Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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An old family graveyard had to be dug up and moved to make
room for a major highway that was being made in the Detroit,
Michigan area. It was found that one woman had been buried while
she was still living. This was known to be true because the
deceased had rolled over on to her abdomen in her casket and had
pulled all of her hair out of her scalp.
Submitter comment:
This was told to the informant by a Grosse Pointe teacher who
knew it to be true because the deceased was her grandmother.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): PREMATURE BURIAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
It has recently become popular for males to wear an earring in
one ear. Frequently the ear that the earring is worn in is used to
tell the sexual preference of the wearer. The saying "left is
right and right is wrong" tells that an earring in the left ear
means that the wearer is heterosexual and an earring in the right
ear means that the wearer is gay or homosexual.
Submitter comment: This has become popular in the early 1990s.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): LEFT RIGHT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1991
Red and yellow,
Kill a fellow.
Red and black,
Venom lack.
Submitter comment:
This rhyme is used to tell venomous and non-venomous snakes
apart. The color refers to the consecutive color bands only. If
red and black color rings touch on the snake, it is not venomous.
If red and yellow color bands touch on the snake, it is usually a
venomous snake.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1991
MARCH 18
PLACE AN EGG ON AN ANTHILL ON MARCH 18 AND LEAVE IT THERE
FOR THREE DAYS. WHOEVER TOUCHES IT NEXT WILL FALL HEAD
OVER HEELS IN LOVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 F642.9 |
Date learned: 02-05-1970
ON A BIRTHDAY CAKE, A CANDLE IS PLACED AND LIT FOR EACH
YEAR OF THE PERSON'S LIFE. IF IN ONE BREATH THE
PERSON WHO HAS THE BIRTHDAY CAN BLOW OUT ALL OF THE
CANDLES, HIS WISH WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 04-26-1972
THERE IS ANOTHER POLISH WEDDING CUSTOM THAT INVOLVES THE
BRIDE. AFTER THE GRAND MARCH, THE BRIDE IS TO DANCE WITH
THE GROOM; THEN AS THE SONG "TWELVE ANGELS" IS SUNG BY
ALL PEOPLE SURROUNDING THEM (MAKING A CIRCLE AROUND THEM),
SHE GIVES HER VEIL TO EACH OF HER BRIDESMAIDS TO WEAR AND
DANCE WITH THIS GOES ON FOR THE WHOLE SONG, WHICH IS
DIRECTED BY THE COOK, AND ENDS WITH THE BRIDE SITTING ON
THE GROOM'S LAP WHILE "LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART" IS
PLAYED, AND SUNG BY ALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Circle singing |
Date learned: 01-30-1972
ALABAMA BUSKA, KING OF THE JEWS. BOUGHT HIS WIFE A NEW PAIR OF SHOES.
WHEN THE SHOES BEGAN TO WEAR, ALABAMA BUSKA BEGAN TO SWEAR- WIFE,WIFE
TURN AROUND, WIFE, WIFE TOUCH THE GROUND, WIFE, WIFE LEAVE TOWN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): ACTION-RHYME ; CHARACTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
BLONDIE AND DAGWOOD WENT DOWNTOWN./ BLONDIE BOUGHT AN EVENING GOWN,/
DAGWOOD BOUGHT A PAIR OF SHOES,/ COOKIE BOUGHT THE DAILY NEWS,/ CLOSE
YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO TEN, / IF YOU MISS, TAKE THE END.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
BLONDIE AND DAGWOOD WENT DOWNTOWN/ BLONDIE BOUGHT AN EVENING GOWN/
DAGWOOD BOUGHT A PAIR OF SHOES / COOKIE BOUGHT THE EVENING NEWS/
LADY ON ONE FOOT, ONE FOOT, ONE FOOT, / LADY ON TWO FEET, TWO FEET,
TWO FEET, / LADY ON THREE FEET, THREE FEET, THREE FEET, (AND HAND)/
LADY ON FOUR FEET, FOUR FEET, FOUR FEET,
(TWO HANDS) LADY ON FIVE FEET,
FIVE FEET, FIVE FEET, (AND HEAD)/ LADY PIGEON-TOED, PIGEON-TOED,
PIGEON-TOED,/ LADY BOW-LEGGED, BOW-LEGGED, BOW-LEGGED,/ LADY STUPID
LOOKING, STUPID LOOKING, STUPID LOOKING,/ AND THAT'S WHY I'M GETTING
OUT OF HERE.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM THE CHILDREN OF HER NEIGHBORHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): ACTION-RHYME ; CHARACTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
FUDGE, FUDGE, CALL THE JUDGE,/ MAMA GOT A NEW BORN BABY./ IT ISN'T A
GIRL, IT ISN'T A BOY,/ IT'S JUST A PLAIN OLD BABY.
