Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IRISH BELIEF
IN BLARNEY CASTLE, THERE IS A HIGH ROCK CALLED THE "BLARNEY STONE." THE BLARNEY STONE IS DIFFICULT TO REACH, BUT THE IRISH BELIEVE THAT IF A PERSON IS ABLE TO KISS THE STONE WITH HIS LIPS, THE FEAT GIVES THE TONGUE THE POWER OF FLATTERY AND OF COMPLIMENTARY
SPEECH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-03-1969
THE BAREFOOT BOY CAME WALKING DOWN THE STREET
WITH HIS PANTS FULL OF POCKETS AND HIS SHOES FULL OF FEET.
Submitter comment:
I REMEMBER CHANTING THIS AS A BOY. I NEVER KNEW WHAT IT MEANT
AND I STILL DON'T.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MUSIC ; NONSENSE ; PARODY ; RHYME ; SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 03-12-1970
Entry filtered.
"MICHIGANIA FEVER"
THEN THERE'S THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
WHERE SOME ARE VERY RICH;
THEMSELVES AND A FEW OTHERS HAVE DUG A MIGHTY DITCH,
TO RENDER IT MORE EASY FOR US TO FIND THE WAY,
AND SAIL UPON THE WATERS OF MICHIGANIA-
YEA, YEA, YEA, TO MICHIGANIA!
Submitter comment: WORDS SUNG VERY LOUD USUALLY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C2005 |
Date learned: 03-20-1990
U. S. S. NEVERDOCK
THERE IS A NAVY TRADITION CONCERNING THE GOOD SHIP
U.S.S. NEVERDOCK, A VESSEL WITH AN UNKNOWN PURPOSE
AND UNKNOWN CREW THAT SAILS ABOUT, NEVER COMING INTO
DOCK TO PORT. SHE HAS A POOL TABLE, BOWLING ALLEYS,
SWIMMING POOLS, AND MANY OTHER LUXURIES ABOARD, AND
ONLY A SELECT FEW ARE CHOSEN TO BE FLOWN ON THE SHIP TO
JOIN HER CREW. IT IS A STANDARD JOKE AMONG ALL SAILORS
WHO ARE AWAITING ORDERS THAT THEY WILL BE DESTINED FOR
THE U.S.S. NEVERDOCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.6 |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
ARABIAN MAXIM
TIME IS LIKE A SWORD - YOU CUT WITH IT OR IT WILL
CUT YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
Entry filtered.
JOHNNY APPLESEED
JOHNNY APPLESEED WAS TO HAVE STAYED OVERNIGHT AT
THEIR FARM HOUSE. FOR LETTING HIM SLEEP THERE, HE
PLANTED AN APPLE TREE IN THEIR FRONT YARD. WHICH IS
STILL THERE TODAY.
Submitter comment:
DERBY'S FARM HOUSE HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN TO THEM FROM
PAST GENERATIONS. IT IS LOCATED ABOUT TWO MILES
NORTHEAST FROM CARSONVILLE, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; CARSONVILLE
Keyword(s): LEGENDARY FIGURE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 05-00-1963
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT STAYS IN THE SAME CORNER ALL THE TIME, BUT TRAVELS AROUND
THE WORLD?
A: A POSTAGE STAMP.
Data entry tech comment: ANOTHER VARIANT IN U OF D FOLKLORE 5 X 8 CARD FILES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Keyword(s): COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED MATTER (Q) ; PARTICULAR AREA (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FOLKLORE OF NEW YEAR'S DAY
IN CANADA, ON NEW YEAR'S DAY THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD GIVES HIS
PATERNAL BLESSING TO EACH OF HIS SONS AND DAUGHTERS. THIS
CONTINUES EVEN AFTER THE CHILDREN MOVE OUT TO START THEIR
OWN FAMILIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: CA00001915
FOLKLORE OF EPIPHANY
IN CANADA, A SMALL CROWN IS BAKED IN A CAKE. THE PERSON WHO GETS
THE CROWN IN HIS PIECE IS THE "KING" FOR THE DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
RIDDLE
Q: NOT AND SHOT FOUGHT A DUEL. NOT WAS SHOT AND SHOT WAS NOT. NOW
WOULD YOU RATHER BE SHOT OR NOT?
A: SHOT - FOR NOT WAS SHOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; LITERAL NONOPPOSITIONAL ; PERSONS (A) ; PERSONS (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 12-02-1967
BELIEF
AT CHRISTMAS TIME IF YOU GO TO BED EARLY, SANTA WILL COME THERE
FIRST AND YOU WILL HAVE A BETTER SELECTION OF PRESENTS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
HANGER QUEENS
IT IS AN OLD NAVY TRADITION THAT EVERY OUTFIT MUST
HAVE A HANGER QUEEN. THIS IS SUPPOSEDLY THE BEST
AIRPLANE IN THE SQUADRON, IN WHICH EVERYTHING WORKS
THE BEST, DROPS THE MOST BOMBS, ETC. IN ACTUALITY,
HOWEVER, THIS IS THE PLANE IN WHICH NOTHING WORKS
AT ALL, AND SO PARTS ARE ROBBED FROM IT TO FIX
THE OTHER PLANES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.6 |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
LIGHTNING
IN POLAND IT WAS A PRACTICE
TO BURY ANYONE WHO HAD BEEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
NECK DEEP IN THE GROUND.
AND IT WOULD RELIEVE HIM.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS THIS PRACTICE FROM HER CHILDHOOD
IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
IT IS CONSIDERED VERY BAD LUCK TO TRIP ON A GANGPLANK
THIS ESPECIALLY HOLDS TRUE BEFORE GOING ON LIBERTY
AND SHOULD THIS OCCUR, IT IS BELIEVED THAT A VERY BAD
LIBERTY WILL RESULT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
James Callow Keyword(s): LIBERTY=LEAVE, VACATION, TIME OFF ; MARITIME
Date learned: 03-09-1970
JOHN JACOB JINGLEHEIMER SCHMIDT,
THAT'S MY NAME TOO,
WHENEVER I GO OUT, THE PEOPLE ALWAYS SHOUT,
THERE GOES JOHN JACOB JINGLEHEIMER SCHMIDT,
DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA (AND REPEAT ONCE).
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A SONG WE USE TO SING IN BOY SCOUTS AFTER MEALS IN THE
MESS HALL. THE VERSE HERE IS THE ONLY ONE I KNOW OF.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; JOKE ; SONG ; TONGUE TWISTER ; Tune
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Entry filtered.
IT IS VERY BAD LUCK FOR A SAILOR TO SIT WITH HIS
HAT ON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 03-09-1970