Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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MY GRANDMOTHER LOST HER SHOE IN THE YEAR OF '92.
SHE FOUND IT HANGING ON THE DOOR, IN THE YEAR OF '94.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; BATAVIA
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1910
ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN-
ALL GOOD CHILDREN GO TO HEAVEN.
WHEN THE ANGEL RINGS THE BELL-
ALL BAD CHILDREN GO TO-
WE'RE FROM BATAVIA, AND WE DON'T GIVE A
GOBBLE WOBBLE- SIS BOOM BAM!
Where learned: NEW YORK ; BATAVIA
James Callow Keyword(s): HELL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1910
NOT LAST NIGHT, BUT THE NIGHT BEFORE,
TWENTY-FOUR ROBBERS CAME AT MY DOOR.
I WENT TO THE DOOR TO LET THEM IN,
AND THEY KNOCKED ME DOWN WITH A ROLLING PIN.
I RAN UPSTAIRS TO GET MY GUN, YOU SHOULD
HAVE SEEN THOSE ROBBERS RUN.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; BATAVIA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1910
IN ALGEBRA, TO SOLVE AN EQUATION YOU MUST FOLLOW THESE CONSECUTIVE
STEPS: MULTIPLY, DIVIDE, ADD, SUBTRACT. REMEMBERED BY THE
SENTENCE: MY DOG ATE SOUP.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; BATAVIA
Keyword(s): SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
TO REMEMBER THE ELEMENTS IN MAKEUP OF THE HUMAN BODY- HOPKINS CAFE.
HYDROGEN , OXYGEN, PHOSPHORUS, POTASSIUM, IODINE, NITROGEN, SULPHUR,
CALCIUM, IRON. ALL ARE THE CHEMICAL SYMBOLS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; BATAVIA
Keyword(s): SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
THE SKY IS BLUE,
HOW OLD ARE YOU.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
LACKAWANNA
DID YOU EVER HEAR OF LACKAWANNA, NEW YORK? WELL, I USED TO LIVE
THERE A COUPLE (OF) YEARS AGO. THE STORY AROUND THERE CONCERNING
HOW THE CITY GOT ITS NAME GOES LIKE THIS: THERE WAS THIS INDIAN
TRIBE IN NEW YORK (THE ONEIDAS, I THINK) WHO INHABITED THE
BUFFALO AREA. ONE OF THE INDIANS GOT UP ON THIS BIG OLD HILL
AND SURVEYED THE AREA. ALL THE INDIAN COULD SEE WAS WATER, SO
HE SAID, "LACKAWANNA," WHICH WAS THAT TRIBE'S WAY OF SAYING, "AS
I STAND HIGH ON THIS HILL, AND I LOOK AROUND, ALL I CAN SEE IS
WATER." AND SO THAT IS HOW LACKAWANNA, NEW YORK, GOT ITS NAME.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT, A RESIDENT OF THE BUFFALO AREA, SAID THAT THIS IS
WHAT THE PEOPLE TOLD HIM WHEN HE MOVED THERE.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
Keyword(s): TALL TALE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
LAKE ERIE
REMEMBER YESTERDAY HOW I TOLD YOU HOW LACKAWANNA GOT ITS NAME
FROM AN INDIAN STANDING ON A HILL. WELL, THE NEXT DAY, THAT
INDIAN BROUGHT THE CHIEF UP TO THE SAME HILL. WHEN THE CHIEF
GOT UP THERE HE SAID, "YOU WERE RIGHT, ALL YOU CAN SEE FROM UP
HERE IS WATER. BOY, IS THIS EVER EERIE!" SO THAT'S HOW THAT
PARTICULAR BODY OF WATER GOT ITS NAME--LAKE ERIE.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID HE ALSO HEARD THIS IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
Keyword(s): TALL TALE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
IF YOU HAVE LOTS OF HAIR ON YOUR BACK, YOU'LL BE RICH.
