Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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LIMERICK
THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF TRALEE,
WHO WAS BOTHERED AND BIT BY A FLEA,
SO HE PUT OUT THE LIGHT,
SAYING NOW HE CAN'T BITE,
FOR HE'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO SEE.
Submitter comment:
THESE LIMERICKS WERE LEARNED OF IN A SIXTH GRADE ENGLISH CLASS
AT SAINT HEDWIG GRADE SCHOOL. THE BOOK THEY WERE TAKED FROM
IS NOT KNOWN BY ME BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD BY THE TEACHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): INSECT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00001960S
LIMERICK
A POETESS LIVING IN TRIM,
POSSESSES A PECULIAR WHIM,
SHE WEARS A LARGE BONNET,
WHEN WRITING A SONNET,
AND A HELMET WHEN WRITING A HYMN.
Submitter comment:
THESE LIMERICKS WERE LEARNED OF IN A SIXTH GRADE ENGLISH CLASS
AT SAINT HEDWIG GRADE SCHOOL. THE BOOK THEY WERE TAKED FROM
IS NOT KNOWN BY ME BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD BY THE TEACHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POETESS
| Subject headings: | Observation Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001960S
LIMERICK
THERE WAS A YOUNG ROSE OF TRALEE
WHO LET HERSELF GO ON A SPREE.
NOW SHE WRITES TO THE PAPERS,
CONDEMING SUCH CAPERS,
AND SIGNS HERSELF MOTHER OF THREE.
Submitter comment:
THESE LIMERICKS WERE LEARNED OF IN A SIXTH GRADE ENGLISH CLASS
AT SAINT HEDWIG GRADE SCHOOL. THE BOOK THEY WERE TAKED FROM
IS NOT KNOWN BY ME BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD BY THE TEACHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): METAPHOR: FLOWER (ROSE) FOR GIRL ; PERSONALITY CHANGE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00001960S
LIMERICK
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
A HANDSOME YOUNG BOY NAMED PAT,
WITH GIRLS WOULD ENJOY THIS AND THAT.
HE MEANT TO CUDDLE AND KISS,
WHEN HE SPOKE ABOUT THIS,
JUST GUESS WHAT HE MEANT BY HIS THAT.
Submitter comment:
THESE LIMERICKS WERE LEARNED OF IN A SIXTH GRADE ENGLISH CLASS
AT SAINT HEDWIG GRADE SCHOOL. THE BOOK THEY WERE TAKED FROM
IS NOT KNOWN BY ME BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD BY THE TEACHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXUAL EUPHEMISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00001960S
LIMERICK
A LIVELY YOUNG FELLOW NAMED KELLY,
GOT AN AWFUL SAD ACHE IN HIS DIGESTION.
HIS WIFE IN HER HASTE,
HAD SERVED HIM UP PASTE
INSTEAD OF THE TOAST AND THE JELLY.
Submitter comment:
THESE LIMERICKS WERE LEARNED OF IN A SIXTH GRADE ENGLISH CLASS
AT SAINT HEDWIG GRADE SCHOOL. THE BOOK THEY WERE TAKED FROM
IS NOT KNOWN BY ME BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD BY THE TEACHER.
James Callow Keyword(s): DISTORTION OF RHYME SCHEME ; EUPHEMISM: DIGESTION FOR BELLY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00001960S
TOOTHACHE CURE
IN KENTUCKY, ONE TOUCHES AN ELDER TREE WITH THE HAND OF THAT
SIDE WHERE THE AILIMG TOOTH IS LOCATED, AND SAYS THREE TIMES:
MY TEETH ARE ACHING,
A BLACK ONE, A WHITE, A RED ONE,
I WISH THEY WOULD BLEED TO DEATH,
IN THE NAME OF GOD THE FATHER.
Submitter comment:
THIS TOOTHACE CURE WAS TOLD TO ME BY A FORMER NEIGHBOR WHO WAS A
NATIVE OF VIRGINIA AND OF GERMAN BACKGROUND. SHE HAS SINCE
MOVED BACK TO THE SOUTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00001930S
TOOTHACHE CURE
THE GERMANS BORE A HOLE IN A TREE AND CHEW, WHILE STANDING NEAR THE
TREE, A PIECE OF BREAD WITH THE AILING TOOTH; ONE-HALF OF THE BREAD
IS SWALLOWED, THE OTHER HALF IS PLUGGED INTO THE HOLE, DURING
WHICH PROCEDURE THE PATIENT SAYS? 'TREE, I GIVE THEE ONE-HALF
OF WHAT I POSSESS; TAKE FROM ME ALL OF MY PAIN AND CONDUCT IT TO
THE GROUND.'
Submitter comment:
THIS TOOTHACE CURE WAS TOLD TO ME BY A FORMER NEIGHBOR WHO WAS A
NATIVE OF VIRGINIA AND OF GERMAN BACKGROUND. SHE HAS SINCE
MOVED BACK TO THE SOUTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PLUGGING ; TRANSFERENCE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00001930S
MYTH
THE INDIAN GENERALLY IS VERY RELIGIOUS, AND BELIEVES IN TWO GODS.
ONE IS THE GOOD GOD AND THE OTHER IS THE BAD GOD.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): POLYTHEISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Gods |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
NEGROES
WHEN I WAS A YOUNG GIRL IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN, THE KIDS ON OUR
BLOCK HAD A STORY ABOUT NEGROES. WE BELIEVED THAT THE REASON THEIR
SKIN WAS SO DARK WAS THAT WHEN GOD WAS MAKING PEOPLE, HE FORGOT AND
LEFT THEM IN THE OVEN TOO LONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR SHAPE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Human Life |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
Entry filtered.
