Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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HAND CLAPPING GAME
HOW THE HANDS ARE CLAPPED: TWO PEOPLE ARE FACING EACH
OTHER:
1. EACH ONE SLAPS BOTH LEGS
2. EACH ONE CROSSES HIS ARMS OVER HIS CHEST.
3. EACH ONE CLAPS HIS HANDS TOGETHER
4. THEY SLAP THEIR RIGHT HANDS TOGETHER
5. EACH ONE CLAPS HIS OWN HANDS TOGETHER.
6. THEY SLAP THEIR LEFT HANDS TOGTHER.
7. EACH ONE CLAPS HIS OWN HANDS TOGETHER.
8. THEY SLAP BOTH HANDS TOGETHER; LEFT HAND TO RIGHT
AND RIGHT HAND TO LEFT.
9. EACH ONE CROSSES HIS ARMS OVER HIS CHEST.
10. EACH ONE SLAPS BOTH LEGS.
THIS HAND CLAPPING CYCLE IS COMPLETED ONCE FOR EACH
TWO LINES OF THE RHYME:
PEAS PORRIDGE HOT
PEAS PORRIDGE COLD
PEAS PORRIDGE IN THE POT
NINE DAYS OLD.
SOME LIKE IT HOT,
SOME LIKE IT COLD,
SOME LIKE IT IN THE POT,
NINE DAYS OLD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS GAME IN GRADE SCHOOL ON
DETROIT'S EAST SIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
RACING, CHASING GAME
DUM, DUM DODO, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN,
I CAN RUN FASTER THAN (INSERT A NAME) (CAN)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse |
HAND-CLAPPING GAME
HOW THE HANDS ARE CLAPPED:
TWO PEOPLE ARE FACING EACH OTHER.
1. EACH ONE SLAPS BOTH LEGS.
2. EACH ONE CROSSES HIS ARMS OVER HIS CHEST.
3. EACH ONE CLAPS HIS HANDS TOGETHER.
4. THEY SLAP THEIR RIGHT HANDS TOGETHER.
5. EACH ONE CLAPS HIS OWN HANDS TOGETHER.
6. THEY SLAP THEIR LEFT HANDS TOGETHER.
7. EACH ONE CLAPS HIS OWN HANDS TOGETHER.
8. THEY SLAP BOTH HANDS TOGETHER, LEFT HAND TO
RIGHT AND RIGHT HAND TO LEFT.
9. EACH ONE CROSSES HIS ARMS OVER HIS CHEST.
10. EACH ONE SLAPS BOTH LEGS.
THIS HAND CLAPPING CYCLE IS COMPLETED ONCE FOR EACH
LINE OF THE RHYME.
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME PEACHES
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME PEARS
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME FIFTY CENTS
TO WALK ME UP THE STAIRS.
I GAVE HIM BACK THE PEACHES
I GAVE HIM BACK THE PEARS
I HAVE (GAVE) HIM BACK THE FIFTY CENTS
AND KICKED HIM DOWN THE STAIRS.
I SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE PEACHES
I SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE PEARS,
I SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE FIFTY CENTS
AND KICKED HIM DOWN THE STAIRS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS GAME IN GRADE SCHOOL IN
NORTHWEST DETROIT (MICHIGAN).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
A POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM.
BEGINNING AT 6:00 P.M.
THE FAMILY GATHERS, CELEBRATES.
8:00 P.M. FOOD IS BROUGHT OUT
BUT NO MEAT IS SERVED, ONLY
FISH AND MACARONI, THIS IS THE
FASTING TIME. 9:00 P.M. SANTA
CLAUS ARRIVES BRINGING GIFTS
FOR ALL THE CHILDREN. AT 10:30 P.M.
CAROLS ARE SUNG. 11:30 P.M.
MIDNIGHT MASS. 1:00 A.M. PASSING
OUT OF WAFER, THEN MEAT IS BROUGHT OUT.
Submitter comment: THIS IS PRACTICED BY CONNIE'S IN-LAWS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
James Callow Keyword(s): MACARONI
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
NIGHT GAME
AT NIGHT, THEY WOULD GO OUT IN GROUPS OF THREE
AND RING THE DOORBELLS OF OLD PEOPLE'S HOMES.
