Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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RUSSIAN TALE
THERE ONCE WERE SOME POOR PEOPLE; THE WIFE WAS
A SPINNER AND THE HUSBAND WAS A FISHERMAN.
ONE DAY THE HUSBAND CAUGHT A GOLDFISH. THE GOLDFISH
ASKED THE MAN TO LET HER GO. HE SAID THAT HE
WAS SO POOR HE HAD TO CATCH FISH.
THE GOLDFISH SAID, "LET ME GO AND THEN GO HOME AND
YOU WILL HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED."
SO THE FISHERMAN LET HER SWIM AWAY. FROM THEN ON
HE WOULD GO TO HER AND SHE GRANTED ALL HIS REQUESTS.
THE GOLDFISH KEPT GIVING AND GIVING UNTIL THE WIFE
HAD EVERYTHING SHE COULD THINK OF BUT SHE STILL WAS
NOT SATISFIED. THEN SHE ASKED THE GOLDFISH TO BE HER
SERVANT. THIS ANGERED THE GOLDFISH SO MUCH THAT SHE
FLIPPED HER TAIL AND SWAM AWAY FOREVER AND SHE TOOK
BACK EVERYTHING SHE HAD GIVEN THEM.
Submitter comment: TALE WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA. IT WAS IN PROSE AS IT IS HERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANT
AFTER PLAYING, SINGING AND DANCING ALL SUMMER THE
GRASSHOPPER FOUND HIMSELF FACING THE ONSET OF WINTER.
HE ASKED HIMSELF, "HOW WILL I SING ON AN EMPTY STOMACH?"
HE WAS VERY DISTRESSED AND HOPPED OVER TO AN ANT WHO
WAS GOING DOWN INTO HER HOLE FOR THE WINTER. HE ASKED
HER TO LET HIM INTO HER DWELLING AND GIVE HIM FOOD AND
WARMTH.
THE ANT SAID, "MY FRIEND, I WOULD BE ASHAMED TO TAKE
YOU IN SINCE YOU HAVEN'T WORKED ALL SUMMER."
THE GRASSHOPPER SAID, "OH YES, I WORKED--I SANG ALL
SUMMER."
BUT THE ANT SAID, "WELL YOU SANG ALL SUMMER, NOW YOU CAN
DANCE!"
Submitter comment:
THIS TALE IS SIMILAR TO ONE TOLD IN AMERICA EXCEPT
THAT IN THAT ONE THE ANT HAS PITY ON THE GRASSHOPPER
AND TAKES HIM IN. THE GRASSHOPPER EARNED HIS KEEP BY
SINGING AND DANCING FOR THE ANT COLONY. IN THE RUSSIAN
VERSION WHICH I GAVE THE GRASSHOPPER IS GIVEN A SARCASTIC
ANSWER FROM THE ANT AND IS TURNED AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
SUPERSTITION
IN ONE DOOR AND OUT ANOTHER CAUSES BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS BELIEF WAS EXPLAINED THROUGH WHAT IS SEEN AS "NORMAL". IF YOU
ENTER THROUGH ONE DOOR IT IS "NORMAL" TO EXIT THROUGH THE SAME
DOOR. EXITING THROUGH ANOTHER DOOR IS SEEN AS DEVIATION, AND
DEVIATION FROM THE NORM RESULTS IN BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK ; FRIENDS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-10-1979
SUPERSTITION
LILACS IN THE HOUSE--BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
ACCORDING TO THE INFORMANT THIS BELIEF IS COMMON IN LONDON, ENGLAND,
HOWEVER, SHE LACKS AN EXPLANATION FOR THE BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK ; FRIENDS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-10-1979
SUPERSTITION
NEW SHOES ON THE TABLE--BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
ACCORDING TO THE INFORMANT, THIS BELIEF IS COMMON IN
LONDON, ENGLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK ; FRIENDS HOME
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress HandsFeet BELIEF -- P 68 P 68.1 BELIEF -- Bad luck |
SUPERSTITION
IF BIRDS GET SOME OF YOUR HAIR YOU'LL GO CRAZY.
Submitter comment:
THE REASONING BEHIND THIS BELIEF WAS THE FACT THAT ONE'S HAIR
IS A PART OF ONE'S HEAD, THEREFORE, POSSESSION BY BIRDS WOULD
GIVE ONE THE MENTALITY OF BIRDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK ; FRIENDS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
MIZSLE - LITHUANIAN RIDDLE
Q: ATLIKE PAUKSTIS BE SPARUUZ, IZKANDO IMOGUZ BE DANTIZ.
Q: A BIRD FLEW UP WITHOUT WINGS, AND BIT A MAN WITHOUT HAVING
ANY TEETH.
