Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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JUMP-ROPE RHYME
SHIRLEY TEMPLE WENT TO FRANCE
TO TEACH THE GIRLS THE WATUSI DANCE.
FIRST ON THE HEEL THEN ON THE TOE.
SPLIT THE ROPE AND AROUND SHE GOES.
SALUTE TO YOUR PARTNER, CURTSEY TO THE QUEEN,
TOUCH THE BOTTOM OF THE SUBMARINE.
I LIKE COFFEE, I LIKE TEA
I LIKE A WHITE BOY AND HE LIKES ME.
HEY, WHITE BOY, YOU DON'T SHINE.
HERE COMES A COLORED BOY TO BEAT YOUR BEHIND!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MOVIE STAR ; NEGRO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-00-1974
JUMP-ROPE RHYME
I LIVE IN CHE-CHE-CHINA BEHIND THE CHINA BAY.
I WASH MY CLOTHES IN LIMA-A FOR FIFTEEN CENTS A DAY.
OH, PATTY, PATTY, PATTY. YOU OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED
TO MARRY, MARRY, MARRY, A BOY WITHOUT A NAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-00-1974
JUMP-ROPE RHYME
MY MOTHER AND YOUR MOTHER WERE HANGING UP CLOTHES.
MY MOTHER PUNCHED YOUR MOTHER RIGHT IN HER BIG NOSE.
YOUR MOTHER WENT DOWNTOWN TO SEE THE BIG CLOWN./
SHE SCREAMED SO LOUD THAT THE POLICE CAME 'ROUND.
POLICE, POLICE, DON'T TAKE ME,
TAKE THE MAN BEHIND THE TREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): VIOLENCE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-00-1974
SINGING, DANCING, AND CLAPPING GAME
A SAILOR WENT TO SEA, SEA, SEA.
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE, SEE, SEE,
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD SEE, SEE, SEE,
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP, BLUE, SEA, SEA, SEA.
A SAILOR WENT TO CHOP, CHOP, CHOP.
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD CHOP, CHOP, CHOP,
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD CHOP, CHOP, CHOP,
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE CHOP, CHOP, CHOP,
A SAILOR WENT TO KNEE, KNEE, KNEE,
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD KNEE, KNEE, KNEE,
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD KNEE, KNEE, KNEE,
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE KNEE, KNEE, KNEE.
A SAILOR WENT TO OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT,
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT,
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD OOH-WHAT-YOU-COT,
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE, OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT.
A SAILOR WENT TO SEA, CHOP, KNEE, OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT,
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEA, CHOP, KNEE, OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT,
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD SEA, CHOP, KNEE, OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT,
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP, BLUE, SEA,
CHOP, KNEE, OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FINAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 11-00-1974
SINGING, DANCING AND CLAPPING GAME.
EENIE-MEENIE GYPSA-LEENIE, WHO SHOT AHMALEENIE? AHCHEE-KAHCHEE,
LIBERACE, I LOVE YOU. TOO-TOO. I SAW YOU WITH YOUR BOYFRIEND LAST
NIGHT. HOW DO YOU KNOW? I PEEKED THROUGH THE KEYHOLE, NOSY! WASH
THOSE DISHES, LAZY! JUMP OUT THE WINDOW, CRAZY! GIVE ME SOME CANDY
STINGEY! SO EENIE-MEENIE, GYPSA-LEENIE, WHO SHOT AHMALEENIE?
AHCHEE-KAHCHEE, LIBERACE, I LOVE YOU. TOO-TOO::
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NONSENSE WORDS ; TELEVISION PERSONALITY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 11-00-1974
JUMP-ROPE RHYME
ALL IN TOGETHER, VERY FINE WEATHER, I SEE THE TEACHER LOOKING OUT
THE WINDOW. DING-DONG, THE FIRE BELL! JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH ...
SAY THE MONTHS UNTIL EVERYONE JUMPS OUT OF THE ROPE ON THEIR MONTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-00-1974
JUMP-ROPE RHYME
LULU HAD AN ENGINE, THE ENGINE HAD A BELL
LULU WENT TO HEAVEN AND THE ENGINE WENT TO HELL-O
OPERATOR, GIVE ME NUMBER
IF YOU DON'T I'LL KICK YOUR BLACK BEHIND
THE REFRIGERATOR, THERE IS A PIECE OF GLASS
I HOPE YOU FALL AND CUT YOUR BIG, OLD --
ASK ME NO MORE QUESTIONS, I'LL TELL YOU NO MORE LIES
AND THAT'S HOW MARY AND HER STEAM BOAT DIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-00-1974
IF YOU ATTEND A FUNERAL WHILE PREGNANT YOUR BABY WILL BE
BORN OR GROW UP TO BE A VERY DARK COMPLEXTION PERSON.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING MY STAY IN DETROIT WITH PEOPLE WHO
LIVED THERE A LONG TIME.
THIS SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF --THE TABOO OF ATTENDING A FUNERAL
WHILE YOU ARE PREGNANT WILL AFFECT THE COLOR OF THE UNBORN. THIS
USUALLY APPLIES TO BLACK FOLK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COMPLECTION COMPLEXION ; NEGRO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: CA06171966
BRIDAL SHOWER GIFTS
AT A BRIDAL SHOWER YOU NEVER BRING KNIVES FOR A GIFT BECAUSE
SHE AND HER FUTURE HUSBAND WILL QUARREL ALL THE TIME.
Submitter comment:
THIS WILL CAUSE THE COUPLE TO HAVE BAD LUCK IN THE FUTURE.
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING HER ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HER HOME TOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-FIVING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.18 |
Date learned: 00001930S
IRISH TRICKERY
THROW SALT OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER IN CASE OR IF YOU FEEL
SOMEONE IS IN BACK OF YOU WITH A KNIFE AND TRY TO HARM YOU.
IF YOU FEEL THAT THE PERSON IN BACK OF YOU WILL HARM YOU, BY
ANY MEANS THAT THEY CAN, THEN DO THIS ALSO.
THIS WILL SCARE THEM OFF.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING HIS LATE ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HIS
HOME TOWN.
THIS SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF IS SYMPATHETIC MAGIC BECAUSE IT INVOLES
A SAFETY PRECAUTION OF DANGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): INVOLVES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001930S
EVE OF NEW YEAR
FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE YOU ARE TO HAVE SOURKRAUT AND SPARE RIBS
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED FROM HER ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HER HOME TOWN.
THIS IS A SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF OF HAVING CERTAIN FOODS FOR A
SPECIFIC DAY, IN ORDER TO BRING GOOD LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SAUERKRAUT
Date learned: 00001930S
NO-SPILL-SALT
IF YOU SPILL SALT YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK UNLESS YOU DO THIS,
TAKE A HAND FULL OF SALT AND THROW IT OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER.
THIS WILL REVERSE THE BAD LUCK AND GIVE YOU GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED THIS FOLKLORE FROM HER CHILDHOOD DAYS OF HER HOME TOWN.
THIS SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF IS SYMPATHETIC MAGIC BECAUSE THERE IS A
PRIMITIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN SPILLING AND THE THROWING THE SALT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; RIGHT LEFT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17 |
Date learned: 00001930'S
GOOD LUCK
IF YOU STUMPLE ON YOUR FOOT, OR IT MAY ITCH, THAT'S A
SIGN FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
SHE REMEMBERED THIS ITEM FROM TIMES WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG. BUT
IT WAS TOLD TO HER FROM HER MOTHER AND NEIGHBORS USUALLY BY WORD
OF MOUTH. HER MOTHER AS WELL AS HER MOTHER'S MOTHER BELIEVED
THAT OLD SAYINGS ARE WORTH REMEMBERING. THE INFORMANT REGARDS
THIS FOLK ITEM AS A PIECE OF GOLD FOR A GUIDE LINE OF LIFE'S
EXPERIENCE.
SHE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
THIS IS A SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; VIRGINIA ; PHILADELPHIA ; RICHMOND
James Callow Keyword(s): STUMBLE?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
STARTING THE NEW YEAR
ON THE FIRST OF THE NEW YEAR YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LET THE FIRST
DARK PERSON THAT YOU KNOW COME THROUGH THE DOOR FIRST
WHILE HE CARRIES A PIECE OF BLACK CHARCOAL (IF NOT MALE THEN
HAVE A FEMALE DO IT).
SO THAT YOU MAY HAVE GOOD LUCK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING HIS LATE ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HIS
HOME TOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING
Date learned: 00001930S
FRONT DOOR---PLEASE
IF YOU COME IN THE FRONT DOOR THEN YOU MUST LEAVE BY THE FRONT DOOR.
IF NOT THEN YOU WILL CAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE HOUSE
BAD LUCK FOR SURE.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER HOME TOWN DURING HER ADOLESCENT STAGE.
THIS SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE HOME. THIS
PRACTICE KEEPS THE HOME SAFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ENTERING LEAVING ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001930'S
GREETINGS
SOME OF THE WAYS OF GREETING OTHER FOLKS, WHILE PASSING ARE:
WHAT IT IS: OK...WHAT'S THE DEAL: YOU MIGHT REPLY..AIN'T NO
HAPPENINGS: YOU: OR NOTHING TO IT MAN (IF IT IS A MALE).
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED IN MY EARLY ADOLESCENT STAGE IN MY HOME TOWN.
THIS WAS SOMETHING LEARNED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WITH MY PLAY MATES.
THESE ARE GREETINGS WHICH ARE NORMALLY SAID AMONG THE
YOUNG BLACK FOLK.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PHILADELPHIA
James Callow Keyword(s): NEGRO
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: CA06171966
GRACE BEFORE MEALS
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT, PUT IT ON THE
TABLE AND I'LL GET ALL I WANT.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING MY STAY IN DETROIT WITH PEOPLE WHO
LIVED THERE A LONG TIME.
THIS VERSE HAS A PARODY AIR ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT CONTRADICTS ITSELF.
I SAY THIS BECAUSE WHEN ONE SAYS PRAYERS ONE WOULD HOPEFULLY BE
EXPRESSING THEIR GRATEFULNESS FOR THE MEALS, AND NOT HAVE AN
SELFISH OR GREEDY AND ANXIOUS ATTITUDE ABOUT EATING THE MEAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PSALM 23 PARODY
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
SHE'S--MARKED:
BURNING "S" ON THE FACE OF A FEMALE WAS TO SHOW THAT SHE WAS AN
AN ADULTERER. THE MARK COULD BE ALSO CUT ON HER FACE.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING HIS LATE ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HIS HOME TOWN.
THIS ITEM WAS TOLD TO HIM BY HIS ACQUAINTANCES WHEN HE VISITED IRELAND. THIS
TALE CAME ABOUT IN THE EARLY YEARS OF IRELAND'S BIRTH. THE SIGN WAS PUT ON THE
WOMAN'S FACE SO TO TELL "THE WORLD" OF HER SIN. I DIDN'T GET AN EXPLANATION WHY
THEY USED THE LETTER S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): BRANDING ; PUNISHMENT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001930S
OLD SAYINGS
IF YOU DROP A KNIFE A MAN IS COMING
IF YOU DROP A FORK A WOMAN IS COMING
IF YOU DROP A SPOON A CHILD IS COMING
PERHAPS THE MAN COMING HUMMING
PERHAPS THE WOMAN BECOMING LOVING
PERHAPS THE CHILD COMING STUMBLING.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER HOME TOWN DURING HER ADOLESCENT STAGE.
THIS OLD SAYING IS A VERSE THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNICATION
BETWEEN AN OBJECT AND THE FORETELLING OF THE FUTURE.
THE INFORMANT WASN'T SURE WHETHER THIS COULD BE {A} SONG OR NOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.860 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 00001930'S
CLIMBING
WHEN CLIMBING THE LADDER TO SUCCESS,/ DON'T LET THE BOYS LOOK
UNDER YOUR DRESS.
Submitter comment:
SHE REMEMBERED THIS ITEM FROM TIMES WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG. BUT
IT WAS TOLD TO HER BY HER MOTHER AND NEIGHBORS USUALLY BY WORD
OF MOUTH. HER MOTHER AS WELL AS HER MOTHER'S MOTHER BELIEVED
THAT OLD SAYINGS ARE WORTH REMEMBERING. THE INFORMANT REGARDS
THIS FOLK ITEM AS A PIECE OF GOLD FOR A GUIDE LINE OF LIFE'S
EXPERIENCE.
SHE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; VIRGINIA ; PHILADELPHIA ; RICHMOND
James Callow Keyword(s): METAPHOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 00-00-1935