Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 497 returned 96 results.
RIDDLE TO IDENTIFY CORAL SNAKE
YELLOW ON RED, DO NOT DREAD.
BLACK ON YELLOW, KILLA FELLA.
Submitter comment: AS TOLD BY MY SEVENTH GRADE SCIENCE TEACHER.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; EDGEFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
VERSE ON SAMPLER
"OUR LIVES ARE ALBUMS WRITTEN THROUGH,
WITH GOOD OR ILL, WITH FALSE OR TRUE;
AND AS THE BLESSED ANGELS TURN,
THE PAGES OF OUR YEARS,
GOD GRANT THEY READ THE GOOD WITH SMILES,
AND BLOT THE ILL WITH TEARS."
Submitter comment:
THIS VERSE WAS ON A SAMPLER I COPIED ON LINEN BY THE ORIGINAL
THREAD-COUNT METHOD OF CROSS-STITCH EMBROIDERY. THE ORIGINAL
SAMPLER WAS DATED 1912. THIS VERSE CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON PAGE 72
OF BRUNVAND "THE STUDY OF AMERICAN FOLKLORE", AS A SENTIMENTAL
VERSE IN AN AUTOGRAPH ALBUM.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; EDGEFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Weaving material For costuming in dance or drama, see C484. Flax Hemp Jute |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
JUMP ROPE RHYME
EENY, MEENY, MINEY, MO,
CATCH (A NIGGA) BY THE TOE.
(OLD HITLER)
(A RABBIT)
IF HE HOLLERS, LET HIM PAY
FIFTEEN DOLLARS EVERY DAY.
OR
IF HE HOLLERS, LET HIM GO. (OR, DON'T LET GO)
EENY, MEENY, MINEY, MO.
OPTIONAL: O U T SPELLS OUT GOES YOU.
YOU OLD DIRTY DISH-RAG YOU. (DEBBIE CHILDRESS, TENN.)
Submitter comment:
THIS VERSE WAS USED TO COUNT OFF TO SEE WHICH ONES WOULD TURN THE
ROPE; AND WAS A COUNTING OUT RHYME FOR OTHER GAMES.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; EDGEFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
JUMP ROPE RHYME
CINDERELLA DRESSES IN YELLOW,
WENT DOWNTOWN TO SEE HER FELLA.
ON THE WAY HER GIRDLE BUSTED.
HOW MANY MEN WERE DISGUSTED.
ONE--TWO--THREE---------
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; EDGEFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
JUMP ROPE RHYME
BLUE BELLS, COCKERSHELLS
EASY, IVEY, OVER.
Submitter comment: VARIATION ON PAGE 18 OF "JUMP ROPE RHYME".
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; EDGEFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
TRADE RIME
"MY NAME IS JOHN JOHNSON,
I LIVE IN WISCONSIN.
I WORK IN THE LUMBER YARD THERE.
TO EVERY BODY I MEET
AS I WALK DOWN THE STREET,
I SAY __________
(REPEAT SONG)
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER SANG THIS TO ME ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; EDGEFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.334 |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
VERSE
"WAY DOWN YONDER, NOT VERY FAR OFF,
THE JAY BIRD DIED WITH THE WHOOPING COUGH.
HE WHOOPED SO LOUD WITH THE WHOOPING COUGH,
THAT HE WHOOPED HIS HEAD AND HIS TAIL RIGHT OFF.
SAME SONG SECOND VERSE,
ONLY A LITTLE BIT LOUDER,
AND A LITTLE BIT WORSE."
Submitter comment:
VERSE REPEATED AS A CHILD: EACH TIME THE VERSE IS REPEATED,
"WHOOP" IS SAID LOUDER AND LOUDER.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; EDGEFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
CRADLE SONG
HUSH A BY,
DON'T YOU CRY.
GO TO SLEEPY, LITTLE BABY.
WHEN YOU WAKE,
YOU SHALL HAVE
ALL THE PRETTY HORSES --
BLACK AND GREY,
ROAN AND BAY.
