Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ROMANIAN CUSTOM
IF YOU MEET WITH FUNERAL CORTEGE, IF YOU MUST CROSS
TO THE OTHER SIDE, YOU HAVE TO HURRY TO PASS BEFORE
IT, NEVER GO THROUGH THE PROCESSION.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-17-1969
Proverb
Idle hands are the devil's workshop.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; DEVIL ; Idle ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
FUNERAL CUSTOMS
IN OLD TIMES, THE IRISH FUNERAL-WAKE TRADITION WAS TO PROVIDE
100 CLAY PIPES, 100 POUNDS OF TOBACCO, AND 100 BOTTLES OF WHISKEY
FOR THOSE IN ATTENDANCE
Submitter comment: THIS PRACTICE WAS SPOKEN OF BY HIS FATHER, WHO WAS BORN IN IRELAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number P686.1.100 |
Date learned: 03-00-1980
PROVERB
LARGER SHIPS
MAY VENTURE MORE.
LITTLE BOATS
MUST STAY NEAR SHORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION FOR CONTRAST ; CONTRAST ; RIME ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 07-17-1964
SPRINGHILL MINE DISASTER
IN THE TOWN OF SPRINGHILL, NOVA SCOTIA,
DOWN IN THE DARK OF THE CUMBERLAND MINE, THERE'S BLOOD ON THE COAL
AND THE MINERS LIE, ON THE ROADS THAT NEVER SAW SUN NOR SKY, ROADS
THAT NEVER SAW SUN NOR SKY. IN THE TOWN OF SPRINGHILL YOU DON'T
SLEEP EASY, OFTEN THE EARTH WILL TREMBLE AND ROLL, WHEN THE EARTH
IS RESTLESS, MINERS DIE, BONE AND BLOOD IS THE PRICE OF COAL,
BONE AND BLOOD IS THE PRICE OF COAL. IN THE TOWN OF SPRINGHILL, NOVA
SCOTIA, LATE IN THE YEAR OF 58, DAY STILL COMES AND THE SUN STILL
SHINES, BUT IT'S DARK AS THE GRAVE IN THE CUMBERLAND MINE, DARK
AS THE GRAVE IN THE CUMBERLAND MINE. DOWN AT THE COAL FACE,
MINERS WORKING, RATTLE OF THE BELT AND THE CUTTER'S BLADE, RUMBLE
OF ROCK AND THE WALLS CLOSE 'ROUND, THE LIVING AND THE DEAD MEN
TWO MILES DOWN, THE LIVING AND THE DEAD MEN TWO MILES DOWN.
TWELVE MEN LAY TWO MILES FROM THE PITSHAFT, TWELVE MEN LAY IN THE
DARK AND THEY SANG, LONG HOT DAYS IN THE MINER'S TOMB, IT WAS THREE
FEET HIGH AND A HUNDRED LONG, THREE FEET HIGH AND A HUNDRED LONG.
Submitter comment:
THIS SONG WAS TAUGHT TO ME BY A
NEIGHBOR AT A COTTAGE THAT OUR FAMILY ONCE OWNED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLARKS LAKE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Song |
Date learned: CA00001965
COUGH
A GOOD REMEDY FOR A COUGH IS TO MIX A LITTLE WHISKEY WITH
HONEY AND TAKE AS NEEDED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 01-30-1971
ARTHRITIS
IN ORDER TO GET RID OF ARTHRITIS, WEAR A CHARM BRACELET.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED THIS FROM A FRIEND OF HERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 11-22-1963
ARTHRITIS
IF YOU WEAR A PIECE OF COPPER JEWELRY NEXT TO YOUR SKIN OR CARRY A
CHESTNUT IN YOUR POCKET, THIS IS SAID TO KEEP ARTHRITIS AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-16-1971
HICCUPS
BREATHE IN A PAPER BAG IN ORDER TO CURE THE HICCOUGHS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 11-22-1963
HICCUPS
DRINK A WHOLE GLASS OF WATER BACKWARDS WITHOUT BREATHING;
IN ORDER TO CURE THE HICCUPS.
