Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WITCH BELIEF
TO BECOME A WITCH, TAKE ONE GOLD RING, ONE CANDLE STICK HOLDER
AND ONE SCARF; BURY THESE IN THE EARTH TILL THE NEXT FULL MOON;
AT THE NEXT FULL MOON, AT MIDNIGHT DIG UP THE RING, CANDLE-STICK
HOLDER AND SCARF AND BOIL THEM TOGETHER IN A LARGE POT. THE
CANDIDATE WITCH THEN RECITES CERTAIN MAGICAL PHRASES, AND THEN
EMERGES AS A FULL FLEDGED WITCH.
Data entry tech comment:
SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEY PUNCHER
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MAGIC ; Spell ; Transform ; Witch
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 11-13-1970
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT IS NOTHING BUT HOLES TIED TO HOLES, BUT IS STRONG AS STEEL?
A: A CHAIN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CAUSAL ; HARDWARE (A) ; HARDWARE (Q) METAL ; STATE OF BEING (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BAD LUCK OMEN
BAD LUCK WILL COME TO THOSE WHO HEAR A CHICKEN SCREAM.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A BELIEF FROM SABINAS MEXICO, THE INFORMANTS HOME
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM - FOOD
ON CHRISTMAS, THE ENTIRE FAMILY IS SERVED AN
UNLEAVENED PIECE OF BREAD WITH THE DINNER. ON IT
IS INSCRIBED A HOLY SCENE, GENERALLY THE NATIVITY.
EACH MEMBER BREAKS OFF A PIECE AND SHARES IT
WITH ANOTHER. THE FINAL PIECE IS THEN CONSUMED
BY THE ORIGINAL PERSON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 01-17-1968
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
IT IS TRADITIONAL IN MIKE'S FAMILY TO HAVE POTATO CAKES AND
OYSTER STEW ON CHRISTMAS EVE. THIS TRADITION HAS COME DOWN FROM
HIS FATHER'S MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Cake ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Oyster ; POTATO ; Stew ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas |
Date learned: 10-28-1968
TRAVELING CUSTOM- HAWAII
WHEN TRAVELERS LEAVE HAWAII, THEY THROW THEIR LEIS
OVER THE SIDE OF THE SHIP. IF IT FLOATS TO SHORE THEY WILL
RETURN, IF IT FLOATS TO SEA, THEY WILL NEVER
RETURN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Terrence, Burt
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; Hawaii ; Lei ; Return ; SEA ; Ship ; Tourist ; TRAVEL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 03-19-1968
TELEPHONE PRANK
CALLER: DO YOU HAVE SIR WALTER RALEIGH IN A CAN?
ANSWERER: (WHO WORKS IN A STORE) YES.
CALLER: WELL THEN LET HIM OUT!
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HAS DONE THIS WITH HIS FRIENDS
Data entry tech comment:
SIR WALTER RALEIGH IS A BRAND OF TOBACCO
SOLD IN CANS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK ; COLLECTED AT INFORMANTS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ; SLANG: "CAN" FOR "TOILET"
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-26-1971
THE SAINT MICHAEL DRAMATIC GAME
THE INFORMATION PRESENT IS IN THE COLLECTOR'S OWN WORDS. BEFORE THE
GAME BEGINS IT IS CHOSEN: EITHER BY A COUNTING OUT RHYME OR BY
SOMEONE VOLUNTEERING. THE GAME FEATURES CHILDREN AGES 6-10 GROUPING
THEMSELVES IN A CIRCLE AROUND IT. FACING IT, AND HOLDING HANDS, THE
CHILDREN BEGIN REVOLVING AROUND IT
(IT IS IN CENTER OF A CIRCLE)
IN A CLOCKWISE FASHION. THE CIRCLE USUALLY CONSISTS OF 10 TO 12 PLA
YERS. AFTER SEVERAL REVOLUTIONS
IT ABRUPTLY BEGINS SINGING IN SPANISH
THE WORDS ARE:
A LA RUEDA DE SAN MIGUEL, TODOS TIEN SU CAJA DE MIEL.
A LO MADURO, A LO MADURO, QUE SE VOLTEE (IT NAMES A PERSON FROM CIR
CLE) DE BURRO. TRANSLATED THE WORDS ARE: EVERYONE GET IN SAINT MICHA
EL'S CIRCLE, EVERYONE HAS A BOX OF HONEY, TURN AROUND, TURN AROUND,
(NAME OF CHILD IT SELECTS) AND MAKES A DONKEY FACE. THE CHILD
BY IT, MUST NOW FACE AWAY FROM IT AND CIRCLE IT BACKWARDS WHILE STILL
HOLDING HANDS WITH THE OTHER PLAYERS. THE GAME CONTINUES
UNTIL ALL PLAYERS HAVE BEEN CALLED BY IT, AND
THE LAST PLAYER CALLED IS THE NEW IT.
