Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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NO MONEY PROVERB.
"LACK OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL."
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; PARODY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
IF YOUR HEAD IS WAX DON'T WALK IN THE SUN.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): HUMOR
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; STAY OUT OF DANGER IF YOU'RE VULNERABLE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-01-1968
IF WOOLEN FLEECES SPREAD THE HEAVENLY WAY, BE SURE NO RAIN
DISTURBS THE SUMMER DAY.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): RIME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 09-07-1969
DUMMY DUMMY DODO I CHOOSE YOU TO CHASE AFTER ME.(THIS IS A JUMP-ROPE
RHYME WHICH IS USED TO GET THE JUMPERS TO JUMP IN AND OUT OF THE ROPE
IN QUICK SUCCESSION. ONE FOLLOWING AFTER THE OTHER.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): CALL-RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
AGING
THERE MAY BE SNOW ON THE ROOF, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE
FIRE'S OUT.
Submitter comment:
THE SNOW REFERS TO GREY OR WHITE HAIR AND THE FIRE
REFERS TO A YOUTHFUL HEART.
TOLD AS A QUIP.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; JACKSON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
SILVERWARE BELIEF
IF A PIECE OF SILVERWARE IS DROPPED, IT MEANS A VISITOR WILL COME
FROM THAT DIRECTION. IF THE PIECE IS A KNIFE, THE VISITOR WILL BE A
MAN; IF A FORK: A WOMAN; IF A SPOON: A CHILD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S GRANDMOTHER TOLD HER THIS.
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
IN APPLE PIE ORDER
Data entry tech comment: KEYPUNCHER HAS DELETED ELLIPSIS MARKS BEFORE THE WORD IN.
Where learned: HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): FOOD ; FRUIT
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 10-22-1968
WEATHER RHYME
IN THE MORNING MOUNTAINS,
IN THE EVENING FOUNTAINS.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; FEMININE RHYME ; OBSERVATION PREDICTION ; PARALLELISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 09-07-1969
BEST WORK
THE BEST WORK IS WHAT YOU LIKE.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS WRITTEN IN A LETTER TO ME NOT LONG AGO BY MY GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: HOME ; STURGEON LAKE ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTENTMENT ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-05-1970
TERMITE
A TERMITE WENT INTO A BAR AND ASKED, "IS THE
BAR TENDER HERE?"
Where learned: HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): BARTENDER PUN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 11-15-1968
THE BUTCHER'S PLIGHT
A LITTLE BOY WENT TO THE BUTCHER SHOP AND
ASKED THE BUTCHER FOR A BONE WITH SOME MEAT ON IT
FOR HIS DOG. THEN THE LITTLE BOY ADDED, "MAKE
SURE IT'S BETTER THAN THE ONE YOU GAVE ME YESTERDAY
BECAUSE IT WAS SO BAD MY DAD COULDN'T EVEN EAT IT."
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD
BUTCHER.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
THE HARE THAT RAN AWAY
THIS ANCIENT STORY IS ONE OF A SERIES ABOUT THE WISE
BUDDHA IN HIS SUCCESSIVE ANIMAL INCARNATIONS. THE
STORY MAY BEGIN WITHOUT REFERENCE TO BUDDHA:
ONCE THERE WAS A WISE LION WHO DID MUCH TO HELP
HIS FELLOW CREATURES AND HE FOUND THERE WAS MUCH TO
BE DONE. FOR INSTANCE, THERE WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS
HARE...."
Submitter comment:
AN OLD EAST INDIAN FOLKTALE ABOUT A HARE THAT THOUGHT
THE SKY WAS FALLING DOWN, BECAUSE A PIECE OF FRUIT
HIT HIM ON THE HEAD. HE CAUSED COMMOTION AMONG
ALL THE ANIMALS AND THEY BEGAN TO BELIEVE THAT THE
SKY WAS FALLING, TOO. A LION CONVINCED HIM HE WAS
WRONG BY SHOWING THE HARE HOW IT REALLY HAPPENED.