A: KULKA - A BULLET
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMAL (Q) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PERSON (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 03-20-1968
RUSSIAN TALE
A WOLF RAN OUT OF THE FOREST INTO THE VILLAGE BECAUSE
HUNTERS, WORKERS AND DOGS WERE AFTER HIM. THE WOLF CAME
TO A CAT ON A FENCE AND IMPLORED HER TO HELP HIM:
"VASIL, MY FRIEND, WHICH MAN FROM THIS VILLAGE IS GOOD
ENOUGH TO HIDE ME? YOU HEAR THE DOGS BARKING. THAT
HORRIBLE NOISE! THAT IS ALL ABOUT ME!"
THE CAT SAID, "RUN FAST TO TRAFEMA, A VERY GOOD MAN."
BUT THE WOLF ANSWERED, "I'M AFRAID OF HIM BECAUSE I
ATE HIS SHEEP."
THEN THE CAT SAID, "THEN GO TO SIMON, A VERY GOOD MAN."
"I'M AFRAID OF HIM BECAUSE I KILLED HIS COLT."
"THEN GO TO IVAN, A VERY GOOD MAN."
"I'M AFRAID OF HIM BECAUSE I STOLE HIS GOAT."
"WELL MAYBE KLEM WILL HIDE YOU."
"I'M AFRAID OF HIM BECAUSE I STOLE HIS PIGLET."
THEN THE CAT SAID, "I SEE YOU HAVE SALTED EVERYONE IN
THE VILLAGE. WHAT YOU HAVE SOWN YOU MUST NOW REAP.
Submitter comment:
THE ORIGINAL WAS IN RHYME IN RUSSIAN.
IN THE TEXT, "SALTED" MEANS "AFFRONTED". "SALTING" REFERS
TO THE MEANS OF PRESERVING SLAUGHTERED GAME--THE MEAT
WAS SALTED. THE WOLF HAD SLAUGHTERED THE VILLAGERS'
ANIMALS, OR "SALTED" THEM. IT IS USED LOOSELY HERE--
HE SALTED THE PEOPLE, NOT THE ANIMALS.
ALSO, NOTE THAT THE LAST SENTENCE THE CAT SAYS IS REALLY
A QUOTE FROM THE BIBLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN TALE
Date learned: 12-00-1983
RUSSIAN PROVERB
IF YOU TALK TO A SMART PERSON
YOU WILL LOSE SOME BRAINS,
IF YOU TALK TO A FOOL
YOU WILL LOSE SOME BRAINS.
Submitter comment: WAS IN RHYME IN THE ORIGINAL RUSSIAN. LEARNED IN RUSSIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
RUSSIAN CUSTOM FOR PALM SUNDAY
ON PALM SUNDAY WE CUT BRANCHES FROM THE "PALM TREE"
WHICH WASN'T REALLY A PALM TREE, JUST A PATICULAR
TREE FOUND IN RUSSIA. WE DECORATED THE BRANCHES WITH
PAPER FLOWERS THAT WE MADE. THEN THE BRANCHES WERE TAKEN
TO CHURCH AND BLESSED BY THE PRIEST. THEN WE TOOK THEM
HOME AND PUT THEM IN VASES OR BEHIND ICONS.
Submitter comment:
CUSTOM WAS LEARNED BY INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD
IN RUSSIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | 663 Palm Sunday |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
SONG
(LEADER:)
YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN ON A PAIR OF SKATES,
'CAUSE YOU'LL ROLL RIGHT BY
THOSE PEARLY GATES.
(EVERYONE:)
OH YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN ON A PAIR OF SKATES 'CAUSE
YOU'LL ROLL RIGHT BY THOSE PEARLY GATES.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(LEADER:)
YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN IN A FORD V-8.
'CAUSE THE GOSH DARN THING
WILL BREAK RIGHT DOWN.
(EVERYONE:)
OH YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN IN A FORD V-8 'CAUSE THE GOSH
DARN THING WILL BREAK RIGHT DOWN.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(LEADER CONTINUES TO MAKE UP LINES WHICH EVERYONE THEN
REPEATS. LASTLY HE SINGS:)
IF YOU GET TO HEAVEN BEFORE I DO,
JUST POKE A HOLE AND PULL ME THROUGH.
(EVERYONE:)
OH IF YOU GET TO HEAVEN BEFOR I DO JUST POKE A
HOLE AND PULL ME THROUGH.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(REPEAT LAST LINE THREE TIMES)
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN HAMTRAMACK BUT THINKS
IT HAS BLACK AMERICAN ROOTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE SATIRE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
SONG
(REFRAIN:)
OLD FOLKS, YOUNG FOLKS, EVERYBODY COME.
COME JOIN THE BIBLE SCHOOL AND HAVE A LOT OF FUN.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHEWING GUM AND RAZORS AT THE DOOR,
AND YOU'LL HEAR SOME BIBLE STORIES THAT
YOU'VE NEVER HEARD BEFORE.
