Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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A GOWN WITH A PARIS LABEL,
IS A THING TO SHOUT ABOUT,
IN FACT, IF I WERE ABLE,
I'D WEAR IT INSIDE OUT.
Submitter comment: JEFF HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): CLOTHES FASHION ; HUMOR OVERSTATEMENT OBSERVATION WISH ; IAMBIC METER ; RHYME: FEMININE, IMPERFECT, ABAB ; SURPRISE ENDING QUATRAIN CONTRADICTION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
FORMULAIC VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
I WENT TO THE RIVER, I COULDN'T GET ACROSS,
SO I PAID SIX BITS FOR AN OLD GRAY HORSE,
I RODE HIM IN, HE WOULDN'T PULL,
SO I RODE HIM OUT AND TRADED HIM FOR A BULL.
THE BULL WOULDN'T HOLLAR, SO I TRADED FOR A DOLLAR,
THE DOLLAR WOULDN'T PAY, SO I TRADED FOR SOME HAY,
THE HAY WOULDN'T GROW, SO I TRADED FOR A HOE,
THE HOE WOULDN'T DIG, SO I TRADED FOR A PIG,
THE PIG WOULDN'T SQUEAL, SO I TRADED FOR A WHEEL,
THE WHEEL WOULDN'T RUN, SO I TRADED FOR A GUN.
THE GUN WOULDN'T SHOOT, SO I TRADED FOR A BOOT.
THE BOOT WOULDN'T FIT, SO I GUESS I'D BETTER QUIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE ; INCREMENTAL REPETITION ; METER: IAMBIC ; MONEY FUTILITY BARTER ; RHYME: INTERNAL, IMPERFECT ; RHYME: MASCULINE, AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
IT IS BAD LUCK TO LIGHT MORE THAN THREE CIGARETTES
WITH THE SAME MATCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Bad luck Numbers |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HOME REMEDIES
CONSTIPATION
GATHER THE ROOTS OF MAYAPPLE,
CUT OUT THE JOINTS, AND DRY THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOT.
PLACE IN A CLOTH AND BEAT TO A POWDER.
ADD A FEW DROPS OF CASTOR OIL AND ROLL INTO PILLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): BOWEL HABITS ; HERBAL REMEDIES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 04-01-1972
IF YOU WHISTLE IN THE HOUSE, IT BRINGS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: ROMANIAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 10-07-1969
NEVER LEAVE A LOAF OF BREAD ON ITS TOP WITH
BOTTOM UP; IT SHOWS DISRESPECT FOR GOD AND
THEREFORE IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: FRENCH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Favorites Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit BELIEF -- Bad luck Food and drink |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
JEWISH CUSTOM --BARMITZVAH
AT THE AGE OF 13 A BOY IS READY TO ACCEPT THE FULL
RESPONSIBITIES OF THE JEWISH FAITH.
Submitter comment:
BY THIS CUSTOM A BOY TAKES ON THE ROLE OF A MAN IN THE JEWISH
RELIGION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
Date learned: 00-00-1974
FOOD CUSTOM
IRANIANS ABSTAINED FROM ALL FISHES THAT DO NOT HAVE FINS & SCALES
Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS FOUND TO BE TRUE FROM BERTHOLET,"COMMENTARY ON LEN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Meat Fish and other animal life related to water |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
DEATH
IT IS CUSTOMARY TO MAKE A HOLE IN THE HUT, TO ALLOW THE PASSAGE
OF THE SPIRIT OF THE DEAD PERSON OUT.
Submitter comment:
THIS STATMENT CAN BE SEEN IN M. COX'S BOOK INTRODUCTION TO
FOLKLORE (1897) AND IS CUT IN THE WALLS OR IN THE CEILING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
CANNOT OPEN AN UMBRELLA IN THE HOUSE--IT IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: ROMANIAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Umbrella |
Date learned: 10-06-1969
DEATH
OPENING THE WINDOW FOR A FEW MOMENTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LAST
BREATH HAS BEEN DRAWN
Submitter comment: WHEN A PERSON HAS DIED, TO LET OUT THE SPIRIT OF DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
GERMAN SAYING
REDEN IST SILBER; SCHWEIGEN IST GOLD.
Submitter comment:
TRANSLATION: TALK IS WORTH SILVER; SILENCE IS WORTH GOLD. THIS
SAYING WAS USED WHEN THE INFORMANT WAS LITTLE TO POLITELY TELL HIM
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE SHORES
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-00-1977 ; 00-00-1962
YUGOSLAVIAN BELIEF
IF ALL THE COWS ARE LYING DOWN IN THE PASTURE, THAT MEANS IT WILL
RAIN ON THAT DAY.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT THIS HAS A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF BEING TRUE.
MY INFORMANT'S FAMILY OWNS A FARM AND BELIEVES IN THIS SAYING. I
HAVE WITNESSED THIS MYSELF ON A FEW OCCASIONS. BEFORE IT RAINS THE
COWS WILL BE LYING DOWN, BUT IF THE RAIN PASSES YOU WILL SEE THEM
STANDING .
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE SHORES
Date learned: 00-00-1964
GERMAN SAYING
DUMMHEIT UND STOLZ WACHST AM EINEM HOLZ.