WRAP IT UP IN TISSUE PAPER,/ SEND IT DOWN THE ELEVATOR: FIRST FLOOR:
MISS, SECOND FLOOR: MISS. THIRD FLOOR MISS,
FOURTH FLOOR: MISS, FIFTH
FLOOR : MISS . SIXTH FLOOR: DO NOT MISS" CAUSE THE BABY WAS BORN AT
HALF PAST SIX.
Submitter comment: FROM THE CHILDREN OF HER NEIGBORHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: SUMMER 00001964
ROPE SKIPPING RHYME
SAILOR BOY, SAILOR BOY DO YOUR DUTY,
HERE COMES AMERICA'S BATHING BEAUTY.
SHE CAN DO THE RUMBA, SHE CAN DO THE TWIST,
SHE CAN WEAR HER DRESSES ABOVE HER HIPS.
Submitter comment: FROM THE CHILDREN OF HER NEIGHBORHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00001964 SUMMER
ROPE SKIPPING RHYME
NOT LAST NIGHT BUT THE NIGHT BEFORE,
TWENTY-EIGHT ROBBERS CAME KNOCKING AT MY DOOR.
AS I WENT OUT TO LET THEM IN,
KNOCKED THEM OVER THE HEAD WITH A ROLLING PIN.
ASKED THEM WHAT THEY WANTED
AND THIS IS WHAT THEY SAID:
SPANISH DANCER TURN AROUND,
SPANISH DANCER TOUCH THE GROUND,
SPANISH DANCER DO THE TWIST
SPANISH DANCER GET OUT BEFORE YOU MISS.
Submitter comment: FROM THE CHILDREN OF HER NEIGHBORHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): ACTION-RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00001964 SUMMER
ROPE SKIPPING RHYME
NOT LAST NIGHT BUT THE NIGHT BEFORE,
TWENTY-EIGHT ROBBERS CAME KNOCKING AT MY DOOR.
I RAN OUT, THEY CAME IN,
JIT ME OVER THE HEAD WITH A ROLLING PIN.
SPANISH GIRLS CAN DO THE SPLITS,
GIVE A LITTLE KICK, KICK, KICK,
TURN A-ROUND, ROUND, ROUND,
TOUCH THE GROUND, GROUND, GROUND,
THEN GET OUT OF TOWN, TOWN, TOWN.
Submitter comment: FROM THE CHILDREN OF HER NEIGHBORHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): ACTION-RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00001964 SUMMER
WHEN A PERSON BREAKS A MIRROR, HE WILL HAVE SEVEN
YEARS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Bad luck Mirror |
Date learned: 04-26-1972
IF YOU WALK UNDER A LADDER YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK
THE REST OF THE DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Angular forms BELIEF -- Bad luck Ladder (angles, pyramid, etc.) |
Date learned: 04-26-1972
WHEN ONE ASKS FOR THE SALT SHAKER TO BE PASSED TO HIM,
HE SHOULD ASK FOR IT TO BE PLACED DOWN ON THE TABLE
BEFORE ACCEPTING IT, FOR BAD LUCK WILL BEFALL YOU
IF YOU RECEIVE IT HAND TO HAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Bad luck Furniture (bed, table, chair, etc.) BELIEF -- Bad luck Food and drink |
Date learned: 04-26-1972
IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH AT NIGHT, YOU WILL
HAVE BAD LUCK THE NEXT DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 04-26-1972
FOR A PERSON TO KILL A SNAKE, IS TO BRING THAT
PERSON VERY BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 04-26-1972
NEVER LIGHT THREE ON A MATCH AS IT WILL BRING
BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Bad luck Numbers |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NEVER HANG A HORSESHOE UPSIDE DOWN BECAUSE THE LUCK
WILL RUN OUT OF IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions Horseshoe |
Date learned: 02-04-1972