Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 1945 returned 578 results.
IF YOU PULL A LOOSE THREAD, YOU'LL GET A LETTER.
Submitter comment: FROM A FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination Observation |
Date learned: 11-20-1967
IF YOUR PALM ITCHES, OR YOUR FINGERS ITCH, IT MEANS YOU
ARE GOING TO COME INTO SOME MONEY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT IS AN AMERICAN GIRL WHO LEARNED THIS
BELIEF FROM HER IRISH GRANDMOTHER ABOUT TWENTY YEARS
AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
WAIT AFTER DINNER
AFTER FINISHING ANY MEAL OTHER THAN A SNACK, THE DINER
SHOULD WAIT SEVEN MINUTES AT THE TABLE BEFORE HE OR SHE
DEPARTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 09-00-1969
IT IS A CUSTOM IN MY FAMILY FOR THE GRANDMOTHER OF A CHILD
TO GIVE THAT CHILD ONE HUNDRED PENNIES AT THE TIME OF HIS
BAPTISM. THE PENNIES WILL GUARANTEE THAT THE CHILD WILL
HAVE STRENGTH FOR ONE HUNDRED YEARS TO WARD OFF THE EVIL
TEMPTATIONS OF THE DEVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
Date learned: 03-28-1968
STEP ON A CRACK AND YOU BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK,
STEP ON A LINE AND YOU BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S SPINE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS SAID WHEN TWO PEOPLE WERE WALKING ALONG TRYING
TO AVOID STEPPING ON THE LINES AND CRACKS OF THE
SIDEWALK. IT SOON TURNED INTO A GAME TO SEE WHO STEPPED
ON THE MOST LINES AND CRACKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
ALL THE WAY WITH YAWEH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): PARODY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 02-24-1968
RUB-A-DUB-DUB
THANKS FOR THE GRUB
YEA, GOD!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): PARODY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 02-24-1968
SEE A PIN AND PICK IT UP,
ALL THAT DAY YOU'LL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
SEE A PIN AND LET IT LAY,
BAD LUCK YOU'LL HAVE ALL THAT DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 10-06-1965
IF YOU SPIT IN THE AIR, IT WILL LAND ON YOUR NOSE.
Submitter comment: ORIGINAL SOURCE OLD, BUT UNKNOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): ADVICE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-01-1965
RIDDLE
WHY DID LURCH GIVE THING A COKE? ANSWER: THINGS GO BETTER
WITH COKE.
Data entry tech comment: LURCH AND THING ARE CHARACTERS FROM THE TELEVISION SHOW
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-24-1965
RIDDLE
WHAT DID THE BEATLES SAY WHEN THEY FELL OFF A CLIFF?
ANSWER: I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND.
Data entry tech comment: THE BEATLES WERE A ROCK MUSIC GROUP AND "I WANT TO HOLD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-25-1965
BRAZILIAN HOLIDAY
"CARNIVAL DAY" IN BRAZIL IS LIKE OUR HALLOWEEN.
KIDS AND ADULTS PARTICIPATE BY PAINTING EACH OTHER'S
FACES DURING THE DAY AND PLAYING TRICKS OR PRANKS.
AT NIGHT THERE ARE PARTIES TO ATTEND. THIS HOLIDAY
TAKES PLACE EVERY THIRD SATURDAY IN THE MONTH OF
FEBRUARY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
MAY BASKET DAY
MAY 1ST IS CELEBRATED BY DECORATING LITTLE BOXES
AND TAKING THEM OVER TO A FRIENDS HOUSE, YOU MUST
RING THEIR DOORBELL AND RUN HOPING THAT THEY DON'T
CATCH YOU BEFORE YOU MAKE IT TO YOUR CAR, BECAUSE IF
THEY DO THEN THEY GET TO KISS OR PINCH YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 04-00-1983
UKRAINIAN BELIEF
WHEN A BIRD HITS THE WINDOW, SOMETHING BAD IS
GOING TO HAPPEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 03-00-1983
BIRTH; DETERMINING SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
I REMEMBER ONE THING THAT WAS REALLY PRETTY SILLY, THAT ALL THE
GIRLS DID WHEN THEY WERE PREGNANT TO SUPPOSEDLY TELL IF THE
BABY WAS TO BE A BOY OR A GIRL. WE'D THREAD A NEEDLE AND LET
IT SWING ON ITS OWN INTO MAKING A CIRCLE OR AN OVAL SHAPE IN
THE SWINGS. SUPPOSEDLY SOME SPIRIT OR THE CHILD ITSELF WAS
DIRECTING THE SWING OF THE NEEDLE, AND IF THE NEEDLE MADE A
CIRCLE, THE BABY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A GIRL AND AN OVAL WAS
AN INDICATION OF A BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): ANAPEL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
OBJECTS USED FOR PREDICTION
AT WEDDING SHOWERS, THE RIBBONS OFF THE BRIDE'S PRESENTS
ARE HANDLED CAREFULLY! FOR EACH RIBBON SHE BREAKS AS SHE
OPENS THE PRESENTS, SHE'S SUPPOSED TO HAVE A CHILD, SO IF SHE
BREAKS FOUR RIBBONS, SHE WILL HAVE FOUR CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 10-00-1983
TOAST
HERE'S TO THE GUYS WE LOVE. HERE'S TO THE GUYS WHO
LOVE US. IF THE GUYS WE LOVE DON'T LOVE US,
FORGET THE GUYS. HERE'S TO US!
