Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for VERSE returned 733 results.
TRICKY TALK
Q: RAILROAD CROSSING, LOOK OUT FOR THE CARS.
CAN YOU SPELL THAT WITHOUT ANY R'S?
A: T-H-A-T.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED MATTER (Q) ; TRANSPORTATION (Q)
James Callow Keyword(s): CATCH ; VERSE RIDDLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle C890.400 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
THERE WAS A LITTLE GREEN HOUSE - RIDDLE
Q: THERE WAS A LITTLE GREEN HOUSE,/ AND IN THE LITTLE GREEN HOUSE/
THERE WAS A LITTLE BROWN HOUSE,/ AND IN THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE/
THERE WAS A LITTLE YELLOW HOUSE,/ AND IN THE LITTLE YELLOW HOUSE/
THERE WAS A LITTLE WHITE HOUSE,/ AND IN THE LITTLE WHITE HOUSE/
THERE WAS A LITTLE HEART.
A: A WALNUT.
Submitter comment:
I FOUND THIS IN AN OLD MOTHER GOOSE COLORING BOOK WHICH WAS IN THE
ATTIC. THE COVER AND SOME PAGES WERE MISSING. IT IS AT LEAST TEN
YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BUILDINGS (Q) COLOR ; EATABLES AND DRINKS ; PART OF THE BODY (Q)
James Callow Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE VERSE ; INITIAL ITERATION ; MEDIAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
TRUE RIDDLE
Q: UP ON A HILL IS A GREEN HOUSE,
IN THE GREEN HOUSE IS A WHITE HOUSE,
IN THE WHITE HOUSE IS A RED HOUSE WITH A LOT OF COLORED BABIES,
WHAT IS IT?
A: A WATERMELON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; BUILDINGS (Q) ; EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; PERSONS (Q)
James Callow Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE VERSE ; FINAL ITERATION ; INITIAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle C890.400 RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
RIDDLE
Q: WHILE I WAS ON MY WAY TO ST. IVES/ I MET A MAN WITH SEVEN WIVES/
EACH WIFE HAD SEVEN BAGS/ EACH BAG HAD SEVEN CATS/ EACH CAT HAD
SEVEN KITTENS/ WIVES, BAGS, CATS AND KITTENS/ HOW MANY WERE GOING
TO ST. IVES?
A: ONE.
Data entry tech comment: TWO VARIANTS IN U OF D FOLKLORE 5 X 8 CARD FILES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMALS (Q) ; HOUSEHOLD ITEM (Q) ; NUMBERS ; PERSONS (Q)
James Callow Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle C890.400 |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
PROVERB
AS YOU WANDER THROUGH LIFE MY FRIEND
WHATEVER BE YOUR GOAL
KEEP YOUR EYE UPON THE DOUGHNUT
AND NOT UPON THE HOLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): FOOD
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: ; ADVICE: POSITIVE ; OPTIMISM, NOT PESSIMISM ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
Belief: Children's Song
DON'T STEP ON A CRACK OR YOU'LL BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
Submitter comment:
IS AN OLD CHILDHOOD SAYING THAT THIS INFORMANT REMINDED ME OF.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE
Date learned: 03-30-1968
Language: Rhyme
If wisdom's ways you'd willing seek
Five things observe with care;
Of whom you speak, to whom you speak,
And how, and when and where.
Submitter comment:
Found in autograph book from 1880's
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Album ; AUTOGRAPH ; Language ; poem ; RHYME ; Signature ; Speak ; VERSE ; When ; Where ; Whom ; WISDOM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
THE FOLLOWING IS A CHEER USED BY THE STUDENTS OF DE LA SALLE HIGH
SCHOOL:
"A BOOM A LAC
A BOOM A LAC
A CHOW CHOW CHOW
A CHIC A LAC
A CHIC A LAC
A BOW BOW BOW
A BOOM A LAC
A CHIC A LAC
A WHO ARE WE?
L-A-S-A-L-L-E LASALLE:
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NONSENSE VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival Custom Festival SPEECH -- S555? |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
Belief: Children's Song
STEP ON A LINE,
BREAK YOUR FATHER'S SPINE.
STEP ON A CRACK,
BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
STEP ON A HOLE,
BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S SUGAR BOWL.
Submitter comment:
CHILDREN SING THIS SONG WHILE WALKING TO SCHOOL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD
Where learned: UNKNOWN
Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; Domestic ; GAME ; Hole ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; Sugar ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 01-21-1968
RIME
IVORY SOAP,
SEE IT FLOAT
DOWN THE RIVER
LIKE A BOAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
Keyword(s): BATHTUB VERSE ; RHYME: ABA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
VERSE FROM MURDER
LIZZY BORDON TOOK AN AX/
AND GAVE HER MOTHER FORTY WHACKS/
WHEN SHE SAW WHAT SHE HAD DONE/
SHE GAVE HER FATHER FORTY-ONE.
Submitter comment:
THE FOLLOWING VERSE CAME ABOUT AFTER A FAMOUS MURDER TOOK PLACE.
I AM NOT SURE OF THE SPELLING OF THE NAME.
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING CORRECTED BY KETPUNCHER
Where learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ANTICLIMAX ; NARRATIVE VERSE JUMP ROPE RHYME ; NONSEQUITUR ; RHYME: AABB ; SURPRISE ENDING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 11-22-1968
I HAD A GOOD JOB AND I QUIT
HIP HIP, HIP HIP
I HAD A GOOD JOB AND I QUIT
FIRST THEY FIRED ME,
THEN THEY FIRED ME,
THEN I GOT MAD AND I QUIT.
Submitter comment: HE HEARD IT IN HIGH SCHOOL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RICHMOND
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM ; ITERATION ; NARRATIVE VERSE ; RHYME: ABBA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1929
A SHORT BIOGRAPHY
I,LL TELL YOU A STORY
OF OLD HUNKY DORY
NOW MY STORY,S BEGUN.
I,LL TELL YOU ANOTHER
OF OLD HUNKY,S BROTHER
AND NOW MY STORY IS DONE.
Submitter comment: CHILDHOOD
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): FEMININE RHYME ; NARRATIVE VERSE ; NUTSHELL NARRATIVE ; RHYME: AABCCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
JACK BEENORY
I,LL TELL YOU A STORY
OF JACK BEENORY,
AND NOW MY STORY,S BEGUN.
I,LL TELL YOU ANOTHER
OF JACK AND HIS BROTHER,
AND NOW MY STORY IS DONE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): FEMININE RHYME ; NARRATIVE VERSE ; RHYME: AABCCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1953
CATHERINE, CATHERINE, IN THE TUB
YOUR MOTHER FORGOT TO PULL THE PLUG
OH MY GOSH OH MY SOUL
THERE GOES CATHERINE DOWN THE HOLE.
Submitter comment: YOU CAN USE ANY NAME IN PLACE OF CATHERINE.
Data entry tech comment: LINES HAVE BEEN DIVIDED BY KEYPUNCHER
Where learned: AUTOGRAPH BOOK
Keyword(s): IMPERFECT RHYME ; NARRATIVE VERSE VOCABULARY GAME ; RHYME: AABB ; RHYME: ABCC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Belief: Children's Song
STEP ON A CRACK, BREAK THE DEVIL'S BACK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): AA ; Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; DEVIL ; GAME ; MOTHER ; RELIGION ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 11-19-1969
LITTLE BAR OF SOAP
I WISH I WAS A LITTLE BAR OF SOAP/ I WISH I WAS A LITTLE BAR OF SOAP
FOR I'D SLIPPIE AND I'D SLIDDIE/ DOWN EVERYBODY'S HIDDY/ OH, I WISH
I WAS A LITTLE BAR OF SOAP}
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): BATHTUB VERSE ; ENVELOPE STRUCTURE ; FEMININE RHYME NEOLOGISM ; REPETITION FIRST PERSON ; RHYME: AABBA
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 10-02-1965
VERSE
MINNIE MINNIE HA HA, WENT TO SEE HER PAPA,
PAPA DIED, MINNIE CRIED. MINNIE HAD A BABY,
CALLED HIM TINY TIM, PUT HIM IN THE BATHTUB
TO TEACH HIM HOW TO SWIM.
DRANK A GALLON OF WATER, ATE A BAR OF SOAP,
MINNIE CALLED THE DOCTOR, MINNIE CALLED THE NURSE,
MINNIE CALLED THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
OUT WENT THE DOCTOR, OUT WENT THE NURSE,
IN STAYED THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
Data entry tech comment: THERE CAN ALSO BE ADDED ANOTHER VERSE BETWEEN LINES 9 AND 10.
Where learned: LIBRARY
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; BATHTUB VERSE MONOLOGUE ; JUMP ROPE RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
REMEMBER THIS DOT (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; FORGET ME NOT (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)
REMEMBER THIS DOT..../ REMEMBER THIS BLOT... /FORGET ME NOT.
Data entry tech comment: THE PERIODS ENDING LINE TWO ARE FOLLOWED WITH A BLOT
Where learned: WRITTEN IN YEARBOOK
Keyword(s): RHYME: AAA ; TYPOGRAPHICAL VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Forget me not |
Date learned: 06-00-1966
PROSE AUTOGRAPH MATERIAL (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; MATRIMONY (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED AND LIVE UP TOWN,/ REMEMBER THE GIRL WHO WROTE
UPSIDE DOWN PEGGY SEILER
Submitter comment: WRITTEN UPSIDE DOWN ON PAGE.
Data entry tech comment: LINE DIVISIONS SUPPLIED BY KEYPUNCHER
Where learned: SAINT JAMES SCHOOL ; COLLECTED IN SEVENTH GRADE
Keyword(s): RHYME: AA ; TYPOGRAPHICAL VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Reading or writing backwards, upside down |
Date learned: 00-00-1959