRANDMOTHER, ON NEW YEAR'S EVE GOES OUT THE BACK DOOR
AT 11:59 AND SLOWLY WALKS TO THE FRONT DOOR AND WALKS IN AT 12:01
SIGNIFYING THE END OF THE OLD YEAR AND THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW
YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve |
Date learned: 11-22-1974
POLISH PRAYER
ZA TWE MAMO PRACE TROSKI BEDA PROSIE MATKI BOSKI BY CIE
OBDARZYLA ZDROWIEM JAK WOSNE VIECEJ POWIEM. TRANSLATION: FOR ALL
YOUR WORK AND WORRY, I BESEECH THE MOTHER OF GOD TO GIFT YOU
WITH HEALTH AND WHEN I GROW UP I'LL TELL YOU MORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT: GIFT AS VERB ; PIOUS GOOD WISHES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.643 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 21 equinox to June 20 |
Date learned: 11-07-1974
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
AT CHRISTMAS, THE FATHER SNEAKS OUTSIDE AND PROCEEDS TO KNOCK ON
THE DOORS AND WINDOWS. THE MOTHER WARNS THE CHILDREN THAT THE WOLF
IS COMING. THE FATHER ENTERS THE HOUSE THROUGH THE BACK DOOR. HE
HAS A BLANKET OVER HIS HEAD AND A "TURON" IN HIS HANDS. A "TURON"
IS THE HEAD OF A WOLF ON A STICK WITH FLAPPING JAWS CONTROLLED BY
A ROPE. THE FATHER CHASES THE KIDS AROUND THE ROOM THEN SNEAKS
BACK OUTSIDE.
Submitter comment:
MOST OFTEN THE "TURON" IS HOMEMADE AND PASSED ON FROM FATHER TO
ELDEST SON. THIS WAS DONE BY MY GRANDFATHER IN DETROIT BUT MY
FATHER DOES NOT OBSERVE THE CUSTOM ANYMORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MASK
Date learned: 10-10-1974
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE FAMILY ALWAYS SETS AN EXTRA PLACE AT THE TABLE FOR THE
CHRISTMAS MEAL IN CASE ANYONE COMES IN NEED OF FOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHARITY HOSPITALITY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 10-10-1974
POLISH PROVERB
GOSC W DOMU; BOG W DOMU. TRANSLATION: GUEST IN THE HOUSE; GOD IN
THE HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS ; HOSPITALITY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-10-1974
AH, AH, KOTKI DWA, SZARE BURE OBY DWA. TRANSLATION: OH, OH, KITTENS
TWO, GRAY AND BLACK ARE THE TWO
Submitter comment: RECITED WHILE ROCKING INFANT TO SLEEP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; COLORS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.366 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 09-20-1974
FLY LEAF PROSE
IN CASE OF FIRE, THROW IN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BOOK ; FLY-LEAF INSCRIPTION
| Subject headings: | Z220 |
Date learned: CA00001968
FLY LEAF PROSE
IF YOU ARE HUNGARY, EAT THIS BOOK; IT IS FULL OF BOLOGNA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUNS ON PLACE NAMES
| Subject headings: | Z220 |
Date learned: CA00001968