Submitter comment: SOURCE: MY MOTHER (SAYS COLLECTOR)
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
A CURE FOR BOILS
MY GRANDFATHER, FRANK PIAZZA, HAD A SMALL SISTER WHO HAD A VERY
LARGE BOIL ON HER CHEEK OF HER FACE WHEN SHE WAS TWO YEARS OLD. HER
PARENTS TOOK HER TO DOCTORS AND THE RESULTS WERE ALWAYS THE SAME, "WE
COULD OPERATE BUT THERE WOULD BE A LARGE VISIBLE SCAR."
MY GRANDFATHER'S PARENTS THOUGHT IT OVER, AND REMEMBERED A "BOIL
CURE" FROM THEIR OWN PARENTS.
THE CURE WAS TO ALWAYS KEEP GOOSE FAT ON THE BOIL, AND EVENTUALLY IT
WILL DISAPPEAR.
THE PARENTS DID THIS TO THEIR LITTLE GIRL, AND THE BOIL FINALLY WENT
AWAY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A PIAZZA FAMILY CURE THAT HAS BEEN IN THE PIAZZA FAMILY FOR
MANY, MANY YEARS. THIS CURE HAS BEEN PUT TO USE THREE TIMES IN THAT
FAMILY, AND EACH TIME IT HAS WORKED.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; ITALY ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
THE NEW ENGLAND DUCK
IN AN OLD ITALIAN TOWN, A LITTLE OLD LADY WALKED INTO A BUTCHER SHOP
AND ASKED FOR A NEW ENGLAND DUCK.
THE OWNER, WHO WAS A VERY FAMILIAR WITH ALL KINDS OF DUCKS, WAS VERY
PUZZLED. SO TO TRY TO HELP OUT THE LITTLE OLD LADY, HE HELD UP JUST
ANY OLD DUCK.
THE LADY TOOK HER THUMB AND STUCK IT IN THE "COOLOO" OF THE DUCK. SHE
PULLED IT OUT AND SAID, "NO, THIS ISN'T A NEW ENGLAND DUCK".
THE OWNER AGAIN GOT ANOTHER DUCK AND GAVE IT TO THE LITTLE OLD LADY.
SHE AGAIN TOOK HER THUMB AND INSERTED IT INTO THE DUCK'S "COOLOO" AND
SAID, "AH: THIS IS A NEW ENGLAND DUCK."
AS HE WRAPPED THE CHICKEN FOR THE LITTLE OLD LADY, HE ASKED HER IF
SHE WAS AN ITALIAN. SHE REPLIED, "VERY MUCH SO."
THE LITTLE OLD LADY, STILL PUZZLED AS TO HOW COME THE BUTCHER DIDN'T
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A NEW ENGLAND DUCK AND THE OTHERS, ASKED
HIM WHERE HE CAME FROM.
THE BUTCHER PULLED DOWN HIS PANTS, BENT OVER AND SAID, "HERE- YOU
TELL ME!"
Submitter comment: FROM ITALY IN THE EARLY 1900'S
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote Food Drink -- Meat Bird Poultry |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
THE MONK
IN A SMALL NORTHERN TOWN IN ITALY, HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS LIVED THE
MONKS. THE MONKS WERE VERY RICH AND ALWAYS SAVED THEIR MONEY IN A
SMALL SACK, AND CONTINUOUSLY PRAYED THAT SOMEDAY THEY WOULD BE ABLE
TO GO TO HEAVEN.
THE ROBBERS OF ITALY WERE ALWAYS TRYING
TO STEAL THE MONK'S MONEY. ONE
DAY, A ROBBER GOT A TERRIFIC IDEA ON HOW HE WOULD STEAL ONE OF THE
MONK'S MONEY. THE MONK'S NAME WAS FATHER FRANCO.
THIS ROBBER PLAYED A GUITAR AND HE WAS ALSO A SINGER. ONE DAY HE SAW
A MONK PRAYING IN HIS ROOM. THE ROBBER CLIMBED ON THE ROOF ABOVE THE
MONK'S ROOM AND BEGAN TO SING, "FATHER FRANCO, FATHER FRANCO, COME UP
TO HEAVEN."
