Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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CAMP SONG WE WELCOME YOU TO CAMP WATHANA
WE WELCOME YOU TO CAMP WATHANA, WE'RE MIGHTY GLAD YOU'RE HERE,
WE'LL SEND THE AIR REVERBERATING, WITH A MIGHTY CHEER, RAH RAH,
WE'LL SING YOU IN, SING YOU OUT, TO YOU WE'LL RAISE A MIGHTY SHOUT,
HAIL, HAIL THE GANG'S ALL HERE AND WE WELCOME YOU TO CAMP WATHANA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Daily Life Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
TALL TALE
ONE TIME A FRIEND ASKED MY FATHER IF HE COULD SEND SOMEONE
TO MILK HIS COWS THAT NIGHT BECAUSE HE WOULD BE GONE. MY FATHER
SAID HE WOULD SEND ME. THE FRIEND SAID TO TAKE AS MUCH MILK AS
WE NEEDED IN PAYMENT. THAT EVENING I MILKED HIS COWS AND TOOK A
GALLON BUCKET OF MILK BACK WITH ME. I WAS WALKING HOME WITH MY
LITTLE BROTHER WITH ME BY THE HAND. IT WAS DARK ALREADY. I HEARD A HOWL
FROM A WOLF. I LOOKED AROUND AND SAW A BIG GRAY WOLF TROT-
TING BEHIND US. I STARTED TO WALK A LITTLE FASTER DRAGGING MY
LITTLE BROTHER WITH ME SINCE HE COULDN'T KEEP UP. I LOOKED AGAIN
AND THE WOLF WAS GETTING CLOSER. WHEN I SAW THAT, I STARTED OUT
LIKE LIGHTNING. I WAS RUNNING SO FAST THAT MY LITTLE BROTHER WAS
DANGLING BEHIND ME, HOLDING ON TO MY HAND. HIS FEET DIDN'T TOUCH
THE GROUND MORE THAN TWICE ALL THE REST OF THE WAY HOME, THAT'S
HOW FAST I WAS RUNNING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
EARACHE
AN EARACHE, A PAINFUL EXPERIENCE, CAN BE TERMINATED BY SIMPLY BLOWING
SMOKE INTO THE ACHING EAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
THERE IS A MYSTERIOUS LIGHT THAT EXISTS ON A LONELY DIRT ROAD OFF
OF I_94 EXPRESSWAY ON THE WAY TO ANN ARBOR. THIS LIGHT IS MYSTERIOUS
IN THE SENSE THAT IT IS INVISIBLE UNTIL ONE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD
COMES TO THE STOP WERE THE LIGHT IS. THEN THE LIGHT APPEARS AND
SURROUNDS THE ENTIRE CAR. A FRIEND OF MINE (WHOSE NAME I CAN NOT
REMEMBER) WENT TO SEE THIS LIGHT AND FOUND IT.
THE ONLY TROUBLE IS THAT WHEN THE LIGHT APPEARED IT WAS TOO LATE TO
AVOID IT AND IT ENGULFED THE CAR AND SUPPOSEDLY SINGED THE PAINT
OF THE CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-31-1968
THE BELLE ISLE GHOST
IF YOU ARE EVER IN THE MOOD TO FIND A GHOST YOU CAN TRY OUT THE
LEGEND OF THE BELLE ISLE GHOST. JUST GO TO BELLE ISLE AT NIGHT AND
TAKE THE ROAD THAT RUNS THROUGH THE GROVE OF TREES ON BELLE ISLE.
FOLLOW THE ROAD UNTIL YOU COME TO A PART IN THE ROAD WITH WOODEN
POSTS ON BOTH SIDES. STOP THERE AND TURN YOUR CAR LIGHTS OFF FOR A
FEW SECONDS AND THEN TURN THEM ON AGAIN. A SLIM WOMAN IN A FLOWING
WHITE GOWN WILL APPEAR. YOU'LL WONDER WHAT IS SO SCAREY ABOUT HER
FOR SHE LOOKS PRETTY GOOD UNTIL SHE GETS UP TO YOUR WINDOW AND YOU
GET A GOOD LOOK AT HER FACE WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE MOST
FRIGHTENING FACE TO LOOK UPON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
YEARLY GROWTH
WHILE ATTENDING A COUSIN'S BIRTHDAY PARTY, MY UNCLE JACK PLACED MY
COUSIN AGAINST THE DOOR JAM IN THE KITCHEN, TOOK OUT HIS KNIFE AND
NOTCHED MY COUSIN,S HEIGHT. LOOKING CLOSELY, I NOTICED THAT THE
HEIGHTS OF ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS (6) WERE NOTCHED ON THE MOULDING
PIECE. ALSO, THEY WERE MARKED WITH THE APPROPRIATE BIRTHDATE. THUS
A RECORD OF GROWTH AND FINAL HEIGHT COULD BE MEASURED AND SAVED. I
HAVE ALSO NOTICED THIS CUSTOM IN OTHER HOMES SINCE THEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
Keyword(s): DOOR JAMB HEIGHT BIRTHDAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
WHEN YOU LIGHT YOUR CIGARETTE AND IT BURNS ONLY ON ONE SIDE
OF THE CIGARETTE, EVEN THOUGH YOU TAKE A COUPLE OF PUFFS,
IT MEANS THAT SOMEONE LOVES YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
THEY SAY THAT IF A PERSON WALKS VERY QUICKLY AND THEIR
ARMS ARE SWINGING THROUGH A LARGE ANGLE, THAT PERSON
IS GOING TO COLLECT HIS PAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
POPCORN
ONE TIME WE PLANTED POPCORN TO SEE IF WE COULD GET POPCORN ON THE
COB. THE CORN GREW INTO REGULAR CORN, BUT IT GOT SO HOT ONE DAY
THAT THE CORN POPPED RIGHT ON THE COB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
HAUNTED HOUSE
IN MORRILTOWN BOTTOMS, ARKANSAS, THERE WAS A HAUNTED HOUSE IN
WHICH ONE ROOM WAS HAUNTED. A FAMILY HAD MOVED IN IN THE
BEGINNING OF SUMMER. TWO OF THE CHILDREN WOULD SLEEP IN THE
FRONT ROOM OF THE HOUSE AND EVERY NIGHT THE GHOST OF THIS ROOM
WOULD PULL THE BLANKET OFF THE TWO KIDS. THE FAMILY COULD ONLY
TAKE IT FOR ONE SUMMER BEFORE THEY MOVED OUT, (AND THE HOUSE WAS)
NEVER TO BE LIVED IN AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
HAUNTED HOUSE
THERE WAS A HAUNTED HOUSE AT GRATIOT AND HARPER IN DETROIT IN THE
1930'S. A FAMILY LIVED IN IT BUT WERE SCARED OUT BY THE GHOST.
THE GHOST WOULD TAKE TOBACCO OUT OF THE POCKET OF THE FATHER OF
THE FAMILY. AFTER THE FAMILY MOVED OUT NO ONE WOULD MOVE INTO
THE HOUSE. AFTER THE HOUSE STOOD VACANT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS,
THE CITY WIDENED HARPER AND TORE THE HOUSE DOWN EXCEPT FOR ONE
CORNER OF THE HOUSE WHICH THEY LEFT FOR THE GHOST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
WITCHED
ACCORDING TO MY FATHER, THERE WAS A FAMILY THAT LIVED ON A FARM
NOT FAR FROM THE FARM MY FATHER LIVED ON IN CENTER RIDGE, ARKANSAS
IN WHICH A SON WAS BORN THAT WAS VERY THIN. AS THE MONTHS WORE
ON, THE CHILD DID NOT GET ANY FATTER. THEY SAY THAT HIS ARMS WERE
NO LARGER THAN A MAN'S THUMB. A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE CHILD WAS
BORN, HE DIED. THE FOLKS SAY THAT THE BOY HAD BEEN HEXED BY A
WITCH OR, IN OTHER WORDS, THE BOY WAS WITCHED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
THE HOOK
A TEENAGE COUPLE WAS OUT ON A DATE. THE BOY PULLED ONTO AN OLD
DIRT ROAD AND STOPPED SO THAT THEY COULD DO SOME NECKING. AS THE
BOY AND GIRL PROCEEDED, THEY HEARD A NEWS BULLETIN ON THE RADIO
WHICH SAID THAT A DANGEROUS CONVICT HAD ESCAPED FROM PRISON AND
WAS IN THE VICINITY THE COUPLE WERE PARKED. IT ALSO SAID THAT THE
CONVICT HAD A STEEL HOOK FOR ONE HAND. THE GIRL WANTED TO LEAVE
BUT THE BOY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE AGRAID OF. SO THEY
STAYED UNTIL THEY HEARD THE NEWS BULLETIN AGAIN. THE GIRL
INSISTED THAT THE BOY TAKE HER HOME. THE BOY AGREED AND DROVE
OFF. THE BOY PULLED IN FRONT OF THE GIRL'S HOME AND WENT AROUND
TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR HIS DATE. AS
HE REACHED FOR THE DOOR HANDLE HE SUDDENLY JUMPED BACK STARTLED,
FOR ON THE DOOR HANDLE DANGLED AN IRON HOOK LIKE THAT DESCRIBED
AS THE HAND OF THE CONVICT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
POLISH CUSTOM
WHEN THE BRIDE AND GROOM COME INTO THE HALL SOMEONE MEETS THEM
AT THE DOOR WITH A PIECE OF DRY BREAD AND SALT, AND THEY EAT IT.
