Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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AUTOGRAPH BOOK
REMEMBER M,
REMEMBER E
BUT MOST OF ALL
REMEMBER ME.
Submitter comment: SAW THIS IN AUTOGRAPH BOOKS IN FERNDALE, MICHIGAN
Data entry tech comment: LINES HAVE BEEN DIVIDED BY THE KEYPUNCHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): COMMAND ; FRIENDLY ; QUATRAIN ; SPELLING RHYME
James Callow Keyword(s): INCREMENTAL REPETITION ; METER: IAMBS ; REMEMBRANCE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me |
Date learned: 12-04-1967
A CHRISTMAS LEGEND
IN THE EUROPE, ON THE CHRISTMAS TIME, AT MIDNIGHT, THE ANIMALS ARE
TALKIN', THEY SAY THEY WILL BURY THE MASTER. THE MASTER HEARS AND HE
WAS SO SCARED, HE WENT INTO THE HOUSE AND DIED.
NEXT MORNING, THE ANIMALS, PULLED THE WAGON WITH HIS BODY TO CARRY
TO CEMETERY.
Submitter comment:
I RECORDED THIS LITTLE STORY AS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE IN MY
GRANDMOTHER'S EXACT WORDS. MY GRANDMOTHER HAD FIRST HEARD THIS TALE
FROM HER FIRST HUSBAND MANY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 04-08-1965
WHEN SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY DIES YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO
STOP THE CLOCK AND COVER ALL MIRRORS IN THE HOUSE
UNTIL AFTER THEY ARE BURIED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HAD NOT DONE THIS, SINCE SHE HAD BEEN
LIVING IN MICHIGAN, BUT IN JULY, 1971 WHEN SHE WENT
TO HER GRANDMOTHER'S FUNERAL IN GEORGIA, ALL OF HER
RELATIVES HAD STOPPED THEIR CLOCKS AND HAD COVERED
THEIR MIRRORS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-18-1971
MISCARRIAGE
A NUN (VERY OLD) AT ST. JAMES HIGH IN FERNDALE,
(MICHIGAN) WHERE THE INFORMANT TAUGHT, TOLD
THE FRESHMEN GIRLS IN HOME EC. WHAT TO DO IF THEY
SHOULD EVER MISCARRY.
THE FETUS SHOULD BE CAREFULLY WRAPPED AND TAKEN TO "A
CATHOLIC FUNERAL HOME" AND THE BEREAVED MOTHER
SHOULD SNEAK THE PACKAGE INTO THE BOTTOM OF A
COFFIN HOLDING THE REMAINS OF SOMEONE ABOUT TO BE
BURIED."
THIS WOULD ASSURE THE BABY OF A CATHOLIC BURIAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GARLIC WORN AROUND YOUR NECK KEEPS VAMPIRES AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 12-01-1971
WHEN LEAVING THE HOUSE, ALWAYS STEP OUT WITH THE
RIGHT LEG, THEN YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK. IF
YOU STEP OUT WITH LEFT LEG, YOU WILL HAVE BAD
LUCK ALL DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Conversions Leaving Entering Returning home Travel |
Date learned: FROM YOUTH
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT HAS 88 KEYS AND CAN NOT OPEN A SINGLE LOCK?
A: A PIANO BOARD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORT GOODS (A) ; HARDWARE (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RETORT
YOU'RE ONLY A PEBBLE ON THE BEACH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN FERNDALE, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-23-1967
TIGHT PANTS
AT ST. JAMES HIGH SCHOOL IN FERNDALE, WHERE THE
INFORMANT WAS A TEACHER, THE DRESS CODE DID NOT ALLOW
THE BOYS TO WEAR TIGHT PANTS. THE TEST ONE HAD TO
PASS, WAS A GOLF BALL DROPPED IN THE PANTS AT THE
WAISTLINE HAD TO FALL OUT THE BOTTOM OR THE PANTS
WERE ILLEGAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RED LICORICE
IN 1960 IN BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN, AT HOLY NAME GRADE
SCHOOL, STRING TIES WERE POPULAR WEAR FOR THE BOYS.
THE SEVENTH-GRADERS WOULD BUY 3 FOOT STRINGS OF RED
LICORICE AND WEAR THEM AS TIES. BY THE END OF THE DAY,
"TIES" WERE NEARLY ALL GONE BECAUSE THE BOYS WOULD EAT
THEM THROUGH THE DAY, PROVOKING ONE NUN TO TELL THEM
THIS WAS A MORTAL SIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERB
WENN DER VOGEL FRISST, SINGT ER NICHT.
IF THE BIRD EATS, HE CANNOT SING. (TRANS).
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER AND FATHER USED TO SAY
THIS TO THEIR CHILDREN TO ENCOURAGE SILENCE
AT THE DINNER TABLE AS WELL AS BETTER EATING.
INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN REGENSBERG, GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): CONVERSATION TABU ; FUNCTION ; TALKING TABU
Date learned: 11-24-1967
IF YOU HAVE A MISFORTUNE AND HAVE ONE FRIEND WHO
STANDS BY YOU, YOU ARE A LUCKY PERSON. TRANS.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE HEARD IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN,
A VARIANT OF THIS PROVERB
A FRIEND IN NEED, IS A FRIEND IN DEED.
INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN REGENSBERG, GERMANY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 11-29-1967
PROVERB
EINEM GESCHENKTEN GAUL SIEHT MAN NICHT INS MAUL.
