Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for HEAD returned 40 results.
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
SLEEPING BELIEF
DON'T SLEEP WITH YOUR HEAD TO THE SOUTH. THIS RESULTS IN A HEAD
ACHE.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION--SOUTH ; HEADACHE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Plant P754.86 |
Date learned: 09-08-1972
BURN YOUR HAIR OR BIRDS WILL BUILD NEST WITH IT CAUSING YOUR HEAD TO
ACHE. THIS IS PRACTICED BY MANY SOUTHERNERS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT MEANS THIS TO BE HAIRS THAT YOU LOST THROUGH COMBING OR
BRUSHING.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; HEADACHE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 09-08-1972
COMMERCIAL RIDDLE
Q: WHAT HAS A HEAD BUT NO HAIR?
A: KOEHLER BEER.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
Keyword(s): EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PRIVATIONAL
James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG: HEAD FOR FOAM
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
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
LEGEND OF BLOODY MARY
THERE IS A STORY OF A HEADLESS LOVER AT CAMP MIAKONDA, A BOY
SCOUT RESERVATION IN SYLVANIA, OHIO. THE STORY FOLLOWS THAT HER
GRAVE LIES UNDERNEATH THE WATER TOWER AT THE CAMP SITE. WHEN THERE
IS A FULL MOON, SCOUTS ARE WARNED TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR HER. SHE
ROAMS TO SEEK REVENGE ON HER LOVER, WHO BEHEADED HER, BUT CAN NOT
FIND HIM BECAUSE SHE HAS NO EYES.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): HEADLESS GHOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
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
Entry filtered.
WHAT'S THAT ON THE ROAD--A HEAD?
James Callow comment:
SAID, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN GOING OVER A BUMPTY ROAD,
CC[ THE COLLECTOR INFORMS ME.--J.T.C.
CK[ PUN AHEAD
Where learned: ONTARIO ; CANADA, ASSUMED ; OAKVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN AHEAD
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
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
IF YOU BLOW THE FUZZ OFF A DANDELION, YOU HAVE THE SAME NUMBER
OF BOYFRIENDS AS THE NUMBER OF FEATHERS YOU CAN BLOW OFF.
Where learned: TENNESSEE, ASSUMED ; FRANKLIN
Keyword(s): SEEDS SEED HEAD
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHEN YOU SEE A ONE-EYED CAR, KISS YOUR KNEE AND THE FIRST PERSON
YOU SEE WILL BE YOUR SWEETHEART.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): HEADLIGHT ONE HEADLIGHT OUT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Use of Object Manufactured objects, homemade, machined BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future spouse |
Date learned: 06-18-1973
GHOST STORY
ON A STREET CALLED TANGLEWOOD ON BELLE ISLE IN DETROIT
{MICHIGAN}, TEENAGERS USUALLY WENT AT NIGHT TO HAVE
DRINKING PARTIES. THEY SAID THEY ALWAYS SAW A GHOST
DRIVING A WHITE OLDSMOBILE. ONE NIGHT A TEENAGE GIRL
WAS DRIVING ALONE--OUT TO MEET HER FRIENDS ON TANGLEWOOD.
AS SHE WAS DRIVING SHE SAW THIS OLDSMOBILE WITH A GHOST
WHITE DRIVER AND SHE GOT SO SCARED SHE CRASHED INTO A
TREE AND GOT KILLED. NOW THE KIDS SAW THIS AND THEY
SAY THAT IF YOU GO THERE AT NIGHT AND TURN YOUR HEAD-
LIGHTS ON INTO THE WOOD YOU CAN SEE THE YOUNG GIRL
WANDERING AROUND. THEY ALSO SAY THAT HER MOTHER WENT
CRAZY AND ALSO WANDERS AROUND IN THE WOODS AT NIGHT
DRESSED IN WHITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TANGLEWOOD, BELLE ISLE, DETROIT, OLDSMOBILE, HEADLIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 04-05-1972
A MAN HAS A SON WITH NO LEGS, ARMS OR TRUNKS ONLY A
HEAD. HE AND HIS SON (THE HEAD) GO TO BAR TO CELEBRATE
THE SON'S 21ST BIRTHDAY. THE FATHER ORDERS TWO BEERS
AND THEY BOTH DRINK UP. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SON
SPROUTS LEGS, ARMS AND A TRUNK. TO CELEBRATE THIS
MIRACLE, FATHER AND SON DRINK ANOTHER BEER. THEN
THE SON SHRIVELS UP AND DISAPPEARS. THE MORAL OF THE
STORY IS "BE HAPPY WHILE YOU'RE AHEAD."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): PUN AHEAD=A HEAD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
GHOST STORY
ON A STREET CALLED TANGLEWOOD ON BELLE ISLE IN DETROIT
{MICHIGAN}, TEENAGERS USUALLY WENT AT NIGHT TO HAVE
DRINKING PARTIES. THEY SAID THEY ALWAYS SAW A GHOST
DRIVING A WHITE OLDSMOBILE. ONE NIGHT A TEENAGE GIRL
WAS DRIVING ALONE--OUT TO MEET HER FRIENDS ON TANGLEWOOD.
AS SHE WAS DRIVING SHE SAW THIS OLDSMOBILE WITH A GHOST
WHITE DRIVER AND SHE GOT SO SCARED SHE CRASHED INTO A
TREE AND GOT KILLED. NOW THE KIDS SAW THIS AND THEY
SAY THAT IF YOU GO THERE AT NIGHT AND TURN YOUR HEAD-
LIGHTS ON INTO THE WOOD YOU CAN SEE THE YOUNG GIRL
WANDERING AROUND. THEY ALSO SAY THAT HER MOTHER WENT
CRAZY AND ALSO WANDERS AROUND IN THE WOODS AT NIGHT
DRESSED IN WHITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TANGLEWOOD, BELLE ISLE, DETROIT, OLDSMOBILE, HEADLIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 04-05-1972
A MAN HAS A SON WITH NO LEGS, ARMS OR TRUNKS ONLY A
HEAD. HE AND HIS SON (THE HEAD) GO TO BAR TO CELEBRATE
THE SON'S 21ST BIRTHDAY. THE FATHER ORDERS TWO BEERS
AND THEY BOTH DRINK UP. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SON
SPROUTS LEGS, ARMS AND A TRUNK. TO CELEBRATE THIS
MIRACLE, FATHER AND SON DRINK ANOTHER BEER. THEN
THE SON SHRIVELS UP AND DISAPPEARS. THE MORAL OF THE
STORY IS "BE HAPPY WHILE YOU'RE AHEAD."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): PUN AHEAD=A HEAD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
TEN ACRES OF SAND AND A RED-HEADED WIFE
IS UAUALLY {SIC} THE END OF A PINHEAD'S LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): THINKS, PINHEAD MEANS DULL-WITTED.} ; {MEANING? COLLECTOR DOESN'T KNOW. PROBABLY, SHE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 09-20-1967
RIDDLE
NO MAN WANTS ME, BUT ONCE HE'S GOT ME NO MAN WANTS
TO LOSE ME. WHAT AM I?
-- A BALD HEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): HEAD
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-0000
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 |
Superstition
Certain tracks there is a figure of a man carrying a lantern down the tracks. He has no head and he is said to be looking for his head. [sic]
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs and BN added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The following name and address is crossed out from the [Collector] section of the card:
Miller, Kathy 28 West Willow Monroe, MI
Card was located in a pile marked with a [?]
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DORM
Keyword(s): Beheaded ; HEAD ; Headless ; Legend ; Scare ; Spooky ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses Head, physiognomy, face |