Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for AUTOMOBILE returned 62 results.
A DRIVER'S NIGHT PRAYER
NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP,/ I PARKED MY CAR ACROSS THE STREET.
AND IF IT ROLLS BEFORE I WAKE,/I PRAY THE LORD TO PULL THE BRAKE.
Submitter comment: TAKEN FROM INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK.
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): IMPERFECT RHYME ; QUATRAIN ACCIDENT AUTOMOBILE PARODY OF PRAYER ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR
PROSE NARRATIVE
MY SISTER, WHO IS A NURSE, SINCERELY BELIEVES THAT ONE OF HER
FRIENDS KNOWS ANOTHER NURSE WHO HAD TROUBLE ONE KNIGHT ON THE
FRIENDS KNOWS ANOTHER NURSE WHO HAD TROUBLE ONE NIGHT ON THE
EXPRESSWAY. THE NURSE WAS DRIVING HOME AFTER THE AFTERNOON SHIFT.
SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN A TRUCKDRIVER KEPT POINTING
AT THE CAR. HE DID NOT GIVE UP. BY THIS TIME THE NURSE WAS SO
FRIGHTENED THAT SHE BLEW THE HORN AS SHE DROVE UP
THE DRIVEWAY. SHE CONTINUED TO BLOW THE HORN UNTIL HER HUSBAND
CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE. THE TRUCKDRIVER DROVE UP BEHIND HER.
AS IT TURNED OUT A MAN WAS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE
NURSE'S CAR WAITING TO ATTACK HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; TRUCKDRIVER SAVES GIRL FROM ATTACK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 12-00-1965
GAME
IN DETROIT DURING THE PRE-TELEVISION YEARS, CHILDREN USED TO SIT
ON THEIR PORCHES IN THE EVENING AND COUNT CONVERTIBLE CARS AS THEY
WENT BY. THE FIRST CHILD TO COUNT FIFTY CARS WON AN ICE
CREAM CONE OR A PIECE OF BUBBLE GUM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C531 BELIEF -- Number P686.1.50 |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
IF YOU DO NOT LET YOUR CAR WARM UP BEFORE DRIVING, YOU ARE GOING TO
GET STUCK.
Submitter comment:
GET STUCK MEANS YOUR CAR WILL EITHER BREAK DOWN OR YOU WILL BE
STRANDED IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
Date learned: 02-00-1979
GHOST IN GUAJATACA
IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE GHOST OF A WOMAN KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT
STILL ROAMS ASKING FOR RIDES AND DISAPPEARING AFTERWARDS. SHE IS
DRESSED IN WHITE. SEVERAL PEOPLE CLAIM TO HAVE SEEN HER.
Submitter comment:
SIMILAR TALES LIKE THIS ONE HAVE BEEN TOLD IN DIFFERENT TOWNS OF THE
ISLAND.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; GUAJATACA
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
VOCABULARY OF GROUP
TRUCK DRIVERS WILL LET OTHER TRUCKS AND SOME CARS KNOW WHEN THEY
HAVE SAFELY PASSED BY FAR ENOUGH, SO THAT THEY MAY CUT BACK INTO THE
TRAVELING LANE, BY FLASHING THEIR HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN.
THIS LETS THE PASSING TRUCK KNOWN ( KNOW ) HE IS CLEARED ENOUGH TO
CUT BACK IN. THE PASSING TRUCK ACKNOWLEDGES THANKS BY IN TURN
FLASHING HIS LIGHTS. THIS IS GENERALLY ONLY DONE ON FOUR-LANE
HIGHWAYS. IT CAN BE DONE AT NIGHT AND IN THE DAY TIME. I HAVE
PERSONALLY OBSERVED THIS ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; LeRoy
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILES AND TRUCKS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
TRAFFIC RULE
RED LIGHT ON A TRAFFIC SIGNAL MEANS STOP
YELLOW LIGHT ON A TRAFFIC SIGNAL MEANS CAUTION
GREEN LIGHT ON A TRAFFIC SIGNAL MEANS PROCEED WITH CAUTION
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILES ; COLORS SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
SINCE THERE ARE FREQUENT SPEED-RADAR CHECKS ON DANADIAN HIGHWAYS,
CANADIANS HELP PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST THE LAW. ONCOMING CARS
WILL BLINK THEIR HEAD LIGHTS ON AND OFF TO WARN THEIR FELLOW
CANADIANS TO SLOW DOWN AS THERE IS THE ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
STOPPED UP AHEAD.
