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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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DRUNK JOKE
THE ONE DRUNK SAYS TO THE OTHER DRUNK, "WE MUST BE
GETTING NEAR A TOWN." THE OTHER DRUNK SAYS, "HOW CAN
YOU TELL?" THE FIRST DRUNK SAYS, "BECAUSE WE'RE
HITTING A LOT OF PEDESTRIANS."
Data entry tech comment: ITEM PUNCHED AS IT APPEARED ON CARD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSURD ; ACCIDENT ; AUTOMOBILE ; DIOLOGUE ; DRINKING ; DRUNKS ; HUMOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 09-16-1969
NO TITLE SUPPLIED
DAD: I SURE WISH YOU'D STOP REACHING FOR
THINGS. DON'T YOU HAVE A TONGUE.
SON: YES, BUT MY ARM IS LONGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Keyword(s): ABSURD ; CHILDREN ; DIOLOGUE ; EATING ; HUMOR ; PARENTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
Entry filtered.
CAT BURIAL JOKE
A WOMAN BROUGHT HER DEAD CAT TO THE LOCAL CATHOLIC CHURCH AND
ASKED THE PRIEST TO HAVE A BURIAL SERVICE FOR HIM. THE PRIEST
SAID, "WE DO NOT BURY CATS. YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE HIM TO ANOTHER
CHURCH." SHE SAID, "I WAS GOING TO SPEND $35,000 ON THE
FUNERAL." THE PRIEST SAID, "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOUR CAT WAS
CATHOLIC."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
Keyword(s): CAT ; CATHOLIC CHURCH ; FUNERAL PREPARATION ; HUMOR ; PRIEST ; RELIGION ; SURPRISE ENDING
James Callow Keyword(s): SATIRE OF MERCENARY CATHOLIC PRIESTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 10-09-1971
KWANZA
KWANZA WAS CREATED BY DR. RON KARENGA FOR BLACK AMERICANS.
IT STARTS DECEMBER 26TH AND ENDS JANUARY 1ST.
BLACK, RED, AND GREEN ARE ITS COLORS. BLACK IS FOR OUR PEOPLE
RED FOR OUR CONTINUING STRUGGLE AND GREEN FOR LAND AND HOPE.
KANZA HAS SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM, CALLED THE
NGUZO SABA.
1. UMOJA -(UNITY)- TO STRIVE FOR AND MAINTAIN UNITY IN THE FAMILY,
COMMUNITY, NATION AND RACE.
2. KUJUCHAGULIA -(SELF-DETERMINATION)- TO DEFINE
OURSELVES, NAME OURSELVES,
CREATE FOR OURSELVES AND SPEAK
FOR OURSELVES RATHER THAT TO ALLOW OTHERS
TO DO THESE THINGS FOR US.
3. UJIMA -(COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY)- TO BUILD AND
MAINTAIN OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO MAKE OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS
PROBLEMS OUR PROBLEMS AND TO SOLVE THEM TOGETHER.
4. UJAMAA -(COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS)- TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN OUR
OWN STORES,
SHOPS, AND OTHER BUSINESSES AND TO PROFIT FROM THEM TOGETHER.
5. NIA -(PURPOSE)- TO MAKE OUR COLLECTIVE VOCATION THE BUILDING AN
DEVELOPING OF OUR COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO RESTORE OUR PEOPLE TO THEIR
TRADITIONAL GREATNESS.
6. KUUMBA -(CREATIVITY)- TO DO ALWAYS AS MUCH
AS WE CAN IN THE WAY WE
CAN, IN ORDER TO LEAVE OUR COMMUNITY MORE BEAUTIFUL AND BENEFICIAL
THAN WHEN WE INHERITED IT.
7. IMANI -(FAITH)- TO BELIEVE WITH ALL OUR
HEARTS IN OUR PEOPLE, OUR
PARENTS, OUR TEACHERS, OUR LEADERS AND THE
RIGHTEOUSNESS AND VICTORY OF OUR STRUGGLE. MM
CELEBRANTS BRING FOOD AND DRINKS TO SHARE FOR EACH DAY'S FEAST. EAC
CELEBRANT IS GREETED WITH THE WORDS "HABARI GANI" WHICH MEANS WHAT'S
THE NEWS OR WHAT'S HAPPENING. THE RESPONSE IS THAT DAY'S NQUZO SABA
PRINCIPLE.
THE HOUSE IS DECORATED WITH THE COLORS
GREEN, RED, AND BLACK. EVERYONE
GATHERS INTO A SEMICIRCLE. THE TABLE IS SET WITH THE SYMBOLS OF
KWANZA AND EACH PIECE IS EXPLAINED.
A STRAW MAT (MKEKA), THE SYMBOL
FOR OUR HISTORICAL FOUNDATION IN
TADITIONAL AFRICAN CULTURE. A CANDLEHOLDER
(KINARA), THE SYMBOL FOR OUR AFRICAN ANCESTORS. IT HOLDS SEVEN
CANDLES, (MISHUMAA), THREE RED, ONE BLACK, AND THREE GREEN ONES. TH
CANDLES REPRESENT THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES.
(MATUNDA)- TROPICAL FRUIT, VEGETABLES AND NUTS, WHICH REPRESENT THE
YIELD OF TRADITIONAL HARVEST.
EARS OF CORN WHICH REPRESENT THE NUMBER
OF CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY AND UNSHUCKED EARS OF CORN TO REPRESENT
CHILDLESS HOMES TO EXPRESS THE POTENTIAL FOR CHILDREN.
GIFTS, GIVEN ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF KWANZA, ARE MAINLY FOR CHILDREN
AND REPRESENT PARENT'S SATISFACTION
THAT THEIR CHILDREN HAVE ACHIEVED
AND GROWN IN A MANNER THAT GIVES HONOR TO THE FAMILY. THE GIFTS ARE
EXPRESSING THE HISTORY, CULTURE AND COMMITMENT
TO EDUCATION AS A LIBERATING
FORCE. MM
THE ELDERS OF THE FAMILY TAKE SEATS ON EACH SIDE OF THE KWANZA TABLE
SETTING AND THE CEREMONY BEGINS. THE
ELDERS CHARGE YOU TO REMEMBER OUR
ANCESTORS AND TO STRUGGLE FOR A NEW WORLD FOR
OUR CHILDREN. THEY POUR A LIBATION FORM THE UNITY CUP.
A LIBATION IS AN EXPRESSION OF COMMUNICATION AMONG US:
THE LIVING, OUR ANCESTORS AND OUR CHILDREN YET
TO BE BORN.
TO EXPRESS UNITY AS AN IDEAL IN BLACK
COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD,
THE ELDERS DRINK FROM THE UNITY CUP AND PASS IT TO THE
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CELEBRATION.
EACH PERSON SHOUTS "HARAMBEE" (LET'S PULL TOGETHER),
THEREBY PLEDGING THEMSELVES TO UNITY.
THE CHILDREN LIGHT A CANDLE FOR EACH
DAY OF THE CELEBRATION WHICH HAS
PASSED AND FOR THE PRESENT DAY. EACH
CELEBRANT EXPRESSES THEIR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS ABOUT THE PRINCIPLE
FOR THE DAY AND HOW IT AFFECTS THEIR LIVES. MM
KWANZA WAS FOUNDED TO CELEBRATE OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES, OUR
WARMTH AND LOVE, OUR INTERDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM STRUGGLE AND OUR
JOY AND STRENGTH. BECAUSE WE ARE AN AFRICAN PEOPLE. DR. KARENGA
LOOKING TO THE MOTHERLAND; BORROWED AN IDEAL; USED CREATIVITY AND
INGENUITY, AND MIXED IT WITH THE BLACK EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA. HE
CREATED MATUNDA YA KWANKA (KISWAHILI),
FOR FIRST FRUIT, THE CELEBRATION
COMMONLY KNOWN AS KWANZA.
KWANZA IS AN EXTENDED FAMILY CELEBRATION AND AN OCCASION FOR
STRENGTHENING FAMILY CONSCIOUSNESS AND SOLIDARITY WHILE SERVING AS A
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN IN SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL MATTERS.
MUCH TIME IS SPENT REFLECTING ON THE PAST YEAR, MAKING DECISIONS
ABOUT IMPORTANT MATTERS THAT AFFECT THE FAMILY, WISHING RELATIVES A
PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR AND ENJOYING FOOD, MUSIC AND GAMES.
IN THE U.S. THE FIRST FRUIT CELEBRATION, KWANZA, IS A SYMBOLIC EVENT
DURING THE FESTIVAL BLACK PEOPLE COME
TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE OUR AFRICAN
HERITAGE, TO GIVE THANKS TO OUR ANCESTORS,
TO REAFFIRM THE BELIEF THAT ELDERS SHOULD BE
RESPECTED, TO REINFORCE OUR VALUE FRAMEWORK FOR OUR CHILDREN
AND TO CELEBRATE THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM,
THE NGUZO SABA.
Submitter comment:
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A CELEBRATION OF KWANZA LAST
YEAR AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE. SHE (MARLA PITTS), HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
CELEBRATE IT WHILE ON HER VACATION IN 1975.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
Date learned: 00-00-1978 ; 00-00-1975
COMPUTER ROOM GOOD LUCK CONVERSION
WHEN YOU ARE READING YOUR CARDS INTO THE COMPUTER YOU SHOULD RUB THE
CARD READER AND CALL IT POOH POOH. THIS WILL MAKE THE COMPUTER LIKE
YOU AND THE CARDS WILL BE READ IN WITHOUT A HITCH AND YOUR JOB WILL
BE PROCESSED QUICKLY.
Submitter comment:
WHILE NOT MANY PEOPLE MAY OPENLY PROFESS TO THE BELIEF THAT THE
COMPUTER CAN LIKE YOU, IT MAY NEVERTHELESS BE WIDESPREAD.
I HAVE ONLY NOTICED THREE PEOPLE DOING THIS, INCLUDING MYSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
James Callow Keyword(s): MODERN FOLKLORE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 11-23-1979
Entry filtered.
ADVENT SEASON TRADITIONS
DURING EACH MASS ON EVERY SUNDAY OF ADVENT, ONE FAMILY FROM THE
CHURCH COMMUNITY OF ST. CHRISTOPHER, LIGHTS THE ADVENT WREATH
TO SYMBOLIZE THAT WE SHOULD UNITE AS A CHURCH FAMILY IN
ANTICIPATION FOR CHRIST'S COMING.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 23 equinox to December 20 Also used for Advent. F645.5 |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
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
DESERTED CHILD
THERE WAS A PREGNANT WOMAN. WHEN THE BABY WAS BORN HER HUSBAND
DIED. SHE BLAMED THE BABY AND LOCKED HIM UP IN THE ATTIC. THE
CHILD WAS ALWAYS BY THE WINDOW AND USED TO WATCH THE FIRE-ENGINES
PASS BY. THE WOMAN NEVER OPENED THE DOOR TO THE ATTIC AND EVEN
FED HIM THROUGH THE DOOR. ONE DAY THE WOMAN HAD COMPANY AND
FORGOT TO LOCK THE DOOR. THE BOY WAS TWELVE YEARS OLD AT THIS
TIME AND HE ESCAPED FROM THE ATTIC AND HOPPED DOWN THE STREET
LIKE A KANGAROO AND SCREAMED WRRRRRRR... JUST LIKE A FIRE-ENGINE.
THIS IS TRUE.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM A GIRLFRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): STRANGE CHILDREN
James Callow Keyword(s): INTERNMENT CONFINEMENT ; ISOLATION ; SOLITUDE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
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
WHY A SHAMROCK HAS THREE LEAVES
ST. PATRICK WAS HAVING A HARD TIME CONVERTING THE PAGANS OF IRELAND
TO CATHOLICISM. NEXT HE WENT DIRECTLY TO THE KING, BUT HE FAILED
THERE TOO. ONE DAY HE WAS TELLING THEM ABOUT THE TRINITY BUT THE
PEOPLE COULDN'T CONCEIVE HOW THREE PERSONS COULD BE IN ONE. SO
ST. PATRICK TOOK A SHAMROCK AND POINTED OUT HOW THERE ARE THREE
LEAVES IN ONE ORGANISM. THE KING THOUGHT THIS A LOGICAL EXPLANATION
BECAUSE NO ONE COULD DENY IT. THUS HE WAS BAPTIZED AND HIS SUBJECTS
FOLLOWED HIM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
Keyword(s): THREE AS HOLY NUMBER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 09-29-1968
Entry filtered.
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
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE,
THE CAT AND THE FIDDLE.
THE COW JUMPED OVER THE MOON;
THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED
TO SEE SUCH SPORT
AND THE DISH RAN AWAY WITH THE SPOON.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A CHILD.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): HYPERBOLE ; INDIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
FIRST BIRTHDAY
ON A BABY'S FIRST BIRTHDAY, PLACE A ROSARY, WHISKEY GLASS AND SOME
MONEY BEFORE HIM. WHICHEVER HE PICKS WILL BE WHAT HE BECOMES;
A PRIEST, A DRUNK, OR A WEALTHY PERSON.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THIS WAS A PRACTICED CUSTOM AMONG HER FAMILY
Where learned: TOLD IN ; MCKENDRICK ; ANCIENT DRAMA CLASS
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-12-1971
TO ERR IS HUMAN BUT TO REALLY SCREW THINGS UP REQUIRES A COMPUTER.
Data entry tech comment: I'M SUPRISED THAT THE COMPUTER DIDN'T REJECT THIS CARD.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RESIDENCE HALLS
Keyword(s): HUMOR
James Callow Keyword(s): MODERN FOLKLORE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-07-1970
POPE PAUL'S GOT RHYTHM.
Data entry tech comment:
THIS VERSE COULD REFER TO A POPULAR SONG OR IT COULD
DEAL WITH THE METHOD OF BIRTH CONTROL UNDER THE LAWS OF THE CHURCH.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): RELIGION PUN
James Callow Keyword(s): CATHOLICISM ; I'VE GOT RHYTHM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
Date learned: 11-20-1968