IT IS A CUSTOM SO THEY WILL NEVER GO HUNGRY AND THAT THEY WILL
ALWAYS BE ABLE TO FACE HARDSHIPS TOGETHER.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER IN-LAWS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 03-20-1967
CUSTOM
AFTER MIDNIGHT MASS AT CHRISTMAS ANYONE WHO COMES INTO THE HOUSE
IS OFFERED UNLEAVENED BREAD AND WINE TO WISH THEM A BLESSED
CHRISTMAS.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER-IN-LAW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
Date learned: 03-20-1967
POLISH CUSTOM
THE POLISH BRING A BASKET TO CHURCH ON HOLY SATURDAY TO BE
BLESSED. THE BASKET CONTAINS A PORTION OF EVERYTHING TO BE
EATEN AT THE MEAL.
Submitter comment: CUSTOM LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER-IN-LAW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday |
Date learned: 03-20-1967
CAMP SONG WHITE SAND AND GRAY SAND
WHITE SAND AND GRAY SAND,
WHO'LL BUY MY GRAY SAND?
WHO'LL BUY MY WHITE SAND?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Daily Life Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Cries of street vendor Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
CAMP SONG WHERE OH WHERE
WHERE OH WHERE ARE YOU TONIGHT,
WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME HERE ALL ALONE,
I SEARCHED THE WORLD OVER AND THOUGHT I FOUND TRUE LOVE,
YOU FOUND ANOTHER AND ----- YOU WERE GONE.
Submitter comment:
AT THE DASH IN THE LAST LINE, THE SINGER STICKS OUT HER TONGUE AND
MAKES A RASBERRY NOISE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
Date learned: 04-00-1979
CAMP SONG WHERE DOES THE WIND COME FROM?
WHERE DOES THE WIND COME FROM, DOES ANYBODY KNOW?
WHERE DOES THE WIND COME FROM, BEFORE IT STARTS TO BLOW?
ON SATURDAY NIGHT, WHERE DOES HE HANG HIS HAT,
DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHERE THE WIND IS AT?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
James Callow Keyword(s): RHETORICAL QUESTIONS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Daily Life Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
CAMP SONG WE'RE OUT AT WATHANA
WE'RE OUT AT WATHANA, THE CAMP OF OUR DREAMS,
WHERE THE WATER JUST RIPPLES AND SPARKLES AND GLEAMS.
SO COME OUT AND JOIN US FOR WE ARE NEVER BLUE, BE A MEMBER
OF OUR HAPPY LAUGHING CREW, YOU TOO.
AT NIGHT ROUND THE CAMPFIRE WE LAUGH AND WE SING,
GIVE A CHEER FOR WATHANA THAT WILL MAKE THE ECHOES RING,
WE'LL CHEER FOR US CAMPERS, OUR COUNSELORS GOOD SPORTS TOO,
WE'LL CHEER FOR YOU AND YOU AND YOU AND YOU, YOU TOO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Daily Life Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion |
Date learned: 04-00-1979