Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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COUNTING OUT RHYMES
ONE POTATOE
TWO POTATOE
THREE POTATOE, FOUR.
FIVE POTATOE
SIX POTATOE
SEVEN POTATOE, MORE.
OUT GOES THE RAT
OUT GOES THE CAT
OUT GOES THE LADY WITH THE SEE-SAW HAT.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
JUMP ROLE RHYME
MY MOTHER AND YOUR MOTHER WERE HANGING UP CLOTHES
MY MOTHER SOCKED YOUR MOTHER RIGHT IN THE NOSE.
HOW MANY BLOWS DID SHE TAKE? 1, 2, 3, ...
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1965 ; 00-00-1965
MARY MACK
OH, MACK, MACK, MACK,
ALL DRESSED IN BLACK, BLACK, BLACK,
WITH SILVER CONED BUTTONS, BUTTONS, BUTTONS,
ALL DOWN HER BACK, BACK, BACK.
SHE ASKED HER MOTHER, MOTHER, MOTHER,
FOR FIFTEEN CENTS, CENTS, CENTS,
TO SEE THE ELEPHANT, ELEPHANT, ELEPHANT,
JUMP THE FENCE, FENCE, FENCE.
HE JUMPED SO HIGH, HIGH, HIGH,
THAT HE TOUCHED THE SKY, SKY, SKY,
AND HE NEVER CAME BACK, BACK, BACK,
UNTIL THE FOURTH OF JULY, JULY, JULY.
MARY WENT HOME, HOME, HOME,
AND WENT TO BED, BED, BED,
SHE HIT HER HEAD, HEAD, HEAD,
ON A PIECE OF CORNBREAD, BREAD, BREAD.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
PATTIE CAKE
PATTY CAKE
PATTY CAKE
BAKER'S MAN
BAKE ME A CAKE AS FAST AS YOU CAN
ROLL IT
AND PAT IT
AND MARK IT WITH A "B"
AND THROW IT IN THE OVEN FOR BABY AND ME.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
ROCKIN, ROBIN
TWEET A LEE A LEE
TWEET A LEE A LEE
TWEET A LEE A LEE
TWEET A LEE A LEE
WE ROCKED IN THE TREE TOP ALL DAY LONG,
HUFFIN, AND A PUFFIN, AND SINGING A SONG.
ALL THE LITTLE BIRDIES ON JAY-BIRD STREET
LOVE TO HEAR THE ROBIN GO TWEET, TWEET, TWEET.
ROCKIN' ROBIN TWEET, TWEET, TWEET
ROCKIN' ROBIN TWEET, TWEET, TWEET
COME ON LITTLE BIRDIES WE'RE REALLY GONNA ROCK TONIGHT
TWEET, TWEET, TWEET.
MAMA IN THE KITCHEN STIRRING THAT RICE.
DADDY ON THE CORNER SHOTTING THEM DICE.
BROTHER IN JAIL MESSING UP THE CELL.
SISTER ON THE CORNER SELLING CUPCAKES FOR SALE.
ROCKIN' ROBIN TWEET, TWEET, TWEET,
ROCKIN' ROBIN TWEET, TWEET, TWEET,
OH, ROCKIN' ROBIN CAUSE WE'RE REALLY GONNA ROCK TONIGHT
TWEET, TWEET, TWEET.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
CINDERELLA DRESSED IN YELLOW
CINDERELLA DRESSED IN YELLOW
WENT UP STAIRS TO KISS A FELLOW
SHE MADE A MISTAKE
AND KISSED A SNAKE
HOW MANY DOCTORS DID IT TAKE? COUNT FROM 1 TO 15.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): COLOR ; COUNTING ; GAME ; Jump Rope ; JUMP ROPE RHYME ; RHYME ; SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
KWANZA
KWANZA WAS CREATED BY DR. RON KARENGA FOR BLACK AMERICANS.
IT STARTS DECEMBER 26TH AND ENDS JANUARY 1ST.
BLACK, RED, AND GREEN ARE ITS COLORS. BLACK IS FOR OUR PEOPLE
RED FOR OUR CONTINUING STRUGGLE AND GREEN FOR LAND AND HOPE.
KANZA HAS SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM, CALLED THE
NGUZO SABA.
1. UMOJA -(UNITY)- TO STRIVE FOR AND MAINTAIN UNITY IN THE FAMILY,
COMMUNITY, NATION AND RACE.
2. KUJUCHAGULIA -(SELF-DETERMINATION)- TO DEFINE
OURSELVES, NAME OURSELVES,
CREATE FOR OURSELVES AND SPEAK
FOR OURSELVES RATHER THAT TO ALLOW OTHERS
TO DO THESE THINGS FOR US.
