Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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MY BACK IS BREAKING, MY GIRDLE'S TOO TIGHT, MY HIPS ARE SHAKING
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. LEFT, RIGHT...
Submitter comment: THIS IS USE TO TEACH CHILDREN THEIR LEFT FROM THEIR RIGHT SIDES.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; POSITION--LEFT AND RIGHT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 08-04-1972
QUESTION: WHAT IS THE FIRST LETTER IN YELLOW?
ANSWER: Y (MEANING WHY)
SECOND ANSWER : CAUSE I WANT TO KNOW.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CATCH QUESTION
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-00-1972
A HORSESHOE OVER THE DOORS IN YOUR HOUSE WILL RID IT OF EVIL
SPIRITS.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Conversions P883.12 |
Date learned: 10-09-1972
PUT A PENNY OVER THE DOORS IN YOUR HOUSE FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.15 |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
PICTURE MAGIC
IF THE PERSON YOU LIKE IS STRAYING AWAY TAKE HIS PICTURE AND PUT IT
IN SOME WATER FACE DOWN. THIS WILL MAKE HIM STAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 09-00-1172
WHEN BABIES ARE BORN
ON THE GROWING OF THE FULL MOON
AND THE FALLING OF THE FULL MOON,
BABIES ARE BORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FINAL ITERATION ; NONSENSE VERSE?
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.453 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.542 BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
PIECE EARS
IF THE MOON IS FULL WHEN YOU PIECE YOUR EARS,
YOU LL FEEL NO PAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PIERCE YOUR EARS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
CAN FOOD
DON'T CAN FOOD WHEN YOU ARE ON YOUR PERIOD.
BECAUSE THE FOOD WILL GO TO WASTE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MENSTRUAL TABU AGAINST PRESERVING FOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
WARTS
TO GET RID OF WARTS, TIE A HORSE HAIR AROUND IT. THEN THE WARTS
WILL FALL OFF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MAGIC CIRCLE? TRANSFER?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
MONEY AND WISH
IF YOU HAVE A PIECE OF MONEY AND SHAKE IT AT THE NEW MOON, AND
MAKE A WISH YOUR WISH WILL COME TRUE. THIS WILL GENERALLY ALSO
MAKE YOUR MONEY COME BACK DOUBLE TO YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): INCREASE
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
WARD OFF BAD LUCK
MAKE UP A BAG OF SASFETIDA SUBSTANCE THAT SMELLS AND IT WARDS
OFF BAD LUCK. / YOU WEAR IT AROUND YOUR NECK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ASAFETIDA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
MEDICINE FOR FEVER
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL ABOUT FIVE OR SIX YEARS OLD, I
USE TO HAVE CHILLS AND FEVER QUITE A BIT. AND THINGS (BEING)
LIKE THEY WERE THEY DIDN'T HAVE DRUGS LIKE THEY DO NOW. THEY
USUALLY HAD TO USE OLD REMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. AND MY MOTHER
WOULD ALWAYS USE COPABUDS FOR FEVER. TAKE THE ROOTS AND PEEL IT.
AND WE'D CHEW THAT... WELL THIS IS SOMETHING THAT GROWS OUT IN THE
COTTON FIELD. IT HAVE A BUD ON IT. / YOU KNOW LITTLE STICKLE BUD.
AND THIS THING GROW UP TO REAL TALL AND THIS WHEN IT BUDS. BUT
BEFORE THEN IT'S A LITTLE BITTY GREEN THING AND THAT'S WHEN YOU USE
THE MEDICINE PART OF IT.
James Callow comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING HAS BEEN CORRECTED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): REMNANTS?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
BRE RABBIT
WELL, I'LL TELL YOU THE STORY ABOUT BRE RABBIT. BRE RABBIT, BRE
FOX AND THEIR AH..WELL ALL THE ANIMALS IN THE FOREST HAD GOTTEN
TOGETHER AND THEY HAD FOUND A WHOLD CROCK OF MILK, AND EVERYBODY
WANTED A BIG SHARE. WE WE A GONA DIVIDED THIS, THIS, THIS, MILK
UP EQUALLY AMONG EACH OTHER. AND NO ONE WELL TAKE MORE THAN THE
OTHERS GOT. WE ALL GONA GET A FAIR SHARE OF THIS MILK. SO AH..
HE SAY EVERTHING..WE AINT GOT TIME TO DIVIDE THIS THIS MILK UP NOW
BECAUSE IT'S COMING IT'S GETTING NIGHT. NOW WE'LL DIVIDE THIS MILK
UP IN THE MORNING. AND NO ONE SHALL DRINK A DROP OF THIS MILK.
SO EVERYBODY AGREED AND THEY ALL WENT AND THEY LAID DOWN. AND AH.
EVERYBODY AGREED AND THEY ALL WENT AND THEY LAID DOWN. AND AH..
EVERYBODY FELL A SHOUND ASLEEP. WELL BRE RABBIT HE GOT HUNGRY
THAT NIGHT. HE GOT UP AND HE SNEAKED OVER TO THE CROCK OF MILK.
HE DRINK ABOUT ...TWO THIRDS OF THAT MILK... HE WENT ON BACK TO
ASLEEP. WHEN MORNING CAME, EVERYBODY GOT UP..BRE FOX SWISHED OVER
THERE AND LOOKED AT THE CROCK. AND CRIED OH MY GOODNESS SOMEONE
STOLLED TWO THIRDS OF THE MILK. NOW ONE OF US HAD TO DO IT. SO..
I'M GONA FIND OUT WHICH ONE IT US WAS. NOW WHAT WE'RE GONA DO.
WE GONA BUILD US A BIG BARN FIRE...AND WE'RE GONA LAY DOWN BESIDE
IT. AND WE KNOW THAT THAT MILK GONA RUN, CAUSE THAT HEAT. SO WE
ALL WE WENT AND GATHER WOOD AND BUILT A BIG BARN FIRE. AND THE
HEAT GOT REAL HOT.. AND THIS BIG OLE HEATING FLAMES LEAPIN UP IN THE
AIR. AND EVERYBODY SAY, ALL RIGHT NOW WE AL GONA LAY BESIDE THE
FIRE. NO BODY MOVES. I'M GONA, WE GONA CHAIN EACH OTHER TO THE
SPOT. AND THEY ALL LAYING THERE...WELL BRE RABBIT HE KNEW THAT
IF HE HE KNOWS THAT IN THE MORNING ITS GONA BE HIS TURN TO GET IT.
SO HE CRAWLED OVER THERE BESIDE BRE BEAR, TO ...AND DID HIS THING.
AND WENT ON BACK OVER TO HIS SPOT AND WENT TO SLEEP.. SO IN THE
MORNING WHEN..EVERYBODY WOKE UP THEY LOOKED AROUND AND
LOOKED OVER THERE BY BRE BEAR. AND THEN THEY SAW WHAT HE DONE DONE.
AND ALL JUMPED ON BRE BEAR AND TRIED TO BEAT HIM TO DEATH.. AND
THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS.. YOU MIGHT STEAL MILK AND GET AWAY
WITH IT..BUT YOU'LL FIND A BEAR IN THE WOODS...
James Callow comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED WHEN NOT AFFECTING PRONOUNCIATION ; K2155 (SUPPOSED) EVIDENCE OF CRIME LEFT SO DUPE IS BLAMED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): IS "DID HIS THING" A ; THEFT OF MILK (COMPARE THEFT OF BUTTER)
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
GOOD LUCK FROM A DEAD SPIRIT WHEN YOU PLAY A NUMBER
IF YOU PUT A GLASS OF WATER UNDER YOUR BED IT WILL MAKE YOUR DEAD
GRANDMOTHER COME BACK TO YOU. HER SPIRIT WILL COME TO YOU AND
BRING YOU GOOD LUCK. IT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO HAPPEN BECAUSE A LADY
GOT RICH THAT WAY. YOU PICK OUT THE NUMBER WHICH YOU WANT TO
COME OUT. AND PUT IT INTO THE GLASS OF WATER. THE SPIRIT OF A
DEAD RELATIVE WILL COME TO GET A TASTE OF THE WATER AND THANK YOU
BY MAKING THE NUMBER COME OUT. THIS WAS PASSED ON TO ME BY MY
GRANDMOTHER. SHE CAME FROM THE SOUTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GAINING WEALTH ; GAMBLING: PLAYING THE NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
STORY
THIS IS A STORY ON THE WHITE FOLKS. YOU KNOW BACK IN THE OLDEN
DAYS WHEN THE COLORED PEOPLE DIDNH HAVE ANYTHING TO DO. THROUGH
THEYRE DOING, THEY DIDNT HAVE NO WHERE TO PRAY BUT UNDER AN OAK
TREE. AND EVERYTIME THEY START TO PRAYING, WHITE FOLKS WOULD
TAKE AN WHIP AN BUGGY WHIP, WHAT THEY CALL A RAW HIDE LEATHER
TIDED ON THE END OF A STICK, COME DOWN AND BEAT EM. SO FINALLY
ONE DAY THE BLACK MAN DECIDED HE'LL PRAY. HE SAY HE'S GONA TALK
TO THE LORD. AND HE GONA TALK TO HIM IN PERSON. SO HE WENT DOWN
HE DID IN THE WOODS. DIDN'T CLEAN HIM OUT NO PLACE , HE DECIDED
HE'L KNEEL DOWN. HE STARTED TO PRAYING.
HE SAID OH LORD, HE SAID,
I'M DOWN HERE IN THESE WOODS TRYING TO SERVE YOU THE BEST I CAN.
CAUSE WHEN I WAS DOWN AT THAT OTHER OAK TREE, SAY THE MAN USE
THAT RAW HIDE WHIP ON ME, HE DAY. BUT IM GONA TELL YOU ONE THING
HE SAYS, AS I PRAY DOWN ON MY KNEES TROUBLE ALWAYS AROUND. AND
HE SAYS ONE DAY I WAS PRAYING AND I SAY TROUBLE ALWAYS AROUND AND
YOU WHIP ME. HE SAY WHY DID I WHIP YOU HE SAY YOU LET THAT
WHITE MAN DRAW THAT WHIP BACK AND GIVE HIM THE POWER TO HIT ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NEGRO BLAMES GOD FOR RACIAL PREJUDICE OF WHITES. ; PRAYER TREE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B645 |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
SONG
TAKE ME BACK TO TEXAS,
I'M TOO YOUNG TO MARRY.
WHITE MAN MAKE GET TO TAKE THE MONEY,
NEGRO MAKE THE COTTIN.
TAKE ME BACK TO TEXAS,
I'M TOO YOUNG TO MARRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ENVELOPE PARALLELISM ; NEGRO WANTS TO RETURN SOUTH?
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
POEM
MONKEY SITTING ON THE INDIAN RAIL,
PICKIN HIS TOOTH WITH THE END OF HIS TAIL,
GRASS GREW UP AND TOUCHED HIS BALLS,
AND HE JUMPED IN HIS OVERALLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM OR SLANG: BALLS FOR TESTICLES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
I WAS TOLD TO URINATE ON YOUR HANDS AND WASH YOUR FACE WITH IT.
THEN KISS YOUR GIRLFRIEND AND THIS WILL MAKE YOUR MATE LOVE YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): APHRODISIACAL ACTIONS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
BURY A LOCK OF SOMEONE'S HAIR THAT YOU WANT TO BE YOUR MATE. THIS
WILL MAKE THEM BE YOUR MATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): APHRODISIACAL ACTIONS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
IF YOU WANT TO KEEP A PERSON OUT OF YOUR HOUSE, THROW SOME SALT
BEHIND THEM WHEN THEY LEAVE THE HOUSE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MAGICAL CONTROL OF WOULD-BE VISITORS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-00-1974