IF YOU HAVE A HORSE GIVEN TO YOU, DO NOT LOOK HIM IN THE MOUTH. TRAN
IN THE SENSE THAT YOU CAN NOT BE TOO
CRITICAL OF WHAT YOU GET FOR NOTHING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN REGENSBERG, GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
BELIEF
MIT GOTT FANG AN MIT GOTT IST ALLES WOHLGETAN.
IF YOU DON'T FORGET GOD IN YOUR DAILY TASKS, EVERYTHING WILL
COME OUT WELL. TRANSLATION.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS MARTIN LUTHER WAS FIRST TO POPULARIZE THIS
PROVERB. THIS VERY OLD GERMAN SAYING IS FOUND IN MANY BOOKS
EITHER HAND WRITTEN OR ENTERED BY THE PRINTER. IN FACT INFORMANT
SAID THIS SAYING APPEARED IN HER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN'>
TEXT BOOKS AFTER W.W. II IN MUNICH GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; WORLD WAR II
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-29-1967
PROVERB
IDLENESS IS THE MOTHER OF ALL EVIL. TRANSLATION OF
MUESSIGANG IST ALLER LASTER ANFANG.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN ROGENSBERG, GERMANY. AS A CHILD IN
FERNDALE, MICHIGAN, I HEARD SOMETHING SIMILAR. AN IDLE MIND IS A
DEVIL,S WORKSHOP. INFORMANT SAID THIS IS THE GENERAL MEANING OF
THIS PROVERB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 12-04-1967
GOOD LUCK. ( COLLECTOR'S TITLE ) ; GOOD LUCK: OBJECTS ( CLASSIFIER'S TITLE )
CARRY A SILVER DOLLAR OR TWO DOLLAR BILL.
Submitter comment: BECAUSE THEY ARE SO RARE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1 |
Date learned: 10-02-1967
GAME
JUDY'S IT, JUDY'S IT
CAN'T GET OVER ARITHMETIC.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SAID WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING TAG AND YOU ARE
PICKING SOMEONE TO BE "IT".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.524 |
Date learned: 12-06-1965
HOW MUSHROOMS STARTED
THE JESUS WENT TO SAINT PETER AND WENT TO FARM. FARM LADY BAKED
PANCAKE -- STOVE WAS LIKE PLATE. PETER SO HUNGRY, STOLE PANCAKES
AND WHEN JESUS NOT LOOKIN', PUT IT IN THE SHIRT. THEY WENT TO
WOODS, AND PETER ATE PIECE OF PANCAKE WHEN JESUS NOT LOOKIN'.
EVERYTIME HE WANT TO SWALLOW, THE JESUS STARTED TO TALK TO HIM, SO
HE GRABT FROM HIS MOUTH AND THREW IT IN THE WOODS. FINALLY, THE
JESUS TELL HIM HE KNOW HE STOLET PANCAKE, AND DID NOT SWOLLOW, BUT
THREW IT INTO THE WOODS. SO THE JESUS SAY IT WILL NOT BE WASTED,
THAT PANCAKE, BUT WILL GROW INTO THE MUSHROOMS.
Submitter comment:
COLLECTOR RECORDED THIS STORY IN THE EXACT WORDS.
MY GRANDMOTHER HAD HEARD THIS STORY FROM HER FIRST HUSBAND OVER
FORTY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Plant Life PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: 04-08-1965
TRUE RIDDLE
JUDGE: WHERE WERE YOU ON THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 30TH?
VICTIM: THERE IS NO FEBRUARY 30TH.
JUDGE: OH SO YOU STOLE THAT TOO.
LEARNED FROM OLDER BROTHER.
Data entry tech comment: CHAPTER 2 IN "WITCRACKS" BY ALVIN SCHWARTZ
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): COURTROOM ; DIALOGUE ; HUMOR ; STEALING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 11-21-1965
LULLABYE
MERRY LITTLE GYPSIES ARE WE, WITH HEARTS SO LIGHT AND STEPS SO FREE.
WE DANCE TOGETHER HAND IN HAND, A GAY AND HAPPY LITTLE BAND. TRA LA
LA LA LA TRA LA LA LA LA TRA LA LA LA LA LA LA. OH I HAVE PRETTY
THINGS TO SELL, FOR SILVER I CAN FORTUNES TELL. I MAKE CLOTHES
PEGS AND BASKETS LARGE AND LITTLE FOR THEM ALL I CHARGE. TRA LA
LA, ETC. I'M THE QUEEN OF THE GYPSIES ALL, EACH MUST ANSWER WHEN I
CALL. I LOVE THE EARTH AND SKIES ABOVE, I RULE MY SUBJECTS ALL WITH
LOVE. TRA LA LA ETC. A FAIR LITTLE GIRL SAT UNDER A TREE, SEWING
AS LONG AS HER EYES COULD SEE. SHE SMOOTHED HER WORK AND FOLDED
IT RIGHT, AND SAID DEAR WORK, GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT. TRA LA LA, ETC.
A BIG BLACK CROW FLEW OVER HER HEAD CRYING,"CAW CAW" ON HIS WAY TO
BED. SHE SAID AS SHE WATCHED HIS CURIOUS FLIGHT,"LITTLE BLACKBIRD
GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT." TRA LA LA, ETC.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER USED TO SING THIS TO ME WHILE ROCKING ME TO SLEEP. HER
FATHER SANG IT TO HER WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Cradle song Lullaby |
Date learned: 02-00-1979