Submitter comment:
THIS TOAST IS USED MOSTLY BY ADOLESCENT GIRLS TO
HELP DISPEL THE PAIN OF UNREQUITED LOVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
TANGLETALK
ONE BRIGHT DAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,
TWO DEAD BOYS GOT UP TO FIGHT.
BACK TO BACK THEY FACED EACH OTHER,
DREW THEIR SWORDS AND SHOT EACH OTHER.
THE DEAF POLICEMAN HEARD THE NOISE;
CAME OUT AND SHOT THE TWO DEAD BOYS.
IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THIS LIE IS TRUE,
ASK THE BLIND MAN WHO SAW IT TOO!
Submitter comment:
I COLLECTED THIS FROM SOME TWELVE YEAR OLD BOYS WHO RACED THROUGH
IT IN A SING-SONG MANNER. IT SEEMED TO ME THAT WHOEVER COULD
FINISH RECITING FIRST TOOK PRIDE IN HIS SPEED, BUT NONE OF THE
BOYS WERE VERY CONCERNED WITH ACCURACY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative Prose Narrative SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
BALLAD
I ONCE KNEW A LORD BY THE NORTHERN SEA. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
I ONCE KNEW A LORD BY THE NORTHERN SEA,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
I ONCE KNEW A LORD BY THE NORTHERN SEA,
HE HAD DAUGHTERS - ONE, TWO, THREE.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
A YOUNG PRINCE CAME A COURTING THERE. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
A YOUNG PRINCE CAME A COURTING THERE,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
A YOUNG PRINCE CAME A COURTING THERE,
HE CHOSE THE YOUNG, HE CHOSE THE FAIR
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A BEAVER HAT. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A BEAVER HAT,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A BEAVER HAT,
THE UGLY TWO THOUGHT HORRID OF THAT.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A GOLDEN RING. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A GOLDEN RING,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A GOLDEN RING,
THE UGLY TWO THOUGHT THAT A TERRIBLE THING.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
THE THREE WALKED DOWN BY THE WATER'S RIM. BOW BOWN, BOW DOWN.
THE THREE WALKED DOWN BY THE WATER'S RIM,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
THE THREE WALKED DOWN BY THE WATER'S RIM,
THE UGLY TWO PUSHED THE FAIR ONE IN.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
SHE FLOATED DOWN WHERE THE MILLER SAT. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
SHE FLOATED DOWN WHERE THE MILLER SAT,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
SHE FLOATED DOWN WHERE THE MILLER SAT,
HE TOOK THE GOLD RING AND THE BEAVER HAT.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
THE UGLY TWO THEY WERE BURNED AT THE STAKE. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
THE UGLY TWO THEY WERE BURNED AT THE STAKE,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
THE UGLY TWO THEY WERE BURNED AT THE STAKE,
THE MILLER WAS HANGED FOR WHAT HE DID TAKE.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
Submitter comment:
THIS BALLAD, A VARIATION OF "THE TWA SISTERS", WAS LEARNED
BY MR. CARAHER IN 1956 WHEN HE WORKED IN INTERLOCHEN, MICHIGAN
AT INTERLOCHEN'S MUSIC ACADEMY. LONG EVENINGS WERE SPENT
SINGING AND "LEARNING HOW TO DRINK BEER WITHOUT THROWING UP."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic |
NAMING
THE BALLPARK
"THE BALLPARK" THAT MEANS THAT YOU'RE ALL DOLLED UP.
YOU KNOW. IT'S LIKE WHEN YOU'RE GOING OUT IN YOUR NEW OUTFIT
AND YOU LOOK GOOOOD. "I AM JUST THE BALLPARK!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Proper Name |