Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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JUMP ROPE
DUMB, DUMB DODO CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.
I CAN RUN FASTER THAN (NAME OF PERSON) CAN.
THEN AFTER THE CALLER RECITES THE POEM, THE PERSON
THE CALLER PICKS HAS TO JUMP IN THE ROPE AS MANY
TIMES AS THE CALLER DOES. IF THE PERSON MISSES
THE CALLER PICKS SOMEONE ELSE. IF THE CALLER
MISSES THE PERSON WHO THE CALLER PICKED IS NOW
THE CALLER. IF THE CALLER IS TAGGED BY THE PERSON,
THE CALLER IS OUT AND THE PERSON IS NOW THE CALLER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement C560.50 |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
TABLE FOOTBALL
TO PLAY, YOU FOLD A PIECE OF PAPER IN A CERTAIN MANNER,
SIMILAR TO A FLAG. IT WILL LOOK LIKE A TRIANGLE.
THIS IS THE FOOTBALL. YOU FLICK THE FOOTBALL WITH
A SNAP OF YOUR INDEX FINGER AND THUMB, BACK AND
FORTH ON THE TABLE WITH YOUR OPPONENT. IF IT LANDS
WHERE IT HANGS OVER THE EDGE OF THE TABLE YOU SCORE
A TOUCHDOWN. TO SCORE A FIELD GOAL ONE PERSON HOLDS
HIS FINGERS WITH THE TWO INDEX FINGERS TOUCHING AND
THUMBS UP (DIAGRAM ON 5 X 8 CARD), THE FOOTBALL IS
THEN FLICKED WITH THE INTENTION OF GOING THROUGH
THE GOAL--SCORE THREE POINTS. EXTRA POINTS ARE
DONE SIMILARLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
KNIFE BASEBALL
YOU TAKE A MEDIUM-SIZED BOARD AND JACKKNIFE WITH
A LARGE AND SMALL BLADE. (DIAGRAM ON 5 X 8 CARD OF
KNIFE). IF THE KNIFE LANDS WITH THE LARGE BLADE
AND THE BOTTOM OF THE KNIFE STUCK IN THE WOOD, IT'S
A SINGLE; IF JUST THE LARGE BLADE STICKS IT'S A
DOUBLE; IF SMALL AND LARGE BLADE STICK=TRIPLE;
IF JUST THE SMALL BLADE STICKS=HOMERUN; LANDS ON IT'S
BACK=BASE ON BALLS. IF KNIFE LANDS JUST ON IT'S
SIDE=OUT. THE GAME IS PLAYED LIKE REAL BASEBALL, 2
TEAMS (OF PEOPLE) PLAY NINE INNINGS, THE HIGHEST
SCORE WINS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
SEVEN UP
THIS GAME IS OFTEN PLAYED IN A CLASSROOM. SEVEN
PLAYERS ARE CHOSEN "IT," ANOTHER PLAYER IS
CAPTAIN. THE CAPTAIN REQUESTS ALL THE REMAINING
PLAYERS TO PUT THEIR HEADS DOWN AND COVER THEIR
EYES. THE SEVEN "IT" PLAYERS QUIETLY WALK AROUND
AND EACH TAPS ONE PERSON ON THE HEAD. THE CAPTAIN
REQUESTS "HEADS UP" WHEN "IT" PLAYERS RETURN TO
THEIR PLACES. ALL TAPPED PLAYERS STAND AND TRY TO
GUESS, IN ONE CHANCE, WHO TAPPED THEM. IF THEY
GUESS CORRECTLY, THEY GET TO TAKE THAT PERSON'S
PLACE; IF INCORRECT, THEY SIT DOWN AND THE PLAY
CONTINUES AS BEFORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): HANDICAP: COVERING EYES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
BEAR
THIS IS A GAME THAT IS USUALLY PLAYED IN THE
DRAK IN A LARGE AREA. THE OBJECT IS FOR THE
PERSON WHO IS CHOSEN TO BE THE BEAR TO FIND ANOTHER
PERSON AND GUESS WHO IT IS. THEN THE CAPTURED
PERSON IS THE BEAR. IN ORDER NOT TO BE FOUND
THE OTHER PLAYERS DON'T MAKE ANY NOISE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): SILENCE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
CHARADES
THERE IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT SIT DOWN. ONE
PERSON GETS UP AND ACTS SOMETHING OUT. BUT THE
PERSON WHO ACTS IT OUT DOES NOT SAY ANYTHING.
