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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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BREAT BIG JARS OF GREASY GRIMMY GOPHER'S GUTS
MURDILATED [sic] MONKEY'S MEAT
CONCENTRATED BIRDIES FEET
GREAT BIG JARS OF ALL PURPOSE PORPOISE PUS
AND ME WITHOUT A SPOON OR A FLAVORED STRAW.
 

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

[sic] probably is "mutilated"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CHILDREN ; Funny ; GROSS ; JOKE ; MUSIC ; SONG ; Tune

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest

Date learned: 09-29-1969

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JOHN JACOB JINGLEHEIMER SCHMIDT,
THAT'S MY NAME TOO,
WHENEVER I GO OUT, THE PEOPLE ALWAYS SHOUT,
THERE GOES JOHN JACOB JINGLEHEIMER SCHMIDT,
DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA (AND REPEAT ONCE).

Submitter comment:

THIS IS A SONG WE USE TO SING IN BOY SCOUTS AFTER MEALS IN THE
MESS HALL. THE VERSE HERE IS THE ONLY ONE I KNOW OF.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; JOKE ; SONG ; TONGUE TWISTER ; Tune

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest

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SOLOMON SLICK

THERE WAS A MAN IN TOWN
WHOSE NAME WAS SOLOMON SLICK
WE OWNED A MULE WITH DRAINY EYES,
OH, HOW THAT MULE WOULD KICK.
HE KICKED,
HE KICKED
HE KICKED
HE KICKED THE TRAIN OFF THE TRACKS.
HE KICKED THE STREAM BOAT OUT OF SIGHT.

Submitter comment:

NOTE: ON TAPE #2.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; MUSIC ; PARODY ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest

Date learned: 02-12-1972

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CHILDREN'S CAMP SONG

CHORUS:
EDDIE CUCHIE CATCHIE CAMA TOSA ERA TOSA
NOMA SOMA CAMA WACKIE BROWN
FELL INTO THE WELL, FELL IN TO THE WELL
FELL INTO THE DEEP DARK WELL.
VERSES:
SUSIE JONES MILKING IN THE BARN SAW HIM FALL
AND RAN INSIDE TO TELL HER MA THAT (CHORUS)
SUSIE'S MA, MAKING CRACKLIN' BREAD
TOLD HER PA WHO HOBBLED INTO TOWN AND SAID THAT (CHORUS)
FROM THE TOWN, EVERYBODY CAME
WHAT A SHAME IT TOOK SO LONG TO SAY HIS NAME THAT(CHORUS)
AFTER SINGING THIS LAST CHORUS YOU SING "WHO?" AND REPEAT THE
CHORUS ONCE MORE AND THEN SAY "DROWNED"

Submitter comment:

THIS SONG IS SUNG AT CYO (CATHOLIC YOUTH ORGANIZATION) CAMPS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Port Sanilac

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CHANT ; RHYME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children

Date learned: 06-00-1975

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HOT STEAM

A "HOT STEAM" IS SOMEBODY WHO CAN'T
GET TO HEAVEN, JUST WALLOWS AROUND
ON LONESOME ROADS AN' IF YOU WALK THROUGH ONE, WHEN YOU DIE YOU'LL
BE ONE TOO AN' YOU'LL GO AROUND AT
NIGHT SUCKING PEOPLE'S BREATH. YOU
CAN'T KEEP FROM PASSING THROUGH ONE. SOMETIMES THEY STRETCH ALL
THE WAY ACROSS THE ROAD, BUT IF YOU HAFTA GO THROUGH ONE YOU SAY:
ANGEL-BRIGHT, LIFE-IN-DEATH; GET
OFF THE ROAD, DON'T SUCK MY BREATH."
THIS KEEPS THEM FROM WRAPPING AROUND YOU.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: ALABAMA ; "To Kill a Mockingbird"

Keyword(s): GHOST ; LITERATURE ; Quote ; Soul ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: UNKNOWN

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SPIRITUAL BELIEF

THE PRESENCE OF A GHOST IN A ROOM IS INDICATED BY A CHANGE IN
ROOM TEMPERATURE USUALLY COLDER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): Cold ; Colder ; GHOST ; Haunt ; SIGN ; SPIRIT ; TEMPERATURE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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CHINESE FESTIVAL

CHENG YEUNG FESTIVAL IS THE "FESTIVAL OF ASCENDING HEIGHTS."
ON THE 9TH DAY OF THE 9TH MOON, LEGEND SAYS THAT THE WISE
CLIMB TO HIGH PLACES TO AVOID DISASTER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): Celebration ; Chinese ; FESTIVAL ; Heights ; Legend ; MOON

