Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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AN OLD IRISH BLESSING
MAY THE ROAD ALWAYS RISE TO MEET YOU
MAY THE WIND ALWAYS BE AT YOUR BACK
MAY THE SUN SHINE WARM UPON YOUR FACE
MAY THE RAIN FALL GENTLE ON YOUR FIELDS
AND UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
LUCK AND THE NEW HOUSE
WHEN YOU BUY OR BUILD A NEW HOUSE
YOU HANG SOMETHING AT THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRONT DOOR
SUCH AS A HORSE SHOE, A DEER ANTLER, OR A VERY SMALL
SLIPPER ABOUT THE SIZE OF ONE OF YOUR FINGERS.
Submitter comment: FROM BAGHDAD, IRAQ
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE FIRE INTUITION
MARY KAY AND HER FAMILY WERE COMING HOME FROM
NIAGRA FALLS WHEN MARY KAY SUDDENLY SAID
I HEAR FIRE ENGINES. MR. RITTERSDORF PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE
TO LET THE ENGINE PASS WHEN MARY KAY SUGGESTED FOLLOWING THE FIRE
ENGINE BECAUSE OF SOME INTUITION SHE HAD.
MR. RITTERDORF FOLLOWED IT AND CAME HOME TO FIND
HIS HOUSE BURNING, THAT SAME FIRE ENGINE WAS ANSWERING A CALL
TO HIS HOME. I FEEL THAT GOD HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THESE
INCIDENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 11-01-1969
SUPERSTITION
IN NEWFOUNDLAND,IF A CHILD IS AFRAID TO GO TO BED
BECAUSE OF THE DARK, IT IS COMMON PRACTICE FOR THE MOTHER
OF THE CHILD TO SPRINKLE HOLY WATER ON THE BED OF THE CHILD
TO WARD OFF ALL THE BAD THINGS THAT LURK IN THE DARK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER DID THIS AND HE WAS A TRUE BELIEVER IN
THE POWER OF THIS ACTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 11-00-1971
BELIEF
IT'S A RELIGIOUS BELIEF TO PUT STRAW UNDER THE TABLE CLOTH TO
REPRESENT THE CHRIST CHILD'S MANGER AT CHRISTMAS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FAMILY DOES THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 10-09-1972
THE TRIPPING STUMP
WHEN MY MOTHER AND FATHER LIVED IN LITHUANIA, THERE WAS A FEAR
THAT THE PEOPLE OF THEIR VILLAGE HAD OF A TREE STUMP. THE STORY
WAS THAT ONE NIGHT A TERRIBLE MURDER WAS COMMITTED BY A TREE STUMP
OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE. AFTER THE MURDER PEOPLE WERE AFRAID TO GO BY
THE STUMP BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED IT WOULD STICK OUT ONE OF ITS
ROOTS AND TRIP PEOPLE AS THEY WALKED BY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
GOOD LUCK
MY FATHER THOUGHT THAT A MAN WHO CARRIED A POCKET WATCH WAS A LUCKY
MAN
Submitter comment: THE POCKET WATCH WAS CONSIDERED A GOOD LUCK PIECE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
GOOD LUCK
DURING THE SUMMER PUSSY WILLOWS WOULD BE PUT IN TO A VASE AND PUT
ON THE MANTLE. THIS WOULD BRING THE FAMILY GOOD LUCK
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S FAMILY DID THIS WHEN SHE WAS SMALL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Summer BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
CUSTOM FOR CHOOSING TEAMS
IN ELECTING SOMEONE FOR SOMETHING, OR FOR CHOOSING UP TEAMS, WE
USED TO EMPLOY A BASEBALL BAT. THE TWO CAPTAINS WOULD STAND
FACING EACH OTHER AND A THIRD PARTY WOULD TOSS THE BAT STRAIGHT
UP INTO THE AIR. ONE OF THE TWO CAPTAINS WOULD TRY TO CATCH IT
NEAR THE BOTTOM BY GRABBING IT WITH HIS HAND. THE OTHER PERSON