FATHER FRANCO HEARING THIS, THOUGHT IT WAS GOD CALLING, AND PREPARED TO GO TO HEAVEN. FATHER FRAN
ANSWERED, "LORD, LORD, I AM READY." THE ROBBER HEARING THIS SAID, "FATHER FRANCO, FIRST YOU MUST GIVE UP YOUR SMALL SACK OF MONEY." FATHER FRAN
ANSWERED, "I'LL DO ANYTHING TO GO TO HEAVEN." SO THE ROBBER PUT A HOLE IN THE ROOF AND LOWERED A ROPE DOWN. HE THEN SAID, "FATHER FRAN
PUT THE SACK OF MONEY ON THE BOTTOM OF THE ROPE, AND I'LL PULL IT UP TO HEAVEN FOR YOU." FATHER FRAN
DID AS HE WAS INSTRUCTED, AND NOW PREPARED HIMSELF FOR ENTRY INTO HEAVEN. FINALLY, THE ROBBER LOWERED THE ROPE DOWN AGAIN AND SAID, "FATHER FRANCO,
TIE THE ROPE AROUND YOUR NECK AND I'LL PULL YOU UP INTO HEAVEN." FATHER FRANCO, AS HOLY AS HE WAS, PUT THE ROPE AROUND HIS NECK AND ANSWERED, "LORD, I
AM READY, TAKE ME." WHEN THE ROBBER HEARD THIS HE PULLED ON THE ROPE AND HUNG FATHER FRANCO.
Submitter comment: FROM ITALY IN THE EARLY 1900S
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
MYTHWOODPECKER
ANOTHER STORY ABOUT ST. PETER IS THE ONE ABOUT THE LADY WHO WAS
BAKING LITTLE BREADS ONE DAY AND A LITTLE OLD MAN CAME TO HER WINDOW
STARVING AFTER TRAVELLING SO FAR PREACHING AND ASKED HER FOR A SMALL
LOAF OF BREAD. HOWEVER, WHEN THE WOMAN LOOKED AT EACH BREAD AS SHE
ROLLED IT, IT LOOKED TOO BIG TO GIVE AWAY. SO SHE KEPT ROLLING AND
ROLLING TRYING TO MAKE HIM A VERY SMALL ONE, UNTIL SHE GAVE UP AND
KEPT THEM ALL TO HERSELF. SO ST. PETER, ANGERED BY HER ACTIONS, TOLD
HER FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE SHE WOULD HAVE TO SCROUNGE AROUND FOR
FOOD AND SO HE CHANGED HER INTO A BIRD EXCEPT FOR HER KERCHIEF, AND
SENT HER UP THE SOOTY CHIMNEY. THIS IS WHY YOU ALWAYS SEE THE
WOODPECKER PECKING AWAY AT THE BARK ON THE TREES AND ITS BODY IS
BLACK FROM THE SOOT IN THE CHIMNEY, AND ITS HEAD IS RED LIKE THE
LADY'S KERCHIEF.
(SHARE WHATEVER YOU HAVE AND NEVER THINK YOU ARE GIVING TOO MUCH,
FOR THE TIME MAY COME WHEN YOU NEED SOMETHING AND YOU MAY HAVE TO
ASK FOR HELP FROM SOMEONE).