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system:
BELIEF -- Human Being
BELIEF -- Moon

Date learned: 02-24-1968

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ORIGIN OF THE PEARLS OF THE PERSIAN GULF

TO THE ANCIENT PEOPLE OF IRAQ, THE RIVER TIGRIS REPRESENTED A
BEAUTIFUL GIRL WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH THE HANDSOME EUPHRATES.
THEIR FAMILIES OPPOSED THE MARRIAGE BUT THEY RAN AWAY FROM HOME
UNTIL THEY MET IN THE SOUTH OF IRAQ IN ONE WIDE RIVER.
WHEN THE TWO LOVERS MET THEY WEPT, AND THEIR HAPPINESS TEARS
ARE STILL PICKED UP BY DIVERS IN THE ARAB GULF AS BEAUTIFUL AND
PRECIOUS PEARLS.

Data entry tech comment:

THERE IS A DIAGRAM ON THE BACK OF THE 5X8 CARD.

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Euphrates ; GEOGRAPHY ; Iraq ; Legend ; Lore ; Origin ; Pearls ; Persian Gulf ; Tigris

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Still water

Date learned: 12-00-1965

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LAKE SUPERIOR BELIEF

LAKE SUPERIOR IS KNOWN AS THE LAKE THAT DOES NOT GIVE UP ITS
DEAD. THE REASON FOR THIS IS THAT BECAUSE THE LAKE IS SO COLD,
THE BODIES DON'T DECOMPOSE AND RISE TO THE SURFACE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Dead ; Decompose ; Lake ; Lake Superior ; Nickname ; Origin ; TEMPERATURE ; WATER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Still water Small body.
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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Entry filtered.

WHITE RACE BELIEF

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

GWENS MOTHER BELIEVES THAT THE REASON THAT WHITE PEOPLE DO
NOT GET AS COLD AS NEGROES IS BECAUSE WHITE MOTHERS
PUT THEIR CHILDREN OUTSIDE IN WINTERTIME WITH ONLY A JACKET
PERHAPS, NEGROES HAVE COLD BLOOD BECAUSE THEIR MOTHERS KEEP
THEIR CHILDREN INSIDE DURING REALLY COLD WEATHER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Black ; BLOOD ; CLOTHING ; Cold ; NEGRO ; RACISM ; TEMPERATURE ; Warm ; WEATHER ; White ; WINTER

James Callow Keyword(s): CLOTHING ; COLOR

Subject headings: 53O

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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Japanese custom

Otoso, known as a sweet sake or rice wine, is to be drunk in
the morning of New Year's Day to welcome the new year.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: JAPAN

Keyword(s): Celebration ; CUSTOM ; FESTIVAL ; holiday ; Japan ; Japanese ; New Year ; Otoso ; Rice ; Rice Wine ; Sake ; Wine

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival
Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented

Date learned: 00-00-1925

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SAINT PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL AND BELIEFS

SAINT PATRICK DERTA GEROGADE E FRANC OR ALBAN. THAT MEANS SAINT
PATRICK CAME FROM FRANCE OR ENGLAND. WE WERE TAUGHT THAT EXPRESSION
AS CHILDREN. HE WAS SENT BY POPE CELESTINE TO BRING THE CATHOLIC
FAITH TO IRELAND. HE KILLED ALL THE SNAKES IN IRELAND BY SQUASHING
THEM WITH HIS STAFF. HE DIDN'T REALLY EXIST THOUGH. WE WOULD
CELEBRATE SAINT PATRICK'S DAY IN ENGLAND BY WEARING ALL GREEN.
 

Submitter comment:

"SPELLMAN, BURKE, AND I WOULD GO OUT FOR A WALK IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE
WE HAD NO MONEY AND WE DIDN'T WANT THOSE DAMN ENGLISH TO THINK WE
WERE STAYING HOME ON SAINT PATRICK'S DAY."

