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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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FROGS
THE FIRST TIME YOU HEAR A FROG AT THE END OF WINTER, IT WILL GET
COLD AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS THREE TIMES BEFORE SPRING COMES.
Submitter comment:
THIS BELIEF IS SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT A GROUNDHOG MUST SEE HIS
SHADOW BEFORE SPRING COMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL AMPHIBIAN
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- P663 |
Date learned: 02-00-1974
DOG HOWLING
IF YOU HEAR A DOG HOWLING, THEY SENSE A DEATH TO COME, OR THAT
SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY HAS DIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-00-1974
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
FIVE LITTLE SQUIRRELS SITTING IN A TREE.
FIRST ONE SAYS, "WHAT DO I SEE?"
SECOND ONE SAYS, "I SEE A GUN."
THIRD ONE SAYS, "OH LET'S RUN."
FOURTH ONE SAYS, "LET'S HIDE UNDER A TREE."
FIFTH ONE SAYS, "I'M NOT AFRAID."
POP WITH A GUN, OH YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE SQUIRRELS RUN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; RESIDENCE HALLS
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00001950S AND 00001960S
VERSE
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
LISTEN, LISTEN, THE CAT'S PISSING.
WHERE? WHERE?
UNDER THE CHAIR.
RUN, RUN, GET YOUR GUN.
AWH SHIT, SHE'S ALL DONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; RESIDENCE HALLS
James Callow Keyword(s): SCATALOGICAL SLANG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Filter - Mature Content |
Date learned: 00001950S AND 00001960S
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
GOOD NIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT,
DON'T LET THE MOSQUITOES BITE.
Where learned: OHIO ; YOUNGSTOWN
James Callow Keyword(s): VARIATION: BEDBUGS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 00001950S AND 00001960S
RIDDLE QUESTION
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
AB C D GOLDFISH
BN NO GOLDFISH
O S A R AB
C M P N
Submitter comment:
THIS CAN BE TRANSLATED TO:
AB SEE THE GOLDFISH
BN, THERE IS NO GOLDFISH
OH YES THERE IS AB
SEE THEM PEEING
James Callow comment:
VARIATION: MNO GOLDFISH
CN[ HARTWIG, WILLIAM 720390
C1[ 260 ALAMEDA
C2[ YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO 44504
DNC[ 1,688
******************** C FILE 1 ********************
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): SCATALOGICAL URINATION
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00001950S AND 00001960S
MT[ VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
I KNOW A GIRL ALL DRESSED IN RED,
SHE'S GOT A PARKING METER BY HER BED.
Submitter comment: SOME OF THESE ITEMS ARE FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION FOLKLORE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ELIZABETH ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLUSION TO PROSTITUTION
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
LIMERICK
THERE ONCE WAS A GIRL NAMED ANNHEISER,
WHO SAID THAT NO GUY COULD SURPRISE HER.
UNTIL A GUY NAMED GIBBONS,
UNTIED ALL HER RIBBONS,
AND NOW SHE'S SADDER BUT WISER.
Submitter comment: SOME OF THESE ITEMS ARE FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION FOLKLORE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; NEW YORK ; ALBANY ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): BEER BRAND NAME PUNS: ANHEISER & BUDWEISER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
SONG
IF YOU SPRINKLE WHEN YOU TINKLE,
BE A SWEETY AND WIPE THE SEATY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; CHEEKTOWAGA
James Callow Keyword(s): ADMONITION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
SONG
DRUNK, DRUNK, DRUNK, DRUNK,
DRUNK, DRUNK, DRUNK, DRUNK,
DRUNK LAST NIGHT, DRUNK THE NIGHT BEFORE,
GOING TO GET DRUNK TONIGHT, LIKE I'VE NEVER BEEN DRUNK BEFORE,
FOR WHEN I'M DRUNK, I'M AS HAPPY AS CAN BE,
'CAUSE I AM A MEMBER OF THE SAUSS FAMILY.
OH THE SAUSS FAMILY IS THE BEST FAMILY,
THAT EVER CAME OVER FROM OLD GERMANY,
THERE'S THE HIGHLAND DUTCH,
AND THE LOWLAND DUTCH,
THERE'S THE ROTTERDAM DUTCH,
AND THE OTHER DAMN DUTCH.
SINGING GLORIOUS, GLORIOUS
ONE KEG OF BEER FOR THE FOUR OF US.
SINGING GLORY BE TO GOD, THAT THERE AIN'T NO MORE OF US,
SO ONE OF US CAN DRINK IT ALL ALONE.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; CHEEKTOWAGA
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Food Drink C855.447 |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
THE NEW ENGLAND DUCK
IN AN OLD ITALIAN TOWN, A LITTLE OLD LADY WALKED INTO A BUTCHER SHOP
AND ASKED FOR A NEW ENGLAND DUCK.
