Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TRAIN STORY
IN THE EASTERN PART OF POLAND, A MAN WAS TRYING TO
CATCH A TRAIN. THE TRAIN WAS PULLING OUT OF THE
STATION AND HE RAN AFTER IT. HE CAUGHT ON WITH ONE
HAND, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PULL HIMSELF ON TO THE
BACK OF THE TRAIN. THE TRAIN WAS GATHERING SPEED
AND HE SHOUTED FOR HELP. A BOY CAME OUT OF THE CAR
AND HELPED HIM UP, THEN WENT BACK INSIDE (OR,
DISAPPEARED). WHEN THE MAN LOOKED FOR HIM TO THANK
HIM, HE COULDN'T FIND HIM. NOR HAD ANYONE ON THE
TRAIN SEEN HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
ON A DARK, FOGGY NIGHT SOME YEARS AGO ON A STREET NEAR MY HOME
(I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME ANYMORE), A BOY WAS RUN OVER BY A CAR
AND KILLED. THE HIT AND RUN DRIVER WAS NEVER FOUND. FROM THAT
TIME ON, ANYTIME MY FRIENDS AND I WERE RIDING DOWN THE STREET,
STRANGE NOISES CAME FROM BENEATH THE CAR. WE BELIEVED THAT THIS
BOY WHO WAS KILLED WAS BOTHERING PEOPLE BECAUSE THE KILLER WAS
NEVER FOUND. THE NOISE WAS NOT THE FAULT OF A DEFECTIVE CAR,
SINCE THIS NOISE WOULD ONLY OCCUR ON THIS PARTICULAR STREET.
THE NICKNAME FOR THIS STREET WAS KNOCK-KNOCK STREET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-31-1970
IF YOUR LEFT PALM ITCHES, YOU'RE GOING TO RECEIVE
SOME MONEY. IF YOUR RIGHT PALM ITCHES, YOU'RE
GOING TO MEET SOMEONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
NOSEY PEOPLE DON'T LIVE LONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): REBUKE ; THREAT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-15-1968
ON A BABY'S FIRST BIRTHDAY, PLACE A ROSARY, WHISKEY
GLASS AND SOME MONEY BEFORE HIM. WHICHEVER HE
PICKS WILL BE WHAT HE BECOMES: A PRIEST, A DRUNK,
OR A WEALTHY PERSON.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THIS WAS A PRACTICED CUSTOM AMONG
HER FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future of young |
Date learned: 02-12-1971
WHEN A BABY IS VERY YOUNG, THE GRANDPARENTS OR
GODPARENTS LAY OUT THREE THINGS: DOLLAR BILL,
PRAYERBOOK AND ROSARY, AND A HAIR BOW.
WHATEVER THE BABY GRABS FIRST WILL BE A PREDICTION
OF HIS LEANING IN LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future of young |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
HANG A NEEDLE DOWN IN THE AIR BY A PIECE OF THREAD.
RUB IT AGAINST YOUR LITTLE FINGER ALONG THE SIDE,
AND THEN TAKE IT AWAY. CAREFULLY OBSERVE WHAT THE
NEEDLE DOES. IF IT GOES AROUND IN A CIRCLE, YOUR
FIRST BABY WILL BE A GIRL. IF THE NEEDLE GOES BACK
AND FORTH, YOUR FIRST BABY WILL BE A BOY. IF THE
NEEDLE MAKES NO MOTION, YOU ARE INFERTILE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining number of children or sex of unborn P863.3 |
Date learned: 02-02-1971
TAKE A PIECE OF A WEDDING CAKE AND PUT IT UNDER
YOUR PILLOW THAT NIGHT AND YOU'LL DREAM OF YOUR
FUTURE HUSBAND OR WIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about friends and lovers |
Date learned: 11-04-1967
WHEN YOU PEEL AN APPLE OR AN ORANGE, YOU SHOULD TRY
NOT TO BREAK THE PEEL SO THAT YOU CAN SWING THE
ENTIRE PEEL AROUND YOUR HEAD THREE TIMES AND LET IT
GO. AS IT LANDS, IT WILL FORM THE LETTERS OF YOUR
FUTURE HUSBAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
IF YOU PUT A PIECE OF WEDDING CAKE UNDER YOUR PILLOW,
YOU WILL DREAM OF THE MAN OR WOMAN YOU ARE TO MARRY.
HE WILL BE THE FIRST ONE YOU SEE IN YOUR DREAM THAT
NIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse |
Date learned: 02-22-1971
GRETCHEN TOLD ME ABOUT SOME OF HER FRIENDS MAKING
CHAINS OUT OF GUM WRAPPERS. YOU WOULD MAKE THE
CHAIN AS LONG AS YOUR BOY FRIEND, AND THEN YOU
WOULD LIGHT IT. THE NUMBER OF INCHES IT BURNED
WOULD BE SYMBOLIC OF THE NUMBER OF YEARS HE WOULD
LIKE YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining true love P861.6 |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
IF TWO MATCHES ARE PLACED PERPENDICULAR WITH THEIR
TIPS TOUCHING AND THE HORIZONTAL ONE BURNS FIRST,
THEN YOU ARE IN LOVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining true love P861.3 |
Date learned: 09-25-1968
THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN
THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN,
THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN
THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE.
" " " " " " "
" " " " " " "
THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE.
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN ( 3 TIMES )
WAS ALL THAT HE COULD SEE ( 3 TIMES )
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN
WAS ALL THAT HE COULD SEE
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANTICLIMAX
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
PUT TWO MATCHES TOGETHER, ONE LOOSE FROM A BOOK
AND THE OTHER STANDING STRAIGHT UP FROM A BOOK OF
MATCHES. LIGHT THE ATTACHED MATCH AND THEN
PLACE THE LOOSE MATCH ON THE TIP OF IT, LETTING GO
OF THE LOOSE MATCH IMMEDIATELY. IF THE LOOSE MATCH
STAYS UP, IT MEANS YOU AND YOUR LOVE WILL STAY
TOGETHER. IF IT FALLS OFF OR DOWN, YOUR LOVE IS
DOOMED.
Data entry tech comment: DIAGRAM ON 5 X 8 CARD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining true love P861.3 |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
TWIST THE STEM OF AN APPLE AND FOR EACH TURN SAY A
LETTER OF THE ALPHABET. WHEN THE STEM BREAKS OFF,
THINK OF A GUY YOU KNOW WHOSE NAME BEGINS WITH THAT
LETTER AND YOU WILL MARRY HIM.
Submitter comment: INFORMAND LEARNED THIS FROM HER CHILDHOOD YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining true love P861.1 |
Date learned: 02-11-1971
IN FORTUNE TELLING, BY USE OF CARDS, THE ACE
OF SPADES IS CONSIDERED THE DEATH CARD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
YOU CAN TELL FORTUNES BY USING A DECK OF CARDS,
AND TAKING OUT THE FOUR KINGS FOR GIRLS, THE FOUR
QUEENS FOR BOYS. YOU SET THE FOUR CARDS OUT AND CAN
PROCEED BYEITHER MAKING EACH CARD THE NAME OF A
PARTICULAR BOY OR BY MAKING ONE EACH A "YES"
"NO," "SOMETIMES," AND "MAYBE." ONE PERSON IS IN
CHARGE OF THE REMAINING CARDS, AND TELLS THE
FORTUNES BY MATCHING THE FIRST TWO CARDS THAT ARE
THE SAME (A CARD FROM THE DECK THAT MATCHES IN
SUITE WITH ONE OF THE FOUR CARDS WHICH IT IS LAID
ON). THAT KING OR QUEEN WHICH FINALLY GETS A
MATCHING SUITE CARD LAID ON IT IS THE ANSWER TO THE
QUESTION PREVIOUSLY ASKED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship BELIEF -- Use of Object Numerology, related to playing cards |
Date learned: 03-26-1971
DURING A THUNDERSTORM, SPRINKLE HOLY WATER AROUND
TO KEEP THE DEVIL AWAY.
Submitter comment:
SYLVIA LEARNED THIS FROM HER SISTER, WHO IN TURN HAD
LEARNED IT AT THE NURSES' LOUNGE AT BEAUMONT HOSPITAL
IN ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object Religious objects |
Date learned: 09-20-1967
A PERSON CANNOT WALK AROUND THE HOUSE WITH ONE SHOE
ON AND ONE OFF.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object Dress, buttons, jewelry |
Date learned: 09-26-1967
TO STOP AN ANNOYING PERSON FROM ENTERING YOUR HOUSE,
PLACE A BROOM UPSIDE DOWN BEHIND YOUR FRONT DOOR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AND THEY
STILL PRACTICE IT TODAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Use of Object Domestic object, wax, needle, dishware |
Date learned: 10-02-1963