Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 46 returned 1126 results.
IF YOU PUT BOTH HANDS ON HEAD AND THINK OF YOUR BOYFRIEND/
GIRLFRIEND AND HE/SHE TRULY LOVES YOU, BY THEY TIME YOU
COUNT TO TEN YOU WILL BE RID OF YOUR HICCUPS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; TROTWOOD
Keyword(s): CURE ; HICCUPS ; REMEDY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
YOU CAN TELL IF SOMEONE IS FIBBING BY FEELING HIS NOSE;
IF IT IS COLD, HE IS LYING.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; TROTWOOD
Keyword(s): Cold ; LYING ; NOSE ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
STEP ON A CRACK AND YOU'LL BREAK THE DEVIL'S DISHES.
VARIATION: STEP ON A CRACK AND YOU'LL BREAK YOUR
MOTHER'S BACK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; TROTWOOD
Keyword(s): Back ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; DEVIL ; Dishes ; GAME ; RHYME ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
I LIKE COFFEE,
I LIKE TEA,
I WANT ------(NAME)
TO JUMP WITH ME!
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; TROTWOOD
Keyword(s): Coffee ; Jump Rope ; JUMP ROPE RHYME ; poem ; RHYME ; SONG ; TEA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
ROSES ARE RED,
VIOLETS ARE BLUE,
YOUR NOSE LOOKS LIKE A B-52.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; TROTWOOD
Keyword(s): Autograph Rhyme ; B-52 ; Blue ; COLOR ; FLOWERS ; NOSE ; poem ; Red ; RHYME ; Roses ; Signature ; Violets
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
2 (TOO) SWEET
2 (TO) BE
________
4 (FORGOTTEN) GOTTEN
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; TROTWOOD
Keyword(s): AUTOGRAPH ; RHYME ; Signature
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
KNEEHOG
A GAME THAT IS PLAYED LIKE FOOTBALL, BUT IS PLAYED ONLY ON YOUR HANDS AND KNEES. IN OTHER WORDS, YOU HAVE TO CRA; WITH THE BALL, RATHER THAN RUN.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT USED TO PLAY THIS IN CINCINNATI, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; CINCINNATI
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-22-1970
"SHE WALKS THE BLOODY TOWER"
THIS SONG WAS SUNG BY MY MOTHER AND HER SIBLINGS:
"SHE WALKS THE BLOODY TOWER
AT THE MIDNIGHT HOUR
WITH 'ER 'EAD TUCKED UNDERNEATH HER ARM
AT THE MIDNIGHT HOUR...
...IT MAKES IT AWFULLY DIFFICULT FOR THE QUEEN TO BLOW HER
NOSE
WITH 'ER 'EAD TUCKED UNDERNEATH 'ER ARM."
MY INFORMANT ONLY REMEMBERS THIS FRAGMENT.
Submitter comment:
I REMEMBER MY MOTHER SINGING THIS TO ME WHEN I WAS A CHILD.
SHE WOULD ALSO EXPLAIN THE HISTORICAL CONNECTION TO THE QUEENS OF
HENRY THE EIGHTH. ANNE BOLEYN IS PROBABLY THE QUEEN REFERRED TO
IN THE SONG. I ATTRIBUTE MY INTEREST AND MAJOR IN HISTORY IN PART
TO THIS FRAGMENT.
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 00001940S
THE FOLLOWING IS IN THE INFORMANT'S OWN WORDS.
"IN MY SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL, THE GIRLS GLEE CLUB
PERFORMED THREE FRENCH CAROLS AT OUR CHRISTMAS CONCERT. I HAVE
NOT HEARD ANY OF THE CAROLS SINCE, BUT I LIKED ONE SO WELL THAT I
MADE AN EFFORT TO REMEMBER IT, AND I SANG IT TO MY DAUGHTERS WHEN
THEY WERE SMALL:
"ONCE UPON A WINTER'S NIGHT MANY YEARS AGO IT'S TOLD
WHEN THE WIND WAS AT ITS HEIGHT
AND THE SNOW WAS DEEP AND COLD,
INTO BETHLEHEM DID RIDE GENTLE MARY ON A BEAST WITH JOSEPH
WALKING BY HER SIDE
SEEKING SHELTER FOR THE NIGHT.
COLD AND WEARY FROM THEIR FLIGHT, AT AN INN THEY SOUGHT A
BED
BUT THE KEEPER SCORNED THEIR PLIGHT
`THERE'S NO ROOM TONIGHT,' HE SAID,
`FOR POOR FOLK WHO CANNOT PAY
FOR THE KING OF ALL THE LAND WILL SOON PASS THIS WAY.'
SO THEY TURNED BACK TO THE NIGHT.
HAVE YOU NOT BEEN TOLD THE NEWS
THAT TONIGHT WILL PASS THIS WAY
THE MESSIAH OF THE JEWS--HE WILL COME IN FULL ARRAY
SING HOSANNAH, HOSANNAH, HOSANNAH IN EXCELSIS--OH SING
HOSANNAH TO HIS NAME.
BUT THEY SOON DID COME IN SIGHT OF A LOWLY HOUSE AHEAD
AND WERE WELCOMED BY THE LIGHT OF THEIR HUMBLE HOST WHO
SAID,
`ENTER IN AND SHARE MY ROOF. I CAN OFFER YOU THE STABLE
THERE WITH STRAW AND HAY ENOUGH. FIND YE COMFORT FOR
THE NIGHT.'
IN THAT STABLE WARM AND BRIGHT, WITH THE OXEN STANDING BY
CHRIST WAS BORN ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT
AND THE ANGELS IN THE SKY
SANG THEIR SONG WITH GLADSOME VOICE
`HALLELUJAH! PEACE ON EARTH! NOEL! LET EVERYONE REJOICE!
SING WE ALL THIS CHRISTMAS NIGHT!"
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Festival CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
SAYING
THAT'S THE WAY THE MOP FLOPS.
Where learned: OHIO
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: UNKNOWN
WHERE DID YOU GET THAT ANSWER; TIEDKIE'S?
Submitter comment:
RETORT FROM TEACHER UPON RECEIVING WRONG ANSWERS
FROM STUDENTS.
Data entry tech comment: TIEDKIE'S WAS A DEPARTMENT STORE IN TOLEDO, OHIO,
Where learned: OHIO
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
IF YOU CAN KEEP YOUR HEAD
WHILE ALL ABOUT YOU ARE LOSING THEIRS
PERHAPS YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION.
Submitter comment: CONVERSATION
Where learned: OHIO
James Callow Keyword(s): PARODY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
SAYING
WHEN A PERSON BLOWS HIS NOSE SAY, "IT WORKS WELL
SINCE YOU GOT IT FIXED."
Where learned: OHIO
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
THE FOLLOWING IS IN THE INFORMANT'S OWN WORDS.
"IN MY MID-TEENS, I WAS FINAGLED INTO TEACHING VACATION BIBLE
SCHOOL. WE THEN LIVED IN A SMALL FARMING COMMUNITY EAST OF
CINCINNATI, OHIO. ONE OF THE RETIRED GENTLEMEN FROM OUR CHURCH
PICKED UP MY MOM, MY SIBLINGS, A COUPLE OF OTHER KIDS FROM DOWN
THE ROAD AND ME EVERY MORNING IN HIS OVERTURNED BATHTUB--THAT'S
WHAT HIS HUDSON MOTOR CAR LOOKED LIKE TO US.
ONCE AT VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL, WE HAD OUR LITTLE LESSONS AND
CRAFTS FOR THE DAY; AND OF COURSE SONGS--MOST OF WHICH HAD
ACCOMPANYING HAND MOTIONS. THE ONLY ONE I REMEMBER IN ITS
ENTIRETY WAS THIS ONE--YOU'LL HAVE TO LET YOUR IMAGINATION SUPPLY
THE HAND MOTIONS:
"ONLY A BOY NAMED DAVID, ONLY A LITTLE SLING
ONLY A BOY NAMED DAVID, BUT HE COULD PRAY AND SING.
ONLY A BOY NAMED DAVID, ONLY A RIPPLING BROOK
ONLY A BOY NAMED DAVID, BUT FIVE LITTLE STONES HE TOOK.
AND ONE LITTLE STONE WENT INTO THE SLING
AND THE SLING WENT ROUND AND ROUND
AND ROUND AND ROUND, AND ROUND AND ROUND, AND ROUND AND
ROUND AND ROUND AND ROUND
AND ONE LITTLE STONE WENT INTO THE AIR AND THE GIANT CAME
TUMBLING DOWN."
Submitter comment:
I REMEMBER SOME THE HAND MOTIONS FROM WHEN MY MOM SANG THIS TO
ME WHEN I WAS A CHILD. THEY ARE PANTOMIMES OF DAVID, THE SLING,
AND THE ACTION OF PICKING UP THE STONES IN THE FIRST STANZA. THE
SECOND STANZA FEATURES THE SWINGING ACTION OF THE SLING AND THE
MOTION OF FALLING LIKE THE GIANT.
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
James Callow Keyword(s): FINAGLE FENAGLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 00001950S
MY MOTHER'S UNCLE TAUGHT HER THIS LITTLE BALLAD ABOUT A FARM
GIRL AND A TRAVELING SALESMAN:
"A FARMER'S DAUGHTER NAMED LOU'ELLER
WAS THE PRETTIEST GIRL FOR MILES AROUND.
BUT THAT POOR GIRL DINT HAVE NO FELLER
UNTIL ONE DAY WHEN SHE WENT TO TOWN.
SHE WENT DOWN TO THE VILLAGE DEPOT
TO WATCH THAT EVENIN' TRAIN COME IN
AND MET A DRUMMER FROM THE CITY WITH
TWO GOLD TEETH AND A WALKIN' CANE.
THEY WENT DOWN TO THE VILLAGE DRUGSTORE
AND AT THE COUNTER THEY DID SAT
HE FILLED HER FULL OF SASPARILLA
TILL SHE DINT KNOW WHERE SHE WAS AT.
ALAS! ALACK! FOR PORE LOUELLER
SHE STARTED SOMETHING SHE COULD NOT STOP
NOW EVER' TIME SHE GETS A NICKEL
SHE BLOWS IT IN ON SODY-POP.
AND IN THE EVENIN'S IN THE SUMMER
AT THE DEPOT DOOR SHE WAITS IN VAIN
AND ROLLS HER EYES AT EVER' DRUMMER
THAT GITS FROM OFF THAT EVENIN' TRAIN."
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
James Callow Keyword(s): DRUMMER = SALESMAN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C230 |
Date learned: 00001950S
SMART-ALECK
WORK FASCINATES ME, I COULD WATCH IT FOR HOURS.
Submitter comment: HEARD DURING SCHOOL DAYS.
Where learned: OHIO
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1957
HORROR STORY
TWO GIRLS WERE ASLEEP IN THEIR ROOM. ONE OF THE GIRLS
AWOKE WHEN SHE HEARD HUMMING. SHE POKED HER SISTER
TO ASK HER IF SHE HEARD IT, TOO. RECEIVING NO ANSWER,
SHE TURNED ON THE LIGHT. THERE IN A ROCKER SAT AN OLD
MAN ROCKING BACK AND FORTH HUMMING TO HER SISTER'S
SEVERED HEAD, WHICH HE HELD IN HIS ARMS.
Submitter comment:
GIRL FINDS MURDERER IN ROCKING CHAIR HOLDING HER SISTER'S SEVERED
HEAD AND HUMMING.
Where learned: OHIO ; PORT CLINTON
Keyword(s): GORE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
Date learned: 1964-65
MY MOTHER'S UNCLE TAUGHT HER THIS SONG WHICH WAS SUNG ON BACK
PORCHES OR AT SOCIALS IN THE EVENINGS AFTER ALL THE CHORES WERE
DONE.
"THERE'S AN OLD APPLE TREE IN THE ORCHARD
THAT LIVES IN MY MEMORY
IT WAS PLANTED BY MY PAPPY--HE WAS HANDSOME, YOUNG AND HAPPY
WHEN HE PLANTED THE OLD APPLE TREE.
ONE NIGHT PAPPY TOOK SISTER NORTON OUT ON A JAMBOREE
WHEN THEY GOT BACK AT SUN-UP, BROTHER NORTON RAISED HIS GUN
UP
AND HE CHASED PAPPY OUT IN THE TREE.
WHEN THE NEIGHBORS CAME AFTER MY PAPPY
UP IN THE TREE WAS HE
THEY TOOK A ROPE AND STRUNG HIM BY THE NECK AND THEY HUNG
HIM ON A BRANCH OF THE OLD APPLE TREE.
SAY GOOD-BYE, SAY GOOD-BYE, SAY GOOD-BYE TO THE OLD APPLE
TREE
IF MY PAPPY HAD A KNOWED IT, HE'D BE SORRY THAT HE GROWED IT
CAUSE HE DIED ON THE OLD APPLE TREE."
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic |
Date learned: 0001950S
WHEN MY MOTHER'S OLDER BROTHER WAS ASKED TO SAY THE PRAYER
OVER DINNER, HE WOULD SAY, "GOOD BREAD, GOOD MEAT, GOOD GOD, LET'S
EAT!" THIS BLESSING WAS NOT RECEIVED FAVORABLY WITH HIS CHURCH OF
CHRIST PARENTS!
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
Keyword(s): GRACE
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 00001940S