A COACH AND SIX LITTLE HORSES.
Submitter comment:
THIS VARIATION WAS SUNG TO ME BY MY MOTHER WHO FIRST HEARD IT
IN SOUTH CAROLINA SUNG BY NEGRO MAMMIES. ANOTHER VERSION CAN BE
FOUND IN: LOMAX, AMERICAN BALLADS AND FOLK SONG. NEW YORK :
MACMILLAN, 1935, P.304.
Data entry tech comment: THE TITLE OF THE SONG IS:"ALL THE PRETTY LITTLE HORSES"
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; EDGEFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Cradle song Lullaby |
Date learned: 00001950S
TOLD TO EXEMPLIFY THE MENTALITY OF A "NIGGA":
WHEN TOLD TO MEASURE A BOARD THE "NIGGA" SAID, "IT'S 4' 17 1/2'',
BOSS MAN.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; EDGEFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00001960S
TALES
THE POPULAR TALES OF RAT'S TALES FOUND IN COCA-COLA BOTTLES OR
SPIDER'S NESTS IN GIRLS' UNCOMBED HAIR ARE USUALLY UNTRUE; BUT
THEY CIRCULATED AS HAVING OCCURED IN MY HOMETOWN WHEN I WAS A
CHILD. FOR EXAMPLE: POTATO STICKS USED TO BE CANNED IN REPAINTED
BUDWEISER CANS. AS CHILDREN WE ASSUMED THAT THEY WERE USED CANS
THAT HAD HAD BEER IN THEM AT ONE TIME, SO BOYS WERE PROUD TO
FIND AS MANY AS THEY COULD.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; EDGEFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
TALE OF SECULAR HERO
GEORGE WASHINGTON SLEPT UNDER A TREE IN EDGEFIELD COUNTY, SC, AND
A MONUMENT HAS BEEN PLACED AT A SPOT WHERE HE FOUGHT A BATTLE.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; EDGEFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
LEGEND-HUMAN BEING
A POPULAR LEGEND OF MY HOMETOWN EDGEFIELD, S.C., IS ABOUT A
WOMAN, BECKY COTTON CALLED THE "DEVIL IN PETTICOATS." PARSON
MASON WROTE OF THE WOMAN, FIRST CALLING HER BY THIS TERM. WEEMS
IS FAMOUS FOR BEING THE AUTHOR OF THE FIRST BIOGRAPHY OF GEORGE
WASHINGTON INCLUDING THE CHERRY TREE EPISODE. WEEMS PREACHED IN
EDGEFIELD FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND WAS FAMOUS FOR HIS FIRE AND
BRIMSTONE SERMONS. HIS WRITING OF BECKY COTTON WAS THE SUBJECT OF
SIN AND DAMNATION. ALLEDGEDLY SHE KILLED TWO HUSBANDS AND THROUGH
THEIR BODIES IN A POOL NEAR HER HOME. AFTER THE TRIAL, IN WHICH
SHE WAS PROVEN INNOCENT BECAUSE OF HER CAPTIVATING BEAUTY, HER
BROTHER KILLED HER ON THE TOWN SQUARE WITH A BRICK.
Submitter comment:
THERE IS NO PROOF THAT SHE ACTUALLY DID LIVE - THERE IS NO GRAVE
AND THE FAMILY RECORDS ARE LOST.
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING ERRORS WERE CORRECTED
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; EDGEFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 07-00-1972
SUPERSTITIONS AND CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
A PACKET CONTAINING NAIL PARINGS, A LOCK OF HAIR AND
THREE DROPS OF BODY FLUID, USUALLY BLOOD, PLACED UNDER THE
BOTTOM STEP OF A LOVE OBJECT WILL ENSURE THAT THE LOVED (ONE)
WILL LOVE NO OTHER. MM
A MIXTURE OF ROOSTER BLOOD, CORN WHISKEY, AND A SMALL
AMOUNT OF DRIED BULL DUNG WILL ENSURE POTENNENCE AND MALE
OFFSPRING. CC POTENCY MM
A WOMAN WHO HANDLES ANY ANIMALS DURING HER PREGNANCY
"MARK" HER BABY WITH EITHER ANIMALISTIC FEATURES OR
BEHAVIOR. CC MARKS? MM
IF YOU ALLOW AN ALBINO PERSON TO TOUCH YOU YOU WILL BE
BLINDED OR ONE LEG WILL BECOME SHORTER THAN THE OTHER
BY THE NEXT FULL MOON FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; COLUMBUS
Date learned: 00-00-1918
GHOST STORY
MY AUNT SAID THAT ONE DAY HER AND HER FATHER WERE WALKING THROUGH
THE GRAVEYARD ON THEIR WAY TO THE THEATER DOWNTOWN. BEFORE THEY
CAME TO THE EDGE OF THE CORNER STONES. MY AUNT SAID SHE TOLD MY
GRANDFATHER THAT SHE DID NOT SEE A MAN STANDING BY THE STONE. HOW-
EVER, MY GRANDFATHER INSISTED THAT HE SAW THE MAN. HE TOLD MY AUNT
THAT WHEN HE STOOPED DOWN SHE WAS TO LOOK OVER HIS LEFT SHOULDER.
SHE DID AND SURE ENOUGH SHE DID SEE THE MAN. SHE SAID SECONDS LATER
THE FIGURE VANISHED RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR EYESIGHT.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
GHOST STORY
MY AUNT SAID THAT ONE DAY HER AND HER FATHER WERE WALKING THROUGH
THE GRAVEYARD ON THEIR WAY TO THE THEATER DOWNTOWN. BEFORE THEY
CAME TO THE EDGE OF THE CORNER STONES. MY AUNT SAID SHE TOLD MY
GRANDFATHER THAT SHE DID NOT SEE A MAN STANDING BY THE STONE. HOW-
EVER, MY GRANDFATHER INSISTED THAT HE SAW THE MAN. HE TOLD MY AUNT
THAT WHEN HE STOOPED DOWN SHE WAS TO LOOK OVER HIS LEFT SHOULDER.
SHE DID AND SURE ENOUGH SHE DID SEE THE MAN. SHE SAID SECONDS LATER
THE FIGURE VANISHED RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR EYESIGHT.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
BLOODY BONES.
BLOODY BONES GONNA GET YA TONIGHT-
FIRST STEP, BLOODY BONES GONNA GET YA
TONIGHT- SECOND STEP, BLOODY BONES
GONNA GET YA TONIGHT- THIRD STEP,
BLOODY BONES GONNA GET YA TONIGHT-
FOURTH STEP, BLOODY BONES GONNA
GET YA TONIGHT- FIFTH STEP,
HE GOTCH YA.
Submitter comment:
TOLD AS A SPOOKY BED TIME STORY
TO SCARE CHILDREN. TELLER CAN
USE AS MANY STEPS AS THERE ARE
TO GET TO THE TOP OF THE STEPS.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; IN BED AT MY GRANDMOTHERS HOUSE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00001960S
IF A GIRL CLIMBS A FRUIT BEARING TREE, THE TREE WILL NEVER
BEAR FRUITS AGAIN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; GEORGETOWN
Keyword(s): Female ; FERTILITY ; FRUIT ; INFERTILITY ; NATURE ; SEXISM ; SUPERSTITION ; Tree
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF A FEMALE LETS A PREGNANT WOMAN FIX HER HAIR, SHE WILL
BECOME BALD HEADED.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; GEORGETOWN
James Callow Keyword(s): HAIRDRESSING.
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF A PERSON BITES YOU, RUB SOME CHICKEN DO-DO ON THE SPOT
AND HIS TEETH WILL ROTTEN. (ROT)
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; GEORGETOWN
Keyword(s): FECAL FECES
James Callow Keyword(s): DUNG
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHEN A CATCRIES AT THE WINDOW OF A HOUSE, SOMEONE IN THAT
HOUSE IT (IS?) PREGNANT.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; GEORGETOWN
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN