Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF YOU SEE A HAZY CIRCLE AROUND THE MOON, COUNT THE NUMBER
OF STARS WITHIN THE CIRCLE TO INDICATE THE NUMBER OF DAYS
UNTIL A FALLING WEATHER WILL OCCUR.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; NORTH GARDEN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Star BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon |
Date learned: 03-26-1969
THERE IS A QUILT PATTERN SHAPED LIKE A CROSS. WHEN YOU DO
SOMETHING WRONG OR SIN, YOU CAN PUT IT ON YOUR BED AND
YOUR SINS WILL BE WASHED AWAY.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; NORTH GARDEN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
A barber was giving a haircut to a minister and when he
went to pay for it, the barber said that there is no
charge for men of the cloth, so in turn the minister gave
the barber a bible. The barber gave a haircut to a priest
and told him the same so the priest gave him a rosary.
He cut the hair of a rabbi and the same applied so the
rabbi brought another rabbi.
Submitter comment: Also learned at a family reunion.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; NORFOLK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00001980S
A minister, a priest and a rabbi were talking of how they
split the money between God and themselves from the
collection plate and the minister said that he would draw
a circle, throw up the money, and whatever landed in the
circle God would get and what was outside he would get.
The priest said that he drew a line, threw up the money
and what went on one side God got and the other side he
got. The rabbi said that he just threw the collection
plate in the air and whatever God caught that was God's.
Submitter comment: Told at a family reunion by my uncle.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; NORFOLK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00001980S
"DOLLAR DANCE"
WHEN A SPANISH COUPLE GETS MARRIED, THEY DO A SPECIAL
DANCE CALLED THE "DOLLAR DANCE." IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
WEDDING RECEPTION, THE BRIDE AND GROOM, THE ONLY COUPLE
ON THE FLOOR, START DANCING. AFTER THEY'VE DANCED A FEW
MINUTES, ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DANCE WITH EITHER THE BRIDE
OR THE GROOM, MUST FIRST PIN AT LEAST ONE DOLLAR ON THEIR
CLOTHES BEFORE THEY START DANCING. SOMETIMES MEN DANCE
WITH THE GROOM AND WOMEN DANCE WITH THE BRIDE INSTEAD OF
DANCING WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX. THE MONEY FROM THE DANCE
IS USED TO PAY FOR THE COUPLE'S HONEYMOON OR TO HELP THE
COUPLE GET STARTED IN THEIR NEW LIFE.
Submitter comment:
FIVE YEARS AGO, MY BROTHER AND HIS WIFE HAD A "DOLLAR
DANCE" IN THEIR WEDDING RECEPTION.
THE "DOLLAR DANCE" WAS IN HOLLAND, MICHIGAN.
THE DANCE IS AN ENJOYABLE THING TO WATCH.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; NORFOLK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Crucial moment of life Life cycle Crucial Moment in Life CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
NAMING
WHORE'S BATH: NAME GIVEN TO A SUPERFICIAL CLEANING OF LABORATORY
EQUIPMENT INSTEAD OF A THOROUGH CLEANING.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; PORTSMOUTH
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
SONG PARODY (RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER)
RANDOLPH THE SHINEY-GUN COWBOY
HAD A PAIR OF SHINEY GUNS
AND IF YOU EVER SAW THEM
YOU WOULD TURN AROUND AND RUN.
ALL OF THE OTHER COWBOYS
USED TO LAUGH AND CALL HIM NAMES.
THEY NEVER LET POOR RANDOLPH
JOIN IN ANY POKER GAMES.
THEN ONE FOGGY COWBOY EVE
THE SHERIFF CAME TO SAY:
"RANDOLPH WITH YOUR GUN SO BRIGHT
WON'T YOU SHOOT MY WIFE TONIGHT."
THEN ALL THE COWBOYS LIKED HIM
AS THEY SHOUTED OUT WITH GLEE
RANDOLPH THE SHINEY GUN COWBOY
YOU'LL HANG ON A TREE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; WOODBRIDGE ; INFORMANT'S HOME ; 2 MAPLE LEAF LANE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 03-25-1970
IN MT. CRAWFORD, VIRGINIA, THIS STORY IS OFTEN TOLD. THERE
WAS A REAL OLD LADY THAT LIVED IN A LOG CABIN. SHE WAS VERY
SUPERSTITIOUS AND EVERYONE AROUND THOUGHT THAT SHE WAS A WITCH.
SHE HAD A CAT THAT WOULD CLIMB ON TOP OF AN OLD BOARD FENCE
EVERY NIGHT AND WOULD MAKE A WHOLE LOT OF NOISE.
SO ONE NIGHT, THESE BOYS TOOK THE CAT AND CUT OFF HIS CLAWS,
SO THAT HE WOULDN'T CLIMB THE FENCE.
THEY DIDN'T HEAR ANYMORE ABOUT THE CAT. HOWEVER, WHEN SOMEONE
WENT TO VISIT THE OLD LADY, SHE WAS SITTING IN HER ROCKING
CHAIR. ALL OF HER FINGERS WERE CUT OFF AT THE ENDS AND SHE
HAD RAGS WRAPPED AROUND THEM.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; VIRGINIA ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; MOUNT CRAWFORD ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Angel PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
AFTER THIS MAN HAD DIED AND WAS BURIED, HIS DOG KEPT HOWLING
AT HIS GRAVE, SO SOME PEOPLE DECIDED TO UNBURY THE MAN.
WHEN THEY DID, THEY FOUND THAT HE HAD BEEN ALIVE AND USED
ENOUGH FORCE TO PUSH HIS KNEES THROUGH THE COFFIN.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HAPPENED IN VERONA, VIRGINIA.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; VERONA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
THERE IS A HOUSE IN VERONA, VIRGINIA AND IF YOU GO THERE AT
NIGHT, YOU CAN SEE THIS MAN IN A CAGE AND HIS WIFE IS BEATING
HIM. HOWEVER, YOU CAN'T FIND THE HOUSE IN THE DAY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; VIRGINIA ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; VERONA ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
PLACE (HOW THE MASSANUTTEN MOUNTAINS GOT THEIR NAME).
A MAN WAS WALKING IN VIRGINIA WITH A FRIEND WHEN HE ASKED,
"WHAT IS THAT OVER THERE?", POINTING TO THE MOUNTAIN. HIS
FRIEND ANSWERED, "OH, THAT'S JUST A MASS - A - NUTTEN."
Where learned: VIRGINIA
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Place |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
SOLDIER SAYING
"A GI NEVER LEAVES HIS BUNKER THREE DAYS BEFORE HE LEAVES VIETNAM."
Submitter comment:
SINCE HEARING THE ABOVE, I HAVE ASKED SEVERAL VETERANS OF VIETNAM,
(MANY OF MY STUDENTS ARE VETERANS) IF THEY EVER HEARD OF THIS SAYING
MOST SAY NO, BUT FEW DENY THAT IT IS TRUE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; WOODRIDGE
Keyword(s): THREE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-29-1970
MEDICINE-VETERINARIAN FOR HORSES
TURPENTINE AND LARD HAVE BEEN USED BY THE VETERINARIAN OF
FARMINGTON HUNT CLUB OF CHARLOTTESVILLE: THE LARD KEEPS THE
TURPENTINE FROM BURNING THE HAIR OFF OF THE HORSES. ALSO THER IS
A WAY OF TAKING A NAIL OUT OF A HORSE'S HOOF AND POURING
TURPENTINE IN THE HOLE AND LIGHTING A MATCH TO IT. THIS IS
SUPPOSED TO INHIBIT INFECTION AND LAMENESS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER HAS USED TURPENTINE AS AN ANTISEPTIC FOR
PEOPLE AND ANIMAL CUTS.
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING ERRORS WERE CORRECTED
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; CHARLOTTESVILLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Medicine |
MEDICINE-VETERINARIANS
YEARS AGO THE INFORMANT'S FATHER FROM MASSACHUSSETTS USED
TOBACCO TO WORM HIS HORSES AND DOGS. THE VETERINARIAN OF
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING ERRORS WERE CORRECTED
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; CHARLOTTESVILLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Medicine |
Date learned: 06-26-1972
ENTERTAINMENT AND CUSTOM OF FOX HUNTING
AN INTERESTING POINT OF FOX HUNTING IF A CATCH IS MADE, WHICH IS
ACTUALLY NOT TOO OFTEN. IF A BIGINNER IS IN THE FIELD, THE BLOOD
OF THE FOX IS SMEARED ON THE PERSON'S CHEEK. SIVER FOXES ARE THE
MOST PRIZED OVER RED OR GRAY. THE INFORMANT HAS BEEN HUNTING FOR
ABOUT SIX YEARS AND IS TWENTY TWO YEARS OLD. ONLY A FEW OCCASIONS
HAVE THEY CAUGHT MORE THAN ON FOX A DAY, AND THE USUAL HUNT IS
ALL DAY.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; CHARLOTTESVILLE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 06-26-1972
FOX HUNTING RULES
THE RULES FOR THE SPORT ARE UNDERSTOOD AS SAFETY, MANNERS, AND
COURTESY:
DON'T TALK WHEN THE HOUNDS ARE WORKING BECAUSE THE HUNTSMEN
CAN'T HEAR THE DOGS.
IF YOU ARE NEW, STAY IN THE BACK, BECAUSE IT TAKES A WHILE TO
LEARN WHAT'S GOING ON.
DON'T RIDE SOMEONE'S TAIL, ESPECIALLY INTO A FENCE. LEAVE SOME
STOPPING DISTANCE IN CASE OF A FALL.
THE HOUNDS HAVE THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AT ALL TIMES--THEY ARE WHAT
YOU ARE FOLLOWING.
CLOSE GATES WHEN THE HORSES HAVE ALL GONE THROUGH, BECAUSE IF
SOMEONE'S COWS ARE LEFT OUT, IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE HUNT CLUB
WILL NOT USE THAT LAND AGAIN UNTIL AN APOLOGY IS GIVEN.
IF THE FOX'S PATH IS THROUGH SOMEONE'S FIELD, GARDEN, OR YARD,
BYPASS IT WITH THE RISK OF LOOSING THE FOX TEMPORARILY.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; CHARLOTTESVILLE
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation Hunting |
Date learned: 06-26-1972
SUPERSTITION
AT NIGHT IN KILMARNOCK, VIRGINIA, A GHOST LIKE FIGURE IS SEEN TO BE
ROAMING THE BAY AREA. IT IS THOUGHT TO BE AN ALBINO DEER. SOME
PEOPLE BELIEVE IT TO BE RELATED TO THE OCEAN GHOST.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; KILMARNOCK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Bird |
Date learned: 11-27-1972
TRADITION NEW ORLEANS - ALL SOUL'S DAY
PEOPLE GO TO CEMETERY TO CLEAN AROUND TOMBS AND WHITEWASH
THEM. CITY RUNS THESE CEMETERIES. IF A FAMILY DOESN'T CLEAN UP,
THE BODY IS TAKEN OUT AND THE TOMB IS REUSED.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; KILMARNOCK
Date learned: 11-30-1972
FUNERALS - SMALL AND SEDATE SOMETIMES OUTSIDE, NOT ELABORATE- DATES
BACK TO "AFTER CIVIL WAR" WHEN NO ONE HAD MONEY.
Submitter comment: COMMON IN VIRGINIA
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; KILMARNOCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-30-1972
KILMA TOAST
NOWHERE ARE THE WOMEN SO DIVINE AS IN VIRGINIA
NOWHERE ARE THE MEN SO REFINED AS IN VIRGINIA.
COMMENT - THERE IS MORE BUT COULDN'T BE REMEMBERED; SUPPOSED TO BE
QUITE BEAUTIFUL
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; KILMARNOCK
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION FINAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 11-27-1972