Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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KICKBALL
THIS IS A BALL GAME PLAYED WITH A LARGE CIRCULAR,
HOLLOW BALL ON A BASEBALL-LIKE FIELD. THE RULES ARE
THE SAME AS BASEBALL, EXCEPT THAT THE PITCHER
ROLLS THE BALL ACROSS THE PLATE AND THAT YOU HIT
THE GUY WITH THE BALL TO GET HIM OUT.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
HOME RUN DERBY
THIS IS A BASEBALL GAME. THE OBJECT WAS TO HIT A
PITCHED BALL OVER A FENCE. EACH TIME YOU DID,
YOU GOT ONE POINT. IF YOU DIDN'T, YOU GOT AN OUT.
THREE OUTS AND YOU FIELDED TILL YOUR TURN CAME UP
AGAIN. THE GAME LASTS FOR NINE INNINGS. THE
WINNER IS THE MAN WITH THE MOST RUNS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
A GROUP OF PEOPLE FORM A CIRCLE AND PASS A BALL
AROUND WHILE SAYING THE VERSE:
THE WONDER BALL GOES ROUND AND ROUND
TO PASS IT QUICKLY YOU ARE BOUND
FOR IF YOU ARE THE ONE TO HOLD IT LAST
WELL, THEN THE GAME IS OVER AND YOU ARE OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 10-20-1970
SKATEBOARDING
THE PERSON SKATEBOARDING STANDS ON A BOARD ABOUT A
FOOT AND A HALF LONG, WITH A PAIR OF WHEELS AT EITHER
END. HE THEN PUTS ONE SHOE ON THE BOARD AND
PUSHES HIMSELF WITH THE OTHER FOOT. ONE ATTAINING
A SPEED BETWEEN TROTTING AND RUNNING, HE PUTS HIS
OTHER FOOT ON THE BOARD AND COASTS. THE LEFT FOOT
IS PERPENDICULAR TO THE BOARD AND THE RIGHT IS
SQUARELY ON THE BOARD. TURNS CAN BE MADE BY SHIFTING
ONE'S WEIGHT FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON THE BOARD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
HULA HOOP
THIS GAME IS PLAYED WITH A COLORED, PLASTIC HOOP
ABOUT 30 INCHES IN DIAMETER. IT IS PLACED AROUND THE
WAIST AND GIVEN A SPIN. THE HULA HOOP IS KEPT
SPINNING BY MOVING THE HIPS BACK AND FORTH
ACCORDING TO THE SPEED IT IS TURNING. IT CAN ALSO
BE SPUN FROM THE WAIST TO THE NECK, ARMS, LEGS, OR
KNEES.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS SISTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
BICYCLE GAME
THE INFORMANT'S FRIENDS WOULD GET ON THEIR BIKES AND RIDE
AROUND LOOKING FOR A LONE CYCLIST. WHEN THEY FOUND HIM,
THEY WOULD FOLLOW HIM IN A PACK AND WORRY HIM. AFTER
A WHILE THEY WOULD BREAK OFF AND LEAVE HIM ALONE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
BICYCLE CHICKEN
TO PLAY THIS GAME, THE TWO PLAYERS WOULD GET ON BICYCLES
AND RIDE TOWARDS EACH OTHER FROM OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS.
THE FIRST ONE TO VEER AWAY FROM THE OTHER LOST AND
WAS CALLED "CHICKEN." IF NEITHER VEERED AND THEY
COLLIDED, NO ONE LOST.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
MAKING FORTS OUT OF REFRIGERATOR BOXES
WHEN HE WAS LITTLE, HE USED TO GET TOGETHER WITH THE
NEIGHBOHOOD KIDS AND SWIPE LARGE CARDBORARD BOXES *510630/BORBO
LIKE THE KINDS REFRIGERATORS COME IN AND MAKE FORTS
OUT OF THEM BY CUTTING SLITS TO SEE AND ENTER BY.
THEY WOULD MAKE THEM IN THE ALLEY SO THE GARBAGE MEN
WOULD PICK THEM UP FOR THEM.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS NEIGHBORHOOD BUDDIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
THE INFORMANT USED TO COLLECT BASEBALL CARDS WHICH HE
GOT BY BUYING GUM OR TRADING WITH FRIENDS. THE CARDS
HAVE THE NAME, PICTURE AND STATISTICS OF THE PLAYER
ON THEM. THE IDEA WAS TO TRY TO COLLECT A WHOLE
SET OF THE HOME TEAM.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COLLECTING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
THE FADE
IN THIS GAME, THE DRIVER OF THE CAR PULLS NEXT TO
SOMEONE ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, PACING HIM AND THEN
PULLING AHEAD. AS HE DOES SO, HE GOES THROUGH THE
MOTIONS OF TURNING TOWARDS THE CAR NEXT TO HIM, AS IF
HE DOESN'T SEE HIM BY PASSING HIS HANDS OVER THE TOP
OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND LEANING SLIGHTLY TOWARDS
THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER CAR. THE CAR CONTINUES AHEAD
IN A STRAIGHT LINE, BUT GIVES THE FALSE CONCEPTION OF
TURNING. THE USUAL RESULT IS THE UNWARY DRIVER STOPPING
QUICKLY OR SWERVING IN ORDER TO
AVOID A NON-EXISTENT COLLECSION.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM A FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001967 SUMMER
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