(CIRCLE)
MICHAEL'S
INFORMANT
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LIVED IN A SMALL TOWN IN MEXICO WHEN SHE PLAYED OUT
THIS GAME. THE TOWN, SABINAS HIDALGO NUEVO LEON, STILL EXISTS AND THE
GAME IS STILL PLAYED OUT. THE INFORMANT SANG OUT PORTIONS OF THE GAME
WHILE THE COLLECTOR RECORDED IT.
DONKEY FACE IS FUNNY OR CLOWN-LIKE FACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic |
CHRISTMAS
DURING THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER STRAW IS PUT UNDER THE TABLE
CLOTH FOR HEALTH AND PROSPERITY. THIS IS ANOTHER POLISH CUSTOM.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant is collector's mother.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 03-19-1970
INITIATION INTO THE CLAN
1 WHO WAS JOHNNY AT THE CHURCH?
2 THE KISSING OF THE BAG PIPES
3 THE SACRED THIMBLE
Submitter comment:
THIS FAMILY TRADITION GOES BACK AS FAR AS THE FAMILY
COMING OVER FROM NOVA SCOTIA ONLY PEOPLE WHO MARRY INTO THE CLAN
OR GOOD FRIENDS HAVE TO BE INITATED
THIS HAPPENS AT EACH REUNION IN SUMMER
THE CLAN IS THE ANGUS MACK CLAN
SCOTCH AND IRISH ARE THE BACKGROUND
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: CA02001980
Song
There was an old man named Michael Finnegan.
He grew fat and then grew thinnegan.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic |
Belief: Weather
RED SKY AT NIGHT, SAILORS DELIGHT,
RED SKY IN MORNING, SAILORS TAKE WARNING.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
Keyword(s): COLOR ; NATURE ; Nautical ; Ocean ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; Sailor ; Sky ; WARNING ; WEATHER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
CUT THE PIE
THIS GAME IS PLAYED IN THE SNOW. IN ORDER TO MAKE IT MORE FUN, A
LARGE NUMBER OF CHILDREN (ABOUT 25) IS RECOMMENDED.
BEFORE THE GAME IS BEGUN, A LARGE CIRCLE IS MADE IN THE SNOW AND
SECTIONED OFF TO RESEMBLE A WAGON WHEEL OR CUT PIE. THE CIRCLE
NUMBER OF PLAYERS.
SHOULD BE ABOUT 25 FEET IN DIAMETER OR MORE, DEPENDING UPON THE
A PERSON IS THEN CHOSEN TO BE THE FOX. THIS PERSON CAN ONLY WALK
OR RUN ON THE CROSSING LINES OF THE PIE.
THE REMAINING PLAYERS ARE GEESE AND MUST STAY ON THE OUTER PATH
OF THE CIRCLE. THEY MAY WALK OR RUN IN A CLOCKWISE DIRECTION AND
WHEN THE FOX APPROACHES THEM, CAN STOP IN THEIR TRACKS TO AVOID
BEING TAGGED.
WHEN THE FOX APPROACHES A GOOSE, THAT GOOSE CAN ALSO RUN UP THE
NEAREST CROSSING LINE TO THE CENTER WHERE THEY ARE SAFE IF NOT TAGGE
IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THERE. WHEN THE FOX ATTEMPTS TO TAG
ANOTHER PLAYER, THE PERSON IN THE CENTER CAN JOIN THE OUTER CIRCLE A
LONG AS THEY ARE NOT TAGGED.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GAME IS FOR THE FOX TO TAG SOMEONE ELSE TO BE
THE FOX, SO THEY CAN BECOME A GOOSE AND THE GAME CAN CONTINUE. THER
IS CONSTANT MOTION.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME WAS LEARNED AT A GIRL SCOUT CAMP IN METAMORA MICHIGAN AT A
WINTER CARNIVAL FOR BROWNIE, JUNIOR, AND CADETTE GIRL SCOUTS.
I ENJOYED TEACHING IT TO THE GIRLS VERY MUCH AND FOUND THAT THE MORE
PLAYERS YOU HAD, THE MORE FUN IT WAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; METAMORA
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Water Ice Snow |
FRIENDSHIP
I MET YOU AS A STRANGER
I KNOW YOU AS A FRIEND.
I HOPE WE MEET IN HEAVEN
WHERE FRIENDSHIP NEVER ENDS.
Submitter comment:
TAKEN FROM MY AUTOGRAPH BOOK OF 1963 AT CAMP METAMORA,
METAMORA, MICHIGAN. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE SHE LIVES OR WHO SHE IS.
Data entry tech comment: ADDED TITLE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; METAMORA
Keyword(s): WISH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Pious reflection |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
FRIENDSHIP
I MET YOU AS A STRANGER
I KNOW YOU AS A FRIEND.
I HOPE WE MEET IN HEAVEN
WHERE FRIENDSHIP NEVER ENDS.
Submitter comment:
TAKEN FROM MY AUTOGRAPH BOOK OF 1963 AT CAMP METAMORA,
METAMORA, MICHIGAN. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE SHE LIVES OR WHO SHE IS.
Data entry tech comment: ADDED TITLE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; METAMORA
Keyword(s): WISH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Pious reflection |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
HOW THE ROBIN GOT ITS RED BREAST.
IT WAS COLD IN THE STABLE AT BETHLEHEM WHEN JESUS WAS BORN. IT HAD
RAINED THE NIGHT BEFORE AND TRY AS HE MIGHT JOSEPH COULDN'T LIGHT
A FIRE BECAUSE THE WOOD WAS WET. MARY HELD THE BABY TO KEEP HIM WARM
BUT JOSEPH NOTICED HOW SHE SHIVERED FROM THE COLD. HE KEPT FANNING
THE SPARKS WITH HIS HANDS, HOPING TO START A FLAME.
THERE WAS A BIRD IN THE RAFTERS WATCHING ALL THIS, AND WHEN JOSEPH
WENT TO GET MORE STRAW, THE BIRD FLEW DOWN AND BEGAN FANNING THE
SPARKS WITH HIS WINGS. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A FIRE AND THE LITTLE
BIRD BURNED HIS BREAST. THE LITTLE BABE HAD SEEN THE HAPPENINGS AND
HE PROMISED THAT THE BIRD WOULD WEAR THE MARK OF HIS GOOD DEED,
HE WOULD HAVE A RED BREAST. THAT'S HOW THE ROBIN GOT HIS RED BREAST
AND EVERY TIME YOU SEE ONE, THINK OF THIS STORY AND YOU WILL HAVE
THE PEACE OF CHRISTMAS DESCEND UPON YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals |
Date learned: 06-00-1964
HAUNTED HOUSE
CHAIR ROCKING BY ITSELF.
Submitter comment:
ANOTHER AUNT HAD MOVED TO AN OLDER HOME ON DETROIT 'S EAST SIDE.
THIS TIME A GHOST OR SPIRIT WOULD OCCUPY A CERTAIN ROCKING CHAIR
WHICH WOULD ROCK BY ITSELF, THERE WOULD BE NO DOORS OR WINDOWS TO
CAUSE THE CHAIR TO ROCK. AGAIN A PREIST WAS CALLED TO BLESS THE
HOUSE TO GET RID OF THE SPIRIT.
EXORCISM
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-00-0019
Belief: Children's Song
(1) DON'T STEP ON A CRACK OR YOU'LL BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
(2) IF YOU STEP ON A LINE YOUR MOTHER DRINKS WINE.
Submitter comment:
MY BLACK NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOORS TOLD ME THESE TALES WHEN I WAS A KID.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
Keyword(s): ALCOHOL ; Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE ; Wine
James Callow Keyword(s): NEGRO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 00001960S
LEGEND
PEOPLE WHO PASS THE EVIL EYE IN SICILY ARE CONSIDERED TO BE
VERY DESTRUCTIVE WITH JUST ONE GLANCE.
Submitter comment: IN SICILY PEOPLE BELIEVE THIS VERY STRONGLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TV STUDIO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye |
Date learned: 10-06-1970
CUSTOM
THERE IS A LAW IN SICILY THAT PEOPLE POSSESSING THE EVIL EYE
CAN BE BROUGHT TO COURT AND FINED FOR DAMAGES IF IT CAN
BE PROVEN THAT THEY HAVE IT.
Submitter comment: KNOWN TRUE IN SICILY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TV STUDIO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye |
Date learned: 10-06-1970