MY MOTHER, WHO IS FROM IRELAND, WENT TO NURSING SCHOOL IN ENGLAND IN
1947. SHE CAME FROM A POOR FAMILY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Celebrate ; Green ; holiday ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Legend ; Lore ; Origin ; Saint Patrick's Day ; Tale

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
BELIEF -- Religious hero

Date learned: 00-00-1947 ; 11-22-1979

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ON DECEMBER 6, ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS WOULD DRESS
UP AS SAINT NICHOLAS IN OLD CLOTHES AND WOULD
DISTRIBUTE BAGS OF FRUIT, ESPECIALLY APPLES, NUTS,
AND CANDY TO ALL THE CHILDREN. THEY ALSO
CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CANDY ; Celebrate ; Consumption ; CUSTOM ; Feast ; FESTIVAL ; FOOD ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Nick ; Saint ; ST. NICHOLAS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 03-31-1971

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ON ST. NICHOLAS DAY (DECEMBER 6) IT IS A TRADITION AMONG
POLES IN CHICAGO TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN PUT SHOES
OUT ON THE FRONT PORCH; DURING THE NIGHT THE SHOES
ARE FILLED WITH TANGERINES, A FAVORITE FRUIT
AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL

Keyword(s): Celebration ; CUSTOM ; CUSTOM ; FESTIVAL ; GAME ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Nick ; Saint ; ST. NICHOLAS ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 10-27-1971

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EVERY ST. NICHOLAS FEAST DAY CHILDREN WOULD RECEIVE GIFTS
AS THOUGH IT WERE CHRISTMAS. HOWEVER, THE CHILDREN ALSO
RECEIVED GIFTS AGAIN AT CHRISTMAS.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT'S GRANDPARENTS OBSERVED THIS CUSTOM IN
GERMANY. HIS PARENTS CONTINUED THIS PRACTICE IN THE
U.S. WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Celebration ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Nick ; Saint ; ST. NICHOLAS ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 02-19-1970

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TRADITIONALLY OUR FAMILY OBSERVES ST. NICHOLAS' FEAST
DAY BY PUTTING THE CHILDREN'S SHOES IN FRONT OF THE
FIREPLACE. AFTER THE CHILDREN HAVE GONE TO BED, THE
PARENTS FILL THE SHOES WITH GIFTS AND CANDY.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT EXPERIENCED THIS CUSTOM IN APPLETON,
WISCONSIN. INFORMANT'S GRANDPARENTS WERE IMMIGRANTS
FROM HOLLAND AND THIS CUSTOM IS ARDENTLY OBSERVED THERE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; HOLLAND ; WISCONSIN ; APPLETON

Keyword(s): Celebration ; holiday ; Nick ; Saint ; ST. NICHOLAS ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 12-02-1967

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FINDING A BOWL OF NUTS AND FRUIT ON THE MORNING OF
ST. NICHOLAS DAY (DECEMBER 6) (IS A CUSTOM).

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Celebration ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Nick ; Saint ; ST. NICHOLAS ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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GERMAN CUSTOM

ON DECEMBER 6 THE GERMANS PUT THEIR STOCKINGS OUT,
AND THIS IS IN THE OLD CHRISTMAS TRADITION. IF
THE CHILD IS GOOD, HE RECEIVES ALL KINDS OF GOOD
THINGS, BUT IF HE IS A BAD CHILD, HE RECEIVES TWO
LUMPS OF COAL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; GERMAN ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Saint ; St. Nick ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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ON DECEMBER 6 ALL THE CHILDREN HANG UP THEIR STOCKING AND
ST. NICHOLAS COMES (EQUIPPED WITH BISHOPS HAT AND
A LONG WHIP). HE FILLS THE GOOD CHILDREN'S STOCKINGS
WITH FRUIT AND NUTS, THE BAD CHILDREN GET COAL.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS AN ACTUAL PRACTICE IN NEW HAMBURG, MISSOURI
(OR WAS WHEN THE INFORMANT WAS YOUNG) SHE SAYS SHE
HEARD OF A NEIGHBOR BOY WHO RECEIVED COAL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MISSOURI ; DETROIT ; NEW HAMBURG

Keyword(s): Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Saint ; St. Nick ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 09-20-1968

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HUNGARIAN CUSTOM

ON ST. NICHOLAS DAY A FELLOW CALLED "KRUMPUS" WOULD
COME THROUGH THE TOWN. HE WORE A LONG BELT FASHIONED
FROM CHAIN. HE CARRIED A WOODEN SWITCH AND A BAG OF
WALNUTS.
KRUMPUS WOULD WALK THROUGH THE TOWN AND STOP AT EACH
HOUSE. IF WELL-BEHAVED CHILDREN LIVED IN THE HOUSE,
HE WOULD THROW WALNUTS IN THE DOOR. IF BAD CHILDREN
LIVED IN THE HOUSE, HE WOULD STAND IN THE DOORWAY,
RATTLE HIS CHAIN AND SHAKE HIS SWITCH AT THEM.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; WINDSOR

Keyword(s): Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; HUNGARIAN ; Nicholas ; Saint ; St. Nick ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 11-17-1968

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