Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Dan returned 31 results.
DAN, DAN, THE FUNNY WEE MAN,
WASHED HIS FACE WITH A FRYING PAN.
COMBED HIS HAIR WITH THE LEG OF A CHAIR,
DAN, DAN, THE FUNNY WEE MAN.
Data entry tech comment: OLD DAN TUCKER?
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): COMPARE "OLD DAN TUCKER" ; QUATRAIN NONSENSE ; RHYME: AABA
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
(BLANK) IS A FRIEND OF MINE.
HE RESEMBLES FRANKENSTEIN.
WHEN HE DOES THE IRISH JIG,
HE LOOKS JUST LIKE PORKY PIG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): INSULT DANCING ; PORKY PIG=WALT DISNEY CHARACTER IN MOVIES ; QUATRAIN RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MY LOVE FOR YOU WILL HEAD MY LIST,
SO THINK OF ME WHEN YOU DO THE TWIST.
Submitter comment: HE IS MY FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TWIST=A DANCE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
SINGING, DANCING, AND CLAPPING GAME
WHAT CAN YOU DO PUNCHINELLA, PUNCHINELLA?
WHAT CAN YOU DO PUNCHINELLA IN MY SHOE?
I CAN DO THE TWIST PUNCHINELLA, PUNCHINELLA
I CAN DO THE TWIST PUNCHINELLA IN MY SHOE.
WE CAN DO IT TOO PUNCHINELLA, PUNCHINELLA.
WE CAN DO IT TOO PUNCHINELLE IN MY SHOE.
I CAN DO THE JERK PUNCHINELLA, PUNCHINELLA.
I CAN DO THE JERK PUNCHINELLA IN MY SHOE.
WE CAN DO IT TOO PUNCHINELLA, PUNCHINELLE,
WE CAN DO IT TOO PUNCHINELLA IN MY SHOE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DANCE ; NAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 11-00-1974
BUTTER CUP
PLACE A BUTTER CUP (FLOWER) UNDER A PERSONS CHIN AND IF YOU CAN SEE
A YELLOW REFLECTION ON HIS CHIN. IT MEANS HE LIKES BUTTER.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): VARIANT PLANT: DANDELION
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food N244.44 BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 11-19-1972
Language: Rhyme
DAN, DAN A DIRTY OLD MAN
WASHED HIS FACE IN THE FRYING PAN
HE COMBED HIS HAIR WITH THE LEG OF A CHAIR
DAN, DAN THE DIRTY OLD MAN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS IT HAS A TUNE BUT SHE CAN'T REMEMBER IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD 02-22-2011
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): Dan ; Dirty ; Man ; NAME ; Old ; Pan ; RHYME ; RIDICULE ; Tucker
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
CHILDREN,S VERSE
SAM, SAM THE DIRTY OLD MAN,
WASHED HIS FACE IN A FRYIN' PAN;
COMBED HIS HAIR WITH A DONKEY'S TAIL,
SCRATCHED HIS BELLY WITH A PIG'S TOE-NAIL.
Where learned: ONTARIO ; OAKVILLE
Keyword(s): COMPARE "OLD DAN TUCKER" ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
DAN, DAN, THE FUNNY WEE MAN,
WASHED HIS FACE WITH A FRYING PAN.
COMBED HIS HAIR WITH THE LEG OF A CHAIR
DAN, DAN, THE FUNNY WEE MAN.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): COMPARE OLD DAN TUCKER QUATRAIN NONSENSE ; RHYME: AABA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C7309 |
Date learned: 10-29-1968
FRANKENSTEIN
(NAME) IS A FRIEND OF MINE,
HE RESEMBLES FRANKENSTEIN.
WHEN HE DOES THE IRISH JIG,
HE LOOKS JUST LIKE PORKY PIG.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): QUATRAIN INSULT DANCING-IRISH JIG ; RHYME: ABAB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Entry filtered.
SAINT BRENDON OF IRELAND
A SAINT MENTIONED IN THE SAGAS OF VIKINGS THIS LEGENDARY CHARACTER
SAILED TO THE NEW WORLD ON THREE OCCASIONS IN THE SIXTH CENTURY.
HE IS MENTIONED IN SPANISH MAPS (THE GREAT NAVIGATOR OF THE TIME )
WHERE HE IS CREDITED WITH THE DISCOVERY OF MANY ISLANDS. ON HIS
FIRST TRY, HE TRAVELED TO GREENLAND (WHERE THE REMAINS OF A CHURCH
IS STILL IN EXISTENCE.) HIS SECOND TRIP TOOK HIM TO NOVA SCOTIA
AND ON HIS FINAL TRIP, HE JOURNEYED TO THE MAINLAND ALL THE WAY DOWN
TO FLORIDA, WHERE HE FOUND ANOTHER IRISHMAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HISTORICAL ; RELIGION
James Callow Keyword(s): BRENDAN ; IRONY ; SURPRISE ENDING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 02-01-1968
IF YOUR HEAD IS WAX DON'T WALK IN THE SUN.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): HUMOR
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; STAY OUT OF DANGER IF YOU'RE VULNERABLE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-01-1968
THE BROLGA
THE BROLGA OR AUSTRALIAN CRANE
HOLDS DANCING ORGIES ON THE PLAIN;
AND STUDENTS OF THE RUSSIAN BALLET
HAVE CREPT IN CROWDS ACROSS THE MALLEE
FAR BEYOND THE DESERT GRASSES
TO WHERE THE BROLGA HOLDS ITS CLASSES;
AND MANY A MOTIF FOR THE LEG
HAS EMANATED FROM AN EGG.
BUT CERTAIN PURISTS DO NOT CARE
FOR SUCH TECHNIQUE AND PRUDES DECLARE
SPECIFIC MOVEMENTS OF THE BROLGA
UNACADEMIC, IF NOT VOLGA.
Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ASSONANCE ; DANCE ; HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; PRONUNCIATION ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.444 |
COMING HOME LATE AT NIGHT, I TURNED INTO MY SUBDIVISION
WHEN ON THE LEFT I SAW A FAINT WHITE GLOW. IT WAS A VISION.
IT LOOKED LIKE A YOUNG GIRL, RUNNING, RUNNING WITH NO
SHOES ON, HER DRESS (WAS) FLOWING. I SCREAMED AND
PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR--THEN THOUGHT TO MYSELF
"HOW STRANGE?" I THINK IT WAS AN ANGEL GOING TO A PROM.
BUT SHE DIDN'T HAVE A COMPANION OR SHOES.
Submitter comment:
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER TO BELIEVE THIS STORY OR NOT.
JAMES TOLD ME THIS STORY THE NIGHT IT OCCURRED AND THIS
VERSION SEEMS TO BE A BIT EXAGERRATED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): DANCE
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Angel |
Date learned: 05-00-1985
It was a custom that during the wakes for the departed that
were always held at a house the women would sit in the living
room with the body and cry and pray while the men sat in the
kitchen. They (the men) would eat, drink and make merry.
Submitter comment:
The informants' uncle learned to jig on the kitchen table at a
very young age at the wakes.
This is considered an Irish custom of that era.
Where learned: CAMBRIDGE ; Massachusetts
Keyword(s): Dancing: Irish Jig
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Crucial moment of life Life cycle CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
If you leave the house, and forget something, and return for it,
and you must sit down before leaving. If you do not sit down you may
never return; tragedy will strike.
Submitter comment:
Lisa learned this from her boyfriend's mother, Delores Girten,
who Lisa says is very superstitious.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Novi
Keyword(s): Danger
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1986
Car Dancing
When in the car, and a good song comes on the radio, a car dance
is called. It consists of a series of motions, dictated by the
driver.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): DANCE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001986ca
VANISHING HITCHHIKER VARIANT
THERE WAS A YOUNG COUPLE WHO LOVED EACH OTHER VERY MUCH.
SUDDENLY THE YOUNG MAN DIED. THE GIRL WAS OVERWROUGHT
WITH GRIEF AND MOURNED FOR HIM FOR A LONG TIME. BUT
ONE SATURDAY NIGHT SHE DECIDED TO GO TO A LOCAL DANCE.
ON THE WAY TO THE DANCE, SHE PASSED THE CEMETERY WHERE
HER LOVER WAS BURIED. SHE CRIED OUT TO HIM, "PLEASE
COME OUT AND GO TO THE DANCE WITH ME." THEN SHE
CONTINUED ON TO THE DANCE.
WHILE SHE WAS DANCING WITH ONE OF THE BOYS IN THE
DANCE HALL, SHE SAW HER DEAD LOVER STANDING IN THE
DOORWAY. SURPRISED AND HAPPY AT THE SAME TIME, SHE
STARTED TO DANCE WITH HIM. THEY DANCED AND DANCED,
AND HE KEPT ON DANCING AS IF IT WAS THE FIRST DANCE.
SHE WAS COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED, BUT HE KEPT ON
DANCING. SUDDENLY THE COCK CROWED, AND HE SPOKE,
"IT IS MY BAD LUCK, AND YOUR GOOD FORTUNE!" THEN
HE VANISHED.
THE GIRL DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO AND SHE WAS
AFRAID TO LEAVE HER HOUSE. BUT ONE DAY SHE HAD TO
GO BY THE CEMETERY AGAIN. THIS TIME HER LOVER
CHASED HER AND SHE RAN FOR HER LIFE TO A WITCH'S
HOUSE. THE WITCH TOLD HER TO CLIMB UP ON TOP OF
THE STOVE; THEN SHE PROCEEDED TO CAST A SPELL BY
MAKING SIGNS OF THE CROSS AND SAYING CERTAIN MAGIC
FORMULAS. HER LOVER COULD NOT BREAK THE SPELL TO
REACH HER. SO THE WITCH GAVE HIM A TASK OF TAKING
OUT ALL THE HEMP SEEDS SHE HAD SCATTERED IN A POT OF
ASHES. HE PROCEEDED TO DO THIS, AND WAS DOING IT WHEN
THE COCK CROWED. HE EXCLAIMED AGAIN, "IT IS MY
MISFORTUNE, AND YOUR BAD LUCK, AND NOW YOU MAY HAVE
LEARNED TO LET THE DEAD REST." HE DISAPPEARED AND SHE
NEVER SAW HIM AGAIN.
James Callow comment: THIRD TO LAST LINE: GOOD LUCK?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; LITHUANIA
Keyword(s): DANCING GHOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-25-1968
WHITE DRESSES
IN HIGH SCHOOL, THE NUNS TOLD THE GIRLS NOT TO WEAR
WHITE DRESSES TO THE PROM, BECAUSE IT WOULD MAKE
THE BOYS THINK OF BEDSHEETS AND GIVE THEM "SINFUL"
THOUGHTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DANCE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
VANISHING HITCHHIKER VARIANT
THERE WAS A YOUNG COUPLE WHO LOVED EACH OTHER VERY MUCH.
SUDDENLY THE YOUNG MAN DIED. THE GIRL WAS OVERWROUGHT
WITH GRIEF AND MOURNED FOR HIM FOR A LONG TIME. BUT
ONE SATURDAY NIGHT SHE DECIDED TO GO TO A LOCAL DANCE.
ON THE WAY TO THE DANCE, SHE PASSED THE CEMETERY WHERE
HER LOVER WAS BURIED. SHE CRIED OUT TO HIM, "PLEASE
COME OUT AND GO TO THE DANCE WITH ME." THEN SHE
CONTINUED ON TO THE DANCE.
WHILE SHE WAS DANCING WITH ONE OF THE BOYS IN THE
DANCE HALL, SHE SAW HER DEAD LOVER STANDING IN THE
DOORWAY. SURPRISED AND HAPPY AT THE SAME TIME, SHE
STARTED TO DANCE WITH HIM. THEY DANCED AND DANCED,
AND HE KEPT ON DANCING AS IF IT WAS THE FIRST DANCE.
SHE WAS COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED, BUT HE KEPT ON
DANCING. SUDDENLY THE COCK CROWED, AND HE SPOKE,
"IT IS MY BAD LUCK, AND YOUR GOOD FORTUNE!" THEN
HE VANISHED.
THE GIRL DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO AND SHE WAS
AFRAID TO LEAVE HER HOUSE. BUT ONE DAY SHE HAD TO
GO BY THE CEMETERY AGAIN. THIS TIME HER LOVER
CHASED HER AND SHE RAN FOR HER LIFE TO A WITCH'S
HOUSE. THE WITCH TOLD HER TO CLIMB UP ON TOP OF
THE STOVE; THEN SHE PROCEEDED TO CAST A SPELL BY
MAKING SIGNS OF THE CROSS AND SAYING CERTAIN MAGIC
FORMULAS. HER LOVER COULD NOT BREAK THE SPELL TO
REACH HER. SO THE WITCH GAVE HIM A TASK OF TAKING
OUT ALL THE HEMP SEEDS SHE HAD SCATTERED IN A POT OF
ASHES. HE PROCEEDED TO DO THIS, AND WAS DOING IT WHEN
THE COCK CROWED. HE EXCLAIMED AGAIN, "IT IS MY
MISFORTUNE, AND YOUR BAD LUCK, AND NOW YOU MAY HAVE
LEARNED TO LET THE DEAD REST." HE DISAPPEARED AND SHE
NEVER SAW HIM AGAIN.
James Callow comment: THIRD TO LAST LINE: GOOD LUCK?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; LITHUANIA
Keyword(s): DANCING GHOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-25-1968