Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE ECHIDNA
THE MALE ECHIDNA WITH ITS MATE
SURVIVES THE MOST PRECARIOUS STATE;
HE ROLLS HER, HAIR AND SPINES AND ALL
INTO AN EENZY-WEENZY BALL--
AND BURIES HER; AND IN THIS WAY
PROVIDES AGAINST A RAINY DAY.
BUT, LIKE AS NOT, THIS SAME ECHIDNA
FORGETS JUST IF, OR WHERE, HE'S HID NA.
Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA
Keyword(s): HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; PRONUNCIATION ; RHYME: AABB ; SLANG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.442 |
Date learned: CA10001968
THE MARSUPIAL MOLE
LIKE MILTON, THE MARSUPIAL MOLE
PURSUES HIS OWN UNWORLDLY GOAL.
SIGHTLESS HE SLEEPS WITHIN THE EARTH
REMOVED FROM MADNESS AND FROM MIRTH.
AS DAYS AND NIGHTS AND SEASONS PASS
OVER THE CHANGING DESERT GRASS
HE FLOATS UPON HIS SECRET STREAMS
OF MARVELLOUS MARSUPIAL DREAMS,
AND MIXES WITH CELESTIAL BREEDS
MORE SUITED TO HIS AIMS AND NEEDS--
CONSORTING WITH (UPON THE WHOLE)
A BETTER TYPE OF LADY MOLE.
Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.44I |
Date learned: CA10001968
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THE DOVES
OUTSIDE MY WINDOW PANE
THE DOVES ARE MATING ONCE AGAIN
THEY BOW, THEY BILL, THEY FLAP, THEY FLUTTER
FROM ROOF TO RAIL, FROM GATE TO GUTTER.
THEY PECK AND PREEN AND SCRATCH AND SCATTER,
MAKING THE MOST INFERNAL CHATTER--
A COURSE OF CONDUCT OPPORTUNE,
NO DOUBT, TO SUCH A MONTH AS JUNE.
AND YET, I MUST CONFESS I FIND
SUCH BEDLAM (TO THE TEMPERATE MIND),
WHEN EMPHASISED WITHOUT ABATEMENT,
MERELY BECOMES AN OVER-STATEMENT.
Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; ONOMATOPAEIA ; PHONETIC INTENSIVE: FLAP, FLUTTER ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.444 |
Date learned: CA10001968
MY FIRST EXPERIENCE
THE SKY WAS DARK, THE MOON WAS HIGH,
WE WERE ALONE, JUST HER AND I.
HER HAIR WAS SO SOFT, HER EYES SKY BLUE,
I KNEW JUST WHAT I HAD TO DO.
I DIDN'T KNOW HOW, BUT I DID MY BEST.
I RAN MY FINGERS DOWN HER SPINE
I PUT MY HAND AGAINST HER BREAST.
I'LL NEVER FORGET MY BEATING HEART,
AS SHE SLOWLY SPREAD HER LEGS APART.
NOW ITS ( IT'S ) DONE--ITS ( IT'S ) OVER NOW
MY FIRST EXPERIENCE MILKING A COW.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ANTICLIMAX ; HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; SURPRISE ENDING
James Callow Keyword(s): PRETENDED OBSCENE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.660 |
Date learned: 09-30-1970
SAYING
I'M TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF
Keyword(s): STARTING A NEW CHAPTER IN LIFE BY MENDING MY WAYS
James Callow Keyword(s): RESOLUTION TO BEGIN ANEW
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 00001950'S
LEGEND
LONG AGO, IN A CAVE IN A HIGH ROCKY HILL RUNNING ABOVE THE RIVER
VISTULA, A GREAT AND TERRIBLE DRAGON LIVED WHOSE FIERY BREATH GUSHED
FORTH LIKE A FOUNTAIN OF HISSING STEAM FROM HIS WIDE NOSTRILS, AND
WHO UTTERED MONSTROUS, UNEARTHLY SOUNDS, UNLIKE THOSE OF ANY BEAST
OF THE FOREST.
MANY BRAVE KNIGHTS HAD BEEN SENT TO SLAY THE DRAGON, BUT ALL
HAD PERISHED IN THE ATTEMPT.
PRINCE CRACUS WAS BRAVE AND KIND. HE KILLED A FAT SHEEP, FILLED
IT WITH SULPHUR. THE DRAGON ATE THE BAIT, DRANK HALF A RIVER AND
EXPLODED. THE CITY OF CRACOW WAS FOUNDED WHERE THE DRAGON EXPLODED.
