Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for FUTILITY returned 4 results.
FORMULAIC VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
I WENT TO THE RIVER, I COULDN'T GET ACROSS,
SO I PAID SIX BITS FOR AN OLD GRAY HORSE,
I RODE HIM IN, HE WOULDN'T PULL,
SO I RODE HIM OUT AND TRADED HIM FOR A BULL.
THE BULL WOULDN'T HOLLAR, SO I TRADED FOR A DOLLAR,
THE DOLLAR WOULDN'T PAY, SO I TRADED FOR SOME HAY,
THE HAY WOULDN'T GROW, SO I TRADED FOR A HOE,
THE HOE WOULDN'T DIG, SO I TRADED FOR A PIG,
THE PIG WOULDN'T SQUEAL, SO I TRADED FOR A WHEEL,
THE WHEEL WOULDN'T RUN, SO I TRADED FOR A GUN.
THE GUN WOULDN'T SHOOT, SO I TRADED FOR A BOOT.
THE BOOT WOULDN'T FIT, SO I GUESS I'D BETTER QUIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE ; INCREMENTAL REPETITION ; METER: IAMBIC ; MONEY FUTILITY BARTER ; RHYME: INTERNAL, IMPERFECT ; RHYME: MASCULINE, AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
PLAYING BOTH ENDS AGAINST THE MIDDLE IS A FAT MAN
TRYING TO BUCKLE HIS BELT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEFINITION
James Callow Keyword(s): CLOTHING ; FUTILITY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 04-00-1968
PROVERB
PLAYING HORSE WITH A BILLY GOAT
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUTILITY?
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
CONTEST
HE HAS AS MUCH CHANCE AS A ONE LEGGED MAN IN AN ASS-KICKIN.
Submitter comment:
USUALLY SAID WHEN YOU KNOW OF SOMEONE ENTERING SOME TYPE OF
COMPETITIVE EVENT, AND HE DOESN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FUTILITY ; SIMILE COMPARISON
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00-00-1969