THE OWNER, WHO WAS A VERY FAMILIAR WITH ALL KINDS OF DUCKS, WAS VERY
PUZZLED. SO TO TRY TO HELP OUT THE LITTLE OLD LADY, HE HELD UP JUST
ANY OLD DUCK.
THE LADY TOOK HER THUMB AND STUCK IT IN THE "COOLOO" OF THE DUCK. SHE
PULLED IT OUT AND SAID, "NO, THIS ISN'T A NEW ENGLAND DUCK".
THE OWNER AGAIN GOT ANOTHER DUCK AND GAVE IT TO THE LITTLE OLD LADY.
SHE AGAIN TOOK HER THUMB AND INSERTED IT INTO THE DUCK'S "COOLOO" AND
SAID, "AH: THIS IS A NEW ENGLAND DUCK."
AS HE WRAPPED THE CHICKEN FOR THE LITTLE OLD LADY, HE ASKED HER IF
SHE WAS AN ITALIAN. SHE REPLIED, "VERY MUCH SO."
THE LITTLE OLD LADY, STILL PUZZLED AS TO HOW COME THE BUTCHER DIDN'T
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A NEW ENGLAND DUCK AND THE OTHERS, ASKED
HIM WHERE HE CAME FROM.
THE BUTCHER PULLED DOWN HIS PANTS, BENT OVER AND SAID, "HERE- YOU
TELL ME!"
Submitter comment: FROM ITALY IN THE EARLY 1900'S
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote Food Drink -- Meat Bird Poultry |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
(KIND AND UNKIND STORY) ST. PETER STORY
ONCE UPON A TIME IN A SMALL TOWN IN SICILY, THERE LIVED A MEAN
STEPMOTHER WITH TWO DAUGHTERS, ONE OF WHOM WAS HER NATURAL DAUGHTER
AND THE OTHER WAS HER STEPDAUGHTER. HOWEVER, HER STEPDAUGHTER, BEING
THE PRETTIER OF THE TWO GIRLS, WAS ALWAYS IN THE KITCHEN SCRUBBING
THE POTS AND PANS AND DOING ALL THE DIRTY WORK THAT HAD TO BE DONE,
WHILE THE NATURAL DAUGHTER WAS JUST LAYING AROUND DOING NOTHING AND
GETTING SELFISH AND MORE SELF-CENTERED EVERY DAY. WELL, THIS
STEPMOTHER MADE THE BREAD FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN AND DELIVERY WAS
MADE DAILY BY HER TWO DAUGHTERS. ONE DAY AS THE BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER
WAS WALKING DOWN THE ROAD, SHE MET AN OLD, BEARDED MAN SITTING ALONG
THE ROADSIDE. HE ASKED HER FOR A SMALL PIECE OF BREAD BECAUSE HE HAD
NOT EATEN FOR TWO DAYS. THE YOUNG GIRL TOOK PITY ON HIM AND GAVE HIM
THE WHOLE LOAF OF BREAD. HE THANKED HER AND TOLD HER IF SHE HEARD THE
ROOSTER CROW ONCE ON THE WAY HOME, SHE WAS NOT TO TURN AROUND. BUT,
IF THE ROOSTER CROWED TWICE, SHE WAS TO TURN AROUND QUICKLY. BEING AN
OBEDIENT GIRL, WHEN THE ROOSTER CROWED ONCE SHE KEPT RIGHT ON
WALKING, BUT WHEN SHE HEARD HIM CROW TWICE, SHE QUICKLY TURNED
AROUND AND AS SHE DID SO, A DIAMOND APPEARED IN THE MIDDLE OF HER
FOREHEAD MAKING HER MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN EVER. UPON RETURNING HOME
AND EXPLAINING WHAT HAPPENED TO HER STEPMOTHER, THE NATURAL DAUGHTER
WANTED TO GO THE SAME ROAD HER SISTER FOLLOWED THE DAY BEFORE.
HOWEVER, BEING SELFISH AND MEAN, WHEN THE POOR OLD MAN APPROACHED HER
AND ASKED FOR A MORSEL OF BREAD, SHE SPAT UPON HIM AND TRIED TO RUN
AWAY. THEREFORE, ANGERED BY HER ACTIONS, HE TOLD HER TO TURN AROUND
IF SHE HEARD THE ROOSTER CROW ONCE, AND TO WALK STRAIGHT AHEAD IF SHE
HEARD HIM CROW TWICE. UPON DOING THIS, AS SHE TURNED AROUND WHEN THE
ROOSTER CROWED ONCE, A BIG HORN GREW IN THE MIDDLE OF HER FOREHEAD,
MAKING HER UGLIER THAN SHE WAS BEFORE.
Submitter comment:
FROM ITALY IN THE EARLY 1900'S
THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS TO SHARE WITH OTHERS AND HAVE PITY ON
THOSE LESS FORTUNATE THAN YOU, FOR THE LITTLE OLD MAN WAS REALLY ST.
PETER IN DISGUISE, SAID MY GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ITALY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
SONG
JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS,
JINGLE ALL THE WAY,
OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE,
IN A HORSE DRAWN CHEVROLET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TRAVERSE CITY ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; PARODY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
SONG
JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS,
JINGLE ALL THE WAY,
OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE,
IN A CRACKED UP CHEVROLET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TRAVERSE CITY ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; PARODY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
CHIQUITA BANANA
IM A CHIQUITA BANANA
AND IM HERE TO STAY
IF YOU WANT TO KILL YOUR TEACHER
I HAVE FOUND THE WAY.
EAT A BANANA.
PUT THE PEEL ON THE FLOOR
AND WATCH YOUR TEACHER FLY OUT THE DOOR.
(THIS IS SUNG TO THE TUNE OF THE CHIQUITA BANANA AD ON TV)
Submitter comment:
VIOLENCE AGAINST TEACHERS IS ALWAYS A POPULAR SUBJECT FOR GRADE
SCHOOL SONG PARODIES. IT IS ALSO COMMON FOR CHILDREN TO MAKE UP
PARODIES OF THE ADS ON TV SINCE THEY SEE THEM SO OFTEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PARODY OF ADVERTISEMENT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
HI HO, HI HO
HI HO, HI HO,
IT'S OFF TO SCHOOL WE GO
WE LEARN SOME JUNK
AND THEN WE FLUNK
HI HO, HI HO, HI HO.
HI HO, HI HO
IT'S OFF TO CHURCH WE GO
WITH A BOTTLE OF BEER
AND A KICK IN THE REAR
HI HO, HI HO, HI HO.
HI HO, HI HO
I BIT THE TEACHER'S TOE
THE DIRTY RAT
SHE BIT ME BACK
HI HO, HI HO, HI HO.
Submitter comment:
CLAIRE SAYS SHE LEARNED THESE SONGS AT GIRL SCOUT CAMP. I ALSO
HEARD THE LITTLE GIRL I BABYSIT FOR SINGING THE THIRD ONE.
HER MOTHER TRIED TO STOP HER BY SAYING' "YOU SHOULDN'T SING SONGS
LIKE THAT. HOWEVER' I DON'T THINK THE MOTHER'S ADMONITION FAZED
THE LITTLE GIRL MUCH. IT WILL PROBABLY ONLY HELP TO IMPRINT THIS
SONG ON HER MIND.
James Callow comment:
HI HO= SONG FROM WALT DISNEY MOVIE "SNOW WHITE"
CK[ SATIRE OF EDUCATION
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SATIRE OF EDUCATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00-01-1974
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
BOYS ARE ROTTEN/ MADE OF COTTON
GIRLS ARE DANDY/ MADE OF CANDY.
Submitter comment:
THE GIRLS IN MY FAMILY LOVE SAYING THIS VERSE. THE BOYS TEND TO
IGNORE IT. THE VERSE IS ALSO PREVALENT AROUND QUEEN OF HOPE SCHOOL
WHERE MY SISTER GOES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): C730.328 ; FEMININE RHYME ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-02-1974
THE FOLLOWING CONVERSATION TOOK PLACE BETWEEN A CUSTOMER AND A
WAITRESS IN A JEWISH RESTAURANT.
FUNEM?
SVFM.
FUNEX?
SVFX.
OKMNX.
TRANSLATION:
HAVE YOU ANY HAM?
YES, WE HAVE HAM.
HAVE YOU ANY EGGS?
YES, WE HAVE EGGS.
OK, HAM AND EGGS.
Submitter comment:
WHEN MY GREAT UNCLE TRIED THIS ON US NO ONE COULD GUESS IT JUST BY
LOOKING AT IT. HOWEVER, WHEN HE READ IT TO US USING EXPRESSION IT
WAS MUCH EASIER TO CATCH ON. THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THIS "PUZZLE" IS
THAT IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CATCH ON TO THE FIRST TIME YOU SEE
IT. THEN ONCE YOU ARE TOLD WHAT IT MEANS THE ELEMENT OF CURIOSITY IS
DESTROYED. ALMOST INVARIABLY PEOPLE WILL TRY TO READ EACH LINE
AS A WORD NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU TELL THEM TO PRONOUNCE EACH
LETTER SEPARATELY.
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
James Callow Keyword(s): JEWISH PRONUNCIATION OF ENGLISH
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Group of Vowels and Consonants, and of Words RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00001960S