WOULD THEN WRAP HIS HAND AROUND THE BAT DIRECTLY ABOVE THE FIRST
PERSON'S. THIS WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL THERE WAS NO MORE ROOM AT THE
TOP OF THE BAT. WHEN THIS STAGE WAS REACHED THEN THE PERSON WHOSE
HAND WAS NEAREST TO THE TOP WAS THE WINNER. SEVERAL VARIATIONS
WERE ALLOWED. ONE WAS TO REST YOUR ELBOW ON THE FIRST PERSON'S
HAND AND THEN WRAP YOUR HAND AROUND THE BAT. ANOTHER WAS TO PLACE
ONLY TWO FINGERS AROUND THE BAT (BUT THE FINGERS MUST BE ABLE TO
TOUCH THE THUMB IN THIS CASE). FINALLY YOU COULD DO "EAGLE'S
CLAWS," THAT IS, WRAP YOUR FINGERS OVER THE KNOB OF THE BAT IN
THE MANNER OF A BIRD'S CLAWS. BUT IT YOU DID THIS YOU HAD TO
SUBSEQUENTLY THROW THE BAT FARTHER THAN TEN FEET BEHIND YOURSELF
OR YOU LOST. THESE MANEUVERS WERE USED TO SKILLFULLY TRY TO
SHORTEN OR LENGTHEN DISTANCES ON THE BAT SO YOU WOULD WIN.
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS FROM PLAYMATES IN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, BUT ALSO
USED IT HERE IN DETROIT, ESPECIALLY WHEN CHOOSING TEAMS FOR
SOME GAME THAT REQUIRED A BAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIANA ; FORT WAYNE
| Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 12-00-1963
MOTHER'S LOTION
MRS. ANGELA MAGOLEN WHO WAS BORN IN POLAND AND LATER CAME
TO AMERICA AND NOW LIVES IN WYANDOTTE, HAD A VISION OF THE
BLESSED MOTHER OF GOD IN A DREAM. OUR LADY GAVE HER THE RECIPE
FOR A HEALING LOTION WHICH WAS TO CURE
MANY, MANY PEOPLE. SHE USED IT
FOR THE FIRST TIME TO CURE HER HUSBAND, WHO WAS STRUCK DOWN BEFORE
HER EYES BY A CORONARY. SHE WAS IN DOUBT AT FIRST ABOUT MAKING THE
LOTION, BUT FATHER SOLANUS CASEY,
A RATHER WIDELY KNOWN CAPUCHIN PRIEST
URGED HER TO MAKE IT AND TO CALL IT "MOTHER'S LOTION."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT AREA
Keyword(s): Blessed Mother ; CURE ; HEALING ; Lotion ; Ointment ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
CURE
TO CURE AN INFECTION FROM A CUT OR A SLIVER TAKE A PIECE OF FAT FROM
ANY KIND OF MEAT AND PUT IT ON A LARGE BIRCH LEAF THEN COVER THE
INFECTION WITH THIS
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID IT ACTUALLY WORKED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
Entry filtered.
IF IT RAINED WHEN A PERSON DIED, IT MEANT THAT THE ANGELS
WERE CRYING FOR HIM AND HE WENT TO HEAVEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT WHEN HE WAS TEN YEARS OLD BY
HIS PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Date learned: 10-03-1971
IN A PROVINCIAL HOUSE FOR AN ORDER OF NUNS I KNOW, IT IS A CUSTOM
THAT ALL THE NUNS AND THEIR FRIENDS GATHER IN THE CHAPEL FOR MIDNIGHT
MASS ON CHRISTMAS EVE. AT COMMUNION TIME, THE ELDEST NUN IN THE
COMMUNITY HAS THE HONOR OF CARRYING UP THE CHALICE FOR THE MASS. THE
SECOND ELDEST NUN THEN CARRIES UP THE HOSTS, THE NEXT THE CRUCIFIX, THE
NEXT THE CRUETTS AND SO FORTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; told in informant's room
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church |
Date learned: 03-27-1971
THE LEGEND OF KILMACMOGUE
IN THE 11TH CENTURY THERE WAS A VERY PROSPEROUS AND BEAUTIFUL
CHURCH IN COUNTY CORK. BUT DURING THE REVOLUTION, WHEN THE
IRISH CATHOLICS WERE BEING PERSECUTED, THE CHURCH WAS DESTROYED.