THEN THE GROUP OF PEOPLE HAVE TO GUESS WHAT THE
PERSON IS ACTING OUT. IT CAN BE A MOVIE TITLE,
BOOK TITLE, TELEVISION SHOW OR SONG.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S OWN WORDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
TICKLE TOUCH
EVERYONE LIES ON THE FLOOR AND ONE PERSON THINKS
OF A NUMBER FROM ONE TO TEN. WHEN THE PERSON
POINTS TO ANOTHER, THEY HAVE TO GUESS THE NUMBER.
IF HE GUESSES THE NUMBER, HE GETS TICKLED AND THEN
IS "IT."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
IN MY GRANDMOTHER'S CHEST
ANY NUMBER CAN PLAY. THE FIRST PERSON WOULD SAY:
"IN MY GRANDMOTHER'S CHEST I FOUND A PAIR OF SOCKS
(CAN BE ANYTHING). THE NEXT PERSON WOULD HAVE TO
REPEAT THIS BUT ADD SOMETHING ELSE. THIS CONTINUES
WITH EACH PERSON ADDING SOMETHING. THE OBJECT IS
TO REMEMBER ALL THE ITEMS. ANYONE WHO FORGETS IS
OUT. WINNER IS LAST ONE TO REMEMBER ALL THE ITEMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
MAN FROM UNCLE
CONSIDERED A MYSTERY OR WEB GAME. TWO PLAYERS FORM A
BRIDGE WITH THEIR HANDS. THE REST OF THE PLAYERS
MARCH IN A CIRCLE TO MUSIC GOING UNDER THE BRIDGE.
WHEN THE MUSIC STOPS, IF A PERSON IS CAUGHT UNDER
THE BRIDGE HE IS OUT OF THE GAME. IF THE BRIDGE
CATCHES TWO PEOPLE AT ONE TIME, THEY MAY FORM
ANOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): LONDON BRIDGE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 09-24-1969
RELEASE THE BELGIUM
EVERYONE HIDES EXCEPT ONE PERSON. WHEN EVERYBODY HAS
HIDDEN, THE ONE PERSON TRIES TO FIND EVERYBODY.
IT IS PLAYED NEAR A FIRE HYDRANT OR SOMETHING LIKE
THAT. IF SOMEBODY HIDDEN RUNS OUT AND TOUCHES IT
SAYING, "RELEASE THE BELGIUM" BEFORE THE OTHER
PERSON CAN, THE "IT" PLAYER MUST HIDE HIS EYES AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
SHIPS AND SUBMARINES
YOU HAVE THREE BOYS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM OR
SIDE DRIVE AND FIVE OTHER BOYS RUN ACROSS. THE
FIVE BOYS MUST RUN ACROSS WITHOUT BEING CAUGHT.
IF THEY ARE CAUGHT, YOU HAVE TO SIT ON THE FLOOR; THE
REMAINING PLAYERS CONTINUE. THE THREE BOYS ARE
SUBMARINES, THE OTHER FIVE BOYS ARE SHIPS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
RED ROVER
THE CHILDREN LINE UP IN TWO LINES FACING EACH OTHER.
THEY HOLD HANDS AND THEN ONE LINE CALLS:
RED ROVER, RED ROVER, LET (NAME) COME OVER.
THEN THAT CHILD MUST TRY AND BREAK THROUGH THE LINE.
IF HE SUCCEEDS, THEN HE CAN PICK ANOTHER PERSON
FROM THAT LINE TO GO ON HIS SIDE. IF HE FAILS, HE
MUST STAY IN THAT LINE. THE SIDE WITH THE MOST PEOPLE
AT THE END WINS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
THE UKRAINIANS BLESS FLOWERS ON AUGUST 28TH (BY THE
JULIAN CALENDAR, THE DAY OF DEATH OF BLESSED
MOTHER MARY).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August 28 |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
THE UKRAINIANS BLESS FRUIT IN THANKSGIVING ON
AUGUST 19 (BY JULIAN CALENDAR).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August 19 |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
HUNGARIAN EASTER CELEBRATION
TO THE HUNGARIANS OF THE EARLY 1900S, EASTER SUNDAY
WAS A DAY OF PRAYER. EASTER MONDAY, HOWEVER, WAS A
DIFFERENT STORY. IT WAS A DAY FOR MISCHIEF MAKERS.
THE BOYS AND YOUNG MEN WOULD CARRY BOTTLES OF PERFUME
OR WATER AND WOULD WALK FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE, KNOCKING
AT THE DOORS. IF A GIRL WOULD OPEN THE DOOR, SHE
WOULD BE IMMEDIATELY DOUSED WITH PERFUME OR WATER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 10-08-1968 ; 00001900s
MANY POLISH PEOPLE ON EASTER TAKE A BASKETFUL OF FOOD
TO CHURCH TO BE BLESSED. THE BASKET USUALLY CONSISTS
OF BREAD, KIELBASA, HORSERADISH, HAM, AND EASTER
EGGS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT PRACTICES THIS CUSTOM EVERY YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 11-07-1971
POLISH
A BASKET IS FILLED WITH FOOD PREFERABLY: SLICED
COOKED HAM, HOMEMADE KIELBASA, LOAF OF BREAD, BUTTER
SHAPED LIKE A LAMB, COLORED EGGS, SALT AND PEPPER.
THE BASKET IS COVERED BY AN EMBROIDERED TOWEL,
TAKEN TO CHURCH ON HOLY SATURDAY, WHERE THEY ARE
BLESSED BY A PRIEST. THESE THINGS ARE THEN TAKEN HOME
WHERE THEY ARE EATEN BY THE FAMILY THE NEXT MORNING
AFTER MASS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
EASTERTIDE--POLISH-AMERICAN CUSTOM
IN THE UNITED STATES, ESPECIALLY IN HAMTRAMCK, MICHIGAN
POLISH-AMERICANS CELEBRATE "DYNGUS" DAY. THIS OCCURS ON
THE FIRST DAY AFTER EASTER. POLISH-AMERICAN BOYS ARE
ALLOWED TO SWITCH GIRLS ON THE LEGS WITH SMALL TREE
BRANCHES. JUST AS IN THE POLISH CUSTOM, POLISH-AMERICAN
BOYS ARE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE HOME OF THE GIRL AND EVEN
ENTER HER BEDROOM TO SWITCH HER. ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER
EASTER, THE POLISH-AMERICAN GIRLS GET THE SAME OPPORTUNITY
TO SWITCH THE BOYS WITH SLENDER TWIGS. THE BOYS WERE
USUALLY SMARTER THAN THE GIRLS AND NEVER STAYED HOME ON
THE SECOND DAY AFTER EASTER. SWITCHING WAS NEVER DONE
OUTDOORS, AND THE BOYS WERE USUALLY PAID A FEW DIMES OR
NICKELS WHEN THEY SWITCHED A GIRL, AND IF THE GIRL'S
PARENTS DIDN'T HAVE MUCH MONEY, THEY GAVE FRUIT.
Submitter comment: CUSTOM IS NOT STILL PRACTICED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 10-15-1969
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY IN JAPAN THE DOORWAYS AND GATEWAYS ARE
DECORATED WITH PINES, WHICH ARE GENERALLY REMOVED ON
THE MORNING OF THE 8TH DAY. (TRADITION HAS IT THAT THE
TREES SINK INTO THE EARTH DURING THE 7TH NIGHT.)
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS BROUGHT UP IN JAPAN AND NURTURED IN
JAPANESE TRADITION AND CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
EARLY NEW YEAR'S MORNING (ABOUT 4:00 A.M.) THE CHILDREN
WOULD KNOCK ON EACH DOOR AND SHOUT:
ICH WUNSCHE EUCH ALLES GUT NEUES JAHR ALLEMITSAM,
KALBER UND KUHE UND ALS WAS IHR HAM.
I WISH EACH AND EVERYONE A GOOD NEW YEAR INCLUDING
CALVES, COWS, AND WHATEVER ELSE YOU HAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; WARREN ; BAVARIA ; ALLGAU
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 09-27-1968