Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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Belief: Children's Song
DON'T STEP ON A CRACK OR YOU'LL BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
Submitter comment:
IS AN OLD CHILDHOOD SAYING THAT THIS INFORMANT REMINDED ME OF.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE
Date learned: 03-30-1968
FAMILY STORY
THERE IS AN OLD STORY HANDED DOWN IN THE SPLAIN FAMILY ABOUT
A GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER ONE OF THE FIRST OF THE SPLAIN FAMILY
TO SETTLE IN WASHINGTON, DC WHO MARRIED AN "OLD HAG, A STAUNCH
RELIGIOUS HAG, BECAUSE HE WANTED TO GET TO HEAVEN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 10-00-1972
LEGENDS, EVENTS AND BELIEFS ABOUT ELVES.
IT IS KNOWN THAT ELVES ARE ABLE TO BE FOUND MORE READILY IN LATE
MAY OR EARLY JUNE, THAN ANY OTHER TIME OF THE YEAR.
IT IS KNOWN THAT CERTAIN ELVES, WOOD ELVES, ARE GENERALLY FOUND
IN THE WOODS AND VALLEYS.
WOOD ELVES ARE MORE EASILY SEEN IN THE EVENING HOURS AS THE
STARS JUST BEGIN TO EMERGE IN THEIR SPLENDOR.
IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT ELVES STAY VERY HIDDEN AND ARE VIRTUALLY
SOUNDLESS IN THEIR MOVEMENTS AND SPEECH WHILE OUT OF DOORS.
IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT ELVES WOULD PREFER TO SING BALLADS, EVENTS OR
LEGENDS RATHER THAN JUST SINGING AS A FORM OF COMMUNICATION.
IT HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN THAT ELVES ARE NOT ALL THE SAME AS A GROUP.
IN FACT SOME ELVES, SEA ELVES, PREFER TO STAY IN SAILING SHIPS
AND OTHER LARGE VESSELS WHILE PATROLLING THE SEA RATHER THAN WALK
AROUND ON LAND.
SOME ELVES WILL ONLY LIVE ON ISLANDS WHILE OTHER GROUPS WILL ONLY
DWELL IN THE MAIN LANDS.
ELVES AS A GENERAL GROUP OR CLASS OF CREATURES HAVE DIFFERENT
LEVELS OF CLASSIFICATIONS.
THERE ARE KNOWN FOR EXAMPLE TO BE HIGH ELVES AND LOW ELVES.
A UNIQUE AND KNOWN FACT ABOUT ELVES IS THAT THEY HAVE AN UNCANNY
ABILITY TO WALK VERY GENTLY AND LIGHT FOOTEDLY THROUGH THE LAND.
IN FACT SOME PEOPLE HAVE FOUND THAT ELVES HAVE WALKED IN LARGE GROUPS
RIGHT PAST THEM IN THE FALL WHEN LEAVES ARE EVERYWHERE,
WITHOUT A SOUND OF THEIR PRESENCE EVEN KNOWN.
OTHER ELVES HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO WALK ON TOP OF SNOW WITH-
OUT LEAVING A TRACE OF THIN FOOTSTEPS.
ELVES OF COURSE ALWAYS WALK BARE FOOTED.
ELVES HAVE A DEFINITE SPIRITUAL SIDE TO THEIR GENDER.
IT IS KNOWN THAT ELVES CANNOT REALLY DIE, BUT RATHER PASS ON TO
ANOTHER AND FAR GREATER LAND OF EXISTENCE.
ALONG THESE SAME LINES, ELVES HAVE THE DEFINITE ABILITY TO
PICK UP INFORMATION CONCERNING PRESENT AS WELL AS PAST EVENTS.
ELVES PICK UP THIS INFORMATION FROM SUCH OBJECTS AS TREES, SMALL
FURRY ANIMALS, ROCKS, STREAMS, THE OCEANS AND OTHER THINGS.
THE ELVES SPEAK A CERTAIN ELVIN LANGUAGE TO THESE OBJECTS, THAT
ONLY THE OBJECTS AND THE ELVES KNOW HOW TO SPEAK.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT SEEMS TO BE BELIEVABLE.
