Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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AUTOGRAPH VERSE
WHEN THE GOLDEN SUN IS SETTING
AND THE EARTH NO MORE YOU TROD;
MAY YOUR NAME IN GOLD BE WRITTEN
IN THE AUTOGRAPH OF GOD.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS WRITTEN IN THE AUTOGRAPH BOOK OF
COLETTE BY A SCHOOLMATE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): BLESSING ; CHARM ; PIOUS ; PREPARATION FOR DEATH ; RHYME ABCB
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Pious reflection |
Date learned: 10-08-1967
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED AND HAVE A TOT,
SEND ME A LETTER FOR A PE-PE POT.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM: PE-PE POT FOR CHILD'S TOILET BABY
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
AUTOGRAPH BOOK RHYME
IF IN HEAVEN WE DON'T MEET, TOGETHER WE CAN STAND THE HEAT
AND IF IT GETS REALLY HOT, PEPSI COLA HITS THE SPOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): INDIRECTION FOR HELL
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
Entry filtered.
ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE GREEN,
YOU'D THINK BETTER WITH SOME BRAINS IN YOUR BEAN. CK[ SLANG=BEAN FOR HEAD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT JAMES SCHOOL ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG=BEAN FOR HEAD
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
TALE
A MAN HAD JUST PURCHASED A NEW CAR. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR TWO
WEEKS, HE DISCOVERED AN AWFUL RATTLE IN THE DOOR. TAKING IT TO
A GARAGE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, HE DISCOVERED AN EMPTY
COKE BOTTLE WAS LODGED IN THE DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; COKE=COCA COLA: BRAND NAME FOR SOFT DRINK.
Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
TALE
WHILE HUNTING IN THE UPPER PENINSULA ONE SEASON, I CLIMBED A TREE
TO GET A BETTER VIEW OF THE TERRAIN. THE BRANCH I SAT ON BROKE
AND I FELL INTO WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE A HOLLOW TREE WITH BEAR CUBS
IN IT. KNOWING THAT THE MOTHER BEAR WOULD SOON BE BACK, I TRIED
MY BEST TO CLIMB OUT OF THE TREE, TO NO AVAIL. SO I GRABBED MY
KNIFE AND WAITED FOR HER. JUST THEN, I HEARD HER SCRATCHING HER
WAY UP THE TREE. I SAW HER AT THE TOP OF THE TREE CLIMBING INTO
THE HOLE REAR FIRST, SO I GRABBED HER TAIL AND JABBED MY KNIFE
INTO HER BEHIND. SHE SHOT UP THE TREE, PULLING ME WITH HER. AS
SOON AS WE WERE OUT, I PICKED UP MY GUN AND SHOT HER.
Where learned: NORTHERN MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): SEE ROBERTS' SOUTH FROM HELL-FOR-SATAN, TALE 71.
Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 08-15-1969
GOOD LUCK IN THEATRE: "BREAK A LEG."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FORMULA SPEECH
Subject headings: | DRAMA -- Secular BELIEF -- Good luck Activities SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-30-1967
IF A HEN CROWS THERE WILL BE BAD LUCK IN A HOUSEHOLD,
AND THE MEMBERS OF THAT HOUSEHOLD MAY EXPECT EITHER
DEAD LIVESTOCK OR A DEATH IN THE FAMILY.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A GIRL
IN WARSAW IN THE EARLY 1900S.
Data entry tech comment: I BELIEVE SHE MEANS IF A HEN CROWS BEFORE DAWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND ; WARSAW
James Callow Keyword(s): FOWL
Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: 00001900s ; 10-05-1967
IF CHICKENS COME OFF THE ROOST AND CACKLE BEFORE
DAWN, THERE WILL BE A DEATH IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FOWL
Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: 10-00-1971
IF A ROOSTER CROWS BEFORE DAY, IT IS A SIGN SOMEONE
IS GOING TO DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FOWL
Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF YOU HEAR A ROOSTER CROWING AT THE DOOR, IT BRINGS
SICKNESS TO THE FAMILY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD FROM HIS MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): FOWL
Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: 09-28-1967
MILITARY CADENCE SONG
I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD,
RANGERS ARE AS GOOD AS GOLD.
I'VE BEEN TOLD AND I BELIEVE,
I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS LEAVE.
I WONDER WHERE THE YELLOW WENT,
WHEN THEY BOMBED THE ORIENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVERTISING FOR PEPSODENT TOOTHPASTE: ; WHEN YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH WITH PEPSODENT ; YOU'LL WONDER WHERE THE YELLOW WENT
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- War cries CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
Date learned: 12-00-1974
MILITARY CADENCE SONG
MR. NIXON DROPPED THE BOMB,
BUT I DON'T WANT TO GO TO 'NAM.
BUT IF I GET MY ORDERS TO 'NAM,
I'M GOING AWOL TO MY MOM.
IF THAT DOOR'S NOT OPEN WIDE,
GOT MY WEAPON BY MY SIDE.
IF THAT WEAPON JAMS ON ME, OH OH OH OHHH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): 'NAM FOR VIETNAM ; RHYME: 'NAM MOM
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- War cries CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
Date learned: 12-00-1974
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
PUT CELLOPHANE WRAP UNDER THE TOILET SEAT AND OVER THE TOILET BOWL
IN A GIRL'S BATHROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
James Callow Keyword(s): SARAN WRAP (CLEAR, PLASTIC FOOD-WRAP)
Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
WATERMELON CHEER
THERE IS A NARRATOR. HE STARTS OUT BY SAYING "HERE IS A WATERMELON."
EVERYONE PRETENDS THEY ARE HOLDING A WATERMELON. NARRATOR: "SLICE
IT IN HALF." EVERYONE PRETENDS THEY ARE SLICING IT IN HALF LENGTHWISE
WHILE MAKING A SLICING NOISE. NARRATOR: "EAT IT." EVERYONE PRETENDS
THEY ARE EATING IT, MAKING CHOMPING NOISES. NARRATOR: "SPIT OUT
THE SEEDS." EVERYONE TURNS TO THE SIDE OF THEM AND SPITS OUT THE
SEEDS, MAKING A SPITTING OUT NOISE.
Submitter comment:
I WATCHED THIS CHEER BEING DONE AT A CAMPFIRE. AFTER A SONG WAS SUNG,
EVERYONE WOULD DO A CHEER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; GATLINBURG
James Callow Keyword(s): FOOD FRUIT
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 08-00-1974
STARTING THE NEW YEAR
ON THE FIRST OF THE NEW YEAR YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LET THE FIRST
DARK PERSON THAT YOU KNOW COME THROUGH THE DOOR FIRST
WHILE HE CARRIES A PIECE OF BLACK CHARCOAL (IF NOT MALE THEN
HAVE A FEMALE DO IT).
SO THAT YOU MAY HAVE GOOD LUCK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING HIS LATE ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HIS
HOME TOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING
Date learned: 00001930S
POLISH EASTER CUSTOM - WIGILIA
ON EASTER SATURDAY A BASKET CONTAINING KIELBASA (SAUSAGE),
SALT AND PEPPER, VINEGAR, WATER, EGGS, BUTTER, HAM, BACON AND
HORSERADISH IS TAKEN TO THE CHURCH AND BLESSED BY THE PRIEST.
THEN ON EASTER SUNDAY MORN A SOUP IS MADE FROM ALL OF THESE
INGREDIENTS AND EATEN BY THE FAMILY.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS DONE IN INFORMANT'S HOME AS A CHILD AND IS STILL DONE
AS A PARENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FOOD
Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 10-15-1974
LIMERICK
THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY FROM YETTA/ WHO FANCIED HERSELF IN A SWETTA/
THREE REASONS SHE HAD/ TO KEEP WARM WAS NOT BAD/ BUT THE OTHER TWO
REASONS WERE BETTA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): INDIRECTION FOR BREASTS ; SWEATER
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
THE EGG
PUT AN EGG IN YOUR SHOE AND BEAT IT.
Submitter comment:
MRS. FRENDO JUST SNICKERED AS SHE FINISHED THIS ONE, EXPECTING A
GROAN BEFORE MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN SLANG: BEAT IT FOR GO AWAY
Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 01-00-1974