Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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(THE GIRL WITH THE RIBBON AROUND HER NECK)
THERE ONCE WAS A GIRL WHO ALWAYS WORE A RIBBON AROUND HER
NECK. EVERYONE WOULD ALWAYS ASK HER WHY SHE WORE IT.
BUT SHE WOULD NEVER TELL. SO WHEN SHE DIED SOMEONE
REMOVED THE RIBBON AND HER HEAD FELL OFF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE FATE OF THE FULL MOON
THIS IS THE STORY OF TWO FARMERS IN THE OLD COUNTRY
(POLAND). THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED MANY YEARS AGO, AND IT
IS SUPPOSED TO BE A TRUE STORY. IT WAS TOLD TO MY
FATHER BY MY GRANDFATHER.
ONCE THERE WERE TWO NEIGHBOR FARMERS. ONE WAS MORE
SUCCESSFUL THAN THE OTHER. THE LESS SUCCESSFUL FARMER
WAS JEALOUS OF THE OTHER ONE AND KNEW THAT HE COULD BE
THE TOP FARMER IF THE OTHER ONE WAS OUT OF THE WAY.
ONE DAY THE JEALOUS FARMER HAD A PLAN AND AT NIGHT HE
MET THE OTHER FARMER COMING HOME FROM MARKET. IT WAS
DARK AND THEY WERE ALONE AND HE PLANNED TO KILL THE OTHER
FARMER. WHEN THE SUCCESSFUL FARMER REALIZED WHAT WAS
HAPPENING HE SAID, "WHY ARE YOU GOING TO KILL ME? I'VE
ALWAYS HELPED AND AIDED YOU WHEN YOUR CROPS WERE BAD. I'VE
ALWAYS TRIED TO HELP YOU OUT OF DIFFICULTIES AND THIS IS
WHAT I GET IN RETURN?"
BUT THE OTHER FARMER REPLIED, "I COULD BE THE RICHEST
FARMER IN THIS AREA IF IT WASN'T FOR YOU, AND I'M GOING
TO KILL YOU."
THE OTHER REPLIED, "THERE'S NO ONE AROUND NOW AND NOBODY
KNOWS YOU KILLED ME, BUT MARK MY WORDS--THE FULL MOON
THAT'S SHINING ABOVE WILL GIVE YOU AWAY."
THE OTHER FARMER LAUGHED AT THE THOUGHT OF A FULL MOON
GIVING HIM AWAY, AND HE KILLED THE FARMER.
AFTER THE BODY WAS FOUND AND BURIED, THERE WAS NO
EVIDENCE TO PROVE A MURDER. THUS THE FARMER BECAME
VERY SUCCESSFUL AND HE LIVED MANY PROSPEROUS YEARS WITH
HIS FAMILY. EVERYTIME HE SAW A FULL MOON, HE LAUGHED
AT THE RIDICULOUS IDEA OF IT GIVING HIM AWAY. HE OFTEN
WONDERED WHAT THE FARMER MEANT, AND THE MOON WAS ALWAYS
ON HIS CONSCIENCE.
ONE NIGHT AFTER THE DAY'S WORK, HE WAS SITING ON THE
PORCH WITH HIS WIFE RELAXING. THERE WAS A FULL MOON OUT
THAT NIGHT AND HIS THOUGHTS WENT BACK TO THE NIGHT OF THE
MURDER. ON IMPULSE HE SAID ALOUD, "I WONDER WHAT MR.----
MEANT WHEN HE SAID THE FULL MOON WOULD GIVE ME AWAY?"
HIS WIFE, NOT KNOWING HER HUSBAND WAS A MURDERER, ASKED
WHAT HE MEANT AND SO HE TOLD HER ABOUT WHAT HE HAD DONE.
SHE WAS DUMBFOUNDED AT WHAT SHE HEARD AND FROM THEN ON
THEIR LIFE TOGETHER WAS MISERY. FINALLY, SHE COULDN'T
KEEP THIS TO HERSELF AND IN ORDER TO HAVE JUSTICE DONE
SHE WENT TO TOWN AND TOLD THE SHERIFF. THE FARMER WAS
ARRESTED FOR THE CRIME AND IN JAIL HE REALIZED HOW THE
FULL MOON GAVE HIM AWAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HIS FATHER.
HOW THE FULL MOON REVEALS THE MURDERER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
HAUNTED STREET
ON TUMBLEWOOD ROAD IN DETROIT, IF YOU DRIVE DOWN IT, YOU WILL
HEAR SOMEONE KNOCKING ON YOUR CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
Date learned: 01-00-1968
THE LITTLE PEOPLE
IN IRELAND, THE LITTLE PEOPLE LIVE IN THE "BRAMBLE BUSH." NO
IRISH PERSON WOULD DARE CUT DOWN ONE OF THESE BUSHES FOR FEAR
OF OFFENDING THE "LITTLE PEOPLE." IF THE "LITTLE PEOPLE"
BECAME EVEN A LITTLE BIT UNHAPPY OVER SOMEONE CUTTING DOWN
THEIR BUSH, THEY WOULD PLAY MEAN TRICKS ON THE IRISH FOLKS.
THE FAVORITE TRICKS PLAYED ON FARMERS WERE MAKING THEIR
MILK TURN SOUR AND NOT ALLOWING THEIR BUTTER TO CHURN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): ELVES IMPS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 11-03-1969
ELECTROCUTED BUT DIDN'T DIE
A MAN WAS EXECUTED IN THE ELECTRIC CHAIR, BUT HE DIDN'T
DIE. HE WAS BADLY DEFORMED AND NOW HE LIVES IN THE
WILDERNESS NEAR A LOVERS' LANE IN PENNSYLVANIA. HE
COMES OUT AND TALKS TO THE PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME TO
PARK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
GHOST RAIDERS
IN GERMANY WHEN THE WIND HOWLS THROUGH THE WHITE
MOUNTAINS, IT IS THE GHOST RAIDERS RIDING THROUGH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
GHOST OF BELLE ISLE {DETROIT, MICHIGAN}
A GIRL WAS RAPED AND KILLED ON BELLE ISLE AND NOW
HER MOTHER HAUNTS BELLE ISLE TO PROTECT THE LOVERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
GERMAN GRAVEYARD
IN A GRAVEYARD IN GERMANY, THERE WERE STRANGE
LIGHTS SHINING. THE PEOPLE SAID IT WAS THE
PEOPLE BURIED THERE WALKING AROUND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; WARREN
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY LIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
THIS PERSON CLAIMS THAT HIS MOTHER TAUGHT HIM ALWAYS
TO BELIEVE THE RHYME:
RED SKIES IN THE MORNING,
SAILORS TAKE WARNING,
RED SKIES AT NIGHT,
SAILORS DELIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 02-25-1967
IT IS A POPULAR BELIEF THAT IF A CATHOLIC GOES
INTO A CATHOLIC CHURCH THAT HE HAS NEVER BEEN IN
BEFORE, AND MAKES A WISH, THE WISH WILL COME TRUE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HER COUSIN WHO IS A
NUN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Date learned: 07-00-1964
CZECH CHRISTMAS BELIEF
ON CHRISTMAS EVE AT MIDNIGHT, IF A SINGLE MAN TAKES A
MATCH AND STRIKES IT, LETTING IT BURN DOWN A SHORT
WAY, THEN GRABS THE MATCH AT THE BURNT END AND
ALLOWS IT TO BURN DOWN TO THE OTHER END, THE MATCH
WILL BEND TOWARD ONE DIRECTION, AND IN WHATEVER DIREC-
TION THE MATCH POINTS, THAT IS THE DIRECTION YOUR
FUTURE WIFE WOULD COME FROM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future spouse P862.9 |
Date learned: 10-27-1969
IF ANOTHER PERSON TRIES ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING,
YOU WILL NEVER MARRY THE PERSON WHOSE RING IT IS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
AFTER THE CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER, UKRAINIAN UNMARRIED
GIRLS TAKE SPOONS AND HIT THEM TOGETHER OUTDOORS.
FROM WHICHEVER SIDE A DOG BARKS FIRST, FROM THENCE
HER FUTURE HUSBAND WILL COME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
EVE OF JUNE 24
ON THE EVE OF THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST,
UKRAINIAN VILLAGE GIRLS WEAVE WREATHS. THEY TAKE THEM
DOWN TO THE RIVER, CREEK OR ALEK CLOSEBY, PUT LIGHTED
CANDLES IN THEM AND PLACE THEM ON THE WATER. IF THE
WREATH SINKS WITH THE CANDLES LIGHTED, MISFORTUNE
WILL BEFALL HER.
THE BOYS FROM THE AREA GATHER ON THE OPPOSITE SHORE,
OR COME OUT IN BOATS TO GATHER THE WREATHS. THE
GIRL WHOSE WREATH HE PICKS UP WILL BE HIS FUTURE
WIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23 |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
AT TWELVE MIDNIGHT, IF YOU TAKE A BITE OUT
OF AN APPLE AND THEN LOOK IN A MIRROR, YOU WILL
SEE THE MAN YOU WILL MARRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
WHEN PEELING AN APPLE OR A POTATO, LET THE PARING FALL
IN ONE PIECE TO THE FLOOR. THE INITIAL IT SPELLS WILL
BE THAT OF THE MAN YOU MARRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse |
Date learned: 03-17-1970
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, IF YOU MELT LEAD AND AT 12 MIDNIGHT
YOU POUR THE LEAD, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO READ YOUR
FUTURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object Manufactured objects, homemade, machined |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
IF YOU REMEMBER WHAT YOU DREAMED OF ON NEW YEAR'S
EVE, IT WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
IF YOU DREAM OF COAL, YOU MAY EXPECT SICKNESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body Observation |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
IF YOU TURN A LOAF OF FRESHLY BAKED BREAD UPSIDE
DOWN ON A TABLE, SOMEONE WILL GET PREGNANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 01-00-1968