AFTER THE END OF THE REVOLUTION, THERE WAS A MAN WHO HAD A WIFE
AND FOUR SONS, BUT COULD NOT AFFORD TO RAISE THE CHILDREN. SO
HE TOOK THEM TO THE RIVER BANKS AND PREPARED TO DROWND THEM IN
THE OVANE RIVER. A PRIEST SAW WHAT THE MAN WAS PLANNING TO DO
AND HE TOOK THE BOYS AND RAISED THEM. WHEN THE BOYS GREW UP
THEY ALL BECAME PRIESTS AND THEY REBUILT THE 11TH CENTURY CHURCH.
THUS THE CHURCH IS NAMED KILMACMOQUE, MEANING CHURCH OF THE
YOUNG SON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
TELEPHONE PRANK
CALLER: DO YOU HAVE SIR WALTER RALEUGH IN A CAN?
ANSWERER: (WHO CAN WORK IN A STORE) YES.
CALLER: WELL THEN LET HIM OUT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HAS DONE THIS WITH FRIENDS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ; SLANG: "CAN" FOR TOILET."
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
THE LEGEND OF KILMACMOGUE
IN THE 11TH CENTURY THERE WAS A VERY PROSPEROUS AND BEAUTIFUL
CHURCH IN COUNTY CORK. BUT DURING THE REVOLUTION, WHEN THE
IRISH CATHOLICS WERE BEING PERSECUTED, THE CHURCH WAS DESTROYED.
AFTER THE END OF THE REVOLUTION, THERE WAS A MAN WHO HAD A WIFE
AND FOUR SONS, BUT COULD NOT AFFORD TO RAISE THE CHILDREN. SO
HE TOOK THEM TO THE RIVER BANKS AND PREPARED TO DROWND THEM IN
THE OVANE RIVER. A PRIEST SAW WHAT THE MAN WAS PLANNING TO DO
AND HE TOOK THE BOYS AND RAISED THEM. WHEN THE BOYS GREW UP
THEY ALL BECAME PRIESTS AND THEY REBUILT THE 11TH CENTURY CHURCH.
THUS THE CHURCH IS NAMED KILMACMOQUE, MEANING CHURCH OF THE
YOUNG SON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
THE LEGEND OF KILMACMOGUE
IN THE 11TH CENTURY THERE WAS A VERY PROSPEROUS AND BEAUTIFUL
CHURCH IN COUNTY CORK. BUT DURING THE REVOLUTION, WHEN THE
IRISH CATHOLICS WERE BEING PERSECUTED, THE CHURCH WAS DESTROYED.
AFTER THE END OF THE REVOLUTION, THERE WAS A MAN WHO HAD A WIFE
AND FOUR SONS, BUT COULD NOT AFFORD TO RAISE THE CHILDREN. SO
HE TOOK THEM TO THE RIVER BANKS AND PREPARED TO DROWND THEM IN
THE OVANE RIVER. A PRIEST SAW WHAT THE MAN WAS PLANNING TO DO
AND HE TOOK THE BOYS AND RAISED THEM. WHEN THE BOYS GREW UP
THEY ALL BECAME PRIESTS AND THEY REBUILT THE 11TH CENTURY CHURCH.
THUS THE CHURCH IS NAMED KILMACMOQUE, MEANING CHURCH OF THE
YOUNG SON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
NEW YEAR BELIEF
EAT PICKLED HERRING AT MIDNIGHT OF THE NEW YEAR AND YOU WILL
HAVE GOOD LUCK FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 03-19-1970