Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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JUMP-ROPE RHYME
JUMP ALL TOGETHER GIRLS,
JUST LIKE THE WEATHER GIRLS:
JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH APRIL, MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER.
Submitter comment:
AS EACH MONTH IS CALLED, EACH GIRL JUMPS IN FOR THE MONTH OF HER BIRTHDAY. THE RHYME IS REPEATED AND THE GIRLS JUMP OUT IN THE SAME ORDER.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; informant's home
Keyword(s): CALL-RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-01-1971
ORIGIN OF OLD EXPRESSION
THE INFORMANT STATED THAT HE HEARD IT ON THE RADIO THAT THERE WERE
TWO CHURCHES IN LONDON, ST. PETER'S AND ST. PAUL'S. ST. PETER'S
WAS WEALTHY AND ST. PAUL'S WAS POOR. THE LAND AROUND ST. PETER'S
WAS SOLD AND THE MONEY GIVEN TO ST. PAUL'S. HENCE THE EXPRESSION,
"ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-15-1967
ORIGIN OF OLD EXPRESSION
THE INFORMANT STATED THAT HE HEARD IT ON THE RADIO THAT THERE WERE
TWO CHURCHES IN LONDON, ST. PETER'S AND ST. PAUL'S. ST. PETER'S
WAS WEALTHY AND ST. PAUL'S WAS POOR. THE LAND AROUND ST. PETER'S
WAS SOLD AND THE MONEY GIVEN TO ST. PAUL'S. HENCE THE EXPRESSION,
"ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-15-1967
ENVELOPE MESSAGE
D. D. L. D. S. D. B.
DELIVER 'DE LETTER, 'DE SOONER 'DE BETTER.
Submitter comment: INITIALS ARE PLACED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENVELOPE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): TYPOGRAPHICAL VERSE ABBREVIATION
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 10-15-1965
ENVELOPE MESSAGE
>. W. A. K. SEALED WITH A KISS
Submitter comment: THE INITIALS ARE PLACED ON THE BACK OF THE ENVELOPE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): TYPOGRAPHICAL VERSE ABBREVIATION LOVE LETTERS
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 10-02-1965
SAYING
I CAME TO THE END OF MY ROPE AND DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO TIE A KNOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): DESPERATION ; METAPHOR
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: DATE UNKNOWN
MEDICINE
WHEN ONE OF US WAS SICK MY MOTHER WOULD MAKE A TEA FROM A HERB THAT
SHE WOULD PICK IN THE WOODS. WE WOULD DRINK THIS AND IT WAS SUPPOSE
TO MAKE YOU FEEL WELL.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT DOES NOT REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE HERB
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
ORDINARY FOLKTALE
DURING ADVENT A YOUNG GIRL WENT TO A MASQUERADE DANCE
AGAINST HER PARENTS' WISHES. SHE DRESSED AS A DEVIL
WITH MASK AND ALL. WHEN THE TIME CAME TO REMOVE THE
MASKS, THE YOUNG GIRL COULD NOT TAKE HERS OFF. THE
GIRL BECAME SERIOUSLY ILL AND SOON DIED. THE GRIEVING
PARENTS HAD A TOMBSTONE PUT ON THE GRAVE WITH A
DEVIL'S MASK ENGRAVED ON IT AND ALSO THE WORDS
TELLING THE TRAGIC STORY. THIS THEY DID TO GIVE
WARNING TO OTHERS.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL
ATTENDING SCHOOL IN OTIS, INDIANA.
DRESSED AS DEVIL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIANA ; OTIS ; ORIGINALLY HEARD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: CA12001965
THERE ARE SEVERAL VARIATIONS OF A GAME USING THE ALPHABET.
IN EACH YOU MUST GO THROUGH EACH LETTER AND THINK OF
SOMETHING IN THE CATEGORY THAT STARTS WITH THE LETTER. "A,"
"THE" AND "AN" DON'T COUNT. THE CATEGORIES ARE MOVIES, BOOKS,
ANIMALS AND SONGS, TO NAME A FEW.
FOR EXAMPLE IF THE CATEGORY WERE ANIMALS AND THROUGH TAKING
TURNS YOU HAD REACHED THE LETTER "K" YOU COULD USE KANGAROO.
YOU NEED AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE, THOUGH MORE IS MORE FUN. FOR
A MORE CHALLENGING GAME, GO THROUGH THE ALPHABET AGAIN WITH
THE SAME CATEGORY, BUT YOU CAN'T USE THE SAME WORDS AS THE
LAST GAME.
A VARIATION OF THIS IS LOOKING FOR LETTERS, IN ALPHABETICAL
ORDER, ON SIGNS AND LICENSE PLATES WHILE TRAVELING ON ROADS.
THIS IS MORE COMPETITIVE, BECAUSE NO ONE TAKES TURNS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Flint
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity |
Date learned: 06-00-1980
BELIEF
WHEN A FRIEND LEAVES, DON'T WATCH HIM GO OUT OF SIGHT
OR YOU WILL NEVER SEE HIM AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
I WAS TOLD THIS WHEN PARTED FROM BOY FRIEND WHO BELIEVED THIS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Departure ; Goodbye ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
Dreams
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die,
Life is a broken winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go,
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Biddle School
James Callow Keyword(s): dreaming
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
KISSING IN A TREE
( NAME ) AND ( NAME ) SITTING IN A TREE. K-I-S-S-I-N-G
FIRST COMES LOVE
AND THEN COMES MARRIAGE
AND THEN COMES A BABY IN A
BABY CARRIAGE.
Submitter comment: LEARN IN CHILDHOOD IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Love Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Crucial Moment of Life Life Cycle Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
NO MONEY PROVERB.
"LACK OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL."
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; PARODY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
ORIGIN OF OLD EXPRESSION
THE INFORMANT STATED THAT HE HEARD IT ON THE RADIO THAT THERE WERE
TWO CHURCHES IN LONDON, ST. PETER'S AND ST. PAUL'S. ST. PETER'S
WAS WEALTHY AND ST. PAUL'S WAS POOR. THE LAND AROUND ST. PETER'S
WAS SOLD AND THE MONEY GIVEN TO ST. PAUL'S. HENCE THE EXPRESSION,
"ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-15-1967
CUSTOM: SAVING PENNIES IN SHOE
WHEN A GIRL PLANS TO GET MARRIED IN GERMANY SHE GETS A SLIPPER
AND FILLS IT WITH PENNIES WHICH ARE SHINEY. WHEN SHE HAS SAVED
ENOUGH, SHE BUYS HER WEDDING SHOES. THE GIRL CAN'T MARRY UNTIL
SHE IS ABLE TO BUY HER OWN WEDDING SHOES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage After engagement: fun with friends, etc. |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
MAGIC
IF YOU BITE THE CONSECRATED HOST IT WILL BLEED FOR IT IS THE
BODY OF CHRIST.
Submitter comment:
THREE OTHERS SIMILAR TO THIS IN THE ARCHIVE FILES OF LINED CARDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Flint
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
PROVERB
BETTER LATE, THAN NEVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; OBSERVATION ; PERSISTENCE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-22-1968
HER GRANDMOTHER USED TO BUY EACH GRANDCHILD'S WARTS FOR
A NICKEL.
Submitter comment:
SHE STATES THAT WHEN HER GRANDMOTHER BOUGHT THE WARTS,
THEY REALLY DISAPPEARED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNION LAKE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 10-20-1967
EXPLANATION OF PLACE NAME: COMMERCE TOWNSHIP
THE TOWN IN WHICH I LIVE IS PART OF COMMERCE TOWNSHIP.
A SMALL TRIBUTARY OF THE ROUGE RIVER RUNS THROUGH COMMERCE,
ON WHICH A MILL WAS BUILT IN THE 1800'S. THE TOWNSHIP
WAS NAMED COMMERCE IN THE BELIEF OR HOPE THAT THE MILL AND
THE RIVER WOULD MAKE IT A PLACE FOR COMMERCE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS VERY IRONIC BECAUSE IT BECAME A RESORT TOWN AND
IS NOW A SLEEPY SUBURB, RATHER THAN A BUSTLING PLACE OF
COMMERCE AND TRADE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNION LAKE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 09-00-1984
EXPLANATION OF PLACE NAME
NEAR THE TOWN IN WHICH I LIVE IS A TOWN CALLED WALLED LAKE.
IN THE TOWN IS A LAKE OF THE SAME NAME. IT IS SUPPOSED TO
HAVE BEEN CALLED THAT BY INDIANS OF THE AREA, BECAUSE THE LAKE
WAS SURROUNDED BY A WALL OF ROCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNION LAKE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00-00-1982