Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for BEHEADING returned 4 results.
TALE
THERE ONCE WAS A LADY WHOSE HEAD WAS CUT OFF WHEN THE
DOORS OF AN ELEVATOR AT HUDSON'S (DOWNTOWN) CLOSED ON HER.
Submitter comment:
THIS TOOK PLACE IN THE 1940'S
INFORMANT WAS TOLD STORY BY HER SISTER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BEHEADING IN ELEVATOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
PASTIME
WHENEVER DANDELIONS WERE IN SEASON, THE CHILDREN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
WOULD PINCH UNDER THE TOP OF THE FLOWER, CAUSING IT TO BREAK OFF THE
STEM. THE FLOWER WOULD THEN FLY THROUGH THE AIR. AT THE SAME
TIME, THE FOLLOWING WAS CHANTED: MM
MAMA HAD A BABY
AND ITS HEAD POPPED OFF.
Submitter comment:
THE COLLECTOR FIRST HEARD OF THIS DANDELION PASTIME AS A CHILD IN
TAYLOR, MICH. IN 1970 AND CONTINUED PLAYING IT UPON MOVING TO
SOUTHGATE, MICH. AN ANALOGY IS MADE BETWEEN A MOTHER'S BABY AND
A DANDELION FLOWER. WHEN PLAYED AS DESCRIBED, NO COMPETITION IS
INVOLVED. HOWEVER, WITH TWO OR MORE CHILDREN, THE ELEMENT OF
DISTANCE IS PRESENT AND THE WINNER IS THE ONE WHO POPS THE FLOWER
THE FARTHEST. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE BEHEADING OF A FLOWER AS
IT RELATES AS A SYMBOL OF A BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE
James Callow Keyword(s): BEHEADING OF FLOWER (BABY)
Date learned: 00-00-1970
IN AFGHANISTAN, THE VARIOUS MOUNTAIN TRIBES PLAY A
POPULAR GAME. THE GAME GOES LIKE THIS.
THE MEN OF THE TRIBE, MOUNTED ON HORSEBACK, ARE EQUIPPED
WITH POLES THAT HAVE A LONG BLADE ON THE END. WHILE ON
HORSEBACK, THEY MUST KILL A YOUNG CALF WITH THEIR POLES
AND CUT OFF THE HEAD. THEN THEY MUST ROLL THE HEAD OF THE
CALF FROM ONE END OF THE FIELD TO THE OTHER, AND THEN
BACK AGAIN TO WHERE THEY STARTED. THE ONE IN POSSESSION
OF THE HEAD AT THIS POINT WINS THE GAME.
Submitter comment:
SINCE THE SOVIET INVASION OF AFGHANISTAN, THE AFGHANIS
NOW USE CAPTURED SOVIET POW'S FOR THIS GAME INSTEAD OF
THEIR CATTLE, WHICH THEY FEEL THAT THEY MUST CONSERVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BEHEADING ; SEVERED HEAD OF HUMAN USED AS BALL ; WAR PRISONERS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- War |
Date learned: 08-00-1987
Yellow Ribbon
This is a story about John and Jane. They lived next door to each other, went to school together, and loved each other very much. John was a normal happy boy and Jane was a happy girl who always wore a yellow ribbon . Jane kept answering "perhaps some day I'll tell you."
Time went by, and John and Jane were engaged. Jane told John she would tell him about the ribbon on their wedding day. On their wedding day, they forgot about the yellow ribbon. Next day, however, John asked why she wore it again. She replied that they were happily married so what difference does it make?
Time went by and it was their golden anniversary and John asked about the ribbon again. Jane asked him to wait a little longer since he has waited so long already. Finally, Jane became very ill and was dying. John asked again to please tell him why she wore the yellow ribbon.
"All right," said Jane. "You can untie it." So John untied the yellow ribbon and Jane's head fell off.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Boggs Numbers [B600 B642] are crossed outand B667.1 is substituted.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Myself
Keyword(s): Anniversary ; BEHEADING ; BODY ; CURIOSITY ; Curious ; DEATH ; DECAPITATION ; DYING ; HEAD ; LOVE ; MARRIAGE ; Neighbors ; SECRET ; Yellow Ribbon
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |