Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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NOISES IN THE NIGHT
ONE NIGHT A MAN WAS WALKING AND HE HEARD A NOISE,
SOUNDING LIKE AN ANIMAL OR A BIRD. THE MAN ANSWERED
THE NOISE BY IMITATING THE SOUND. BUT THEN THE SOUND
BEGAN TO FOLLOW THE MAN AND HE BECAME TERRIFIED. HE
PICKED UP A WOODEN CROSS (SEE ACCOMPANYING STORY AS TO
WHY THE CROSS WAS AROUND) AND PUT THE CROSS OVER HIS
SHOULDER AS A PROTECTION FROM THE SOUND. HE MADE HIS
WAY HOME SAFELY BUT STILL AFRAID.
Submitter comment:
WHAT THIS STORY IS SUPPOSED TO POINT OUT, IS THAT ONE
IS NOT SUPPOSED TO ANSWER BACK ANY NOISE OR SOUND IN
THE NIGHT BECAUSE THESE NOISES BELONG TO POOR SOULS
IN THE NIGHT.
TABU: SOUNDS IN THE NIGHT MUST NOT BE ANSWERED OR IMITATED BECAUSE
THEY COME FROM THE DEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
SNAKE LEGEND
IN ONE VILLAGE IN ITALY, THERE WAS THIS LARGE POOL OF
WATER FROM WHICH THE VILLAGERS USED TO DRAW THEIR
WATER. HOWEVER, A SNAKE BEGAN COMING DOWN FROM THE
MOUNTAINS EVERY DAY BETWEEN 11 AND 12 TO USE THIS
POOL TO DRINK. IN FACT, THE SNAKE USED THIS POOL SO
REGULARILY THAT THERE WAS A BEATEN DOWN PATH FROM THE
MOUNTAIN TO THE POOL MADE BY THE SNAKE. THE SNAKE'S
BODY LOOKED LIKE THAT OF A SMALL CHILD, WHILE ITS HEAD
WAS A STANDARD-LOOKING SNAKE HEAD. THE PEOPLE WERE
IMMENSELY AFRAID OF THIS SNAKE. THERE WAS ONE MAN
WHO SAID HE WOULD KILL THE SNAKE. HE GOT A GUN AND SOME
ROPE, AND CLIMBED UP IN A CHESTNUT TREE NEAR THE SNAKE
PATH. HE TIED HIMSELF AROUND THE TREE AND WAITED.
WHEN THE SNAKE CAME BETWEEN 11 AND 12 O'CLOCK THE MAN SHOT
THE SNAKE, BUT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY KILL IT. INDEED,
THE SNAKE BEGAN JUMPING UP AT THE MAN IN THE TREE.
HE WAS TERRIFIED BUT FINALLY THE SNAKE DIED. THE MAN
WAS SO SCARED THAT HIS HAIR FELL OUT AND HE WAS
BEGINNING TO DIE. HE WENT TO THE PRIEST FOR ABSOLUTION
BUT THE PRIEST REFUSED TO ABSOLVE THE MAN, BUT INSTEAD
ADMONISHED HIM FOR KILLING THE SNAKE BECAUSE HE SAID
THE SNAKE WAS ACTUALLY THE SOUL OF A DEAD PERSON WHO
CAME BACK AS A SNAKE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT ALONE.
Submitter comment:
TABU AGAINST KILLING SNAKE WITH THE BODY OF A CHILD. PRIEST REFUSES
ABSOLUTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
NOISES IN THE NIGHT
ONE NIGHT A MAN WAS WALKING AND HE HEARD A NOISE,
SOUNDING LIKE AN ANIMAL OR A BIRD. THE MAN ANSWERED
THE NOISE BY IMITATING THE SOUND. BUT THEN THE SOUND
BEGAN TO FOLLOW THE MAN AND HE BECAME TERRIFIED. HE
PICKED UP A WOODEN CROSS (SEE ACCOMPANYING STORY AS TO
WHY THE CROSS WAS AROUND) AND PUT THE CROSS OVER HIS
SHOULDER AS A PROTECTION FROM THE SOUND. HE MADE HIS
WAY HOME SAFELY BUT STILL AFRAID.
Submitter comment:
WHAT THIS STORY IS SUPPOSED TO POINT OUT, IS THAT ONE
IS NOT SUPPOSED TO ANSWER BACK ANY NOISE OR SOUND IN
THE NIGHT BECAUSE THESE NOISES BELONG TO POOR SOULS
IN THE NIGHT.