SENSE OF EVIL
IT IS THE OPINION OF MANY PEOPLE THAT ANIMALS HAVE AN EXTRA SENSE.
THIS SENSE--A PRESENT OF THE CREATOR--TELLS THEM WHEN EVIL PERSONS
OR BEINGS ARE ABOUT. THUS, WHEN A HORSE REARS FOR NO APPARENT
REASON AT ALL, IT IS SAID THAT HE IS SPOOKED, AND THAT WHICH
SPOOKS HIM IS USUALLY THE APPROACH OF MR. DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EXTRASENSORY ; PREMONITION
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Characteristics of Animals BELIEF -- Animal |
Entry filtered.
GHOST LIGHTS
NEAR I-75 IN FLORIDA THERE IS AN ABANDONED STRIP OF ROAD WITH
THREE LARGE HILLS. IF YOU WAIT AT THE TOP OF THE THIRD HILL, YOU
CAN SOMETIMES SEE THE GHOST LIGHTS. THIS LARGE, EERY LIGHT
STARTS AT THE BASE OF THE FIRST HILL AND CLIMBS THE THREE HILLS,
DISAPPEARING TEMPORARILY BEHIND THE HILLS. NON-BELIEVERS SAY IT
HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE LIGHT FROM I-75 AND THE FOG. HOWEVER,
A GROUP OF COLLEGE KIDS WAITED TO SEE IT ONE NIGHT. WHEN IT CAME
VERY CLOSE, THEY COULDNT START THEIR CAR. THE LIGHT SEEMED
TO CLIMB ON TOP OF THE CAR AND SHAKE IT. ONE BOY LOOKED AT IT
AND WENT INSANE, ANOTHER SAID IT WAS THE FACE OF GOD. A MAN
WATCHED THE LIGHT WITH HIS FAMILY. WHEN IT APPROACHED, HE
PULLED A GUN OUT OF HIS GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE GUN WAS LOADED, BUT
IT WOULD NOT FIRE. THE LIGHT SHOOK THE CAR. WHEN IT WAS GONE, THE
MAN TRIED THE GUN AGAIN. HE FIRED SIX SHOTS INTO A NEARBY MAILBOX
WITH NO TROUBLE AT ALL. WHEN YOU GO THERE, YOU CAN STILL SEE THE
HOLES IN THE MAILBOX.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WENT TO THE PLACE TO WATCH FOR THE GHOST LIGHTS. HE
SAW SOMETHING BUT ISN'T SURE EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): EERIE ; MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Supernatural Being |
Date learned: 11-11-1970
SAMA DAVA
SAMA DAVA LITERALLY MEANS 'ALONE MAIDENS' IN BULGARIAN. THESE
ARE YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL GIRLS WHO HAVE BEEN ABDUCTED BY EVIL
SPIRITS AND TAKEN INTO THE WOODS. HERE THEY REMAIN IMMORTAL,
AS THEY TRY TO TEMPT YOUNG SHEPHERD BOYS INTO JOINING THEM. THE
SAMA DAVA RETURN TO MORTAL WOMEN, IF THEIR SPECIAL CLOTHING IS
STOLEN BY SOME FORTUNATE MAN.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAID PEASANTS GAVE US THE EXPLANATION OF THE SAMA
DAVA TO EXPLAIN THE DISSAPPEARANCE OF YOUNG GIRLS AND SHEPHERD
BOYS IN RURAL AREAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ETIOLOGICAL ; TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Supernatural Being |
Date learned: 03-21-1970
JAPANESE MERMAID
JAPANESE BELIEVE IN THE EXISTENCE OF A SEA CREATURE THAT IS
HALF WOMAN AND HALF FISH. HER APPEARANCE IS SIMILAR TO THE
OCCIDENTAL MERMAID. UNLIKE OTHER SUPERNATURAL CREATURES, SHE IS
NOT MISCHIEVOUS OR A PRANKSTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): THERIOMORPHISA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Fish |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
AN EXPLANATION
SOME PARENTS TELL THEIR CHILDREN THAT THE SAND MAN HAS SPRINKLED
SAND IN THEIR EYES WHEN THEY RUB THEM A FEW MINUTES BEFORE BEDTIME.
James Callow Keyword(s): SLEEP
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Supernatural Being |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
BELIEF
IF YOU SIT ON THE TABLE, THE ANGELS WILL CRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TEARS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel |
Date learned: 03-01-1970
IF IT RAINED WHEN A PERSON DIED, IT MEANT THAT THE ANGELS WERE
CRYING FOR HIM AND HE WENT TO HEAVEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO INFORMANT WHEN HE WAS 10 YEARS OLD, BY HIS
PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE FARMS
James Callow Keyword(s): TEARS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
BODY PART BELIEF
IF YOUR RIGHT HAND ITCHES, YOU WILL LOSE MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 02-19-1972
EYES JUMPING
IF YOUR LEFT EYE JUMPS CONSTANTLY, YOU ARE GOING TO GET MAD. IF
YOUR RIGHT EYE JUMPS, YOU ARE GOING TO BE GLAD ABOUT SOMETHING.
Submitter comment: THIS HAS TOLD TO HAVE ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO INFORMANT.
Where learned: WINSTON SALEM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1969