Submitter comment: FROM ITALY IN THE EARLY 1900S
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
(KIND AND UNKIND STORY) ST. PETER STORY
ONCE UPON A TIME IN A SMALL TOWN IN SICILY, THERE LIVED A MEAN
STEPMOTHER WITH TWO DAUGHTERS, ONE OF WHOM WAS HER NATURAL DAUGHTER
AND THE OTHER WAS HER STEPDAUGHTER. HOWEVER, HER STEPDAUGHTER, BEING
THE PRETTIER OF THE TWO GIRLS, WAS ALWAYS IN THE KITCHEN SCRUBBING
THE POTS AND PANS AND DOING ALL THE DIRTY WORK THAT HAD TO BE DONE,
WHILE THE NATURAL DAUGHTER WAS JUST LAYING AROUND DOING NOTHING AND
GETTING SELFISH AND MORE SELF-CENTERED EVERY DAY. WELL, THIS
STEPMOTHER MADE THE BREAD FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN AND DELIVERY WAS
MADE DAILY BY HER TWO DAUGHTERS. ONE DAY AS THE BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER
WAS WALKING DOWN THE ROAD, SHE MET AN OLD, BEARDED MAN SITTING ALONG
THE ROADSIDE. HE ASKED HER FOR A SMALL PIECE OF BREAD BECAUSE HE HAD
NOT EATEN FOR TWO DAYS. THE YOUNG GIRL TOOK PITY ON HIM AND GAVE HIM
THE WHOLE LOAF OF BREAD. HE THANKED HER AND TOLD HER IF SHE HEARD THE
ROOSTER CROW ONCE ON THE WAY HOME, SHE WAS NOT TO TURN AROUND. BUT,
IF THE ROOSTER CROWED TWICE, SHE WAS TO TURN AROUND QUICKLY. BEING AN
OBEDIENT GIRL, WHEN THE ROOSTER CROWED ONCE SHE KEPT RIGHT ON
WALKING, BUT WHEN SHE HEARD HIM CROW TWICE, SHE QUICKLY TURNED
AROUND AND AS SHE DID SO, A DIAMOND APPEARED IN THE MIDDLE OF HER
FOREHEAD MAKING HER MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN EVER. UPON RETURNING HOME
AND EXPLAINING WHAT HAPPENED TO HER STEPMOTHER, THE NATURAL DAUGHTER
WANTED TO GO THE SAME ROAD HER SISTER FOLLOWED THE DAY BEFORE.
HOWEVER, BEING SELFISH AND MEAN, WHEN THE POOR OLD MAN APPROACHED HER
AND ASKED FOR A MORSEL OF BREAD, SHE SPAT UPON HIM AND TRIED TO RUN
AWAY. THEREFORE, ANGERED BY HER ACTIONS, HE TOLD HER TO TURN AROUND
IF SHE HEARD THE ROOSTER CROW ONCE, AND TO WALK STRAIGHT AHEAD IF SHE
HEARD HIM CROW TWICE. UPON DOING THIS, AS SHE TURNED AROUND WHEN THE
ROOSTER CROWED ONCE, A BIG HORN GREW IN THE MIDDLE OF HER FOREHEAD,
MAKING HER UGLIER THAN SHE WAS BEFORE.
Submitter comment:
FROM ITALY IN THE EARLY 1900'S
THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS TO SHARE WITH OTHERS AND HAVE PITY ON
THOSE LESS FORTUNATE THAN YOU, FOR THE LITTLE OLD MAN WAS REALLY ST.
PETER IN DISGUISE, SAID MY GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ITALY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
IRISH SAYING
CAN'T THE CAT LOOK AT THE QUEEN?
Submitter comment: MEANING: HAVE I NO RIGHTS AT ALL?
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ANIMAL
James Callow Keyword(s): JUSTICE?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
DRESS BELIEF
A BABY GIRL IS DRESSED IN PINK, ALWAYS, BECAUSE SHE WAS BORN
INSIDE A PINK ROSE.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
WEDDING TOAST BELIEF
WHEN A BRIDE AND GROOM DRINK THEIR WEDDING TOAST, WHOEVER FINISHES
FIRST WILL RULE THE FAMILY.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
Keyword(s): FIRST WEDDING TOAST
Date learned: COLLECTOR'S CHILDHOOD
DRESS BELIEF
A BABY GIRL IS DRESSED IN PINK, A LWAYS, BECAUSE SHE WAS BORN
INSIDE A PINK ROSE.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
PROVERB
FLY PLEASURES AND THEY,LL FOLLOW YOU.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
PROVERB
GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |