Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 1916 returned 247 results.
PROVERB
IDLENESS IS THE MOTHER OF ALL EVIL. TRANSLATION OF
MUESSIGANG IST ALLER LASTER ANFANG.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN ROGENSBERG, GERMANY. AS A CHILD IN
FERNDALE, MICHIGAN, I HEARD SOMETHING SIMILAR. AN IDLE MIND IS A
DEVIL,S WORKSHOP. INFORMANT SAID THIS IS THE GENERAL MEANING OF
THIS PROVERB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 12-04-1967
GAME
JUDY'S IT, JUDY'S IT
CAN'T GET OVER ARITHMETIC.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SAID WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING TAG AND YOU ARE
PICKING SOMEONE TO BE "IT".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.524 |
Date learned: 12-06-1965
HOW MUSHROOMS STARTED
THE JESUS WENT TO SAINT PETER AND WENT TO FARM. FARM LADY BAKED
PANCAKE -- STOVE WAS LIKE PLATE. PETER SO HUNGRY, STOLE PANCAKES
AND WHEN JESUS NOT LOOKIN', PUT IT IN THE SHIRT. THEY WENT TO
WOODS, AND PETER ATE PIECE OF PANCAKE WHEN JESUS NOT LOOKIN'.
EVERYTIME HE WANT TO SWALLOW, THE JESUS STARTED TO TALK TO HIM, SO
HE GRABT FROM HIS MOUTH AND THREW IT IN THE WOODS. FINALLY, THE
JESUS TELL HIM HE KNOW HE STOLET PANCAKE, AND DID NOT SWOLLOW, BUT
THREW IT INTO THE WOODS. SO THE JESUS SAY IT WILL NOT BE WASTED,
THAT PANCAKE, BUT WILL GROW INTO THE MUSHROOMS.
Submitter comment:
COLLECTOR RECORDED THIS STORY IN THE EXACT WORDS.
MY GRANDMOTHER HAD HEARD THIS STORY FROM HER FIRST HUSBAND OVER
FORTY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Plant Life PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: 04-08-1965
TRUE RIDDLE
JUDGE: WHERE WERE YOU ON THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 30TH?
VICTIM: THERE IS NO FEBRUARY 30TH.
JUDGE: OH SO YOU STOLE THAT TOO.
LEARNED FROM OLDER BROTHER.
Data entry tech comment: CHAPTER 2 IN "WITCRACKS" BY ALVIN SCHWARTZ
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): COURTROOM ; DIALOGUE ; HUMOR ; STEALING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 11-21-1965
LULLABYE
MERRY LITTLE GYPSIES ARE WE, WITH HEARTS SO LIGHT AND STEPS SO FREE.
WE DANCE TOGETHER HAND IN HAND, A GAY AND HAPPY LITTLE BAND. TRA LA
LA LA LA TRA LA LA LA LA TRA LA LA LA LA LA LA. OH I HAVE PRETTY
THINGS TO SELL, FOR SILVER I CAN FORTUNES TELL. I MAKE CLOTHES
PEGS AND BASKETS LARGE AND LITTLE FOR THEM ALL I CHARGE. TRA LA
LA, ETC. I'M THE QUEEN OF THE GYPSIES ALL, EACH MUST ANSWER WHEN I
CALL. I LOVE THE EARTH AND SKIES ABOVE, I RULE MY SUBJECTS ALL WITH
LOVE. TRA LA LA ETC. A FAIR LITTLE GIRL SAT UNDER A TREE, SEWING
AS LONG AS HER EYES COULD SEE. SHE SMOOTHED HER WORK AND FOLDED
IT RIGHT, AND SAID DEAR WORK, GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT. TRA LA LA, ETC.
A BIG BLACK CROW FLEW OVER HER HEAD CRYING,"CAW CAW" ON HIS WAY TO
BED. SHE SAID AS SHE WATCHED HIS CURIOUS FLIGHT,"LITTLE BLACKBIRD
GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT." TRA LA LA, ETC.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER USED TO SING THIS TO ME WHILE ROCKING ME TO SLEEP. HER
FATHER SANG IT TO HER WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Cradle song Lullaby |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
PRAYER
MAY THE ROAD RISE TO MEET YOU. MAY THE WIND BE ALWAYS AT YOUR BACK.
MAY THE SUN SHINE WARM UPON YOUR FACE, THE RAINS FALL SOFT UPON
YOUR FIELDS AND UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN-MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN THE PALM
OF HIS HAND.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER FATHER WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
BALLAD
GOOD BYE MRS. DURKIN. I'M SICK AND TIRED OF WORKIN. MY HEART IS
FAIRLY BROKEN BUT I CAN NO LONGER STAY. BUT SURE'S ME NAME IS
CARNEY, I'M OFF TO CALIFARNEY. STEAD OF DIGGIN TATERS I'LL BE DIGGIN
LUMPS OF GOLD.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS UNSURE OF THIS BALLAD'S ORIGIN. I SUSPECT THIS
WAS SUNG BY A SERVANT OR FARMHAND WHO LEFT FOR CALIFORNIA AND THE
GOLD RUSH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Parting |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
DANCE
SETS IS AN IRISH DANCE, SOMEWHAT LIKE A SQUARE DANCE. IT IS DONE
WITH SIX COUPLES. THERE ISN'T A CALLER, BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN
KNOWN STEPS DONE IN A PARTICULAR SERIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Couple Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Group |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
DANCE
JIGS ARE IRISH DANCES. THEY CAN BE DONE BY A SINGLE PERSON OR IN A
LINE. THEY ARE VERY STIFF LOOKING, AS IF THEY ARE DANCED FROM THE
KNEES DOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Individual Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Group |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
COUNTING OUT RHYME
EENIE MEENIE MINIE MO, CATCH A TIGER BY THE TOE. IF HE HOLLERS LET
HIM GO. EENIE MEENIE MINIE MO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
COUNTING OUT RHYME
MY MOTHER AND YOUR MOTHER WERE HANGING OUT CLOTHES. MY MOTHER
PUNCHED YOUR MOTHER RIGHT IN THE NOSE. WHAT COLOR WAS THE BLOOD?
Submitter comment: THIS IS RECITED WHEN TRYING TO DETERMINE WHO IS "IT" FOR A GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
COUNTING OUT RHYME
ENGINE ENGINE NUMBER NINE GOING DOWN CHICAGO LINE. IF THE TRAIN
GOES OFF THE TRACK, DO YOU WANT YOUR MONEY BACK?
Submitter comment: THIS IS RECITED WHEN TRYING TO DETERMINE WHO IS IT FOR A GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
COUNTING OUT RHYME
BUBBLE GUM BUBBLE GUM IN A DISH. HOW MANY PIECES DO YOU WISH?
Submitter comment:
THIS IS RECITED WHEN TRYING TO DETERMINE WHO IS "IT" FOR A GAME.
THE PLAYER'S TOES ARE TAPPED IN RHYTHM WITH THE VERSE. WHOEVER'S
FOOT THE VERSE ENDS ON MUST RESPOND WITH A NUMBER. THE NUMBER IS
SPELLED OUT, WHILE TOES ARE TAPPED, FOLLOWED BY "AND YOU ARE NOT IT."
ELIMINATING ONE PERSON AT A TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
CHILDREN'S GAME
HOP HOP HOP TO GRANNY'S HOUSE TO GET A POUND OF BUTTER. HOP HOP
HOP BACK HOME AGAIN AND FALL IN THE GUTTER.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS RECITED WHILE BOUNCING A CHILD ON YOUR KNEES. WHEN YOU GET
TO "FALL IN THE GUTTER," YOU SEPARATE YOUR KNEES, CAUSING THE CHILD
TO FALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
INSULT
WHEN THEY WERE PASSING OUT BRAINS YOU THOUGHT THEY SAID TRAINS AND
SAID YOU DIDN'T WANT ANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
INSULT
WHEN THEY WERE PASSING OUT LOOKS YOU THOUGHT THEY SAID BOOKS AND
SAID YOU DIDN'T WANT ANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
PROVERBIAL PHRASE
LICK AND A PROMISE
Submitter comment: THIS IS SAID WHEN A TASK IS NOT THOROUGHLY DONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
PROVERBIAL PHRASE
KID GLOVES
Submitter comment:
THIS USUALLY REFERS TO HANDLING SOMETHING OR TREATING SOMEONE WITH
EXTREME CARE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
GESTURE
HOLDING UP YOUR INDEX AND MIDDLE FINGERS IN THE SHAPE OF A V.
Submitter comment:
DURING WORLD WAR TWO, THIS STOOD FOR VICTORY. BEGINNING IN THE
1960'S, IT STOOD FOR PEACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-00-1979