Submitter comment:
TRANSLATION: STUPIDITY AND PRIDE (ARROGANCE) GROW ON THE SAME
WOOD. THE MEANING HERE IS THAT BEING PROUD IS SYNONYMOUS TO BEING
STUPID. WHAT IS GOOD FOR ONE IS NOT NECESSARILY GOOD OR BETTER FOR
ANOTHER. WHERE YOU FIND PRIDE, YOU WILL FIND STUPIDITY.
THE COMMENT IS IN THE WORDS OF MY INFORMANT.
A RHYMING METAPHORICAL PROVERB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE SHORES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 11-00-1977 ; 00-00-1962
DEATH
IN ENGLAND NO PERSON IS ALLOWED TO DIE ON A FEATHER BED.
Submitter comment:
THIS CAN BE FOUND IN J. HARLAND & WILKINSON BOOK LANCASHIRE
FOLK}LORE (1869)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
BIRTH
IN SWITZERLAND WHEN A BOY IS BORN IT IS THE PRACTICE TO PLANT AN
APPLE TREE. WHEN A GIRL IS BORN A NUT TREE IS PLANTED.
Submitter comment: CAN BE FOUND IN MC CARTNEY "FOLKLORE HEIRLOOMS"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
BIRTH
MOHAMMED'S MOTHER HAD A PIECE OF IRON BOUND UPON HER HAND AT TIME
OF HIS BIRTH TO WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS
Submitter comment:
THIS CAN BE FOUND IN SPRENGER, DAS LEBEN UND DIE LEHRE
MOHAMMED (1861-65)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
LEGEND: PROHIBITION
THERE IS A METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH ON THE CORNER OF GARLAND
AND JEFFERSON IN DETROIT. DURING THE YEARS OF PROHIBITION THE
PASTOR THERE WAS REVEREND STIDGER, KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC AS AN
ARDENT PROHIBITIONIST. ON TOP OF HIS CHURCH WAS A REVOLVING
CROSS THAT WAS ILLUMINATED AND COULD BE SEEN FROM THE RIVER.
IT IS ALLEGED THAT WHEN THIS CROSS WAS LIT AND REVOLVING, THIS
WAS A SIGNAL TO THE RUM-RUNNERS ON THE RIVER CONCERNING WHETHER
THE GUARDS WERE ON DUTY OR NOT, SO THAT THEY COULD MOVE THE
CONTRABAND ACROSS THE RIVER.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER (MR. VAN ANTWERP) HAS TOLD ME OTHER STORIES OF THE
RUM-RUNNING DURING PROHIBITION. HE SAYS HE KNOWS FOR A FACT IT
WAS GOING ON, BUT AS TO WHETHER THE CROSS ON THE CHURCH HAD ANY-
THING TO DO WITH IT, HE THINKS IT WAS ONLY A RUMOR. HE DID SAY
THAT IT POSSIBLY COULD HAVE HAPPENED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert |
FOLLOW THE ARROWS
WE USED TO GET UP A BIG GANG OF TEN OR FIFTEEN KIDS
FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IN NASHVILLE. THIS WAS WHEN
I WAS AROUND TEN YEARS OLD. OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS
ABOUT THE SIZE OF TWO CITY BLOCKS, BUT WITHOUT
FENCES AND VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC. THERE WERE LOTS OF
STOREHOUSES, GARAGES AND A CREEK RUNNING THROUGH
IT. LITTLE KIDS COULDN'T PLAY WITH US BECAUSE
THEY COULDN'T RUN FAST ENOUGH.
YOU LET ONE OR TWO KIDS HIDE THEIR EYES WHILE THE
OTHERS RUN IN A GROUP TOWARD SOME SPECIAL PLACE,
SAY, BEHIND A GARAGE. ONE PERSON IN THE GANG MAKES
CHALK ARROWS POINTING THE DIRECTION TO GO. THEN
THE SEARCHERS WOULD HUNT FOR THE ARROWS. THE GAME
WAS OVER WHEN THE SEARCHERS WOULD SPOT THE BIG
GANG.
WE WOULD USUALLY PLAY THIS ONLY ONCE A DAY BECAUSE
OF THE RUNNING TIRING US OUT.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT PLAYED THIS GAME AROUND 1942 WHEN SHE
WAS A TEN YEAR OLD IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
LEGEND: PROHIBITION
THERE IS A METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH ON THE CORNER OF GARLAND
AND JEFFERSON IN DETROIT. DURING THE YEARS OF PROHIBITION THE
PASTOR THERE WAS REVEREND STIDGER, KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC AS AN
ARDENT PROHIBITIONIST. ON TOP OF HIS CHURCH WAS A REVOLVING
CROSS THAT WAS ILLUMINATED AND COULD BE SEEN FROM THE RIVER.
IT IS ALLEGED THAT WHEN THIS CROSS WAS LIT AND REVOLVING, THIS
WAS A SIGNAL TO THE RUM-RUNNERS ON THE RIVER CONCERNING WHETHER
THE GUARDS WERE ON DUTY OR NOT, SO THAT THEY COULD MOVE THE
CONTRABAND ACROSS THE RIVER.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER (MR. VAN ANTWERP) HAS TOLD ME OTHER STORIES OF THE
RUM-RUNNING DURING PROHIBITION. HE SAYS HE KNOWS FOR A FACT IT
WAS GOING ON, BUT AS TO WHETHER THE CROSS ON THE CHURCH HAD ANY-
THING TO DO WITH IT, HE THINKS IT WAS ONLY A RUMOR. HE DID SAY
THAT IT POSSIBLY COULD HAVE HAPPENED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert |