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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport S555.500

Date learned: 03-30-1968

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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