HE SEEMS TO KNOW MUCH MORE THAN HE WILL TELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Star |
Date learned: 12-03-1982
A TEENAGE COUPLE WENT FOR A DRIVE AND THEY RAN OUT OF GAS,
THE BOY SAID HE WOULD GO FOR GAS, AND WHILE HE WAS GONE, HE
TOLD THE GIRL NOT TO LEAVE THE CAR, BECAUSE THERE HAD BEEN
STORIES OF WEIRD HAPPENINGS IN THE AREA. WHEN HE RETURNED
WITH THE GAS, THEY GOT READY TO LEAVE, BUT THEY HEARD THIS
DRIP, DRIP, DRIP. FINALLY, THEY DISCOVERED WHAT IT WAS:
BLOOD WAS DRIPPING ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS AN OLD BOY SCOUT STORY CIRCULATING WHEN THE INFORMANT
WAS A BOY SCOUT.
James Callow comment:
PARKING TABU NOT APPARENT IN THIS TALE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
Date learned: 11-00-1972
THE ITALIAN WEDDING DANCE
AT A TRADITIONAL ITALIAN WEDDING IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR EVERYONE TO
DANCE THE TARANTELA, AN ITALIAN FOLK DANCE.
THE GROUP GATHERS TOGETHER IN
THE MIDDLE OF A DANCE FLOOR AND DANCES TO A FAST BEAT.
Submitter comment:
THE TARANTELA IS FAST MUSIC, BUT I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT DIFFERENT
ITALIAN FAMILIES HAVE THIER OWN STYLE OF DANCE TO THIS MUSIC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Group Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Crucial moment of life Life cycle Crucial Moment in Life |
Date learned: 10-24-1982
SONG
WEAR MY PINK PAJAMAS IN THE SUMMER WHEN ITS HOT/ WEAR MY
FLANNEL NIGHTIE IN THE WINTER WHEN IT'S NOT/ SOMETIMES IN
THE SPRINGTIME SOMETIMES IN THE FALL/ JUMP RIGHT IN BETWEEN THE
SHEETS WITH NOTHIN ON AT ALL/ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH
GLORY, GLORY, HALLELUJAH/ GLORY, GLORY, HALLELUJAH/ WITH
NOTHIN ON AT ALL
Submitter comment: SUNG TO THE TUNE OF THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 10-00-1972
WORMS
NOBODY LIKES ME EVERYBODY HATES ME GUESS I'LL GO EAT WORMS,
BIG, FAT, JUICY ONES, LITTLE BITTY SCRAWNY ONES, SEE HOW THEY
WRIGGLE AND SQUIRM. BITE THEIR HEADS OFF SUCK THEIR JUICES
THROW THE SKINS AWAY. NOBODY KNOWS HOW MAN CAN THRIVE ON
WORMS
THREE TIMES A DAY.
Submitter comment: THIS IS SAID IN A POUTY, SING-SONG FASHION.
James Callow comment:
PUNCTUATION ADDED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE: WORMS AS FOOD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-00-1972
Proverb
MAY YOUR LUCK BE AS LONG AS A RABBIT'S EARS, SORROW AS SHORT AS HIS TAIL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 02-22-2011 by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Ear ; EARS ; LUCK ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; Rabbit ; SORROW ; Tail ; VERSE
James Callow Keyword(s): WISH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance P880.3 |
Date learned: 06-09-1944
Language: Rhyme
STOP MAKING LOVE AT (NAME'S) GATE,
LOVE IS BLIND, BUT NEIGHBORS AIN'T.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 02-22-2011 by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Allusion ; BLIND ; Gate ; Neighbor ; PLAY ON WORDS ; Public ; PUN ; RHYME ; SEX
James Callow Keyword(s): AA ; HUMOR ; PLAY ON PROVERB ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
ITALIAN MARRIAGE CUSTOMS
WHEN AN ITALIAN FAMILY CELEBRATES A WEDDING IT IS CUSTOMARY AND
GOOD LUCK TO MAKE CANDIED ALMONDS FOR THE GUESTS. ABOUT FIVE OF
THESE ALMONDS ARE GATHERED IN A LACE MATERIAL AND TIED WITH A BOW.
THEY ARE EITHER KEPT FOR GOOD LUCK OR EATEN AS A CANDY.