(FIRST STANZA:)
ADAM WAS A PLOWMAN AND EVE WAS HIS SPOUSE.
HE PICKED UP A HAMMER AND BUILT THEMSELVES A HOUSE.
EVERYTHING WAS PEACEFUL, QUIET AND SANE,
TILL EVE HAD A BABY AND THEY STARTED RAISIN' CAIN.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
(SECOND STANZA:)
IN CAME NOAH STUMBLING IN THE DARK.
HE PICKED UP A HAMMER AND HE BUILT HIMSELF AN ARK.
IN CAME THE ANIMALS TWO BY TWO--
THE GIANT HIPPOPOTAMUS AND THE LANKY KANGAROO.
(THIRD STANZA:)
IN CAME THE LION, IN CAME THE BEAR,
IN CAME THE BABOON WITHOUT ANY HAIR;
FOR FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS THEY SAILED AROUND THE
POND,
AND THEY KICKED OUT THE LIONESS BECAUSE SHE WAS A BLOND.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
(FOURTH STANZA:)
NOW DAVID WAS A SHEPHERD BOY, HIS FATHER'S PRIDE AND JOY.
HE MADE HIMSELF A SLINGSHOT--A HARMLESS LITTLE TOY.
IN CAME GOLIATH LOOKIN' FOR A FUSS,
SO HE PICKED UP A PEBBLE AND BOUNCED HIM ON THE CRUST.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED IN NEW YORK. IT WAS USUALLY SUNG ON
LONG CAR TRIPS. THERE ARE MORE STANZAS BUT THIS IS
ALL THE INFORMANT REMEMBERED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
STORY ABOUT THE DEVIL,S DANCING IN THE WOODS
IT WAS HARVEST TIME AND ALL THE YOUNG FOLK WERE THRASHING THE GRAINS
THAT HAD JUST BEEN HARVESTED.
ONE AUTUMN NIGHT ABOUT 11 O,CLOCK WHILE THEY WERE THRASHING THE GRAIN
THEY HEARD MUSIC COMING FROM THE RAFTERS, THEY LOOKED UP AND SAW
SOME DEVILS DANCING UP IN THE LOFT. THESE DEVILS WERE ALL BLACK AND
ALL THEIR CLOTHING WERE BLACK. THEY DANCED ON ONE LEG AND ONLY HAD
ONE EYE AND ONE NOSTRIL. THE MUSIC WAS PLAYED ON A SMALL ACCORDION
AND FIDDLE.
THE YOUTHS WERE TYPICALLY BRAVE AND BOISTERIOUS AND DECIDED TO TAKE
THE INSTRUMENTS AWAY. THE DEVILS LEFT AT THE FIRST COCKS CROW
(ONE O,CLOCK) WITH A WHISTLE AND A BANG. SO THE NEXT NIGHT THE
YOUTHS , AS THE DEVILS WERE ABOUT TO LEAVE AT THE COCK,S CROW,
KNOCKED ONE INSTRUMENT OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE DEVILS.
BUT WHEN THEY REACHED THE INSTRUMENT IT WAS JUST A LARGE CHARRED
PIECE OF WOOD. THE NEXT NIGHT THE DEVILS CAME BACK AND BEGGED
CKRYVEL, KRYVEL GIVE US BACK OUR FIDDLE" BUT THE YOUTHS DID NOT
RETURN IT. THE TWO YOUTHS WHO HAD TAKEN IT HAD TO PREPARE THE
STOVE FOR DRYING OUT THE GRAINS BEFORE THE THRASHING. THEY THREW THE
CHARRED WOOD INTO THE STOVE BUT IT WOULDN,T BURN. SO THEY WENT TO
BED AND THE NEXT MORNING THE TWO WERE FOUND STRANGLED.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO MY GRANDMOTHER BT HER GRANDMOTHER WHEN SHE WAS
A CHILD. THE TIME IS APPROXIMATELY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY WHEN THE
STORY WAS TOLD. THE STORY TOOK PLACE AROUND 1850.
SHE TOLD MY GRANDMOTHER THAT SHE ACTUALLY SAW THESE DEVILS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DO NOT TAKE THINGS THAT DO NOT BELONG TO YOU -PAYMENT CAN BE COSTLY ; THEFT FORM DEVIL
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
SOLEMN PYATHEEK--WHICH IS LEBANESE FOR "GOD BLESS
YOUR HANDS," IS USED AS AN EXPRESSION OF YOUR APPRECIATION
FOR SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.
Data entry tech comment: AGREEMENT OF PRONOUNS?
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-13-1969
RUSSIAN RYHMES
"POSPESHISH LUDEY NOSMESHISH" ("DON'T BE IN A HURRY
OR YOU WILL DO SOMETHING STUPID AND PEOPLE WILL LAUGH
AT YOU").