3. UJIMA -(COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY)- TO BUILD AND
MAINTAIN OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO MAKE OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS
PROBLEMS OUR PROBLEMS AND TO SOLVE THEM TOGETHER.
4. UJAMAA -(COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS)- TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN OUR
OWN STORES,
SHOPS, AND OTHER BUSINESSES AND TO PROFIT FROM THEM TOGETHER.
5. NIA -(PURPOSE)- TO MAKE OUR COLLECTIVE VOCATION THE BUILDING AN
DEVELOPING OF OUR COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO RESTORE OUR PEOPLE TO THEIR
TRADITIONAL GREATNESS.
6. KUUMBA -(CREATIVITY)- TO DO ALWAYS AS MUCH
AS WE CAN IN THE WAY WE
CAN, IN ORDER TO LEAVE OUR COMMUNITY MORE BEAUTIFUL AND BENEFICIAL
THAN WHEN WE INHERITED IT.
7. IMANI -(FAITH)- TO BELIEVE WITH ALL OUR
HEARTS IN OUR PEOPLE, OUR
PARENTS, OUR TEACHERS, OUR LEADERS AND THE
RIGHTEOUSNESS AND VICTORY OF OUR STRUGGLE. MM
CELEBRANTS BRING FOOD AND DRINKS TO SHARE FOR EACH DAY'S FEAST. EAC
CELEBRANT IS GREETED WITH THE WORDS "HABARI GANI" WHICH MEANS WHAT'S
THE NEWS OR WHAT'S HAPPENING. THE RESPONSE IS THAT DAY'S NQUZO SABA
PRINCIPLE.
THE HOUSE IS DECORATED WITH THE COLORS
GREEN, RED, AND BLACK. EVERYONE
GATHERS INTO A SEMICIRCLE. THE TABLE IS SET WITH THE SYMBOLS OF
KWANZA AND EACH PIECE IS EXPLAINED.
A STRAW MAT (MKEKA), THE SYMBOL
FOR OUR HISTORICAL FOUNDATION IN
TADITIONAL AFRICAN CULTURE. A CANDLEHOLDER
(KINARA), THE SYMBOL FOR OUR AFRICAN ANCESTORS. IT HOLDS SEVEN
CANDLES, (MISHUMAA), THREE RED, ONE BLACK, AND THREE GREEN ONES. TH
CANDLES REPRESENT THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES.
(MATUNDA)- TROPICAL FRUIT, VEGETABLES AND NUTS, WHICH REPRESENT THE
YIELD OF TRADITIONAL HARVEST.
EARS OF CORN WHICH REPRESENT THE NUMBER
OF CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY AND UNSHUCKED EARS OF CORN TO REPRESENT
CHILDLESS HOMES TO EXPRESS THE POTENTIAL FOR CHILDREN.
GIFTS, GIVEN ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF KWANZA, ARE MAINLY FOR CHILDREN
AND REPRESENT PARENT'S SATISFACTION
THAT THEIR CHILDREN HAVE ACHIEVED
AND GROWN IN A MANNER THAT GIVES HONOR TO THE FAMILY. THE GIFTS ARE
EXPRESSING THE HISTORY, CULTURE AND COMMITMENT
TO EDUCATION AS A LIBERATING
FORCE. MM
THE ELDERS OF THE FAMILY TAKE SEATS ON EACH SIDE OF THE KWANZA TABLE
SETTING AND THE CEREMONY BEGINS. THE
ELDERS CHARGE YOU TO REMEMBER OUR
ANCESTORS AND TO STRUGGLE FOR A NEW WORLD FOR
OUR CHILDREN. THEY POUR A LIBATION FORM THE UNITY CUP.
A LIBATION IS AN EXPRESSION OF COMMUNICATION AMONG US:
THE LIVING, OUR ANCESTORS AND OUR CHILDREN YET
TO BE BORN.
TO EXPRESS UNITY AS AN IDEAL IN BLACK
COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD,
THE ELDERS DRINK FROM THE UNITY CUP AND PASS IT TO THE
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CELEBRATION.
EACH PERSON SHOUTS "HARAMBEE" (LET'S PULL TOGETHER),
THEREBY PLEDGING THEMSELVES TO UNITY.
THE CHILDREN LIGHT A CANDLE FOR EACH
DAY OF THE CELEBRATION WHICH HAS
PASSED AND FOR THE PRESENT DAY. EACH
CELEBRANT EXPRESSES THEIR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS ABOUT THE PRINCIPLE
FOR THE DAY AND HOW IT AFFECTS THEIR LIVES. MM
KWANZA WAS FOUNDED TO CELEBRATE OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES, OUR
WARMTH AND LOVE, OUR INTERDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM STRUGGLE AND OUR
JOY AND STRENGTH. BECAUSE WE ARE AN AFRICAN PEOPLE. DR. KARENGA
LOOKING TO THE MOTHERLAND; BORROWED AN IDEAL; USED CREATIVITY AND
INGENUITY, AND MIXED IT WITH THE BLACK EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA. HE
CREATED MATUNDA YA KWANKA (KISWAHILI),
FOR FIRST FRUIT, THE CELEBRATION
COMMONLY KNOWN AS KWANZA.