THE PRINCE ERECTED A FORTRESS ON THE DRAGON'S HILL, WHERE AFTERWARDS
WAWEL CASTLE WAS BUILT, THE HOME OF THE KING OF POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE FARMS
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND: POLAND ; SUPERNATURAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 10-02-1968
EASTER EGG CRACK
A TRADITION OF THE GREEKS AT EASTER IS THE EGG CRACK. EVERYONE GETS
A RED EGG WHICH THEY HIT AGAINST ANOTHER. IF ONE CRACKS, HE IS OUT
AND THE ONE THAT REMAINS WHOLE IS KEPT FOR SEVEN YEARS, AND
THEN IT CAN BE BROKEN. IT MUST BE A RED EGG BECAUSE RED REPRESENTS
CHRIST'S BLOOD AND THE CRACK REPRESENTS COMING OUT OF SORROW OF HIS
DEATH AND THE JOY OF HIS RISING. THIS TRADITION GOES BACK TO THE DAYS
OF CHRIST.
Submitter comment:
WHEN MY NEIGHBOR TOLD ME THIS STORY, I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS A TERRIFIC
ONE. IT HAD SO MUCH MEANING TO IT. SHE REMEMBERED DOING IT WHEN SHE
WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday BELIEF -- P681 P681.1 BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
GREEK FUNERAL SERVICE
A SPECIAL MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR DEPARTED SOULS IS CALLED MNEMOSIMON.
AFTER THE MASS IS READ, A DISH OF BOILED SWEETENED KERNELS AND FRUITS
CALLED KOLLIVA, IS DISTRIBUTED IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE DEAD. THE
KOLLIVA IS BLESSED BY THE PRIEST AND THEN EATEN AT THE CHURCH BY
FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. THE BOILED WHEAT GERM SYMBOLIZES RESURREC-
TION AND IS TRADITIONALLY OFFERED FORTY DAYS AFTER DEATH AND ONE
YEAR AFTER DEATH.
IT IS NOT SERVED AT ANY OTHER TIME.
Submitter comment:
THE GREEK MEMORIAL SERVICE IS DIFFERENT THAN OURS, EXCEPT FOR THE
MEAL AFTERWARDS. THEIR MEAL CONSISTS OF DIFFERENT FOOD THAN OURS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): RESURRECTION SYMBOL
Date learned: 00-00-1980
ITALIAN WOMEN
WHAT DO THEY CALL A BATHTUB FULL OF ITALIAN WOMEN?
THE BAY OF PIGS.
Submitter comment:
THE BAY OF PIGS HAS SIGNIFICANCE IN THIS JOKE, BECAUSE
THERE IS ACTUALLY A PLACE HAVING THAT NAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ATTEMPT TO OVERTHROW CUBA'S CASTRO. ; CUBA ; KENNEDY'S PRESIDENCY, ALLUDING TO FAILURE OF ; POLITICAL REFERENCE TO INCIDENT DURING JOHN F.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote ITAL |
TRAP METAPHOR
THERE ONCE WAS AN OLD BLACK MAN NAMED UNCLE WILLIE. NOW UNCLE
WILLIE LIVED A FAIRLY HAPPY LIFE ON A FARM DOWN SOUTH. ONE DAY,
HIS MASTER DECIDED TO SELL THE FARM, BUT WILLIE DIDN'T LIKE THAT
IDEA TOO MUCH, HE JUST PLAIN DID NOT WANT TO MOVE. SO WHEN THE
BUYERS CAME TO SEE THE FARM, WILLIE HAD A PLAN. NOW WILLIE KNEW
THESE FOLKS WERE INTELLIGENT, BUT, HE WASN'T NO DUMMY EITHER.
NOW, WHITES BACK IN THEM DAYS, THEY DIDN'T TRUST THE BLACKS
SO WILLIE KNEW THAT THEM BUYER FOLKS WOULD JUST DO THE OPPOSITE
OF WHAT HE SAID. WILLIE'S MASTER TOLD HIM TO TAKE THE FOLKS AROUND
SO HE DID. AFTER HE GOT OUT OF EARSHOT, HE SAID, "NOW, IF YOU
WANT MY OPINION, YOU WON'T BUY THIS FARM 'CAUSE THERE'S GHOSTS
HERE." THEN HE TOOK THEM TO SOME SCARY SPOTS AROUND THE FARM.
"NOW IF YOU WANT MY OPINION," WILLIE SAID, " YOU WON'T BUY THIS
FARM 'CAUSE THE PLACE IS A SHAMBLES, AND THE ORCHARDS ARE DRY."
THEN HE TOOK THEM TO SOME MESSY SPOTS. THEN WILLIE SAID, "NOW IF
YOU WANT MY OPINION, YOU WON'T BUY THIS FARM, 'CAUSE YOU'LL HAVE
TO CHAIN ME HERE 'CAUSE I WANT TO LEAVE POWERFUL BAD." WELL
THE BUYER'S WIFE, NOW SHE BELIEVED HIM AND SAID, "WE BETTER NOT
BUY THIS FARM." BUT THE HUSBAND THOUGHT TO HIMSELF, SOMETHING'S
UP, SO HE DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND BUY THE FARM, AND WHAT'S MORE,
HE MADE A DEAL WITH THE MASTER TO KEEP WILLIE ON THE FARM.
