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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IN A LITTLE ITALIAN CITY THERE LIVED A VERY POOR
MAN. ALL HE OWNED WAS AN OLD BICYCLE OF WHICH HE WAS
VERY PROUD. ONE DAY HE WENT TO A SMALL GROCERY
STORE TO BUY SOME VEGETABLES AND WHEN HE CAME
BACK, HE FOUND HIS BICYCLE ALL BROKEN INTO LITTLE
PIECES--PROBABLY SOME EVIL BOY DECIDED TO PLAY A
BAD JOKE ON HIM. THE MAN BEGAN TO CRY. AT THAT
TIME, A FUNERAL PROCESSION ARRIVED AND THE MAN JOINED THE
RELATIVES OF THE DEAD WOMAN, CRYING SO PITIFULLY THAT
A FRIEND OF THE DEAD WOMAN STOPPED HIM AND SAID,
"COME ON NOW, SHE WAS OLD AND DECREPIT, YOU KNOW."
TO THAT THE MAN REPLIED, "YES, BUT SHE STILL HAD
TWO PEDALS AND A HANDLE-BAR!"
Submitter comment:
THE ABOVE IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE FUNNY STORIES CHILDREN
TELL IN ITALY. I REMEMBER HEARING AND TELLING ONE
SIMILAR TO THIS WHEN I WAS YOUNGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION---ITALIAN VERSION ON 5 X 8 CARD.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 10-06-1971
THAT'S THE SPIRIT
AN OLD NEIGHBOR WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A SICK FRIEND.
IT WAS NIGHT AND THE MOON WAS NOT SHINING. SO HE WAS
JUST WALKING ALONG AND HE HAD TO GO THROUGH THE CEMETERY.
HE WAS A LITTLE AFRAID, BUT HE WAS THINKING ABOUT HIS
FRIEND AND ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE MIGHT NOT GET BETTER.
JUST THEN, HE HEARS SOMEONE MOANING. THE MAN BECAME
FRIGHTENED AND HE STOPPED AND WAITED. AGAIN, HE HEARS
SOMEONE MOANING. SO THE OLD MAN ASKS THE SPIRIT OF
THE ONE WHO WAS BURIED IN THE GRAVE BESIDE WHICH HE
STOOD: "SOUL (SPIRIT), WHAT DO YOU DEMAND?" BUT AGAIN,
HE HEARD THE MOAN. WITH THAT, A VOICE COMES FROM
BEHIND THE TOMBSTONE, "I'D LIKE A PIECE OF PAPER."
Submitter comment:
TRANSLATED FROM POLISH. I HEARD THIS WHEN I WAS
ABOUT 13-15, BUT COULDN'T REMEMBER THE DETAILS, SO
ASKED MY MOTHER TO WRITE THEM DOWN FOR ME. SHE DID
SO ON MAY 15, 1965.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 05-00-1965
THE KING AND THE SMART SERVANT
ONCE UPON A TIME, A KING HAD A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER. THE
KING WANTED A PRINCE FOR A SON-IN-LAW, BUT HIS DAUGHTER
FELL IN LOVE WITH A PAROBEK (HOUSEMAN) WHO JUST WORKED
FOR THE KING, TOOK CARE OF HIS CATTLE AND BARNS. THE KING
COULDN'T GET HIS DAUGHTER TO CHANGE HER MIND, SO HE TOLD
THE YOUNG MAN AND HER THAT IF HE DOES 3 THINGS, HE, THE
KING, TELLS THE YOUNG MAN TO DO, HE CAN MARRY HIS
DAUGHTER. IF HE FAILS HE WILL BE BEHEADED. IN OTHER
WORDS, HE WILL HAVE HIS HEAD CHOPPED OFF. AND THE KING
WAS SURE HE WOULD HAVE TO MISS ONE--HE COULDN'T BE THAT
SMART. ALTHOUGH THE KING LIKED THE YOUNG MAN BECAUSE
HE WAS AN HONEST AND LOYAL WORKER.
FIRST WAS TO COUNT ALL THE STARS IN THE SKY AND SHOW PROOF.
SO THE YOUNG MAN WONDERED AND WORRIED HOW CAN HE, BUT
AHA! HE TOOK A LARGE PIECE OF PAPER AND MADE HOLES IN IT
WITH A PIN. NEXT DAY AT THE TIME THE KING TOLD HIM TO
COME HE DID SO. HE PRESENTED THE PAPER TO THE KING AND
SAID, "I PIERCED A HOLE FOR EACH OF THE STARS. HERE
THEY ARE." WELL, IT WAS ACCEPTED BECAUSE THE KING COULD
NOT SHOW PROOF OTHERWISE.
SECOND: NOW SAID THE KING, "AT MIDNIGHT YOU SHALL COME
TO ME DRESSED BUT NOT DRESSED, ON A BLACK, BUT NOT BLACK,
WHITE BUT NOT WHITE, HORSE. SO AGAIN HE WORRIED WHAT TO
DO, BUT "AHA! I GOT IT!" HE GOT A GREY HORSE WITH DARKER
SPOTS HERE AND THERE SO HE WAS NEITHER WHITE OR BLACK
AND TO DRESS AND NOT DRESS, HE WRAPPED HIMSELF IN A
NETTING, LIKE CHEESE CLOTH OR VEIL. SO HE MADE IT
EXACTLY 12 MIDNIGHT. SO THE KING SAID, "YOU'VE DONE IT
AGAIN," AND WAS WORRIED THE YOUNG MAN MIGHT OUTSMART HIM.
SO HE SAID, "THIS IS THE LAST; I'M SURE HE WILL FAIL."
THIRD: "YOUNG MAN YOU SHOWED YOURSELF SMART SO FAR, BUT
THIS LAST; EITHER YOU DO IT OR YOUR HEAD BE CUT OFF."
THE KING SAID, "BE HERE AT 12 NOON. COME RIDING, BUT NOT
RIDING A HORSE, WALKING BUT NOT WALKING."
THIS WAS HARD, BUT THE YOUNG MAN CAME TO THINK THEN,
!AHA! I GOT IT!" SO HE WENT THROUGH TOWNS AND VILLAGES.
HE TRIED HUNDREDS OF HORSES, THEN HE ALMOST GAVE UP.
THE HORSES WERE EITHER TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL, BUT WHEN
HE ALMOST GAVE UP, HE THOUGHT OF THE HORSE HE TOOK CARE
OF AT THE KING'S PALACE. THERE HE TRIED ONE MORE, AND HE
WAS HIS LIFE SAVER. HE WAS JUST THE KIND HE NEEDED. AS
HE SAT ON HIS BACK HE LET HIS LEGS HANG DANGLING SO AS TO
ALMOST STAND BUT COULDN'T BUT HE HALF WALKED, THAT IS ON
THE BALL OF FOOT AND TOES. SO CAME 12 NOON AND THE KING
WAITED PATIENTLY, SO DID HIS DAUGHTER, THE PRINCESS.
AND THERE RODE, AND NOT RODE, WALKED, BUT NOT WALKED,
THE YOUNG MAN. THE KING WAS AMAZED AND SAID HE IS THE
LOSER AND THE YOUNG MAN THE WINNER. THE KING TURNED
TO HIS DAUGHTER, "YOU MAY MARRY THE YOUNG MAN AND HE
SHALL LIVE IN THE PALACE AND NOT WORK AS A HANDYMAN
ANY MORE. HE HAS PROVEN HE IS A SMART AND A GOOD MAN.
SO THEY MARRIED AND LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT, MY MOTHER, TOLD THIS STORY TO MY
BROTHERS AND ME WHEN I WAS ABOUT 9 OR 10 YEARS OLD.
I REMEMBERED A FEW OF THE FACTS, BUT NOT THE SOLUTIONS
TO THE KING'S TASKS, SO I ASKED HER TO WRITE THE STORY
DOWN FOR ME. THE ONLY THING I CHANGED IN TRANSCRIBING
IT, IS THE PUNCTUATION. THE WORDS ALL HERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 05-15-1965
THE PROUD ONE
ONCE THERE WAS A VERY RICH LADY. SHE HAD SERVANTS,
MAIDS, AND A NURSEMAID FOR HER BABY. ONE DAY, THE
NURSEMAID HAD TO GO SHOPPING, AND THE LADY HAD TO CHANGE
THE BABY'S DIAPER. THE LADY HATED TO DO THAT, BECAUSE
IT WAS DISTASTEFUL TO HER (ONA SIE BRZYDZILA), BUT SHE
HAD TO DO IT BECAUSE THE NURSEMAID WAS NOT THERE.
WHILE SHE WAS WIPING THE BABY'S BOTTOM, SHE GOT SOME
"DIRT" ON HER FINGER. THEN SHE BEGAN TO SCREAM AND
CALL FOR HER MANSERVANT, "COME, QUICK, AND BRING
YOUR AX AND CUT THIS FINGER OFF, BECAUSE I CAN'T
STAND TO LOOK AT IT!" BUT HE KNEW THE LADY WELL,
SO HE TOLD HER TO PUT HER FINGER ON THE "KLOCEK"
(BLOCK) AND HE JUST HIT IT WITH THE DULL SIDE OF THE
AX. THE LADY, FROM PAIN, PUT THE WHOLE FINGER IN
HER MOUTH AND THE MANSERVANT LAUGHED, SAYING, "WHAT
A LADY!"
Submitter comment:
THIS HAS BEEN TRANSLATED FROM THE POLISH LANGUAGE.
I HEARD THE STORY ORIGINALLY WHEN I WAS ABOUT 15,
AND THEN AGAIN MORE RECENTLY FROM THE INFORMANT
(A RELATIVE) WHO ASKED THAT I DON'T USE HIS NAME..
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 05-00-1965
ULBE A ULB WALADU, ULB WALADU A ULB IL HAGARE.
MY HEART IS ON THE HEART OF MY CHILD, MY CHILD'S HEART
IS ON THE HEART OF A STONE.
Submitter comment:
YOU HAVE A FEELING FOR ME BUT IT'S NOT LIKE I HAVE
FOR YOU, BECAUSE I'VE EXPERIENCED MORE--USUALLY SAID
BY PARENTS WHEN A CHILD IS MAD AT THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
DITHEY ADDIE MA GOAL; KOODIE MAH ROOM.
JUDGE CONDEMNS; PRIEST REMOVED.
Submitter comment:
WHEN A YOUNG CHILD BABBLES ON, HE IS LIKE A JUDGE
THAT WAS CONDEMANED OR A PRIEST THAT WAS REMOVED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
GREEK RETORT
THE MULE CALLS THE CHICKEN-FAT HEAD.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS USED TO TELL SOMEONE OFF WHEN THEY ARE YOU TO
DO OR SAY SOMETHING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): GREEK LANGUAGE RETORT IS ON 5 X 8 CARD. ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GREEK RETORT
KNOCK ALL YOU WANT AT A DEAF MAN'S DOOR.
Submitter comment: YOU SAY THIS TO A BULL-HEADED OR STUBBORN PERSON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): GREEK TRANSLATION ON 5 X 8 CARD. ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
C'EST LA VIE. THAT'S LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BIRTH
AFTER CHRISTENING, THE GODPARENTS COME TO THE
MOTHER WITH THE CHILD AND SAY: "WE TOOK TO CHURCH A
JEW AND BROUGHT BACK A CHRISTIAN."
Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM POLISH.
Where learned: HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
COMMON WORD
"IDZ, DOS DOMU SPAC'"
TRANSLATED IT MEANS, "GO HOME AND GO TO BED."
IN POLISH IT HAS THE FORCE OF TELLING SOMEONE
WHERE TO LEAVE OFF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
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
A CHILD'S PRAYER SWEDISH
GUD SOM HATVER BARNEN KAR; SE TIL MIG SOM LITEN AR;
HVART JAG MIG I VERLDEN VANDER; STAR MIN LYCKA I GUD'S HANDER.
GOD THAT LOVES THE CHILDREN; WATCH O'ER ME THAT LITTLE IS;
WHERE EVER I TRAVEL IN THIS WORLD, RESTS MY FORTUNE IN
HIS HANDS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT REMEMBERS HER MOTHER TELLING HER THIS PRAYER
ABOUT 75 YEARS AGO, WHEN SHE WAS A SMALL CHILD.
Where learned: LETTER ; MINNESOTA ; STURGEON LAKE
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
LYRICAL VERSE-GOOD LUCK
PLACE A LADYBUG ON YOUR HAND AND IF YOU CAN FINISH THIS
VERSE BEFORE THE LADYBUG FLIES AWAY, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK:
LADYBUG, LADYBUG,
OVER THE FORESTS THERE IS A CHURCH OF STONE.
IN THAT CHURCH THE BELLS ARE RINGING,
THE SHEPHERDS ARE CHASING THE SHEEP HOME. MM
THEN BLOW THE LADYBUG AWAY. TRANSLATED FROM POLISH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.646 |
Date learned: 03-11-1970
LITHUANIAN PROVERB
IT'S HARD TO CART HAY, BUT EASY TO PULL IT OUT OF THE EARTH.
Submitter comment: {TRANSLATION} SUNKRE SIENAZ VESTI, BET LENGVA ZIEMA PESTI.
Keyword(s): TRANSLATION AND "SOVRENTO" MAY BE WRONG DUE TO HANDWRITING.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 03-07-1968
... TILL HELL FREEZES OVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TRANSLATION: FOREVER/NEVER
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 02-00-1971
WAS BITTER IST IM MUNDE DAS IST DEM HERZ GESUNDE.
Where learned: RESIDENCE
Keyword(s): IS HEALTHY IN THE HEART. ; {KEYPUNCHER'S TRANSLATION} : WHAT IS BITTER IN THE MOUTH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
WER DES PSENNIG NICHT EHRT IST DES TAHLERS NICHT MEHRT.
Where learned: RESIDENCE
Keyword(s): PENNY. ; {NO TRANSLATION GIVEN, BUT I SUSPECT "PSENNIG" IS "PFENNIG," OR
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Business Abbreviations
A few business abbreviations no found many places:
S.A.P. = As Soon As Possible
S/B = Should Be
Prox. = Approximately
W/E = Week Ending
EST = Estimate
P.A. = Purchasing Agent
G.M. = Genreal Manager
P.C. = Production Control
Q.C. = Quality Control
A&S = Administration & Sales
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs and BN added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Submission Card located in pile labeled To Be Classified
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; Cadillac Production Inc
Keyword(s): ABBREVIATION ; BUSINESS ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Translations, plays on words, symbol writing PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Play on Words
A specimen is an Italian astronaut.
Submitter comment:
I heard this while I was at Sacred Heart Seminary
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs and BN added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Submission card located in pile marked These don't sound traditional. Do not file yet.
Keyword(s): ETHNIC ; Italian ; Language ; PUN ; Spaceman ; Specimen ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |