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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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COLOR TAG
A PERSON IS IT. HE LOOKS AROUND THE AREA THE
PLAYERS ARE SITTING (IN) AS FAR AS HE CAN SEE.
HE DECIDES ON SOME OBJECT IN VIEW AND SAYS TO THE
OTHERS, "I'M THINKING OF A COLOR AND IT'S (WHATEVER COLOR
THE OBJECT IS)." THE OTHER PLAYERS TAKE TURNS
TRYING TO GUESS WHAT OBJECT IN VIEW IT IS. THE
FIRST TO DO SO, WAS "IT" NEXT TIME. IF EVERYONE
GAVE (UP) THEN THE PERSON WHO WAS IT HAD ANOTHER
TURN.
Submitter comment: PLAYED BY THE KIDS ON MY BLOCK WHEN I WAS 6-9 YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AGE OF PLAYERS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 04-00-1967
GAME TAUNT
YOU, USUALLY A BOY, HOLLARS OUT THE WINDOW AT
SOME GIRLS, "HEY, PICK A NUMBER FROM ONE TO TEN."
SHE PICKS A NUMBER. YOU COME BACK WITH "YOU LOSE,
TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTHES."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NUDITY ; TRICK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 00001961-1963
I SPY
ONE CHILD: I SPY
THE OTHERS: WHAT DO YOU SPY?
ONE CHILD: I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE,
SOMETHING THAT IS (A COLOR).
THE OTHER CHILDREN TRY TO GUESS THE OBJECT UNTIL
SOMEONE GUESSES WHAT IT IS. THEN, THIS PERSON GETS
A TURN TO SPY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN HER GRADE SCHOOL DAYS IN
NORTHWEST DETROIT (MICHIGAN).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DIALOGUE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.538 |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
WORD GAME
THIS TRICK IS PLAYED ON AN UNSUSPECTING PERSON. HE
IS TOLD TO REACH EACH LINE IN THE FIRST COLUMN
AND SAY "TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN" AFTER EACH. THEN
HE IS TOLD TO READ THE FIRST COLUMN BACKWARDS AND
HE SAYS, "LOOK HOW MANY TIMES I MADE THIS SILLY
ASS SAY 'TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN.'"
TRAIN TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN
SAY TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN
ASS TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN
SILLY TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN
THIS TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN
MADE TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN
I TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN
TIMES TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN
MANY TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN
HOW TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN
LOOK TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): REFRAIN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Wit |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
DUCK-DUCK-GOOSE
THE GAME BEGINS WITH THE PLAYERS SITTING DOWN IN A
CIRCLE. ONE PERSON IS CHOSEN AS "IT." "IT" WALKS
AROUND THE CIRCLE TAPPING THE PLAYERS ON THE HEAD AND
HE SAYS "DUCK, DUCK" UNTIL HE DECIDES TO TAP A PLAYER
AND SAY "GOOSE." THIS PLAYER THEN HAS TO TRY TO
CATCH "IT." IF "IT" RUNS AROUND THE CIRCLE TWICE
AND IS ABLE TO SIT DOWN IN THE EMPTY SPACE, THEN
THE PLAYER THAT HE CHOSE IS "IT." IF "IT" GETS
TAGGED, THEN HE REMAINS IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ILLINOIS ; GLENVIEW ; ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 12-02-1970
MY FATHER OWNS...
THIS IS A GAME WHERE THE PERSON WHO IS IT STARTS
BY SAYING "MY FATHER OWNS A (NAME) STORE AND IN THIS
STORE THERE IS A PARTICULAR ITEM WHICH I AM THINKING
OF AND IT BEGINS WITH THE LETTER ---." IF THEY GUESS
WHAT IT IS, THEY TRY TO BEAT THE "IT" TO A LINE.
THE FIRST ONE TO THE LINE IS THE NEW "IT."
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
BLUEBIRD
EVERYONE JOINS HANDS AND ONE PERSON IS JOHNNY. HE
WOULD GO IN AND OUT BETWEEN THE OTHER PEOPLE'S
ARMS. EVERYONE WOULD SING:
BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD, IN AND OUT MY WINDOW. (REPEAT TWICE).
OH, JOHNNU, I AM TIRED.
HERE JOHNNY WOULD STOP AT THE PERSON HE IS NEAREST
TO AND TAP THE PERSON ON THE SHOULDER. EVERYONE SINGS:
TAKE A LITTLE GIRL AND TAP HER ON THE SHOULDER.
(REPEAT THE ABOVE LINE TWICE MORE)
OH, JOHNNU, I AM TIRED.
THEN THE PERSON WHO WAS PICKED WOULD FOLLOW AND KEEP
GOING TILL THERE WAS ONE LEFT AND THAT PERSON WOULD
BE JOHNNY IN THE NEXT GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
DOCTOR, DOCTOR
SIX PEOPLE PLAY GAME. ALL BUT ONE GET ALL TANGLED
UP WITH THEIR ARMS AND LEGS. THE SIXTH PERSON IS
THE DOCTOR. AFTER THE OTHER FIVE ARE TANGLED, THEY
CALL, "DOCTOR, DOCTOR." HE COMES AND TRIES TO
UNTANGLE THE PEOPLE. HE HAS BEEN HIDING WHILE
THE PEOPLE WERE TANGLING THEMSELVES UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 04-04-1970
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.
I WILL INDICATE WHEN THE HAND CLAPPING CYCLE IS
COMPLETED BY BRACKETING THE CORRESPONDING LINES.
1. (BRACKET) I ASKED MY MOTHER FOR FIFTY CENTS
2. (BRACKET) TO SEE THE ELEPHANT JUMP THE FENCE.
3. (BRACKET) HE JUMPED SO HIGH, HE REACHED THE SKY.
4. (BRACKET) AND NEVER CAME BACK 'TILL THE 4TH OF JULY.
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
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
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
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
PIANO MOUNTAIN, SHRUB OAK, NEW YORK
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAMING OF PIANO MOUNTAIN GOES SOMETHING LIKE
THIS: ONCE THERE WAS A MAN WHO OWNED A MOUNTAIN AND BESIDES
OWNING THIS MOUNTAIN, HE ALSO HAD A DAUGHTER WHO WANTED TO OWN
A PIANO. SINCE THE MAN HAD NO PIANO, HE HAD TO FIND SOMEONE WHO
DID. THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAD A PIANO WAS A FARMER. SO FOR THE
PIANO, THE MAN TRADED THE MOUNTAIN, AND SO TODAY IT IS KNOWN AS
PIANO MOUNTAIN.
Submitter comment: PATRICK LEARNED THIS WHILE LIVING AT SHRUB OAK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-12-1967
PIANO MOUNTAIN, SHRUB OAK, NEW YORK
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAMING OF PIANO MOUNTAIN GOES SOMETHING LIKE
THIS: ONCE THERE WAS A MAN WHO OWNED A MOUNTAIN AND BESIDES
OWNING THIS MOUNTAIN, HE ALSO HAD A DAUGHTER WHO WANTED TO OWN
A PIANO. SINCE THE MAN HAD NO PIANO, HE HAD TO FIND SOMEONE WHO
DID. THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAD A PIANO WAS A FARMER. SO FOR THE
PIANO, THE MAN TRADED THE MOUNTAIN, AND SO TODAY IT IS KNOWN AS
PIANO MOUNTAIN.
Submitter comment: PATRICK LEARNED THIS WHILE LIVING AT SHRUB OAK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-12-1967
AFRICAN PROVERB
I KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR GRANDMOTHER WAS BOUGHT FOR.
Submitter comment: I'VE BEEN LIVING LONGER THAN YOU HAVE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): ADVISING
James Callow Keyword(s): WISDOM ASSUMED TO RESULT FROM AGE
Date learned: 00001967 (FALL)