Submitter comment:
THE GUESTS USUALLY EAT THESE CANDIES AS MOST OF THEM
LACK AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ITALIAN BELIEF THAT THESE CANDIES BRING
GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
PROVERB
FINE WORDS BUTTER NO PARSNIPS.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 07-10-1964
PROVERB
FOOLS RUSH IN WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 07-10-1964
ITCHING HANDS
IF YOUR LEFT HAND ITCHES YOU WILL SHAKE HANDS WITH A FOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
SWIFTEE
"GET TO THE BACK OF THE BOAT," HE SAID STERNLY.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): PUN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
IRISH PROVERB
GOD MADE TIME, BUT MAN MADE HASTE.
Submitter comment:
A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY TOLD ME THIS PROVERB WHEN I WAS ONLY ELEVEN
YEARS OLD. I DON,T REMEMBER HIS NAME, BUT I DO REMEMBER THE PROVERB
VERY VIVIDLY, BECAUSE IT SEEMED SO TRUE.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANTITHESIS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
PROVERB
"GOOD CLOTHES OPEN ALL DOORS."
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): PERSONIFICATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-24-1965
IT FLOATS
THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO KILLED ANOTHER MAN AND DUMPED
HIS BODY IN THE RIVER. THAT NIGHT WHILE HE WAS SLEEPING
HE HEARD A VOICE SAYING, "IT FLOATS, IT FLOATS." SO HE
JUMPED UP AND RAN DOWN TO THE RIVER, BUT HE COULDN'T
SEE THE BODY. THE NEXT NIGHT HE HEARD THE SAME VOICE
SAYING, "IT FLOATS, IT FLOATS." HE WENT BACK TO THE
RIVER, BUT HE COULDN'T FIND ANY BODY, SO HE WENT BACK
TO BED. THE NEXT NIGHT THE VOICE CAME AGAIN, SAYING
"IT FLOATS, IT FLOATS." HE WENT DOWN TO THE RIVER, BUT
HE COULDN'T FIND ANY FLOATING BODY. HE SAID "WHAT
FLOATS?" THE VOICE ANSWERED: "IVORY SOAP FLOATS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ADVERTISING COMMERCIAL
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 10-30-1968
CAR FOR SALE
A PERSON BOUGHT THAT CAR AND EVERY TIME HE CLOSED THE WINDOWS
THE STENCH INSIDE THE CAR WOULD BE SO STRONG YOU COULDN'T GET IN
THE CAR--LIKE ON A WARM DAY. THIS STILL HAPPENED YEARS AFTERWARDS.
Submitter comment:
I, THE COLLECTOR, TOLD THEM ABOUT THE CAR WHICH THE OWNER COULD NOT
SELL BECAUSE A PERSON WHO HAD DIED IN IT WAS LEFT IN IT FOR SOME
TIME AND THE ODOR REMAINED. IT PROMPTED THE FOLLOWING:
HEARD THIS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
CAR FOR SALE
A PERSON BOUGHT THAT CAR AND EVERY TIME HE CLOSED THE WINDOWS THE
STENCH INSIDE THE CAR WOULD BE SO STRONG YOU COULDN'T GET IN THE
CAR--LIKE ON A WARM DAY. THIS STILL HAPPENED YEARS AFTERWARDS.
Submitter comment:
I, THE COLLECTOR, TOLD THEM ABOUT THE CAR WHICH THE OWNER COULD NOT
SELL BECAUSE A PERSON WHO HAD DIED IN IT WAS LEFT IN IT FOR SOME
TIME AND THE ODOR REMAINED. IT PROMPTED THE FOLLOWING:
HEARD THIS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
LANGUAGE OF ISRAEL: ELIEZER BEN-YEHUDA AND THE FORMATION OF
THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THE STORY OF ELIEZER BEN-YEHUDA, THE MAN WHO
COMPILED THE MODERN HEBREW LANGUAGE. BEN-YEHUDA FOUND THAT THE
JEWISH PEOPLE KNEW THE MEANINGS OF ONLY 7,700 HEBREW WORDS WHEN HE
COMPILED HIS FAMOUS DICTIONARY IN THE 1800'S. BEN-YEHUDA HAD TO
MAKE UP WORDS TO FIT NEW CONCEPTS THAT DID NOT EXIST WHERE ANCIENT
HEBREW WAS USED ("CARRIAGE," ETC.) SO HE COMBINED GERMAN, HEBREW
AND ARABIC TO FORM WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS YIDDISH.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Hebrew ; Jewish ; Language ; Origin
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being SPEECH -- Folk etymology |