"DURACK, DURACK, A UMNII" ("STUPID, STUPID, BUT SMART" OR
SMART ENOUGH TO STAY AWAY FROM TROUBLES).
"TISHE EDESH, DALSHE BUDISH" ("RIDE SLOWLY, YOU WILL GET
THERE SOONER").
Submitter comment:
THE SPELLING OF THESE RHYMES IS ARBITRARY BECAUSE THE
RUSSIAN ALPHABET IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ENGLISH ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
RUSSIAN NEW YEAR'S EVE CUSTUMS
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE CHILDREN AND EVEN ADULTS PUT ON
UNUSUAL OR FUNNY COSTUMES AND WENT FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TO HAVE FUN. IT IS A LOT LIKE HALLOWEEN IN THE UNITED
STATES. ALL THIS IS FORGOTTEN NOW.
ALSO ON THIS EVENING, TEENAGE GIRLS WOULD GO OUTSIDE
BETWEEN TEN AND ELEVEN O'CLOCK. A GIRL WOULD ASK THE FIRST
MAN SHE SEES HIS FIRST NAME AND THIS WOULD BE THE NAME
OF HER FUTURE HUSBAND.
ALSO ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, SOME TEENAGE GIRLS WOULD PUT
A LARGE MIRROR IN FRONT OF THE DRESSER MIRROR FACE
TO FACE. THEN THEY PUT THE LIGHTS OUT AND PUT A CANDLE
ON EACH SIDE OF THE FIRST MIRROR. THEN A GIRL LOOKED
OVER ONE MIRROR AT THE OTHER IN SUCH A WAY THAT SHE
SEES A CORRIDOR. BY CONSTANTLY STARING AND USING THE
IMAGINATION SHE BEGINS TO SEE SOME SHADOWS, THEN A FORM,
AND FINALLY SHE SEES A BOYFRIEND OF HERS. THIS WILL BE
THE ONE SHE WILL MARRY. THE OTHER GIRLS TAKE THEIR
TURNS ALSO.
Submitter comment: THESE CUSTUMS TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): VISITING
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
RUSSIAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS
WHEN I WAS STILL IN SCHOOL WE HAD TWO WEEKS VACATION
FOR CHRISTMAS. GOVERNMENT OFFICES CLOSED FOR A WHOLE
WEEK. ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS ALL THE CHILDREN
AND GRANDCHILDREN VISITED THEIR GRANDPARENTS' HOUSE.
MOST OF THE PEOPLE DIDN'T MOVE MUCH. MANY OF THEM WERE
BORN, LIVED AND DIED IN THE SAME VILLAGE OR CITY. THEY
OFTEN HAD EIGHT TO FOURTEEN CHILDREN. IT WAS NOT
UNUSUAL TO HAVE TWENTY TO THIRTY PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE
AT THE SAME TIME. THE TABLES WERE LADEN WITH FOOD
FOR A WHOLE WEEK. ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS THE
MEN WENT FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE OF RELATIONS AND FRIENDS
FOR A DRINK OF VODKA AND SOME FOOD. THE WOMEN STAYED
HOME TO GREET THE GUESTS. ON THE THIRD AND FOURTH DAYS
OF CHRISTMAS PEOPLE WENT TO SEE THEIR BEST FRIENDS.
THEY HAD DINNER AND DRINKS AND ENDED UP SINGING AND
DANCING RUSSIAN FOLK DANCES. WE HAD NO CARS SO EVERYONE
GOT HOME SAFELY. ON THE FIFTH AND SIXTH DAYS OF
CHRISTMAS EVERYONE RESTED.
Submitter comment: THESE CUSTUMS TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): VISITING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season. |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
POLISH EASTER CUSTOMS
EASTER EGGS ARE DYED BY BOILING WHITE EGGS IN
ONION SKINS. IF THEY ARE ONLY BOILED FOR A
FEW MINUTES THEY WILL BE YELLOW. IF BOILED LONGER
THEY WILL BE ORANGE. IF BOILED EVEN LONGER THEY
WILL BECOME RED-BROWN. ONLY THE RED TYPE OF ONIONS
WILL GIVE COLOR. THE EGGS ARE TAKEN TO CHURCH ON
HOLY SATURDAY TO BE BLESSED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs |
Date learned: 10-30-1983
RIDDLE
QUESTION: HOW DO YOU CATCH A RABBIT?
ANSWER: YOU STAND BY A TREE AND SOUND LIKE A CARROT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): ANIMAL (Q) ; TREE (A)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
RIDDLE
QUESTION: THERE WERE THREE FAT LADIES AND ONE TINY UMBRELLA.
WHY DIDN'T THEY GET WET?
ANSWER: BECAUSE IT WASN'T RAINING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): RAINING (A) ; UMBRELLA (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-00-1970