SO, WILLIE, HE GOT TO STAY ON THE FARM, JUST LIKE HE WANTED,
AND HE GOT RID OF HIS NASTY OLD MASTER TO BOOT.
Submitter comment:
THE BASIC PRINCIPLE BEHIND TRAP METAPHOR AS BOB EXPLAINED TO ME,
IS THAT "BLACKS DON'T GET MAD, THEY GET EVEN." THIS IS EVIDENT
IN HOW UNCLE WILLIE GOT RID OF HIS OLD MASTER. AS I WAS LISTENING
TO THIS STORY, I WAS AMAZED AT HOW IT CONFORMS TO ALMOST ALL OF
ULRIK'S LAWS FOR FOLKTALES. SOME EXAMPLES ARE: THE LAW OF THREES
WHEN WILLIE GIVES THEM THREE REASONS FOR NOT BUYING THE FARM, ALSO,
THE LAW OF CONCENTRATION ON A LEADING CHARACTER IS CLEARLY
FULFILLED. THE MOST INTERESTING OF THE LAWS MANIFESTED IN THIS ST-
ORY IS THE LAW OF LOGIC. NORMALLY, WE WOULD NOT CONSIDER WILLIE'S
LOGIC USEFUL TO GAIN AN END, YET IN THIS STORY IT IS NOT ONLY
REAL, BUT IT IS FEASIBLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): OL MASSA AND JOHN STORY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 11-26-1980
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TRADITION
IF TWO PEOPLE SAY THE SAME THING SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE
MORE ALERT ONE WHO CATCHES THE COOINCIDENCE SAYS:
"SLUGGIES," AND SLUGS THE OTHER ONE IN THE ARM, ADDING
"YOU OWE ME A COKE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
James Callow Keyword(s): COCA-COLA (SODA POP)
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF TWO PEOPLE SAY THE SAME THING AT THE SAME TIME, THEY
ARE SUPPOSED TO COUNT TO TEN AND THE FIRST ONE
FINISHED SAYS, "OWE ME A COKE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): COLA-COLA (SODA POP)
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
ACTIVITY-ASTRONOMY
CORN SHOULD BE PLANTED UNDER LEO TO INSURE LARGE
EARS. MM
CORN SHOULD BE PLANTED UNDER GEMINI TO INSURE TWO
EARS PER STALK.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM AN UNCLE, JOHN FURR.
Data entry tech comment: GEMINI=TWINS
Where learned: INDIANA ; GREENFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): LEO=LION, KING OF BEASTS. ; SYMBOLISM ; SYMBOLISM MM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 11-23-1967
ACTIVITY-ASTRONOMY
ANYTHING PLANTED UNDER GEMINI, WILL BE ABUNDANT. / LEARNED FROM HIS FATHER.
IN ORDER TO GET A GOOD CROP OF CUCUMBERS, PLANT THE SEED UNDER PISCES. / LEARNED FROM HIS MOTHER.
PLANT POTATOES DURING THE SIGN OF CAPRICORN FOR GOOD POTATO YIELD; BUT ONLY WHEN THE POINTS OF THE MOON POINT DOWNWARD. / LEARNED FROM HIS FATHER.
IF YOU DO NOT WANT POTATOES TO GROW TOO DEEP, PLANT THEM IN THE QUARTER OF THE MOON DURING ARIES. / LEARNED FROM HIS FATHER.
PLANT TOMATOES UNDER LIBRA AND THEY WOULD BE LARGE AND HEAVY. / LEARNED FROM HIS MOTHER.
Data entry tech comment: GEMINI=TWINS ; PISCES=FISH, WATER SIGN. ; LIBRA=SCALES--BALANCE
Where learned: INDIANA ; South Bend
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLISM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 11-23-1967
THE HAPPY VOICES OF THE GIRLS SOUNDED IN THE AIR
AS THEY THREW THEIR WREATHS ON THE CLEAR WATER.
THE BOY WHO CAUGHT A WREATH CHASED THE GIRL, WHEREAS
SHE HID IN THE THICK FERNS OF THE FOREST.
Where learned: RESIDENCE
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION - POLISH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Season |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FLYLEAF VERSE
HAIL, HAIL, BYRON'S IN JAIL.
TAFT IS ELECTED JUST AS WE EXPECTED.
Submitter comment:
THE ABOVE WAS FOUND IN MR. FINK'S "POWERS GRADED SPELLER"
COPYRIGHTED IN 1905, IN HIS OWN HANDWRITING ON THE BACK
COVER OF THE TEXT.
Data entry tech comment:
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHANT ; ELECTIONS ; INSULT ; POLITICIANS ; PRESIDENTS ; RIDICULE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Wisecracks, Gags, Silly Insults |
Date learned: 09-17-1969