KWANZA IS AN EXTENDED FAMILY CELEBRATION AND AN OCCASION FOR
STRENGTHENING FAMILY CONSCIOUSNESS AND SOLIDARITY WHILE SERVING AS A
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN IN SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL MATTERS.
MUCH TIME IS SPENT REFLECTING ON THE PAST YEAR, MAKING DECISIONS
ABOUT IMPORTANT MATTERS THAT AFFECT THE FAMILY, WISHING RELATIVES A
PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR AND ENJOYING FOOD, MUSIC AND GAMES.
IN THE U.S. THE FIRST FRUIT CELEBRATION, KWANZA, IS A SYMBOLIC EVENT
DURING THE FESTIVAL BLACK PEOPLE COME
TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE OUR AFRICAN
HERITAGE, TO GIVE THANKS TO OUR ANCESTORS,
TO REAFFIRM THE BELIEF THAT ELDERS SHOULD BE
RESPECTED, TO REINFORCE OUR VALUE FRAMEWORK FOR OUR CHILDREN
AND TO CELEBRATE THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM,
THE NGUZO SABA.
Submitter comment:
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A CELEBRATION OF KWANZA LAST
YEAR AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE. SHE (MARLA PITTS), HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
CELEBRATE IT WHILE ON HER VACATION IN 1975.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
Date learned: 00-00-1978 ; 00-00-1975
HAIR CUTTING
THERE IS A BELIEF THAT THE MORE YOU CUT YOUR HAIR
THE FASTER IT WILL GROW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BALDNESS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
IF A LADYBUG FLIES INTO YOUR HOME, THAT IS A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK.
IF YOU KILL THE LADYBUG, YOU HAVE CHASED THE GOOD LUCK AWAY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
FOOD SERVED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
IF YOU EAT PEAS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, YOU WILL BE FINANCIALLY
STABLE THROUGHOUT THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 01-00-1968
DREAMS
IF YOU DREAM OF YOUR TEETH FALLING OUT, THAT IS A SIGN THAT YOU
WILL HEAR OF A DEATH OF A CLOSE FRIEND.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Dreams Foretelling a death |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
TOAST: VERSE
MAY HE/SHE BE IN HEAVEN ONE-HALF HOUR BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS
THAT HE/SHE IS DEAD.
Submitter comment: THIS TOAST IS GIVEN AT A GATHERING AFTER A FUNERAL SERVICE.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1968
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
IN JAIL YOU GET COFFEE
IN JAIL YOU GET TEA
IN JAIL YOU GET EVERYTHING
BUT THE DARN OLD KEY
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): INCREMENTAL REPETITION ; INITIAL ITERATION ; MEDIAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED AND HAVE A TOT,
SEND ME A LETTER FOR A PE-PE POT.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BABY ; EUPHEMISM: PE-PE POT FOR CHILD'S TOILET
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
WHEN YOU GET OLD AND OUT OF SHAPE,
REMEMBER GIRDLES ARE $2.98.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED AND YOUR HUSBAND IS CROSS,
TAKE A POT OR PAN AND SHOW HIM WHO'S BOSS.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
REMEMBER A
REMEMBER B
REMEMBER THE DAY WE BOTH GOT D
REMEMBER THE FIGHT
REMEMBER THE FUN
REMEMBER THE HOMEWORK THAT NEVER GOT DONE.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DRUNK ; ELLIPSIS ; NOSTALGIA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
BLUE BIRD IN AND OUT MY WINDOW
BLUE BIRD, BLUE BIRD IN AND OUT MY WINDOW,
BLUE BIRD, BLUE BIRD, IN AND OUT MY WINDOW.
BLUE BIRD, BLUE BIRD, IN AND OUT MY WINDOW,
OH, JOHNNY WE ARE TIRED. THIS SONG IS SUNG WHILE CHILDREN ARE IN
A CIRCLE HOLDING HANDS SOME CHILDREN FORM A LINE AND GO IN AND OUT
AND AROUND THE CIRCLE OF CHILDREN WHILE THEY HOLD THEIR HANDS HIGH
IN THE AIR.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 00-00-1962
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
DON'T GO KISSIN' BY THE GARDEN GATE,
LOVE IS BLIND BUT THE NEIGHBORS AIN'T.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP
WITH A BAG OF CANDY AT MY FEET.
IF I DIE BEFORE I WAKE,
YOU KNOW I DIED OF A STOMACH ACHE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 00-00-1969