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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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MEXICAN GOOD LUCK

THE MEXICANS HAVE A CHARM WHICH IS A CLOSED FIST WITH A BRACELET.
THIS IS PROTECTION FROM THE EVIL EYE.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET TALISMAN

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Curse
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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ST. CHRISTOPHER

A ST. CHRISTOPHER MEDAL IS WORN FOR PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET TALISMAN

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
BELIEF -- Religious hero

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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TESTS

SMOKE ONLY BEFORE AND AFTER A TEST AND YOU WILL PASS IT.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): MAGICAL CONTROL ; SMOKING TABU DURING EXAMINATIONS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- School

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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GODPARENTS

CONFIRMATION SPONSORS AND GODPARENTS GIVE PRESENTS AS PROTECTION
FROM EVIL.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): BAPTISM ; GIFTGIVING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Maturity

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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CLOTHES

NEVER HANG CLOTHES BACKWARDS OR SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN TO THEM.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Custom

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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SALT

NEVER WIPE SALT OFF THE TABLE, BLOWIT OFF,
OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): SPILLED SALT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.17
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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HORSESHOES

NEVER HANG A HORSESHOE UPSIDE DOWN BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS THE
DEVIL'S HORNS.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ;

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION ; SYMBOL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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CORNCOB PIPES

SMOKING A CORNCOB PIPE WILL BRING GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ;

James Callow Keyword(s): SMOKING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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PAPERCATS

IN MEXICO, IF YOU ARE DYING, YOU MAKE A 1000 PAPER CATS. IF YOU
MAKE A 1000, (THOUSAND) YOU WILL LIVE.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ;

James Callow Keyword(s): CAT ; THOUSAND

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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TESTS

WEAR YOUR FAVORITE COLOR ON THE DAY OF A TEST AND YOU WILL PASSIT.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ;

James Callow Keyword(s): EXAMINATIONS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- School
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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SHOES

LEAVING SHOES IN THE WRONG ORDER BRINGS BAD LUCK.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ;

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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HORSESHOE

THROW A HORSESHOE OVER YOUR SHOULDER FOR GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.12

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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BABIES

WHEN A BABY IS BORN, PIN A MEDAL TO THE CRIB FOR PROTECTION.

Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET TALISMAN

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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WAITRESS BELIEF ABOUT SILVERWARE

NEVER PUT SILVERWARE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF A CUSTOMER
OR YOU WON'T GET A TIP.

Submitter comment: THIS HAS A LOT TO DO WITH A RIGHTHANDED CUSTOMER
HAVING TO REACH OVER FOR HIS SILVERWARE.

Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; RIGHTHANDEDNESS ; TIPPING

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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Entry filtered.

Ethnic: Song/American Indian/Mardi Gras

THESE ARE THE WORDS TO THE SONG:
ME GOT FIRE CAN'T PUT IT OUT
ME FIRE WATER GONNA MAKE ME SHOUT.
I AM GOING DOWN AND GET MY SQUAW
ME MIGHT BUY GREAT BIG CAR.
I AM GONNA DO EVERYTHING I COULD
ME BIG CHIEF I'M FEELING GOOD.
ME BIG CHIEF I GOT 'EM TRIBE
GOT MY SQUAW RIGHT BY MY SIDE.
MY FLAG BOY HE JUST WENT BY
MY SPY BOY HE'S FULL OF FIRE
ME WHOLE TRIBE IS HAVING FUN
WE GONNA DANCE 'TIL THE MORNING COME

Submitter comment:

THE SONG 'BIG CHIEF' WAS WRITTEN BY A BLACK MAN NAMED
PROFESSOR LONG HAIR. HE WROTE THE SONG AROUND THE EARLY
1950'S. THIS SONG IS STRICTLY A MARDI GRAS TUNE. IT HAS
SURVIVED THROUGH THE YEARS AS ONE OF THE CLASSIC SONGS OF THE
MARDI GRAS SEASON. HE DID NOT BECOME RICH WITH THE SONG
BECAUSE IT IS ONLY UNDERSTOOD AND LOVED IN NEW ORLEANS
DURING THE MARDI GRAS SEASON. THE MAN IS PRESENTLY
WORKING ON THE RIVER FRONT WHARFS IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
AT THE TIME OF HIS WRITING THE SONG, PROFESSOR LONG HAIR
WAS AN INDIAN CLUB MEMBER. HIS STORY IN THIS SONG IS
ALMOST THE SAME AS THAT OF THE OTHER INDIANS. HE SIMPLY
STATES WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO ON MARDI GRAS DAY AND
INVITES EVERYONE TO JOIN IN THE FUN WITH HIM.

Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans

James Callow Keyword(s): FIREWATER ; LIQUOR ; NEGRO COMPOSER, PROFESSOR LONG HAIR

Subject headings: 663 Mardi Gras
Favorites
Filter - Mature Content

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'IF EVER I CEASE TO LOVE '

DURING THE MARDI GRAS PERIOD, THE STREETS AND BUILDINGS ARE
GAILY DECORATED WITH THE OFFICIAL MARDI GRAS COLORS OF
PURPLE, GREEN, AND GOLD. THE MUSIC WHICH IS THE OFFICIAL
MARDI GRAS SONG IS 'IF EVER I CEASE TO LOVE'.

Submitter comment: THIS IS AN INSTRUMENTAL. IT HAS THE QUALITY OF A MARCH.
EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE OFFICIAL MARDI GRAS SONG, MOST PEOPLE
DON'T LIKE IT. IT IS BORING, FORMAL AND IT LACKS LUSTER.

Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans

James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR ; CONTRAST

Subject headings: 663 Mardi Gras

Date learned: 02-11-1975

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SECOND LINE

THIS IS AN INSTRUMENTAL. THE MUSIC GIVES THE IMPRESSION
OF A SNAPPY MARCH.

Submitter comment: THE 'SECOND LINE ' IS NOT ONLY A SONG, BUT A DANCE OR STRUT.
IT IS VERY POPULAR AMONG BLACKS IN NEW ORLEANS. THIS STRUT
IS NOT ONLY PERFORMED DURING THE MARDI GRAS SEASON, IT IS
PERFORMED AT THE END OF LAMOST EVERY DANCE, WHITE OR BALCK.
WHEN YOU HEAR THE BLAST OF THE TRUMPETS, IT IS LIKE CALLING
ALL THE PEOPLE TO THE DANCE FLOOR. YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE
CANNOT BEAR TO SIT WHILE THIS TUNE IS PLAYING.
IT IS ALWAYS THE LAST DANCE OF THE BALL. THE SECOND
LINE TUNE IS ALSO PLAYED AFTER A JAZZ FUNERAL, BUT THEY
USUALLY REMEMBER THE SONG 'WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN.'
ON MARDI GRAS DAY YOU WILL SEE THE INDIANS DOING THE
'SECOND LINE DANCE' TO THEIR CHANTS AND TO THE MUSIC THAT
THEY MAKE.
THE TUNE ITSELF CAN BE PLAYED AT A RELATIVELY SLOW TEMPO FOR
THE PRESENTATIONS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CLUB GIVING
THE BALL. THE TEMPO IS QUICKENED FOR THE FINALAE OF THE BALL.
THE SECOND LINE DANCE IS KNOWN BY MANY WHITES IN NEW ORLEANS,
BUT IT IS BASICALLY A TRADITION OF THE BLACKS THERE.

Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans

James Callow Keyword(s): INTERRACIALISM, NOT RACISM

Subject headings: 663 Mardi Gras
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Festival C436.663
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Music
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 02-11-1975

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NEW YEAR LUCK

AT MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR EAT HERRING TO ASSURE YOURSELF OF GOOD LUCK
IN THE YEAR TO COME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): FISH

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42

Date learned: 00001930S

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RIDDLE

WHAT QUESTION INVARIABLY DEMANDS YES FOR AN ANSWER?
"WHAT DOES Y-E-S SPELL?"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SPELLING (A)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 00001960S

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RIDDLE

HOW CAN YOU KEEP A DOG FROM GOING MAD IN AUGUST?
SHOOT HIM IN JULY

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): DOG DAYS ; MONTHS (Q) (A)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 00001960S

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