Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ROPE JUMPING RIME
LAST NIGHT, THE NIGHT BEFORE
TWENTY-FOUR ROBBERS CAME TO MY DOOR.
THEY STOLE MY WATCH
THEY STOLE MY RING
AND THEN THEY ALL BEGAN TO SING.
LADY O LADY, TURN AROUND
LADY O LADY, TOUCH THE GROUND
LADY O LADY SHOW YOUR SHOE
LADY O LADY SHISHKAPOO.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYMATES IN HAMMOND, INDIANA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; FOLEY HALL
Keyword(s): ACTION-RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-30-1967
MIZSLE - LITHUANIAN RIDDLE
Q: KETURI PONAICIUKAI ZENA KEPURE DEVI.(FOUR LORDS WEAR ONE HAT.)
A: A TABLE - STALAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FURNITURE (A) ; METAPHORICAL ; PERSONS (Q) ; WEARABLE (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 03-20-1968
ARE YOU LIVING OR ARE YOU DEAD?
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER USED TO SAY THIS WHEN SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY WAS
SICK
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
TIN EAR
I'LL GIVE YOU A TIN EAR
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER WOULD SAY THIS TO HER WHEN SHE DID SOMETHING
WRONG
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
PROVERB
ASK A CHILD TO DO A JOB EXCEPT A CHILD'S JOB
Submitter comment: DON'T EXPECT A CHILD TO DO AN ADULT'S JOB
James Callow comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
HAY RAKES
DURING THE WINTER MY FATHER WOULD MAKE HAY RAKES OR REPAIR OLD ONES.
HE CARVED THE WHOLE RAKE FROM WOOD. THE RAKE HAD A POLE ABOUT 5 FEET
LONG AND WAS CONNECTED TO A CROSS PIECE WITH A SPAN OF 36 INCHES
FROM THE CROSS PIECE. THERE WERE SIX INCH PEGS ABOUT EVERY 2 INCHES
APART. THE PEGS WERE ABOUT AND {AN} INCH IN DIAMETER
James Callow comment: PERIODS ADDED TO THIS COMPLETELY PERIOD-LESS TEXT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
RELIGIOUS BELIEF
ON ASH WEDNESDAY EVERY FRYING PAN WOULD BE SCRUBBED AND PUT AWAY
THE PANS WEREN'T USED AGAIN UNTIL HOLY SATURDAY
Submitter comment: THIS WAS A RELIGIOUS BELIEF DURING THE LENTEN FAST
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 663 Ash Wednesday 663 Lent 663 Holy Saturday |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
FAMILY CUSTOM
AFTER CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY EVERYONE WOULD GATHER IN THE KEEPING ROOM
TO HAVE COFFEE AND PASTRIES. THE MEN WOULD DRINK WHISKEY AND TOAST
TO EACH OTHER
Submitter comment: A KEEPING ROOM IS LIKE A LIVING ROOM IN AUBURN MASSACHUSETTS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
CUSTOM
INSTEAD OF SAYING GOODBYE WHEN LEAVING SOMEBODY'S HOME THE VISITORS
WOULD SAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND THE OTHER PEOPLE WOULD REPLY GOD
GO WITH YOU
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-03-1972
TOM SWIFTIE
I'M A PLUMBER HE PIPED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIS HOME ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): JOB
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ; SAID
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 10-08-1968
I AM NO POET,
I HAVE NO FAME,
BUT JUST THE SAME,
I'LL SIGN MY NAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; SAINT CYRIL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Announcing a signature |
Date learned: 00-00-1962
SOMETIMES I'M NAUGHTY,
SOMETIMES I'M NICE,
BUT JUST TO BE NAUGHTY,
I'LL SIGN MY NAME TWICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; SAINT CYRIL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Announcing a signature |
GIANT STEPS (OR MOTHER, MAY I?)
THE LEADER POSITIONS HIMSELF APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET FROM
THE CONTESTANTS ALONG A SIDEWALK, ADDRESSING HIMSELF
ALTERNATELY TO THEM. HE SAYS, "YOU MAY TAKE THREE BABY
STEPS," FOR EXAMPLE. BUT THE KID MUST ANSWER, "MOTHER
MAY I?" AND RECEIVE IN TURN A "YES, YOU MAY!" FROM THE
"MOTHER." A "NO, YOU MAY NOT," AND NO ADVANCEMENT.
THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF STEPS ALLOWED IS LEFT TO "MOTHER'S"
DISCRETION. THERE ARE BABY STEPS--SHORT HEEL TO TOE
STEPS; GIANT STEPS, LARGEST STRIDES POSSIBLE; UMBRELLA
STEPS--STEPPING WHILE SPINNING ABOUT; BANANA STEPS--
STEPPING WHILE SLIDING THE FEET ON THE SIDEWALK.
FIRST TO (REACH) MOTHER WINS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SOUTHWEST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM MAXIM
THE DESIRE TO APPEAR CLEVER OFTEN PREVENTS OUR BECOMING SO.
Data entry tech comment: MR. DILES IS A LOCAL RADIO AND T.V. PERSONALITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WXYZ RADIO ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; AFFECTATION ; OBSERVATION ; PARADOX
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-12-1969
THE BOYS WHO CRIED WOLF
ONCE THERE WERE TWO BOYS WHO WERE IN CHARGE OF
WATCHING THE SHEEP FOR AN ENTIRE VILLAGE WHILE
THE REST OF THE PEOPLE WERE IN TOWN. THE TWO BOYS
HATED THIS TASK AND WERE VERY BORED. ONE DAY, ONE
OF THE BOYS GOT AN IDEA ON HOW TO ADD A LITTLE
EXCITEMENT TO THEIR JOB. "WHAT IS IT?" ASKED THE
OTHER BOY. THE OLDER ONE SAID, "WELL, YOU GO INTO
TOWN SCREAMING THAT THE WOLF HAS COME TO TAKE THE
SHEEP AND I'LL STAY HERE WITH THE HERD." "ALL
RIGHT," SAID THE OTHER BOY. THE YOUNGER BOY RAN
INTO TOWN, SCREAMING THAT THE WOLF HAD COME TO GET
SHEEP. THE ENTIRE TOWN GATHERED WEAPONS OF ALL
KINDS AND WENT WITH THE BOY TO THE FIELDS. WHEN
THE VILLAGERS GOT THERE, THE OLDER BOY WAS SITTING
IN A TREE AND WAS LAUGHING AT THEM. THE PEOPLE WERE
VERY ANGRY AND RETURNED TO TOWN. THE BOYS WERE
REPRIMANDED FOR PLAYING SUCH A CRUEL TRICK.
EVERYTHING WENT ALONG FINE FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH.
THEN THE BOYS PLAYED THE SAME TRICK AND THE
VILLAGERS CAME ONCE AGAIN TO PROTECT THEIR SHEEP
AND RUN THE WOLF OFF. AGAIN, IT WAS A JOKE AND
THE VILLAGERS WERE VERY ANGRY. AGAIN THE BOYS WERE
PUNISHED SEVERELY. ONE DAY, NOT LONG AFTER THIS A
WOLF DID COME TO ATTACK THE SHEEP. THE YOUNGER
BOY AGAIN RAN INTO TOWN FOR HELP. THE VILLAGERS,
HOWEVER, THOUGHT IT WAS ANOTHER TRICK AND REFUSED TO
COME. THE BOY BEGGED AND BEGGED BUT THE PEOPLE REFUSED
TO COME. THE BOY RETURNED TO THE FIELD TO HELP THE
OLDER BOY HIDE AS MANY SHEEP AS THEY COULD. THAT
NIGHT, WHEN THE SHEEP WERE RETURNED TO TOWN, ONE HALF
WERE MISSING. THEIR OWNERS DEMANDED TO KNOW THE
REASON AND THE BOYS EXPLAINED SADLY THAT A REAL WOLF
HAD COME AND HAD TAKEN OR DESTROYED THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; MOTHER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 10-15-1965
FATHERS JACK
WON'T BE MY FATHERS JACK,
WON'T BE MY MOTHERS JILL.
I'LL BE A FIDDLERS WIFE,
AND FIDDLE WHERE I WILL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Function Purpose Theme C430.360 |
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES, YOU'RE GOING TO CATCH A FOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 10-17-1970
A LESSON IN KINDNESS TO STRANGERS
JESUS AND PETRUS WERE WALKING AROUND LITTLE VILLAGES IN
GERMANY. THEY DIDN'T WANT ANYBODY TO KNOW WHO THEY
WERE BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO SEE WHAT THE PEOPLE WERE
REALLY LIKE, IF THEY WERE KIND TO STRANGERS.
WHEN THEY GOT TO SIPPLINGEN, A LITTLE VILLAGE, THEM
PEOPLE WAS SO NICE AND KIND AND GAVE THEM FOOD AND A
PLACE TO SLEEP. SO THEN JESUS AND PETRUS TOLD THEM WHO
THEY WAS. THEN JESUS SAYS, "SEE THEM FIELDS? NOW PRETTY
SOON YOU GONNA HAVE GRAPES."
THEN THE PEOPLE WAS SO HAPPY AND THEY MADE UP WINE FROM
ALL THESE GRAPES.
THEN THE WORD ABOUT THE GRAPES WENT BACK TO UVERLINGEN,
A VILLAGE WHERE JESUS AND PETRUS WAS BEFORE SIPPLINGEN.
THEN THESE PEOPLE WAS RUNNING TO JESUS AND PETRUS AND
SAYING, "PLEASE COME BACK TO OUR VILLAGE. WE DIDN'T
KNOW YOU WAS JESUS AND PETRUS."
SO THEY ALL WENT BACK TO THAT VILLAGE AND THE PEOPLE SAY,
"JESUS, WHY YOU WON'T GIVE US SOME GRAPES, TOO?" JESUS
SAID, "THAT'S ALL RIGHT." AND HE DONE THIS. PETRUS
DIDN'T LIKE THIS AND SAY TO JESUS, "THEY WAS NOT KIND TO
US BEFORE. WHY YOU WANT TO GIVE THEM GRAPES?" BUT
JESUS SAY, "KEEP QUIET, PETRUS. I KNOW MY WORK."
BUT AFTER JESUS AND PETRUS GO AWAY AND THE PEOPLE
MAKE THE WINE AND TASTE IT, THEY FIND OUT IT WAS SOUR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY, ASSUMED ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: UNCERTAIN
A LESSON IN KINDNESS TO STRANGERS
JESUS AND PETRUS WERE WALKING AROUND LITTLE VILLAGES IN
GERMANY. THEY DIDN'T WANT ANYBODY TO KNOW WHO THEY
WERE BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO SEE WHAT THE PEOPLE WERE
REALLY LIKE, IF THEY WERE KIND TO STRANGERS.
WHEN THEY GOT TO SIPPLINGEN, A LITTLE VILLAGE, THEM
PEOPLE WAS SO NICE AND KIND AND GAVE THEM FOOD AND A
PLACE TO SLEEP. SO THEN JESUS AND PETRUS TOLD THEM WHO
THEY WAS. THEN JESUS SAYS, "SEE THEM FIELDS? NOW PRETTY
SOON YOU GONNA HAVE GRAPES."
THEN THE PEOPLE WAS SO HAPPY AND THEY MADE UP WINE FROM
ALL THESE GRAPES.
THEN THE WORD ABOUT THE GRAPES WENT BACK TO UVERLINGEN,
A VILLAGE WHERE JESUS AND PETRUS WAS BEFORE SIPPLINGEN.
THEN THESE PEOPLE WAS RUNNING TO JESUS AND PETRUS AND
SAYING, "PLEASE COME BACK TO OUR VILLAGE. WE DIDN'T
KNOW YOU WAS JESUS AND PETRUS."
SO THEY ALL WENT BACK TO THAT VILLAGE AND THE PEOPLE SAY,
"JESUS, WHY YOU WON'T GIVE US SOME GRAPES, TOO?" JESUS
SAID, "THAT'S ALL RIGHT." AND HE DONE THIS. PETRUS
DIDN'T LIKE THIS AND SAY TO JESUS, "THEY WAS NOT KIND TO
US BEFORE. WHY YOU WANT TO GIVE THEM GRAPES?" BUT
JESUS SAY, "KEEP QUIET, PETRUS. I KNOW MY WORK."
BUT AFTER JESUS AND PETRUS GO AWAY AND THE PEOPLE
MAKE THE WINE AND TASTE IT, THEY FIND OUT IT WAS SOUR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY, ASSUMED ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: UNCERTAIN
TO DETERMINE HOW MANY CHILDREN A WOMAN WILL HAVE
PLACE A NEEDLE ON A LONG THREAD, SUSPEND IT OVER
THE OPEN PALM. TOUCH THE NEEDLE TO THE PALM, THEN
HOLD IT ABOVE THE PALM. WHEN THE NEEDLE MAKES A
CIRCLE, IT MEANS A BOY AND WHEN IT GOES BACK AND
FORTH IT MEANS A GIRL. THE NUMBER OF TIMES THESE
MOVEMENTS ARE MADE DETERMINES THE NUMBER OF
CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining number of children or sex of unborn P863.3 |
Date learned: 10-20-1969