AS THEY ARE GOING TO THE DOOR, THE OTHER TWO WOULD
PROP THEIR CHINS UP ON THE WINDOWLEDGE AND SHINE
FLASHLIGHTS UNDER THEIR CHINS TO SCARE THE COUPLES
BEFORE RUNNING AWAY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS BUDDIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
COLLEGE
THIS GAME IS PLAYED BY FORMING A CIRCLE WITH THE BOYS
SITTING ON CHAIRS. GIRLS THEN SIT ON THE BOY'S LAPS
AND PROCEED TO MAKE OUT. IF THE BOYS LIKES THE
GIRL, THEN HE FAILS HER AND SHE REMAINS TO SIT ON
HIS LAP. IF HE PASSES HER, THEN HE GIVES HER TO THE
BOY SITTING CLOSEST TO HIM, THAT HAS ALSO PASSED HIS
GIRL. THE GAME CONTINUES TO ANY LENGTH.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 11-07-1967
SPIN THE BOTTLE
THIS GAME IS PLAYED WITH BOTH GIRLS AND BOYS SITTING
AROUND TOGETHER IN A CIRCLE. THE FIRST PERSON SPINS
A BOTTLE AND WHOEVER HAS THE BOTTLE POINTING TO HIM
THEN THE FIRST PERSON MUST THEN PROCEED TO KISS THIS
PERSON. THERE IS NO TIME LIMIT TO THIS GAME.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 11-07-1967
HA-HA GAME
ONE PERSON LAYS ON THE FLOOR. ANOTHER PERSON LAYS
HIS OR HER HEAD ON THE FIRST PERSON'S STOMACH. THEN
THIS PATTERN GOES ON UNTIL ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE
ROOM ARE LAYING ON EACH OTHER'S STOMACH IN A "STAIRWAY"
PATTERN. THEN THE FIRST PERSON SAYS "HA" LOUDLY, THE
SECOND PERSON THEN SAYS "HA-HA" AND THIS IS CONTINUED
DOWN THE LINE, EACH PERSON ADDING A "HA" TO THE
PERSON'S BEFORE HIM. BY THE TIME IT GETS TO THE END,
EVERYONE SHOULD BE IN LAUGHTER BECAUSE OF THE VIBRA-
TIONS OF THE STOMACH OF THE PERSON IN FRONT OF HIM.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT USES GAME AS ICE-BREAKER AT PARTIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 04-05-1967
HOPSCOTCH
1. EACH PARTICIPANT HAS A STONE (SMALL)
2. BEGIN BY THROWING STONE INTO BLOCK #1
3. HOP ON ONE FOOT FROM BLOCK TO BLOCK, OMITTING THE
ONE WITH THE STONE IN IT. DON'T STEP ON A LINE. IF
YOU DO, YOU ARE SENT TO THE END OF THE LINE TO
BEGIN AGAIN.
4. IF YOU REACH "HOME" TURN ON THE SAME FOOT AND HOP
BACK TO "START."
5. BEGIN PROCESS AGAIN, STARTING BY THROWING STONE TO
BLOCK #2
6. WHEN SOMEONE EITHER MISSES HER BLOCK AFTER THREE
THROWS OR STEPS ON A LINE, SHE GIVES UP HER TURN TO THE
NEXT IN LINE.
7. THE PERSON WHO COMPLETES TEN ROUNDS FIRST WINS.
Submitter comment: DIAGRAM OF PLAYING SURFACE ON 5 X 8 CARD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
GUNS
IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD GAME, ALL THE PLAYERS DIVIDED
UP INTO TWO TEAMS. THEY THEN SOUGHT OUT THE OPPOSING
TEAM AND TRIED TO SHOOT THEM DEAD BY YELLING: "BANG, I
GOT YOU (NAME." IF YOU WERE SHOT, YOU HAD TO FALL
DOWN DEAD AND STAY THERE FOR THE REST OF THE GAME.
THE GAME ENDED WHEN THERE WAS ONLY ONE TEAM LEFT.
THE SIDES WERE USUALLY GANGSTERS OR COPS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS BUDDIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
STATUES
THIS GAME IS PLAYED WITH AN "IT." THE "IT" SWINGS
YOU AROUND IN A CIRCLE AND LETS YOU GO. WHEN HE
YELLS "STATUE," YOU MUST FREEZE IN THAT POSITION.
YOU STAY IN THAT POSITION UNTIL ALL OF THE PLAYERS
HAVE BEEN SPUN.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
HOP SCOTCH
TO PLAY, YOU TAKE A STONE AND THROW IT ON THE NUMBERED
SQUARES. YOU HAD TO THROW IT SO THE STONE DID NOT TOUCH
THE DIVIDING LINES OR BOUNCE OUT. IT ALSO HAD TO BE
THROWN IN THE ORDER, 1 TO 12. YOU THEN HAD TO HOP AND
GET YOUR STONE WITHOUT HOPPING ON A SQUARE WITH A
STONE ON IT OR LOSING YOUR BALANCE. IF YOU DID, YOU
LOST YOUR TURN.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
HOP SCOTCH
TO PLAY THE GAME ON EITHER OF THE TWO DIAGRAMS, YOU
NEEDED A STONE. THE PLAYER TAKES THE STONE AND
THROWS IT ON THE ONE MARKED "1" AND HOPS ON IT AND
THEN BACK. HE THEN THROWS IT ON 2, HOPS TO IT BY
MEANS OF ALL THE SQUARES WITH LESS NUMERICAL VALUE
THAN THE ONE HIS STONE IS ON AND HOPS BACK. HE
KEEPS GOING UNTIL HE JUMPS OUTSIDE THE LINE OR
THROWS HIS MARKER IN THE WRONG SQUARE. THEN IT IS
THE NEXT PLAYER'S TURN.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
WAR
THIS IS A GAME WHERE THE PLAYERS CHOOSE UP SIDES AND
DECIDE BEFORE THEY BEGIN PLAYING WHO THE WINENR
WILL BE. THIS TEAM IS CALLED THE AMERICANS. THE
LOSING TEAM IS CALLED THE JAPS OR NAZIS. THEY
WOULD THEN SEPARATE AND SEEK OUT THE OPPOSING SIDE
AND HAVE A MOCK BATTLE IN WHICH THE LEADER OF THE
AMERICANS ALWAYS DIED A GLORIOUS, HEROIC DEATH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
WAR
TO PLAY THIS GAME, BOTH SIDES SHOULD BE NUMERICALLY
EVEN. WHEN THE GAME IS STARTED, ONE TEAM SEEKS OUT
THE OTHER TEM TO 'SHOOT' THEM. IF SHOT, YOU MUST
LAY ON THE GROUND WHERE YOU WERE SHOT UNTIL THE GAME
ENDS. YOU GNOW YOU ARE SHOT WHEN SOMEONE YELLS: "BANK,
I SHOT YOU."
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT
THIS GAME IS PLAYED WITH AN "IT." THE "IT" TURNS HIS
BACK ON THE OTHER PLAYERS AND SAYS: "YELLOW, BLUE,
BROWN, RED LIGHT." WHEN HE SAYS "RED LIGHT," HE
TURNS AROUND TO FACE THE PLAYERS. ALL THE TIME THAT
HE HAD BEEN NAMING COLORS, (THE CHOICE AND NUMBER OF
COLORS NAMED BEING ARBITRARY) THE REST OF THE PLAYERS
HAD BEEN SNEAKING UP ON HIM FROM SOME STARTING POINT.
AT "RED LIGHT," THEY MUST FREEZE IN THEIR POSITIONS,
BECAUSE IF "IT" TURNS AROUND AND SEES THEM MOVING,
THEY MUST GO BACK TO THE START. WHEN THE "IT" IS
SATISFIED THAT NO ONE IS MOVING WHILE FACING HIM,
HE TURNS AROUND AND BEGINS NAMING COLORS AGAIN WHILE
THE OTHERS ADVANCE AGAIN. THE GAME ENDS WHEN ONE OF
THE PLAYERS TOUCHES THE "IT."
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS BUDDIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
JOHNNY, MAY I CROSS YOUR BRIDGE?
THE GAME IS PLAYED ON A LAWN. ALL THE CHLDREN EXCEPT
ONE, WHO IS JOHNNY, ARE ON ONE SIDE OF THE LAWN.
JOHNNY IS AT THE OTHER.
ONE CHILD: JOHNNY, MAY I CROSS YOUR BRIDGE?
JOHNNY: NOT UNLESS YOU HAVE (A COLOR) ON.
IF THE CHILD HAS THE COLOR ON, HE MAY WALK TO THE OTHER
SIDE OF THE LAWN. IF NOT, HE MUST RUN ACROSS AND TRY
NOT TO GET CAUGHT. PLAY CONTINUES FROM ONE SIDE TO
THE OTHER UNTIL ALL THE CHILDREN BUT ONE ARE CAUGHT.
THIS CHILD BECOMES "IT" OR JOHNNY.
Submitter comment:
KAREN LEARNED THIS FROM AND PLAYED IT WITH NEIGHBOR
CHILDREN IN NORTHWEST DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
HOP SCOTCH--SPIRAL
PLAYER MUST JUMPT TO THE CENTER AND BACK ON ONE FOOT
WITHOUT STEPPING ON THE LINES. IF PLAYER DOES THIS,
PLAYER GETS HER INITIALS IN ONE OF THE SQUARES AND
THE NEXT TIME AROUND GETS TO REST WITH TWO FEET
IN THAT SQUARE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
HIDE AND SEEK
THE PERSON WHO WAS IT BLINDED HIS EYES WHILE THE
OTHERS HID. AFTER COUNTING TO A CERTAIN NUMBER, HE
WOULD TRY TO FIND THOSE HIDDEN AND DRAG THEM BACK
ACROSS A LINE. IF SOMEONE COULD GET TO THOSE
WHO HAD BEEN ALREADY CAUGHT WITHOUT HIMSELF GETTING
CAUGHT, HE COULD FREE THE OTHERS BY TOUCHING THEM SO
THEY COULD HIDE AGAIN. THE PERSON WHO WAS IT COULD
END THE GAME BY YELLING, "OK, I GIVE UP."
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
HIDE AND SEEK
THE PLAYERS WOULD CHOOSE AN "IT" WHO WAS USUALLY THE
SCAPEGOAT OF THE GROUP. HE WOULD BLIND HIS EYES AND
COUNT WHILE THE OTHERS HID. AFTER COUNTING, HE BEGAN
TO LOOK FOR HIS FRIENDS. WHEN HE FOUND ONE, HE
SHOUTED: "1-2-3...I SEE (NAME)." THEN HE RAN BACK
TO TOUCH TO GOAL BEFORE THE PERSON HE DISCOVERED
COULD. THEN THAT PERSON WAS IT.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 11-00-1967