Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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A BIRDIE WITH A YELLOW BILL, HOPPED UP ON MY WINDOW SILL.
HE COCKED HIS LITTLE HEAD AND SAID; AREN'T YOU ASHAMED, YOU SLEEPY HEAD}
Submitter comment: FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE LATE TO SCHOOL, THE CLASS WOULD RECITE THI WHILE MAKING THE SHAME-ON-YOU GESTURE WITH THEIR HANDS.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; REBUKE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
JUMP ROPE SONG
MABEL, MABEL, SET THE TABLE.
DON'T FORGET THE RED HOT PEPPERS.
Submitter comment:
TURN THE ROPE FAST
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; SPEED-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
JUMP ROPE RHYME
I HAD A LITTLE TEDDY BEAR
HIS NAME WAS TINY TIM
I PUT HIM IN THE BATHTUB
TO SEE IF HE COULD SWIM
HE DRANK UP ALL THE WATER
HE ATE UP ALL THE SOAP
HE DIED LAST NIGHT
WITH A BUBBLE IN HIS THROAT.
IN CAME THE DOCTOR
IN CAME THE NURSE
IN CAME THE LADY
WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE
MUMPS SAID THE DOCTOR
MUMPS SAID THE NURSE
MUMPS SAID THE LADY
WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE
OUT WENT THE DOCTOR
OUT WENT THE NURSE
OUT WENT THE LADY
WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS RHYME IN HER GRADE SCHOOL DAYS ON THE EAST SIDE OF DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CALL-RHYME ; CHARACTER ; PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
JUMP-ROPE RHYME
Kindergarten baby, wash your face in gravy.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
AN OLD SAYING
WHISTLING GIRLS AND CROWING HENS ALWAYS LEAD TO BIG BAD ENDS.
Submitter comment:
I FIRST HEARD THIS ADAGE FROM MY INFORMANT WHILE WORKING
WITH HER IN THE DINING ROOM OF ST. JOSEPH HOME FOR THE AGED.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT JOSEPH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
ERASER TAG
TWO PEOPLE PLAY THIS GAME. EACH PUTS A CHALK BOARD
ERASER ON HIS HEAD AND ONE TRIES TO CATCH THE OTHER
ONE WITHOUT THE ERASER FALLING OFF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ON TELEVISION I ONCE HEARD THAT DREAMS ARE JUST A PAST
EXPERIENCE. HE SAID THAT YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE LIFE.
WHEN YOU DIE, YOU ARE BORN AGAIN IN THE BODY OF A
BABY THAT IS BORN THE SAME DAY AND SECOND YOU ARE.
HE PUT ONE WOMAN FROM THE AUDIENCE IN A TRANCE AND SHE
REMEMBERED HER LIFE IN THE 16TH CENTURY. SHE TOLD WHEN
SHE GOT MARRIED, WHEN HER HUSBAND DIED, BUT SHE
COULDN'T REMEMBER HER LAST DAY. SHE ALSO SAID THAT SHE
WAS IN THE 18TH CENTURY AND SHE TOLD ABOUT SOME OF HER
EXPERIENCES. SOMETIMES I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO ME
IN MY PAST LIVES, IF THERE WERE ANY, BECAUSE IN MOST
OF MY DREAMS I GET KILLED BY SOMEBODY OR SOMETHING.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; SAINT HYACINTH SCHOOL
James Callow Keyword(s): REINCARNATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Dreams Reincarnation |
Date learned: 02-29-1972
WHAT DO YOU THINK-MY HEAD'S A YOYO?
Submitter comment:
USED WHEN A PERSON FEELS THAT SOMEONE ELSE THINKS HE IS
COMPLETELY STUPID.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; WEST QUAD
Keyword(s): COMEBACK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-05-1971
PRAYER SUPPLICATION
WHEN SOMEONE SNEEZES REPLY:
GOD BLESS YOU.
MAY THE ANGELS KISS YOU
AND THE DEVILS MISS YOU.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANTITHESIS ; BLESSING ; METAPHOR ; PARALLEL STRUCTURE
James Callow Keyword(s): FINAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.646 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
FOLK CURE AND REMEDY
A SURE CURE FOR WARTS INVOLVES THE USE OF LEAVES FROM A WEEPING
WILLOW TREE. THE INFLICTED PERSON RUBS THE LEAVES OVER THE WART IN
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. THEN THEY BURY THEM.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD THIS REMEDY AROUND THE YEAR 1910 IN
POLAND. IT IS A PLUGGING CURE IN WHICH THE OBJECT USED TO CURE
THE WARTS IS BURIED IN THE GROUND. A HIGH DEGREE OF BELIEF WAS
PORTRAYED WHEN SHE DISPLAYED HER HANDS TO THE COLLECTOR. WHERE
THERE USED TO BE WARTS, THERE WERE NONE PRESENT. THE INFORMANT
DID NOT INDICATE WHETHER A TRANSFER OCCURRED FROM THE HAND TO THE
LEAF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-00-1980
PIANO MOUNTAIN, SHRUB OAK, NEW YORK
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAMING OF PIANO MOUNTAIN GOES SOMETHING LIKE
THIS: ONCE THERE WAS A MAN WHO OWNED A MOUNTAIN AND BESIDES
OWNING THIS MOUNTAIN, HE ALSO HAD A DAUGHTER WHO WANTED TO OWN
A PIANO. SINCE THE MAN HAD NO PIANO, HE HAD TO FIND SOMEONE WHO
DID. THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAD A PIANO WAS A FARMER. SO FOR THE
PIANO, THE MAN TRADED THE MOUNTAIN, AND SO TODAY IT IS KNOWN AS
PIANO MOUNTAIN.
Submitter comment: PATRICK LEARNED THIS WHILE LIVING AT SHRUB OAK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-12-1967
PIANO MOUNTAIN, SHRUB OAK, NEW YORK
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAMING OF PIANO MOUNTAIN GOES SOMETHING LIKE
THIS: ONCE THERE WAS A MAN WHO OWNED A MOUNTAIN AND BESIDES
OWNING THIS MOUNTAIN, HE ALSO HAD A DAUGHTER WHO WANTED TO OWN
A PIANO. SINCE THE MAN HAD NO PIANO, HE HAD TO FIND SOMEONE WHO
DID. THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAD A PIANO WAS A FARMER. SO FOR THE
PIANO, THE MAN TRADED THE MOUNTAIN, AND SO TODAY IT IS KNOWN AS
PIANO MOUNTAIN.
Submitter comment: PATRICK LEARNED THIS WHILE LIVING AT SHRUB OAK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-12-1967
COLLETE CHEER
TODAY IS HOWARD'S BIRTHDAY AND A LISTENER TO WJR-RADIO CALLED
IN WHILE J. P. MCCARTHY WAS HOSTING THE SHOW. J. P. ASKED
THE CALLER WHAT WAS A CHEER HE HAD USED WHILE ATTENDING
HARVARD UNIVERSITY. THE CALLER ANSWERED: "PREVAIL,
MAGNIFICENT CRIMSON." INFORMANT ACTUALLY WENT TO HARVARD
UNIVERSITY. BUT NOW LIVES IN DETROIT ABOUT 10 YEARS AFTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PHONE CONVERSATION
Keyword(s): COLLEGE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-28-1971
FOLK CURE AND REMEDY
TAKE BABKA BREAD, WASH IT AND PUT IT ON A BOIL. THIS HELPS DRAW
OUT THE PUS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST OF THIS FOLK REMEDY AROUND 1910 IN POLAND.
BABKA BREAD WAS ORIGINALLY A POLISH STAPLE FOOD. BREAD SEEMS TO
REAPPEAR AS AN INGREDIENT IN HOME REMEDIES INVOLVED IN QUICK HEALING
OF SORES AND BOILS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 11-00-1980 ; CA00001910
FOLK CURE AND REMEDY
DRY A CERTAIN PLANT THAT HAS BLUE FLOWERS. MAKE A TEA OUT OF
IT AND DRINK IT TO CURE DIABETES.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD OF THIS FOLK REMEDY AROUND 1910 IN
POLAND. THE INFORMANT DID NOT KNOW THE NAME OF THE BLUE FLOWERED
PLANT, BUT CLAIMED THAT IT HELPED MANY FRIENDS WITH DIABETES. TEAS
ARE COMMONLY USED WITH FOLK CURES. PERHAPS IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE
PLANT TO HAVE SOME TRUE MEDICINAL POWERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: CA00001910
FOLK CURE AND REMEDY
MIX DRY MUSTARD AND FAT TOGETHER. PUT IT ON A CLOTH. PUT THE
CLOTH ON YOUR CHEST TO CURE PNEUMONIA OF NEW KIDNEYS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST LEARNED OF THIS FOLK REMEDY AROUND 1910 IN
POLAND. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE BOTH NEW AND OLD ELEMENTS.
PNEUMONIA HAS BEEN AROUND FOR AGES, BUT NEW KIDNEYS ARE A RELATIVELY
NEW DEVELOPMENT. THE CLOTH IS PUT CLOSE TO THE AREA INVOLVED.
THIS MIGHT INDICATE THAT THE MIXTURE "SEEPS" IN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910
TO THINK IS TO BE HAPPY. TO FEEL IS TO SUFFER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CLASSROOM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
SPEECH IS OF SILVER, BUT SILENCE IS OF GOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CLASSROOM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
JUMP ROPE RIME
NOT LAST NIGHT BUT THE NIGHT BEFORE
TWENTY-FOUR ROBBERS CAME KNOCKING AT MY DOOR
ASKED THEM WHAT THEY WANTED
THIS IS WHAT THEY SAID:
SPANISH DANCER DO THE TWIST
SPANISH DANCER TWIRL LIKE THIS
AS I RAN OUT--THEY RAN IN.
HIT ME OVER THE HEAD WITH A ROLLING PIN.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN IN ALASKA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; FOLEY HALL
Keyword(s): ACTION-RHYME ; CALL-RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-29-1967
FOLK CURE AND REMEDY
MIX SPIDER WEBS WITH SOFT BREAD AND PUT IT ON A SORE TO HELP IT
HEAL FASTER.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD OF THIS FOLK REMEDY AROUND 1910 IN
POLAND. SCIENCE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE INVOLVED WITH THIS, SUGGESTING
THAT IT WILL SURVIVE LONGER. THE COLLECTOR CAN FIND NO REASON WHY
A SPIDER WEB WOULD PROMOTE HEALING OTHER THAN THE ASSOCIATION THAT
SPIDERS KILL UNWANTED THINGS (FLIES AND BUGS, ETC.)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910