Submitter comment: MRS. DEVEREUX LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 11-22-1963
STYE CURE
TO GET RID OF A STYE, YOU URINATE AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S FATHER, AND THIS WAS A BELIEF AMONG
THE PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH WHERE HE GREW UP.
Data entry tech comment: THERE ARE 2 OTHER REFERENCES IN THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH (GERMAN)
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
PLANTING CORN
ALWAYS PLANT CORN ON MARCH 17 TH, BECAUSE THAT IS WHEN THE MOON
IS RIGHT DOWN SOUTH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S MOTHER, AND HER FATHER USED TO DO
THIS ON THEIR FARM IN ALABAMA.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 00001971 SPRING
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE COP THAT RAN OVER HIMSELF?
A YOUNG POLICE OFFICER WENT TO THE CORNER STORE TO
BUY HIMSELF A PACK OF CIGARETTES. AFTER LEARNING THAT
THIS STORE DID NOT HAVE HIS BRAND, HE ASKED THE STORE
CLERK IF SHE COULD GO ACROSS THE STREET FOR HIM AND BUY
HIM HIS BRAND. "I'M TIRED," HE REPLIED.
SHE EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT SHE WAS THE ONLY ONE WORKING
AND SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GO FOR HIM. THE POLICEMAN
ACCEPTED HER REFUSAL AND RAN OVER HIMSELF.
Submitter comment: ANOTHER ONE OF GRANDPA FOURNIER'S DUMB JOKES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): JOKES
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00001978CA
MY NAME IS JESUS
MY NAME IS JESUS, THE SON OF GOD;
WELL, HELLO, HELLO, HELLO,
I'VE COME TO SAVE AND HEAL YOUR BED,
WELL, HELLO, HELLO, HELLO,
ROCK 'EM, SOCK 'EM, JESUS KNOCK 'EM,
GO GOD, GO
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; PARTY ; SAILING CLUB
Keyword(s): JESUS ; MUSIC ; PARODY ; Rally ; RELIGION ; SONG ; SPORTS ; Tune ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 10-23-1971
A NEUROTIC IS A PERSON WHO BUILDS A CASTLE IN THE AIR.
A PSYCHOTIC IS THE PERSON WHO LIVES IN IT.
A PSYCHIATRIST IS THE ONE WHO COLLECTS THE RENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DEFINITION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
Welcoming bags
An old custom used to light the path to your home for friends
and strangers was to place a candle in paper bags full of sand and
light them. This was not only a means of lighting the path, but a
symbol of welcome and friendship.
Submitter comment:
During Chesaning's annual Christmas walk, during the week-end
following Thanksgiving, the entire town is lined with these paper
bags. The bags line the main street and entrances to the shops
from the beginning of town to the end of town. It's truly a sight
to behold!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; shopkeeper ; Chesaning
James Callow Keyword(s): Luminaria
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 00001980S
MORON JOKE
WHY DID THE MORON PUT HIS MOTHER UNDER THE STEPS?
HE ALWAYS WANTED A STEP MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
VOCULARY OF SPECIAL GROUP
IN CANADA, YOU CALL A COUCH A "DAVENPORT."
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM ONE OF HER RELATIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; 4001 W MCNICHOLS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Vocabulary of Special Group |
Date learned: 03-01-1971
SHARING CLOTHES
MY SISTER AND I GENERALLY CAN WEAR THE SAME SIZE CLOTHING.
IT'S CUSTOMARY FOR US, WHEN THE OTHER BUYS SOMETHING NEW, NOT
TO BORROW IT UNTIL THE OWNER HAS WORN IT FIRST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
A SAYING
WHEN I'M RIGHT, NOBODY REMEMBERS;
WHEN I'M WRONG, NO ONE FORGETS.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY LANDLADY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CLASSROOM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-20-1967