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 576 returned 212 results.
SILENCE IN THE GALLERY,
SILENCE IN THE PIT,
THE LADIES IN THE BOXES,
CANNOT HEAR A BIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
Custom/Belief
You should make a wish when you enter a church for the first time.
Submitter comment:
Informant revealed this custom when the new parish church was built several years ago.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CHURCH ; CUSTOM ; RELIGION ; WISH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
POLISH CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOMS
ON CHRISTMAS EVE THE POLISH HAVE A HUGE MAIN SUPPER. THIS SUPPER
USUALLY CONSISTS OF ELEVEN DIFFERENT FOODS NONE OF WHICH MAY BE
MEAT. ALOT OF VEGETABLES ARE EATEN AT THIS MEAL INCLUDING
CABBAGE, MUSHROOMS, BEET SOUP AND DUMPLINGS. ALSO AT THIS MEAL A
SQUARE WAFER, WHICH HAS BEEN BLESSED IS PASSED AROUND THE TABLE.
EACH PERSON WISHING THE PERSON TO HIS SIDE, WELL, WHILE TAKING
A PIECE OF IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 BELIEF -- Number P686.1.11 |
Date learned: 10-22-1971
SUPERSTITION AMONG JAZZ MUSICIANS.
"NIGHT TIME IS THE RIGHT TIME." JAZZ MUSICIANS HAVE A
SUPERSTITION IN WHICH THEY WILL ONLY PLAY AT NIGHT BECAUSE
THEY BELIEVE THAT IF YOU PLAY DURING THE DAY THE "GIG"
WILL BE A BUMMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS ; BAND CLASS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
POLISH BELIEF
THE POLISH HAVE A LARGE CANDLE CALLED GROMINCA. IT IS BLESSED ON
FEBRUARY SECOND AND IS USED TO BLESS AND PROTECT THE FAMILY DURING
STORMS. THIS CANDLE IS MADE OF PURE BEESWAX.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 2 Candlemas Groundhog Day |
Date learned: 11-22-1971
IF YOU'RE BOWLING AND YOU PUT TOGETHER A STRING OF STRIKES
IT'S BAD LUCK TO ADD THE SCORE OF THE BOWLER. YOU SHOULD
ONLY PUT THE X'S FOR THE STRIKES HE SCORES AND DON'T
ADD THE NUMBER SCORE UNTIL HE FINISHES HIS STRING.
IF YOU ADD THE SCORE BEFORE, HE WILL BREAK THE STRING
AND IT WILL BE YOUR FAULT.
Submitter comment: THIS IS AN OLD CUSTOM IN BOWLING.
Data entry tech comment: TOO BAD IF HE'S USING A MACHINE WITH AUTOMATIC SCORING!
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
STREET OF NO RETURN
THERE IS A STREET NEAR 26 MILE ROAD THAT HAS BEEN NAMED THE STREET
OF NO RETURN. IT IS OUT IN THE COUNTRY AND ALL AROUND IT THE
SCENERY IS BEAUTIFUL AND GREEN BUT WHEN YOU TURN DOWN THIS STREET
EVERYTHING IS DEAD, THERE IS NO WILDLIFE AROUND AND NO TREES ETC.
IF YOU GO DOWN THIS STREET FAR ENOUGH YOU WILL NEVER RETURN.
Submitter comment:
JEAN HEARD OF THIS STREET WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL; NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PEOPLE, BUT SHE DOES RECALL AN INSTANCE THAT
SOMEONE SHE KNEW IN SCHOOL WENT DOWN WITH A COUPLE OF GUYS AND NO
ONE EVER FOUND THEM AFTER THAT.
Where learned: HOME ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-07-1971
Superstition: Baseball
THERE HAS BEEN A PREVAILING BELIEF AMONG THE VARIOUS
BASEBALL BROADCASTERS THAT I HAVE HEARD OVER THE
YEARS, IN THE BAD LUCK OF MENTIONING THE FACT THAT A
PITCHER IS WORKING ON A NO HIT GAME. IF ONE MENTIONS
THE IMPENDING NO-HITTER, THE SUPERSTITION GOES, THE
NO-HITTER WILL NOT CONTINUE FOR THE PITCHER WILL HAVE
BEEN JINXED BY THE MENTIONING OF HIS NEARLY COMPLETE
ACHIEVEMENT.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
Date learned: 11-23-1970
ENGLISH FOLK SONG
PAT MAY BE FOOLISH,
AND VERY OFTEN WRONG;
PAT HAS GOT A TEMPER,
THAT DON,T LAST VERY LONG.
PAT IS FOND OF JOLITY
THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS.
THERE NEVER WAS A COWARD
WHERE THE SHAMROCK GROWS.
Submitter comment:
IT'S ABOUT THE IRISH-NOT NECESSARILY ADMIRATION.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Keyword(s): IRELAND ; Irish ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 02-07-1971
CUSTOM
DEVIL'S NIGHT: THE NAME OF THE NIGHT BEFORE HALLOWEEN ON WHICH
CHILDREN CREATE HAVOC IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 |
IF IT RAINED WHEN A PERSON DIED, IT MEANT THAT THE ANGELS
WERE CRYING FOR HIM AND HE WENT TO HEAVEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT WHEN HE WAS TEN YEARS OLD BY
HIS PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Date learned: 10-03-1971
KRAKOWIAK (POLISH DANCE)
LIKE THE AMERICAN SQUARE DANCE.
Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; NOT GIVEN ; HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; LETTER ; OHIO ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; AUTOGRAPH BOOK ; GROSSE POINTE ; HARPER WOODS ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; WARREN ; JAPAN ; RUSSIA ; GRAND RAPIDS ; SHIPLE HALL ; GARDEN CITY ; ROYAL OAK ; TOLEDO ; TRENTON ; FARMINGTON ; KALAMAZOO ; CANADA ; ONTARIO ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT ; MAIL ; INDIANA ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; TOLD AT HOME ; FERNDALE ; SOUTHFIELD ; TENNESSEE ; MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL ; HAMTRAMCK ; DEARBORN ; MINNESOTA ; ILLINOIS ; NEW YORK ; FLORIDA ; KOREA ; WISCONSIN ; NEW HAMPSHIRE ; STUDENT UNION ; READING ; AUSTRALIA ; Sylvania ; Sterling Heights ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; OAK PARK ; SOUTHGATE ; STURGEON LAKE ; REDFORD ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA ; ROSEVILLE ; LINCOLN PARK ; TRAVERSE CITY ; HUNTINGTON WOODS ; PONTIAC ; TROY ; PORT CHESTER ; SOUTH AMERICA ; BROOKVILLE ; MONTREAL ; SEOUL ; NORTH OLMSTED ; EASTOWN THEATER ; ERIE ; University of Notre Dame ; FRANKLINVILLE ; TORONTO ; TOLD AT ; TOLD BY ; TOLD IN ; SCRANTON ; MONROE ; GLENVIEW ; MOSCOW ; GULLEY ; FINLAND ; HARBOR BEACH ; HOUGHTON LAKE ; Hudson Lake ; INDIANAPOLIS ; JONESBORO ; KANSASVILLE ; LEXINGTON ; MASSILLON ; MAUCH CHUNK ; MELVINDALE ; MILFORD ; NEW ROCHELLE ; NIAGARA FALLS ; PANAMA CITY ; PATAGONIA ; ARGENTINA ; RESIDENCE HALL ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; TOLD AT HONORS HOUSE ; AMERICAN HISTORY CLASS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance |
Superstition: Baseball
IF YOU'RE PLAYING BASEBALL AND YOUR PITCHER IS PITCHING
A NO-HITTER, IT'S BAD LUCK TO TALK ABOUT IT AND SAY
ANYTHING ABOUT IT TO HIM. JUST PRETEND LIKE YOU
KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN OLD CUSTOM IN BASEBALL THAT I LEARNED FROM
PLAYING IT VERY EARLY IN LIFE.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS ; ASSUMED
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NAME VERSE
TABLES ARE ROUND
CHAIRS ARE SQUARE
YOU AND _____
MAKE A GOOD PAIR.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS WRITTEN IN THE AUTOGRAPH BOOK OF COLETTE BY A
SCHOOLMATE.
Data entry tech comment: ANY NAME CAL BE FILLED IN THE BLANK SPACE
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): LOVE ; OBSERVATION ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
Date learned: 10-08-1967
A FISHERMAN'S PRAYER
EVERY YEAR ON CHRISTMAS DAY, THE OLD SAILORS TAKE THE NEW
SAILORS AND TEACH THEM THE PRAYER THAT WILL CUT THE
HURRICANE OR TORNADO IN TWO.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER RECALLED HEARING THIS STORY IN SICILY
WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Prayer |
I NEVER SAW A PURPLE COW,
I NEVER HOPE TO SEE ONE,
BUT I WILL TELL YOU ANYHOW,
I'D RATHER SEE THAN BE ONE!
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 06-00-1961
(NAME) IN THE TUB,
(NAME)'S MOTHER FORGOT THE PLUG,
OH MY GOSH! OH MY SOUL!
THERE GOES (NAME) DOWN THE HOLE.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
I LIVE NEAR AN OCEAN
DROP IN SOME TIME.
GLUG! GLUG! GLUG?
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 10-08-1967
WAY DOWN SOUTH WHERE THE ORANGES GROW
YOU STEPPED ON AN ELEPHANT'S TOE.
THE ELEPHANT SAID, WITH A TEAR IN HIS EYE,
PICK ON SOMEONE YOUR OWN SIZE.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 10-08-1967
I SEE YOU IN THE OCEAN,
I SEE YOU IN THE SEA,
I SEE YOU IN THE BATHTUB,
OOPS PARDON ME.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 10-08-1967