Where learned: EXPRESSWAY ; CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
DRUNK JOKE
THE ONE DRUNK SAYS TO THE OTHER DRUNK, "WE MUST BE
GETTING NEAR A TOWN." THE OTHER DRUNK SAYS, "HOW CAN
YOU TELL?" THE FIRST DRUNK SAYS, "BECAUSE WE'RE
HITTING A LOT OF PEDESTRIANS."
Data entry tech comment: ITEM PUNCHED AS IT APPEARED ON CARD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSURD ; ACCIDENT ; AUTOMOBILE ; DIOLOGUE ; DRINKING ; DRUNKS ; HUMOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 09-16-1969
Entry filtered.
WHEN YOUR CAR GOES OVER TRAIN TRACKS, LIFT YOUR FEET AND TOUCH THE
CEILING OF THE CAR. IF YOU DO NOT DO THIS, YOU WILL LOSE YOUR
BOYFRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
THERE IS AN OLD SUPERSTITION THAT MY MOTHER RELATED
TO ME BACK WHEN I GOT MY FIRST CAR. I HAD JUST
BOUGHT A ST. CHRISTOPHER MEDAL TO PUT ON THE
DASHBOARD. AS I WAS PLACING IT THERE, MY MOTHER
CAME UP AND SAID, "YOU KNOW, THERE IS AN OLD BELIEF
THAT WHEN YOU HIT EIGHTY, OLD ST. CHRISTOPHER GETS
UP AND LEAVES YOU ON YOUR OWN."
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-22-1965
RIDDLE
WHY DOES A COW WEAR A BELL AROUND HER NECK?
ANSWER: HER HORN DOESN'T WORK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMALS: COWS ; RIDDLING QUESTION
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLUSION TO HORNS ON AUTOMOBILES ; PUN ON HORN
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LEGEND
WHILE ON MY WAY TO DANCE CLASS ONE EVENING, I NOTICED A DOLL IN THE
PICTURE WINDOW OF A HOUSE. NOT THINKING ANYTHING OF IT, IMENTIONED
IT TO MY GIRLFRIEND. SHE WAS AMAZED THAT I HAD NEVER HEARD THE STORY
ABOUT THE LITTLE GIRL THAT ONCE LIVED IN THE HOUSE. IT IS BELIEVED
THAT ONE EVENING THE GIRL WAS PLAYING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THAT NOT
SEEING HER, THE FATHER RAN OVER HER AND KILLED HER. THE MOTHER OF
THE CHILD WENT CRAZY AND NOW BELIEVES THE DOLL TO BE HER DAUGHTER.
SHE TAKES CARE OF THE DOLL IN WAYS THAT A MOTHER WOULD TAKE CARE
OF A CHILD. SHE EVEN GOES SO FAR AS TO DRESS THE DOLLUP FOR
SPECIAL OCCASIONS SUCH AS CHRISTMAS AND HALLOWEEN.
Submitter comment: THE HOUSE IS ON OUTER DRIVE IN DEARBORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SONG
(LEADER:)
YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN ON A PAIR OF SKATES,
'CAUSE YOU'LL ROLL RIGHT BY
THOSE PEARLY GATES.
(EVERYONE:)
OH YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN ON A PAIR OF SKATES 'CAUSE
YOU'LL ROLL RIGHT BY THOSE PEARLY GATES.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(LEADER:)
YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN IN A FORD V-8.
'CAUSE THE GOSH DARN THING
WILL BREAK RIGHT DOWN.
(EVERYONE:)
OH YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN IN A FORD V-8 'CAUSE THE GOSH
DARN THING WILL BREAK RIGHT DOWN.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(LEADER CONTINUES TO MAKE UP LINES WHICH EVERYONE THEN
REPEATS. LASTLY HE SINGS:)
IF YOU GET TO HEAVEN BEFORE I DO,
JUST POKE A HOLE AND PULL ME THROUGH.
(EVERYONE:)
OH IF YOU GET TO HEAVEN BEFOR I DO JUST POKE A
HOLE AND PULL ME THROUGH.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(REPEAT LAST LINE THREE TIMES)
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN HAMTRAMACK BUT THINKS
IT HAS BLACK AMERICAN ROOTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE SATIRE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
Entry filtered.