THEN EVERYTHING IN THE WOODS RETURNED BACK TO
NORMAL.
Where learned: HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): HENNY-PENNY CHILDREN'S STORY.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 10-22-1972
Entry filtered.
FAITH HEALER STORY
A FAITH HEALER WAS PREACHING TO AN ASSEMBLED CROWD IN
A TENT. HE ASKED IF ANYONE AFFLICTED WOULD COME FORWARD.
SO ONE OF THE CROWD, A MAN ON CRUTCHES, CAME TO THE
PLATFORM. THE FAITH HEALER ASKED HIM HIS NAME, WHICH
WAS WALLY. THE PREACHER SAID, "GO BEHIND THE SCREEN,
WALLY." WALLY HOBBLED BEHIND THE SCREEN ON HIS
CRUTCHES. THE FAITH HEALER THEN ASKED IF THERE WAS
ANYONE ELSE AND ANOTHER MAN CAME FORWARD. "WHAT IS
YOUR NAME?" ASKED THE HEALER. "MY NAME IS RA-RA-RON-
RONALD," THE MAN REPLIED AND WAS SENT BEHIND THE
SCREEN. THE FAITH HEALER PRAYED AND SAID TO WALLY:
"OK, WALLY, THROW YOUR CRUTCHES OVER THE SCREEN."
THEN HE SAID TO RONALD, "RONALD, SAY SOMETHING."
BUT THERE WAS NO REPLY. THE FAITH HEALER REPEATED:
"RONALD, SAY SOMETHING." RONALD REPLIED, "WA, WA,
WAL, WALLY FE, FE, FELL DA, DA, DOWN."
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 11-18-1967
TALE
A JEWISH PROPRIETOR IS LAYING ON HIS DEATH BED AND
HIS WIFE, SONS, DAUGHTERS, GRANDCHILDREN ALL COME
IN TO SEE HIM. HE TALKS TO THEM FOR A WHILE WEAKLY,
BUT THEN HE REALIZES THAT HIS WHOLE FAMILY IS THERE
BY HIS SIDE. HE SITS UP SUDDENLY AND SAYS, "SO,
WHO'S MINDING THE STORE?"
Submitter comment: HEARD IT FROM A FRIEND.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 09-25-1965
THE HOOK
A COUPLE WAS PARKED ON SPINAZA DRIVE (IN ROUGE PARK)
WHEN AN ANNOUNCEMENT CAME OVER THE NEWS THAT A
DANGEROUS MAN, WITH A HOOK FOR ONE HAND, WAS AT
LARGE IN THE DETROIT AREA. THE GIRL STARTED TO
WORRY AND ASKED HER BOYFRIEND TO TAKE HER HOME. HE
SAID IT WAS SHEER NONSENSE AND REFUSED. SHE STARTED
TO CRY AND SAID THAT IF HE DIDN'T TAKE HER HOME
RIGHT THIS MINUTE SHE WOULDN'T GO OUT WITH HIM ANY
MORE. HE GOT MAD, DROPPED IT IN LOW (THE GEAR) AND
SCREECHED OFF. HE TOOK HER HOME AND AS HE WENT TO
OPEN THE DOOR FOR HER, HE SAW A HOOK ON THE HANDLE.
Submitter comment:
CHARLIE WAS THE FIRST TO TELL THIS STORY TO ME AND HE
DOESN'T REMEMBER WHERE HE FIRST HEARD IT. HOWEVER,
IT WAS A WELL KNOWN FACT AT THIS TIME BECAUSE I
REMEMBER HEARING IT OFTEN. IT WAS TOLD AS TRUE
EVERY TIME.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1957
EMBARRASSING SITUATION
THIS CERTAIN COUPLE WAS ENGAGED WHEN THE GUY'S BROTHER
ASKED HIM IF HE WOULD BABY-SIT FOR HIM WHILE HE AND
HIS WIFE WENT OUT FOR THE EVENING. HE TOLD HIM THAT
HE WOULD BE ONLY TOO GLAD TO, IF HE COULD BRING HIS
FIANC`E ALONG. THE BROTHER SAID THAT HE DIDN'T
FIGURE THAT HE COULD DO IT ALONE, SINCE HE KNEW
NOTHING ABOUT KIDS AND WAS HOPING HIS BROTHER WOULD
BRING HIS FIANCE`. SO THEY WENT. THAT NIGHT, AFTER
THE KIDS WERE ASLEEP, THE COUPLE THOUGHT THAT SINCE
THE WEDDING WAS SO CLOSE, THEY MIGHT JUST AS WELL TRY
THE SHOE ON AND SEE IF IT FITS. SO THEY WERE HAVING
A GOOD OLD TIME WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEY DISCOVERED
THAT THE LIGHTS WERE OUT. THE GUY FIGURED THAT IT
MUST HAVE BEEN A FUSE, AND SO HE WENT DOWNSTAIRS TO
CHANGE IT. HOWEVER, THE GIRL INSISTED THAT SHE
DIDN'T WANT TO STAY UPSTAIRS ALONE AND FOR HIM TO
TAKE HER ALONG. THEY WERE IN HIGH SPIRITS AND SO HE
GAVE HER A PIGGY-BACK RIDE. THEY WERE IN THE NUDE.
WHEN THEY GOT DOWNSTAIRS, THE LIGHTS WENT ON AND
EVERYBODY YELLED "SURPRISE!" THE RELATIVES HAD
GATHERED FOR A SURPRISE PARTY.
THE GIRL WENT OUT OF HER MIND AND STILL IS IN THE
INSANE ASYLUM.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS TOLD AS TRUE.
JOHN DOYLE LEARNED THIS STORY FROM HIS OLDER SISTER
EARLIER THAT DAY. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE
HAPPENED TO ONE OF HER GIRLFRIEND'S COUSINS.
JOHN FENSCAK TOLD THE VERY SAME STORY, IN EVERY
DETAIL, AS HAVING HAPPENED TO ONE OF HIS FRIEND'S
BROTHERS. JOHN INSISTS THAT THIS ACTUALLY
HAPPENED, IN NEW JERSEY. ACCORDING TO JOHN DOYLE,
IT HAPPENED IN DETROIT ABOUT ONE YEAR EARLIER.
ACCORDING TO FENSCAK IT HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER OF
1962.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
DRUNK
THE DRUNK WAS KNOCKING ON THE POLE OF THE STREET LIGHT.
A POLICEMAN ASKED HIM WHAT HE WAS DOING. THE DRUNK
REPLIED, "KNOCKING, OFFICER, THERE MUST BE SOMEONE HOME,
THERE'S A LIGHT ON IN THE SECOND STORY."
Submitter comment: FROM A FELLOW WORKER.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 11-15-1967
POLISHING FLOORS
MY GRANDMOTHER STATES THAT, IN HER DAY, SHE WOULD
APPLY MILK TO THE KITCHEN FLOOR FOR POLISHING IT
INSTEAD OF WAX.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
THERE WAS THE BRAVE MAN OF MY GRANDFATHER'S VILLAGE
WHO CLAIMED HE WASN'T AFRAID OF ANYTHING. SO MY
GRANDFATHER, HIS FRIEND, AND THE BRAVE MAN WENT OUT ONE
NIGHT TO THE HAUNTED HOUSE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE. MY
GRANDFATHER AND HIS FRIEND HAD PAINTED THE BLACK
FIGURE OF A MAN ON THE DOOR, WHEN THE BRAVE MAN
APPROACHED THE HOUSE, MY GRANDFATHER AND HIS FRIEND
HID AND THE BRAVE MAN WENT TO THE HOUSE ALONE.
HE SAW THE FIGURE REFLECTED BY THE MOONLIGHT AND
SCREAMED AND RAN OFF.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |