Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF YOU EAT BREAD CRUSTS YOU WILL HAVE BLACK CURLY HAIR.
Submitter comment:
IN AN ATTEMPT TO CURE MY BLOND HAIR,
MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD TELL ME THIS AS A CHILD.
BLACK HAIR IS CONSIDERED THE LOVELIEST FEATURE
A ROMANIAN WOMAN CAN HAVE AND HAS BEEN CONSIDERED SO FOR GENERATIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BREAD ; ETHNIC SUPERSTITION ; HAIR COLOR ; ROMANIAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak |
Date learned: 11-26-1971
HAIR
TAKE A LOCK OF SOMEONE'S HAIR FROM THEIR COMB OR BRUSH,
STICK IT BETWEEN TWO PICTURES OF YOURSELF FOLDED OVER,
PUT IT BETWEEN THE PAGES IN A BOOK.
THE RESULTS ARE THE PERSON WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ALONE EVER.
20 YEARS LATER THEY WILL STILL BE IN LOVE WITH YOU.
Submitter comment: NOTE; THIS WAS THE WAY MR. BROWN GOT HIS WIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; LOVE ; MARRIAGE ; ROMANCE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 02-10-1972
VERSE
KISS ME CUTE,
KISS ME CUNNING,
KISS ME QUICK
MY DADDY'S COMING.
Where learned: LIBRARY
Keyword(s): COMMAND ; FEMININE RHYME ; HUMOR ; IMPERFECT RHYME ; INITIAL ITERATION ; MEDIAL ITERATION ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
RIME
MOTHER MAY I GO OUT TO SWIM?
YES, MY DARLING DAUGHTER.
HANG YOUR CLOTHES ON A HICKORY LIMB
BUT DON'T GO NEAR THE WATER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): COMMAND ; DIALOGUE ; FAMILY ; FEMININE RHYME ; RHYME: ABAB
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
" DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN ME SCHOOL "
I POINT TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
HEAD ACHER, HEAD ACHER YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINT TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY SWEATS BROWER, YA MAMA DEAR,
SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAY " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY EYE BLINKER, YA MAMA DEAR,
EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINT TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY CHEESE SMELLER, YA MAMA DEAR,
CHEESE SMELLER, EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINT TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY COOKIE DUSTER, YA MAMA DEAR,
COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER, EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER,
HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY BULL-SHOOTER, YA MAMA DEAR,
BULL SHOOTER, COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER, EYE BLINKER,
SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY JAW BREAKER, YA MAMA DEAR,
JAW BREAKER, BULL SHOOTER, COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER,
EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY RUBBER NECKER, YA MAMA DEAR,
RUBBER NECKER, JAW BREAKER, BULL SHOOTER, COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE
SMELLER, EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS "VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY CHEST PROTECTOR, YA MAMA DEAR,
CHEST PROTECTOR, RUBBER NECKER, JAW BREAKER, BULL SHOOTER,
COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER, EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER
HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY TUMMY ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
TUMMY ACHER, CHEST PROTECTOR, RUBBER NECKER, JAW BREAKER,
BULL SHOOTER, COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER, EYE BLINKER,
SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL.
I POINTS TO MYSELF AND SAYS " VAT IS DAS HERE? "
DAS IS MY TROUBLE MAKER, YA MAMA DEAR,
TROUBLE MAKER, TUMMY ACHER, CHEST PROTECTOR, RUBBER NECKER,
JAW BREAKER, BULL SHOOTER, COOKIE DUSTER, CHEESE SMELLER,
EYE BLINKER, SWEATS BROWER, HEAD ACHER, YA MAMA DEAR,
DAS WHAT I LEARNED IN MY SCHOOL
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN ACTION SONG I LEARNED WHEN I WAS IN KINDERGARTEN. AS YOU
SING THE SONG YOU ACTUALLY POINT TO THE VARIOUS PARTS MENTIONED. CO
1. HEAD ACHER-FORE HEAD
2. SWEATS BROWER-ABOVE EYES
3. EYE BLINKER-EYE LIDS
4. CHEESE SMELLER-NOSE
5. COOKIE DUSTER-UPPER LIP
6. BULL SHOOTER-MOUTH
7. JAW BREAKER-JAW
8. RUBBER NECKER-NECK
9. CHEST PROTECKER-CHEST
10. TUMMY ACHER-STOMACH
11. TROUBLE MAKER-FANNY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE SONG ; GERMAN DIALECT NAMES ; SONG WITH GESTURES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 04-04-1972
CURE FOR ARTHRITIS
WEAR A COPPER BRACELET AND SOMEHOW THAT WILL RELIEVE THE PAIN.
Submitter comment:
MRS. DULGERIAN, A YOUNG MARRIED WOMAN OF GERMAN DESCENT, SAID SHE
HAD LEARNED OF THIS CURE FROM A NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LATHRUP VILLAGE
Keyword(s): GERMAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 05-09-1965
EARACHE
THE BLOWING OF STRONG CIGAR SMOKE INTO THE EAR TO CURE EARACHES. THE
HER CHILDHOOD. SHE ALSO SAID IT WORKED.
ABOVE MENTIONED PERSON SAID THAT SHE HAD DONE IT MANY TIMES DURING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): GERMAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 09-25-1968
FEET
AN OLD COUNTRY CURE FOR SORE FEET IS TO FIND A FRESH COW POD
AND STICK YOUR FEET IN IT UNTIL IT DRIES.
YOUR FEET ARE SUPPOSED TO FEEL BETTER.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 11-12-1968
VERSE
WHAT'S YOUR NAME? / JOHN BROWN,/ ASK ME AGAIN AND I'LL KNOCK YOU
DOWN.
Where learned: RESIDENCE
Keyword(s): IMPERFECT RHYME ; MANNERS ; RHYME: ABAB ; RHYME: ABCB ; THREAT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
THE WERWOLF OF KOTTERN
ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A VERY POOR MAN WHO HAD TWELVE CHILDERN.
HE LIVED IN THE TOWN OF KOTTERN. HE WAS SO POOR THAT HE COULDN,T
AFFORD TO BUY THE WOOD FOR HIS HOME. SO, HE STOLE THE WOOD AND WAS
CAUGHT IN THE ACT. OUT OF FEAR OF SEVERE BODILY PUNISHMENT, HE FLED
TO THE WOODS TO HANG HIMSELF.
SUDDENLY A STRANGER APPEARED AND ASKED THE MAN WHAT HIS TROUBLE WAS.
THE STRANGER LAUGHED AND TOLD THE POOR MAN THERE WAS AN ESAY WAY
TO ESCAPE FROM JUSTICE. ALL HE HAD TO DO WAS BECOME A WOLF.
HE COULD DO THIS BY CONCENTRATING ON THE DEVIL AND COMPLETING
IGNORING GOD. WHEN THE POLICE ARRESTED THE THIEF, HE WOULD
CONCENTRATE ON THE DEVIL AND WOULD IMMEDIATELY CHANGE INTO A WOLF.
THE POLICE WOULD RUN AWAY. THE MAN BEGAN TO ENJOY THE POWER TO
CHANGE INTO A WOLF WHENEVER HE FELT LIKE SCARING SOMEONE. BUT EVERY
NOW AND THEN HIS CHILDREN NOTICED THAT THEIR FATHER SMELLED FROM
BLOOD.
ONE DAY IN BROAD DAY LIGHT, THE MAN GOT THE URGE TO TURN INTO A WOLF
AND HE COULDN,T CONTROL HIMSELF. THE CHILDREN THEN KNEW THEIR FATHER
WAS A WERWOLF.
THAT VERY DAY THE FATHER DISAPPEARED AND HIS FAMILY BECAME
EVEN POORER.
Data entry tech comment: THE KEYPUNCHER HAS CORRECTED THE COLLECTOR,S SPELLING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT ONLY TO FIND PUNISHMENT. ; TRANSFORMATION: MAN TRANSFORMED FROM MAN TO WOLF TO SAVE SELF FROM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 10-10-1968
NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR. ; NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
THERE WAS A BELIEF THAT A MOTHER WOULD DIE IF THE EVIL SPIRIT
CAME UPON HER BEFORE SHE WAS ABLE TO BE CHURCHED. MY GRANDFATHER
RECALLED THAT AFTER MY UNCLE JOSEPH WAS BORN THE EVIL SPIRIT
TRIED TO HARM MY GRANDMOTHER. ONE NIGHT, MY GRANDFATHER WAS
AWAKENED BY THE SOUND OF TAPPING AND SOMEONE CALLING FOR MY
GRANDMOTHER. MY GRANDMOTHER DID NOT HEAR IT SO MY GRANDFATHER
WENT TO THE DOOR BUT NO ONE WAS THERE. THE TAPPING AND
CALLING FOR MY GRANDMOTHER OCCURED THREE TIMES. THE THIRD TIME
WHEN HE WENT TO THE DOOR HE CALLED OUT: WHOEVER YOU ARE
SHOW YOUR FACE IF IF YOU ARE GOOD AND BEGONE IF YOU ARE EVIL.
AGAIN, THERE WAS NO ONE AND IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): CHURCHING OF WOMAN ; DEMON SUMMONS WOMAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 01-15-1970
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
AT CHRISTMAS TIME, THE CHURCH ORGANIST OF ST. PETER & PAUL
SELLS A SMALL WAFER CALLED OPLATIKA. THEY ARE SQUARE
AND TASTE LIKE A COMMUNION TYPE HOST. AFTER MIDNIGHT MASS,
THE FAMILIES HAVE A DINNER AT WHICH EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY
BREAKS OFF A PIECE AND EATS IT.
Submitter comment:
[St. Peter & Paul is a] Roman Catholic [church.]
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
PARODY OF A NURSERY RHYME
MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB...THAT'S WHAT SHE GETS FOR SLEEPING IN THE
BARN.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BESTIALITY SODOMY BUGGERY ; BIRTH OF ANIMAL FROM HUMAN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: CA00001969
SUPERSTITION
OWLS ARE BAD LUCK. IF YOU SEE ONE, OR IF ONE FLIES OVER YOU, YOU'LL
GET BAD LUCK FOR A WEEK. IF YOU'RE WALKING, YOU'LL FALL. IF YOU'RE
WRITING, YOU'LL MAKE MISTAKE; IF YOU DRIVE CAR, YOU'LL MAKE ACCIDENT.
Submitter comment: HE LEARNED THIS SUPERSTITION FROM HIS FAMILY AND BELIEVES IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): PALESTINIAN INFORMANT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
Entry filtered.
GOOD LUCK OMEN
THE FIGURE OF AN ELEPHANT WITH HIS TRUNK UP IN THE AIR SHOULD BE
PLACED WITH HIS BACK FACING THE ROOM FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET TALISMAN STATUE ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1 BELIEF -- Good luck P881.31 |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
THE DRESS.
A GIRL, PRESUMABLY A RELATIVE OF A FRIEND OR CLASSMATE, BOUGHT A
DRESS FOR A HIGH SCHOOL PROM. WHILE WEARING THE DRESS, SHE BECAME
VIOLENTLY ILL AND DIED LATER AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL. UPON INVESTIGATION
IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE DRESS HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED
FROM THE STORE AND RETURNED. THE FIRST " OWNER " WAS A GIRL OF
THE SAME AGE WHO WORE THE DRESS TO BE LAID OUT BEFORE HER FUNERAL
IT WAS THE EMBALMING FLUID WHICH CAUSED THE SECOND OWNER'S DEATH.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): FATAL DRESS. ; THE POISONED DRESS. TY Z551 IN BAUGHMAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: CA00001965
HAUNTED HOUSE
ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO, A MAN LIVING IN A COTTAGE ON WAMPLER'S LAKE IN
MICHIGAN'S IRISH HILLS AREA BEGAN TO HAVE STRANGE EXPERIENCES. A
PIANO ON THE SECOND FLOOR WOULD BEGIN TO PLAY MYSTERIOUSLY, AND
A COLD WIND WOULD BLOW THROUGH THE HOUSE. HE MOVED OUT, AND THE
COTTAGE GOT A REPUTATION OF BEING HAUNTED. THE MATTER RECEIVED
MUCH PUBLICITY, AND NO ONE WOULD MOVE INTO THE HOUSE.
IT IS SAID THAT EVENTUALLY ONE MAN MUSTERED UP SOME COURAGE,
ENTERED THE COTTAGE, AND SAID, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, I
COMMAND YOU TO STOP. THE SOUNDS WERE NEVER HEARD AGAIN, BUT THE
COTTAGE IS STILL KNOWN AS THE HAUNTED HOUSE OF WAMPLER'S LAKE.
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS STORY FROM MY AUNT, WHO USED TO VACATION AT
WAMPLER'S LAKE. I ALSO SAW THE HAUNTED COTTAGE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Corrected spelling and eliminated some commas
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WAMPLERS LAKE
Keyword(s): HAUNTED HOUSE ; MANIFESTATIONS ; Wamplers Lake
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.2 |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
A LEGEND IN JANOWIEC, POLAND
THERE IS A LEGEND OF A PHANTOM INHABITING THE RUINS OF A CASTLE IN
THE VILLAGE OF JANOWIEC, IN CENTRAL POLAND WHERE MY GRANDFATHER
COMES FROM. THE CASTLE HAS BEEN LONG ABANDONED AND ONLY A FACADE
AND A FEW ROOMS ARE LEFT. ONE ROOM IS SAID TO BE THE BLACK LADY'S
WHO LIVED THERE ONCE.
THIS BLACK LADY WAS THE DAUGHTER OF A NOBLE. SHE HAD FALLEN IN
LOVE WITH A MAN OF MUCH LOWER STATUS AND WISHED TO MARRY HIM.
SINCE THIS WAS SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE, HER FATHER WAS VERY MUCH
AGAINST THE ROMANCE. TO PUNISH HIS STUBBORN DAUGHTER, HE LOCKED
HER UP IN THE TOWER OF THE CASTLE TO THINK THIS OVER.
SHE WOULD NOT CHANGE HER MIND, BUT INSTEAD MADE PLANS TO CLIMB
DOWN ON KNOTTED SHEETS TO HER LOVER. A SERVANT HAD LEARNED OF HER
PLANS AND ARRANGED FOR HER FATHER TO MEET HER WHEN SHE CLIMBED DOWN.
IN HIS ANGER, THE FATHER THREW HER INTO THE DUNGEON, WHERE SHE
COMMITTED SUICIDE, SINCE THEN HER GHOST HAS BEEN KNOWN TO
INHABIT THE CASTLE IN DOING PENANCE FOR HER DISOBEDIENCE AND
AT TIMES APPEARING TO THE PEOPLE OF JANOWIEC IN THE VALLEY BELOW.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A LEGEND THAT IS KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE AREA OF
JANOWIEC, POLAND AND ITS TOLD TO EVERYONE VISITING THE CASTLE
RUINS.
Data entry tech comment: CORRECTED SPELLING, TOOK OUT COMMAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): MANIFESTATIONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
THE HOUSE AT LAKE ORION
GRANDMA (JENNY TORRANCE) HAD A HOUSE AT LAKE ORION. THE WIFE
OF THE MAN WHO BUILT THE HOUSE DIED WHEN HE WAS HALF WAY THROUGH.
I THINK THAT'S WHY THE HOUSE IS HAUNTED. ONE NIGHT WHEN JEAN WAS
STILL HERE (SHE DIED IN 1922) SHE WAS SLEEPING BETWEEN HER MOTHER
AND FATHER IN THE BIG ROOM UPSTAIRS. JEAN LET OUT A TERRIBLE SCREAM
AND HER MOTHER PUT HER HAND OVER ON HER TO COMFORT HER.
SHE FELT SOME KIND OF ANIMAL, BUT WHEN SHE LOOKED, NOTHING
WAS THERE. THE NEXT NIGHT HER COUSIN BOB GLANTZ WAS IN THE
BATHROOM AND HE RAN OUT SCREAMING,
HE SAID HE SAW AN ANIMAL IN THERE AND IT HAD BIG EARS THAT STUCK OUT
ON EACH SIDE. THE HOUSE WAS SEARCHED AGAIN AND STILL THEY COULD
NOT FIND ANYTHING.
POOR GRANDMA A COUPLE OF NIGHTS BEFORE SHE DIED IN THAT HOUSE THE
DOORKNOB ON HER ROOM KEPT TURNING.
GRANDMA TOLD FORTUNES, BUT SHE DIDN'T WANT TO, BECAUSE SHE ALWAYS
HAD BAD LUCK AFTERWARD. MAYBE SHE WAS THE KIND OF PERSON WHO
ATTRACTED GHOSTS.
Data entry tech comment: CORRECTED WORDING IN LAST SENTENCE, TOOK OUT UNNECESSARY COMMAS.
Where learned: WILLIAMS LAKE
Keyword(s): MANIFESTATIONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-12-1965