Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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POLISH CUSTOM -- SHROVE TUESDAY
ON THE TUESDAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY, IT IS A CUSTOM IN MISS GALL'S
FAMILY (POLISH) TO MAKE A LARGE BATCH OF DONUTS AND TO EAT
THEM ALL BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY. THIS DAY IS CALLED PONCHKI DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; RATHSKELLER
Keyword(s): DOUGHNUT ; PACZKI ; RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday |
Date learned: 02-27-1968
HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN
THERE IS A HOUSE IN NEW ORLEANS
THEY CALL THE RISING SUN
AND ITS BEEN THE RUIN OF
MANY A POOR BOY (GIRL) AND
GOD, I KNOW I,M ONE.
MY MOTHER WAS A TAILOR
SOLD MY BRAND NEW JEANS
MY FATHER WAS A GAMBLING
MAN WAY DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS.
(CHORUS)
NOW THE ONLY THING WITH
GAMBLING IS YOU GET AWFULLY DRY.
AND THE ONLY TIME HE IS SATISFIED
IS WHEN HE,S ROARING DRUNK
(CHORUS)
OL MOTHER, TELL YOUR CHILDREN (DAUGHTERS)
NOT TO DO WHAT I HAVE DONE.
SPEND YOUR LIFE IN SIN
AND MISERY, IN THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN.
(CHORUS)
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): Band ; Classic Rock ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; PROSTITUTION ; The Animals
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Sorrow Unhappiness |
Date learned: 10-18-1967
CHRISTMAS
IN THE PHILIPPINES, INSTEAD OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE WHICH WE USE AS
THE MOST COMMON SYMBOL OF CHRISTMAS, THE INHABITANTS USE THE
CHRISTMAS STAR. EACH HOME HAS A LARGE STAR, MADE OF SOME
NATURAL MATERIAL SUCH AS BAMBOO, WHICH SERVES AS THE CENTRAL
DECORATION IN THE HOME AS OUR TREES DO.
Where learned: DETROIT ; WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY ; NEWMAN CENTER CHAPEL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
EASTER CUSTOM
ON THE FIRST DAY AFTER EASTER THE BOYS IN THE CITY WOULD SPRINKLE
THE GIRLS WITH PERFUME BUT IN THE VILLAGE THE BOYS WOULD THROW
PAILS FULL OF WATER AT
THE GIRLS AS THEY WOULD BE GOING TO CHURCH. THE GIRLS WOULD
SPLASH THEM BACK WITH A CUPFUL OF WATER.
Submitter comment:
THIS TOOK PLACE IN POLAND.
IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH IS DETROIT, A LADY SAID THAT BOYS
WOULD HIT GIRLS THE DAY
AFTER EASTER AND THE GIRLS COULDN'T HIT BACK. THE OPPOSITE HELD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW
Date learned: 11-00-1973
PROVERB
IF YOU DANCE, YOU HAVE TO PAY THE FIDDLER.
Submitter comment: NONE
Data entry tech comment: YOU CAN'T GET ANYTHING FOR FREE, SO YOU PAY FOR EVERYTHING.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): COMPENSATION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 02-20-1970
WHEN I WAS A CHILD, BEFORE PLAYING A BASEBALL GAME WE WOULD CHOOSE UP
TEAMS.THE WAY IT WAS DONE WAS RATHER UNUSUAL.TWO CAPTAINS WERE CHOSEN
BY THE GROUP OF PLAYERS, USUALLY THEY WERE THE TWO BEST PLAYERS IN
THE GROUP.ONE OF THESE CAPTAINS WOULD THROW THE BAT TO THE OTHER AND
WOULD CATCH IT APPROXIMATELY IN THE MIDDLE.THE PLAYER WHO HAD THROWN
THE BAT WOULD NOW PUT HIS HAND JUST ABOVE THE FIRST PLAYERS HAND.THIS
HAND ACTION WOULD ALTERNATELY CONTINUE UNTILL THERE WAS NO LONGER
ROOM FOR ANOTHER HAND ON THE BAT.THE PLAYER WHOOSE HAND WAS AT THE
TOP WOULD THEN HAVE TO HOLD OUT THE THE OTHER GUY TO KICK OUT OF HIS
HAND.IF THE KICKER WAS SUCESSFUL IN REMOVING THE BAT FROM THE HAND
HE WOULD GET FIRST CHOICE OF PLAYERS.BUT, IF THE HOLDER DID NOT LET
THE BAT COME OUT OF HIS HAND, HE WOULD GET HIS FIRST CHOICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
DEATH
IN ANY EVIL SPIRITS THAT MAY BE THERE.
James Callow comment:
INCOMPLETE ITEM: SOME KEYPUNCH CARDS MISSING
CN[ FOERSTNER, SCOTT 701049
C1[ 16714 FISCHER RD
C2[ LAKEWOOD, OHIO 14410
DNC[ 1,409
******************** C FILE 1 ********************
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-24-1973
TONGUE TWISTER
MOSES SUPPOSES HIS TOES ARE ROSES BUT MOSES SUPPOSES ERRONEOUSLY
FOR NOBODY'S TOESES ARE POSIES OF ROSES AS MOSES SUPPOSES HIS TOESES
TO BE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 11-24-1973
CHEER
OXYDOL, OXYDOL, GRANULATED SOAP, WE ARE GOING TO BEAT
I HOPE, I HOPE, I HOPE.
James Callow comment:
OXYDOL=BRAND NAME OF SOAP POWDER
CN[ FOERSTNER, SCOTT 701049
C1[ 16714 FISCHER RD
C2[ LAKEWOOD, OHIO 14410
DNC[ 1,401
******************** C FILE 1 ********************
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival Custom Festival |
Date learned: 11-24-1973
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
PRANK
FILL AN ENVELOPE WITH SHAVING CREAM AND SEAL IT. TEAR OFF ONE OF THE
ENDS AND PUSH ALL THE SHAVE CREAM TO THE OPPOSITE END. SLIDE THE OPEN
END UNDER THE DOOR. STAMP FOOT ON THE END OF THE ENVELOPE WITH SHAVE
CREAM IN IT, SENDING THE SHAVE CREAM SPRAYING INTO THE ROOM.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY BROTHER IN 1970. I USED IT ALSO IN 1970.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-24-1973
DEATH
SHOOTING STARS MEAN THAT SOMEONE HAS JUST DIED.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Star BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-24-1973
EACH YEAR IN THE SPRING, MY MOTHER'S GRANDFATHER WOULD LINE UP
ALL THE SMALL CHILDREN AND HAVE THEM EACH LICK SOME POWDER(WHITE)
CALLED CALAMEL OFF HIS PEN KNIFE IN ORDER TO CLEAN OUT
THEIR BLOOD FOR SUMMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): BLOOD ; PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 04-00-1970
ARABIAN SAYING
MY BROTHER AND I FIGHT AGAINST OUR COUSIN;
OUR COUSIN AND WE FIGHT AGAINST OUR ENEMY.
Submitter comment:
EXPLANATION OF HOW THE ARAB NATIONS COULD UNITE AGAINST THE
ISRAELI PEOPLE DESPITE THEIR INTERNAL STRIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): MEDIAL ITERATION ; RELATIVES UNITE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
VEHICLE SOUNDS REPRESENTED IN THAI LANGUAGE (AMBULANCE)
"IN THAILAND THERE IS A JOKE ABOUT THE SOUND THE SIREN ON AN
AMBULANCE MAKES. THE THAIS JOKE ABOUT 'DAI-NEH, DAI-NEH!'
WHICH SOUNDS LIKE TTHE SIREN AND MEANS 'SURELY DEAD' OR THE
SOUND 'DAI-LAO, DAI-LAO!' WHICH MEANS 'DEAD ALREADY.'"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
VEHICLE SOUNDS IMITATED WITH THAI LANGUAGE
"IN THAILAND, THERE IS A JOKE ABOUT THE SOUND THE OLD RIVERBOATS
MAKE. THE THAIS SAY THAT THE SOUND IS 'POO-POO-PAHNG-PAHNG,
POO-POO-PAHNG-PAHNG" WHICH MEANS ALMOST DEAD."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Water craft or boat propelled by human, wind, mechanical or other force SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
"TRAFFIC" (CHILDREN'S GAME WITH BICYCLES)
"WHEN WE WERE KIDS THE NEIGHBOR KIDS WOULD COME OVER TO OUR HOUSE
WITH THEIR BICYCLES TO PLAY 'TRAFFIC.' ONE PERSON WOULD BE THE
POLICEMAN WHICH WAS DETERMINED BY A RACE TO THE END OF THE DRIVE-
WAY. THERE WERE CERTAIN RULES TO THE GAME: YOU HAD TO STOP AT
ALL THE 'STOP SIGNS' AND YOU COULDN'T GO THE WRONG WAY ON THE
ONE-WAY SIDEWALKS AND DRIVEWAY. ALSO, YOU HAD TO USE HAND
SIGNALS TO SHOW STOPPING, TURNING, ETC. AND NO SPEEDING WAS
ALLOWED. IF YOU DISOBEYED ANY OF THESE RULES AND THE POLICEMAN
CAUGHT YOU THREE TIMES, YOU BECAME THE POLICEMAN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
CHINESE EATING CUSTOM (GOOSE)
"IN CHINA, ANYONE YOUNGER THAN 15 YEARS IS NOT ALLOWED TO EAT
GOOSE BECAUSE THE CHINESE BELIEVE THAT THEIR FINGERS WILL CURL
AND BLISTER."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT BELIEVED SUCH BELIEFS WERE MADE UP BY ELDERS SO THAT
THEY WOULD BE THE ONLY ONES TO ENJOY GOOSE WHICH IS EXPENSIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
Date learned: 04-00-1984
CHINESE BURIAL CUSTOM
"YOU SHOULD NOT PUT FLOWERS ON OR GIVE FLOWERS TO A DEAD PERSON
OR YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS WILL HAVE A LOT OF BOY OR GIRL-
FRIENDS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 04-00-1984