Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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AN ESCAPE TO AMERICA
ONE OF MY DEAREST FRIENDS, NORA SHEPPARD IS 96 YEARS OLD, AND
EVERYONE CALLS HER GRANDMA SHEP. GRANDMA SHEP AS A SWEET
YOUNG COLLEEN EMIGRATING FROM ENGLAND TO THE BRIGHT LAND
OF OPPORTUNITY AND PROMISE, WAS VERY EXCITED TO BE COMING
TO THE UNITED STATES. AT ELLIS ISLAND THE OFFICIALS WERE
CHECKING CAREFULLY THE DOCUMENTS. NORA WAS ONLY SIXTEEN YEARS
OLD AND HAD NO RELATIVE TO SPONSOR HER. THE OFFICIAL SHOOK
HIS HEAD NO. THE FRANTIC YOUNG GIRL TURNED TO THE STOCKY
BOY WHO SHE HAD BECOME GOOD FRIENDS WITH AND SAID, "PLEASE
WOULD YOU MARRY ME?" WITHIN AN HOUR THE PRIEST HAD BLESSED
THE YOUNG COUPLE AND THEY WERE DULY WED. THEY SETTLED IN
THEIR NEW COUNTRY AND THE LESS THAN ROMANTIC BEGINNING
DEVELOPED INTO A MARRIAGE OF 63 YEARS, 7 CHILDREN, 35
GRANDCHILDREN AND 12 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN. IT WAS AND STILL
IS AN EXAMPLE OF LOVE TO ALL WHO KNOW THEM.
Submitter comment:
I THINK THAT THIS STORY GETS MORE DRAMATIC EVERY TIME IT IS
TOLD BUT IT IS STILL CUTE ANYWAYS. GRANDMA SHEP IS A
CHARACTER AND I WOULDN'T PUT IT PAST HER FEISTY DETERMINED
NATURE TO PROPOSE TO A MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): INVERSION ; ROLE REVERSAL ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Married couple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Proposal |
Date learned: 00001900CA
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AFRAID OF THUNDER AND LIGHTENING SO
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL MY MOMMA TOLD ME THIS STORY.
SHE TOLD ME THAT ALL THE THUNDER WAS JUST SOME ANGELS
PLAYING POOL AND EVERY TIME THEY HIT A BALL WE WOULD
HEAR ITS ECHO. THE LIGHTENING WAS NOTHING MORE THAN A
PRANKSTER ANGEL CUTTING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF UP IN
HEAVEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; MATERNAL ROLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 03-00-1983
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WREATHES CALLED STEPHANA WORN BY THE BRIDE AND GROOM DURING
THE GREEK WEDDING CEREMONY ARE EXCHANGED ON THEIR HEADS
THREE TIMES, THEN TIED TOGETHER WITH A SATIN RIBBON TO
SIGNIFY UNITY. WHEN A SPOUSE DIES, THE SATIN RIBBON IS
CUT AND ONE WREATHE IS BURIED WITH THE DECEASED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Headdress CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
DURING THE GREEK WEDDING CEREMONY, A PRAYER IS READ REGARDING
THE ROLE OF HUSBAND AS RULER OF THE HOUSEHOLD AND THE
RULER OF HIS WIFE. IF THE BRIDE HAS ANY OBJECTION TO
THIS, SHE DISCREETLY TAPS THE GROOM'S FOOT WITH HER RIGHT
FOOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Ceremony BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
DURING THE GREEK BAPTISMAL RITES, THE BABY IS ANOINTED
ON THE CHEST TO SIGNIFY THE LOVE FOR GOD IN HIS HEART,
ON THE BACK TO SIGNIFY CARRYING HIS CROSS FOR LIFE AND
ON THE PALMS AND FEET AS REMINDERS OF THE CRUCIFIXION.
AT THIS POINT THE GREEKS BELIEVE THAT THE CHILD IS
BLAMELESS, SPOTLESS, AND WITHOUT SIN, A SAINT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
"SOUCOUNIANT" OR "VOLANT" ARE PEOPLE THAT TAKE OFF THEIR SKIN AND
GO SUCK ANIMALS' BLOOD. THEY HAVE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH
THEIR ARMS AND THEY CAN FLY. IF YOU DON'T WANT THEM TO GET BACK
INTO THEIR SKIN, YOU ADD SOME SALT, GARLIC, LEMON, ETC. TO THE
SKIN WHICH IS USUALLY LEFT IN A BIG BUCKET. ANOTHER WAY TO STOP
THEM IS TO DRAW A CROSS WITH A KNIFE, AND AT THE INTERSECTION OF
THE TWO LINES YOU STAB THE KNIFE.
Submitter comment:
MOST OF THE TIMES, THE "SOUCOUNIANTS" ARE WOMEN. I REMEMBER MANY
YEARS AGO THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED THAT THEY CAUGHT ONE AND
THEY TOOK HER TO THE HOSPITAL.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
Keyword(s): "VOLANT" MEANS SOMETHING THAT COULD FLY.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
IF YOU HAVE BOLL WEEVILS IN THE
CUPBOARD, BREAK A DISH, WRAP IT IN A
WET DISHRAG AND BURY IT IN THE YARD
UNDER A ROSE BUSH AND THE BUGS WILL
DISAPPEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BOLL WEEVIL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect |
GIANT RACE
FOR I'M THE LAST OF THE GIANT RACE,
THE BIG MEN FROM MULDARE.
IT TAKES A NAVY TO WASH MY FACE,
AND AN ARMY TO COMB MY HAIR.
TWENTY MEN AND A SIX INCH GUN
COULD SIT ON MY BIGGEST TOE.
AND WHEN I'M THIRSTY IT'S ONLY FUN
TO DRINK UP A SEA OR SO.
IF YOU HAD THE SIGHT OF MY SMALLEST EYE,
YOU COULD SEE THE MICE ON THE MOON.
AND IF YOU WERE AS LONG IN THE LEGS AS I,
YOU COULD WALK THERE PRETTY SOON.
FOR I'M THE LAST OF THE GIANT RACE,
THE BIG MEN FROM MULDARE.
IT TAKES A NAVY TO WASH MY FACE,
AND AN ARMY TO COMB MY HAIR.
Submitter comment:
THIS POEM WAS PASSED DOWN THROUGH THE FAMILY. ALL THE
CHILDREN IN MY FATHER'S FAMILY WOULD BEG MY GRANDPA TO
RECITE THIS POEM FOR THEM. IT WAS DEFINITELY A FAVORITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HYPERBOLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
RAIN RHYME
IT'S RAINING, IT'S POURING,
THE OLD MAN IS SNORING.
BUMPED HIS HEAD
ON THE HEAD OF THE BED
AND COULDN'T GET UP
IN THE MORNING.
Submitter comment:
THIS RHYME WAS SAID WHENEVER THERE WAS A THUNDERSTORM. THE
OLD MAN'S SNORING REFERRED TO THE THUNDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): NAME FOR GOD: OLD MAN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.465 |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
JOKE
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE ACCIDENT AT THE ARMY CAMP? NO, WHAT
HAPPENED? A JEEP RAN OVER A POPCORN BOX AND KILLED TWO KERNELS.
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN: KERNELS FOR COLONELS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HORSES AND MULES. I COME
BEFORE YOU, TO STAND BEHIND YOU, TO TELL YOU
SOMETHING I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT. SO PULL UP A
CHAIR AND SIT ON THE FLOOR. THIS THURSDAY,
WHICH IS LAST FRIDAY, THERE WILL BE A MOMS
CLUB MEETING ONLY FOR DADS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT COULDN'T REMEMBER THE REST OF
THIS REDUNDANCY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; TANGLETALK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
Religious Verse
Men's book with heaps of chaff are stored
God's book doth "golden grains" afford.
Then leave the chaff and spend thy pains
In gathering up thy golden grains.
Submitter comment:
Found in an autograph book from 1880's
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Chaff ; God ; Golden ; Grain ; Language ; Man ; RELIGION ; RHYME ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
"O'LEARY'S BAR"
'TWAS A COLD WINTER'S EVENING.
THE GUESTS WERE ALL LEAVING.
O'LEARY WAS CLOSING THE BAR,
WHEN HE TURNED AND HE SAID TO THE LADY IN RED,
"GET OUT! YOU CAN'T STAY HERE NO MORE."
SHE WEPT A SAD TEAR IN HER BUCKET OF BEER
AS SHE THOUGHT OF THE COLD NIGHT AHEAD,
WHEN A GENTLEMAN DAPPER STEPPED OUT OF THE PHONE BOOTH
AND THESE ARE THE WORDS THAT HE SAID:
"YOUR MOTHER NEVER TOLD YOU
THE THINGS A YOUNG GIRL SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT THE WAYS OF COLLEGE MEN AND HOW THEY COME AND GO--
MOSTLY GO!!!!!"
NOW AGE HAS TAKEN HER BEAUTY
AND SIN HAS LEFT ITS SAD SCAR.
SO, REMEMBER YOUR MOTHERS AND SISTERS, BOYS,
AND LET HER SLEEP UNDER THE BAR
NEXT TO THE GIN,
WITH HIRAM WALKER,
IN SOUTHERN COMFORT.
AND THERE WAS GRANNY SWINGING ON THE OUTHOUSE DOOR
WITHOUT HER NIGHTIE
AND GRANDPA YELLING, "MORE, MORE, MORE!"
SHE WORE PAJAMAS.
Submitter comment:
WHEN THIS IS SUNG BY MEMBERS OF KAPPA BETA GAMMA SORORITY, THE
PARTS OF THE "LADY IN RED" AND THE "GENTLEMAN DAPPER" ARE
ACTED OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON BRAND NAMES OF ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
| Subject headings: | Shadow / Pantomime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad, Song, Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion |
Date learned: 09-00-1985
MY MOTHER SAYS THAT THE COLOR YOU MOST FREQUENTLY
WEAR IS THE COLOR THAT SHOWS THE REAL YOU.
I WEAR EARTHY COLORS MOST FREQUENTLY, AND I AM
AN EARTHY TYPE PERSON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONALITY REVEALED BY COLOR CHOICE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 08-00-1983
MY INFORMANT TOLD ME OF A BIRD CALLED A "TURUL" WHICH
WAS AN ARTIFICIAL CONCOCTION OF THE PEOPLE OF HUNGARY
AS THEIR NATIONAL BIRD. THE TURUL RESEMBLED AN EAGLE AND
WAS VERY LARGE. THE BIRD WAS THOUGHT TO REPRESENT ALL
THE GOOD QUALITIES OF HUNGARY AND THERE IS EVEN A STATUE OF
A TURUL IN BUDAPEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird |
Date learned: 11-08-1985
BLACK AMERICAN
MARRIED IN WHITE, YOU HAVE CHOSEN RIGHT;
MARRIED IN RED, YOU'RE BETTER OFF DEAD;
MARRIED IN YELLOW, ASHAMED OF THE FELLOW;
MARRIED IN BLUE, YOUR LOVER IS TRUE;
MARRIED IN GREEN, ASHAMED TO BE SEEN;
MARRIED IN BLACK, YOU'LL RIDE IN A HACK;
MARRIED IN PINK, YOUR SPIRITS WILL SINK;
MARRIED IN BROWN, YOU'LL LIVE OUT OF TOWN;
MARRIED IN GREY, YOU'LL BE SAD EVERY DAY.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
James Callow Keyword(s): COLORS
| Subject headings: | 860 Belief Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 09-15-1985
Some people say that a man of dark color is crazy about a
high yellow, but high yellow will throw you, and when
you come home, there will be another mule kicking in your
stall. A brown skin girl is the best gal after all.
Where learned: VIRGINIA
James Callow Keyword(s): African-American color of skin
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Color SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1939