ABOUT MAYBE 1:30 P.M., NO, 2:00 P.M. THIS AFTERNOON I SAW
A VERY PECULIAR SIGHT. I WAS ABOUT FIVE MILES NORTHEAST
OF ALMONT, OUT ON A SLIGHTLY PAVED ROAD. IT WAS EXTREMELY
FOGGY OUT. I HEARD THE NOISE OF THE APPROACHING VEHICLE
LONG BEFORE IT CAME INTO SIGHT. I HAD MY CAR ON THE
SHOULDER, BECAUSE I WAS TAKING STILL PHOTOGRAPHS OF NEARBY
RUIN SITES. ANYHOW, THE DISTANCE OF SIGHT WAS NOT CLEAR TO
ME, AND I HEARD BEFORE I SAW. I WAS NEARLY STRUCK BY A GUY
IN A BIG GREEN CAR. LUCKILY, IT WENT RIGHT BY, BUT NO
ONE WAS DRIVING. THE GUY WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I SAW
THE EMPTY STEERING WHEEL. IT DISAPPEARED INTO THE FOG. IT
WAS A FRIGHTENING DAY. THIS IS THE TRUTH.
Submitter comment:
JAMES TOLD ME HE TOOK A PICTURE OF THIS GHOSTDRIVER.
WHEN THE PRINT WAS DEVELOPED ONLY FOG SHOWED UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): DRIVERLESS AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
MAKING A WISH
WHEN WE WERE KIDS, WE BELIEVED THAT IF WE SAW A CAR
THAT HAD A BURNT OUT HEADLIGHT, YOU COULD WISH ON IT
AND THE WISH WOULD COME TRUE.
Submitter comment: STUDENT
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; RIVERSIDE
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1970 ; 00-00-1970
THE VANISHING HITCHHIKER
THERE IS A STORY THAT HAS BEEN AROUND AS LONG AS I CAN
REMEMBER. IT IS SAID TO BE TRUE BUT NO ONE KNOWS FOR
SURE. IT IS A STORY ABOUT A LADY GHOST WHO HITCHHIKES
A RIDE FROM PASSING CARS. THE EVENT USUALLY TAKES PLACE
BETWEEN 3 A.M. AMD 6 A.M. AND IT USUALLY HAPPENS TO
DOCTORS ON THEIR WAY TO WORK(THERE IS A HOSPITAL NEARBY).
THEY WILL SEE A YOUNG GIRL HITCHING A RIDE. THEY WILL
PICK THE GIRL UP, SHE WILL GET INTO THE BACK SEAT OF
THE CAR. SHE IS WEARING A WHITE DRESS AND HAS LONG
LONG HAIR. SINCE IT IS EARLY MORNING, IT USUALLY COLD
OUTSIDE. THE DOCTOR USUALLY OFFERS HIS COAT TO THE
WOMAN. HE THEN DRIVES HER TO THE ADDRESS WHICH SHE GAVE
HIM (WHICH IS RIGHT NEAR THE HOSPITAL). WHEN HE GETS THERE
SHE IS GONE AND SO IS HIS COAT. THE PERSON WHO PICKED
THE GIRL UP WILL USUALLY GET OUT OF THE CAR AND GO UP
TO THE HOUSE TO SEE IF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE KNOW THE
GIRL WHICH THEY DESCRIBE. WHOEVER ANSWERS THE DOOR SAYS
YES, AND THAT SHE HAS BEEN DEAD FOR ? YEARS. THEY TELL THE
PERSON WHERE HER GRAVE IS. THE CEMETERY IS RIGHT ACROSS
THE WAY FROM THE HOSPITAL. WHEN THE PERSON GETS TO
THE GRAVESITE, THEIR COAT IS FOUND ON THE GRAVESTONE.
Submitter comment:
I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE OF THE INFORMANT, BUT THIS STORY
HAS BEEN AROUND AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. MANY PEOPLE
SWEAR THAT IT IS TRUE. AND EVERYTIME IT DOES HAPPEN,
THE STORY ALWAYS IS THE SAME. ONE STRANGE THING THAT
NO ONE UNDERSTANDS IS THAT IT IS USUALLY A MALE THAT
PICKS HER UP, NEVER A FEMALE.
Where learned: HOME ; ILLINOIS
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1974 ; 00-00-1974
RIDDLE
WHERE DO OLD VOLKSWAGENS GO WHEN THEY ARE JUNKED?
THE OLD VOLKS HOME.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; ATLANTA
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILES
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 00-00-1990