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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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SHOES

WHEN SHOES HURT YOUR FEET OR SQUEAK,
THEY HAVE NOT BEEN PAID FOR.

Submitter comment: MRS. STOKES, THE INFORMER, LEARNED THIS BELIEF
AS A CHILD IN GARY, INDIANA, FROM HER MOTHER,
MRS. MALLINSON, NOW DECEASED, WAS BORN IN A SMALL TOWN
NEAR EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER,
A MRS. SCOTT ABOUT 1889.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 12-25-1963

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THE SWORD OF FRIENDSHIP

NEVER GIVE ANYONE ANY MONEY WITHOUT GIVING THEM SOMETHING
SHARP TOO, SO YOUR FRIENDSHIP WOULD NEVER BE CUT.

Submitter comment: MR. MALLINSON LEARNED THIS BELIEF IN HIS NATIVE SCOTLAND AS
A CHILD. (CIRCA 1900) MISS STOKES IS HIS GRAND-DAUGHTER.
SHE IS NOT AN ACTIVE TRADITOR OF THIS ITEM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 12-27-1963

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DEE A DEE UM DUM

I'VE GOT A GIRL AND SHE IS A DAISY.
SHE DRIVES THE GUYS IN THIS WORLD PLUM CRAZY.
WITH HER STICKS AND HER STONES,
SHE MAY BREAK ALL MY BONES,
YOU CAN SAY ALL YOU WANT ABOUT MY LITTLE GIRL,
'CAUSE I'M GONNA LOVE HER ANYWAY.
WITH HER...

CHORUS:
DEE A DEE UM DUM, DEE A DEE UM DUM.

I TOOK MY GIRL INTO THE BIG CITY.
I BOUGHT HER RINGS AND THINGS TO MAKE HER PRETTY.
WITH HER FIGHTIN' AND FLIRTIN'
SHE DON'T CARE WHO SHE'S HURTIN'
YOU CAN SAY WHAT YOU WANT ABOUT MY LITTLE GIRL,
CAUSE I'M GONNA LOVE HER ANYWAY.
WITH HER...
REPEAT CHORUS.

Submitter comment: TO SING THIS SONG THE GROUP CAN BE DIVIDED WITH ONE PART SINGING
THE MELODY AND THE OTHER SINGING "DEE A DEE UM DUM" THROUGH THE SONG.
IT SOUNDS EVEN BETTER IF THE HARMONY IS DIVIDED INTO LOW AND
HIGH PARTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Love

Date learned: 12-00-1970

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Entry filtered.

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

Q: WHAT DID CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS SAY WHEN HE SAW A NEGRO FOR THE
FIRST TIME.
A: GOD BLESS MY HEART, GOD BLESS MY SOUL. I SAW A WALKING
TOOTSIE ROLL.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (A) ; ACTIONS (Q) ; EATABLES (A) ; PERSONS (Q)

James Callow Keyword(s): CANDY ; RACISM

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle C890.400
RIDDLE -- Riddle Question
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 08-00-1964

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HUNCHBACK

RUB A HUNCHBACK'S BACK FOR GOOD LUCK.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HAD KNOWN THIS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Legend

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CUSTOM

WHEN A BABY CUTS HIS FIRST TOOTH, THE MOTHER BAKES A WHEAT CAKE
WITH CANDY ON THE TOP AND ALL THE VISITORS HAVE A PIECE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Custom

Date learned: 10-03-1967

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BELIEF

IF YOU SPILL SALT ACCIDENTALLY, QUICKLY THROW SOME OVER YOUR LEFT
SHOULDER AND MAKE A WISH. BY RIGHTS, IT SHOULD COME TRUE.

Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS BELIEF FROM MY IRISH MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER WHO TOLD
IT TO ME FIFTEEN YEARS AGO WHEN I ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED SALT IN
HER KITCHEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Prayer

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BELIEF

IF YOU FORGET TO WASH THE TEAPOT OR COFFEEPOT AFTER YOU HAVE
COMPANY, IT MEANS THOSE GUESTS WILL RETURN AGAIN.

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS BELIEF FROM MY MOTHER WHO MENTIONED IT ABOUT
FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN WE FORGOT TO WASH A TEAPOT. SHE LEARNED IT
FROM HER GRANDMOTHER WHO WAS IRISH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Home
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Measure of time Working

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SUPERSTITION--BAD LUCK

IT IS UNLUCKY TO LIGHT THREE CIGARETTES FROM A SINGLE MATCH.

Submitter comment: FROM FRIENDS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Bad luck

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FOOD SUPERSTITION

EATING CARROTS WILL HELP YOU SEE BETTER AT NIGHT.

Submitter comment: FROM MY MOTHER'S MOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
BELIEF -- Plant

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TALE

A MAN HAD JUST PURCHASED A NEW CAR. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR TWO
WEEKS, HE DISCOVERED AN AWFUL RATTLE IN THE DOOR. TAKING IT TO
A GARAGE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, HE DISCOVERED AN EMPTY
COKE BOTTLE WAS LODGED IN THE DOOR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; COKE=COCA COLA: BRAND NAME FOR SOFT DRINK.

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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GRAVE ROBBERS

GRAVE ROBBERS, AFTER HEARING OF A WOMAN RECENTLY BURIED WITH
AN EXPENSIVE RING ON HER FINGER, BREAK INTO THE GRAVE. HOWEVER,
THEY CAN'T GET THE RING OFF, SO THEY BEGIN TO CUT HER FINGER OFF.
UPON THE FLOW OF BLOOD, SHE REGAINS CONSCIOUSNESS.

Submitter comment: HE LEARNED THIS FROM HIS MOTHER AND ALSO MUCH LATER FROM A FRIEND
WHO IS OF POLISH DESCENT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Metal Stone Bone Precious stone Gem
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

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INDIAN LEGEND

LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE COMMANDER OF FORT MACKINAC IN THE LATE
18TH CENTURY FELL IN LOVE WITH AN INDIAN GIRL, AND SHE WITH HIM.
HE WAS THROWN TO HIS DEATH FROM A BLUFF, NOW NAMED ROBINSON'S
FOLLY, BY A JEALOUS INDIAN BRAVE.

Submitter comment: HE DID DIE THIS WAY, BUT SOME SAY THAT INTOXICATION, NOT INFATUA-
TION, WAS THE REAL CAUSE OF HIS DOWNFALL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

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INDIAN LEGEND

ACCORDING TO INDIAN MYTHS, SUGAR LOAF ROCK ON MACKINAC ISLAND IS
SO NAMED BECAUSE IT WAS ONCE AN IMMENSE BEE HIVE, EVERY CRACK OF
WHICH WAS FULL OF HONEY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name

Date learned: 01-30-1968

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THE OLD HOUSE LEGEND

ANOTHER LOCAL LEGEND WITH MUCH EVIDENCE TO PROVE ITS AUTHENTICITY
IS AN OLD HOME JUST EAST OF THE CAMPUS. THOUGH IT NO LONGER
STANDS, IT WAS SHROUDED IN MANY TREES, OFF THE ROAD--AND WAS AN
IMPORTANT STOP IN THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD DURING THE DAYS PRIOR
TO THE CIVIL WAR. HERE, NEGRO SLAVES WHO HAD FLED THE SOUTH WERE
RECEIVED AND FED, AND SENT ON THEIR WAY TO CASSOPOLIS, MICHIGAN.
THIS EXPLAINS THE LARGE NUMBER OF NEGRO FARMERS IN THAT AREA OF
MICHIGAN, NEGROES WHO HAVE OWNED LAND FOR MANY YEARS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 01-22-1968

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GHOSTLY LIGHT

IN BOSTON, IT IS SAID THAT THERE ARE NIGHTS WHEN THE LIGHT CAN BE
SEEN FROM THE NORTH CHURCH--THE CHURCH FROM WHICH CAME THE SIGNAL
BY LIGHT THAT THE BRITISH WERE COMING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): PAUL REVERE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Sign Color

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INDIAN PROPHECY

INDIANS ON MACKINAC ISLAND BELIEVE THAT THE LARGE CRACK ON THE
SURFACE OF THE ISLAND FORESHADOWS AN INDIAN PROPHECY THAT THE
ISLAND WILL CRACK IN TWO AND SINK ENTIRELY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation

Date learned: 01-30-1968

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HOW SOONERS GOT THEIR NAME

THE NAME SOONERS WAS GIVEN TO OKAHOMANS WHEN THE CIMMARON STRIP
WAS OPENED. IT WAS THE LAST AREA OF FREE LAND GIVEN BY THE
GOVERNMENT, SO MANY PEOPLE JOINED THE RUSH FOR LAND. THE FIRST
ONES THERE GOT THE LAND BECAUSE THEY GOT THERE SOONER AND HAVE
BEEN CALLED SOONERS EVER SINCE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name

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HOW MUSKEGON GOT ITS NAME

WHITE MEN COMING TO THE LAKE MICHIGAN AREA BROUGHT GUNS TO TRADE
WITH THE INDIANS. ONE INDIAN WHO WAS VERY PROUD OF HIS NEW GUN
WAS OUT IN HIS CANOE WHEN A STRONG CURRENT OVERTURNED THE BOAT.
WHEN THE INDIAN REACHED SHORE HE POINTED TO THE WATER AND SAID
SADLY, "MUSKIE GONE."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Water craft or boat propelled by human, wind, mechanical or other force

Date learned: 10-00-1970

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FARMING LIE

IN CASEVILLE, MICHIGAN THEY PLANT POTATOES ON THE SIDES OF HILLS
SO THAT WHEN IT RAINS THE SOIL JUST ERODES AROUND THE POTATOES AND
THEY ROLL DOWN THE HILL. THE POTATOES ARE SO BIG AND THERE ARE SO
MANY OF THEM THAT THEY COULD NEVER HARVEST AND CLEAN THEM ANY
OTHER WAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale
BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming

Date learned: 11-22-1970

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