TABU: SOUNDS IN THE NIGHT MUST NOT BE ANSWERED OR IMITATED BECAUSE
THEY COME FROM THE DEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
"NICE PLAY SHAKESPEARE; WHEN'S YOUR NEXT ACT?"
Submitter comment:
THIS PHRASE IS USED WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING COMPLETELY OUT
OF PLACE OR HAS A MINOR ACCIDENT; LIKE SPILLING MILK, ETC.
MY BROTHER USED THIS LINE ALOT, WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND VERY
CLUMSY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
Keyword(s): COMEBACK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-12-1971
EXTRA-CORPORAL MEANS OF COMMUNICATION
"DON'T GIVE ME THE HAIRY EYE BALL."
THIS PHRASE IS USED WHEN A GUY CATCHES A GIRL FLIRTING WITH
HIM AND HE DOESN'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE SITUATION.
THIS HAPPENNED TO ME WHEN MY BROTHER'S FRIEND WAS VISITING
OUR HOUSE ONE DAY WHEN I WAS ABOUT 12 YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-12-1971
DREAM CHASER
IF DURINIG THE NGHT YOU HAVE A DREAM YOU DO NOT LIKE OR
A NIGHTMARE, THEN IF YOU PUT YOUR HANDS ON YOUR FOREHEAD
THIS WILL MAKE YOU FORGET THE DREAMS OR MAKE THEM GO
AWAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT ACTUALLY DOES THIS HERSELF, AND SOMETIMES
WAKES UP WITH SCRATCHES ON HER NOSE CAUSED FROM
PUTTING HANDS UP TO FOREHEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Dreams SPEECH -- Magical |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
THERE IS A GESTURE IN FRANCE WHICH WHEN PERFORMED WARDS
OFF BAD LUCK OR VOIDS A BAD-EYE LOOK GIVEN TO YOU BY
SOMEONE ELSE. THE GESTURE IS TO MAKE A FIST PUTTING
YOUR THUMB IN BETWEEN YOUR MIDDLE AND THE FINGER NEXT
TO YOUR LITTLE FINGER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID SOME OF HER RELATIVES IN FRANCE ACTIVELY
USED TO PRACTICE THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO ; FRANCE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.22 SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.12 ZZ |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
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 |
BLACK TABOO
IF YOU EAT BLACK GRAPES OR BLACK FIGS THEN SOME SORT OF BAD LUCK
WILL COME TO YOU, SUCH AS BAD NEWS, OR YOU WILL DO SOMETHING
THAT YOU WILL REGRET LATER. HOWEVER RED, WHITE , GREEN, AND BLUE
GRAPES AND FIGS ARE FINE TO EAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
RELIGIOUS BELIEF
IF YOU SAY A "HAIL MARY" FOR EACH ONE OF YOUR TEETH, THEN SAINT
POLLONIA WILL PROTECT YOUR TEETH FROM HARM.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
Keyword(s): hail Mary ; Patron ; Pray ; PRAYER ; Saint ; Saint Pollonia ; TEETH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
ROOSTER BELIEF
EARLY IN THE MORNING, BEFORE DAYLIGHT, YOU MAY SMELL SOMETHING
PECULIAR IN THE AIR. THIS IS THE SMELL OF JUDAS WHEN HE DIED BECAUSE
HE BETRAYED CHRIST WITH THE KISS IN EARLY MORNING.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
Keyword(s): Daylight ; JUDAS ; MORNING ; RELIGION ; Rooster ; Smell ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
BLACK TABOO
IF YOU EAT BLACK GRAPES OR BLACK FIGS THEN SOME SORT OF BAD LUCK WILL FOLLOW, SUCH AS BAD NEWS, OR YOU'LL DO SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL FEEL SORRY ABOUT LATER. HOWEVER, RED, WHITE, GREEN, AND BLUE GRAPES/FIGS ARE OK TO EAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME ; 5583 South 4th St.
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC, COLOR
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
Jump Rope and Counting Song
DOWN IN THE VALLEY WHERE THE GREEN GRASS GROWS,
THERE SAT ________ AS SWEET AS A ROSE,
SHE SANG SHE SANG SHE SANG SO SWEET,
ALONG CAME ________ AND KISSED HER ON THE CHEEK. HOW MANY KISSES DID SHE GET? . . . .
(SHE GETS AS MANY KISSES AS THE JUMPS SHE MAKES. THE SPACES ARE FILLED WITH THE NAMES OF THE PERSON WHO IS JUMPING AND THE BOY SHE LIKES.)
Submitter comment:
DID THIS IN GRADE SCHOOL.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
Keyword(s): ENDURANCE JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-12-1971