Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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COUNTING OUT
WHEN WE WERE SMALL AND PLAYED GAMES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD,
WHICH REQUIRED ONE OF US TO BE IT, WE WOULD OFTEN FOLLOW
THIS:
EACH PERSON WOULD EXTEND CLOSED FISTS IN FRONT OF HIMSELF.
THEN ONE PERSON WOULD SAY THIS WHILE TOUCHING EACH FOOT
GOING AROUND TO EVERYONE:
ONE POTATO, TWO POTATO, THREE POTATO, FOUR,
FIVE POTATO, SIX POTATO, SEVEN POTATO, OR.
WHERE HIS HAND LANDED WHEN SAYING "OR" THAT PERSON WAS OUT.
THIS WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL THE LAST ONE WOULD BE IT.
Where learned: ROYAL OAK ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
IF YOU TOUCH THE DEAD, THEY WILL HAUNT YOU.
Submitter comment: MRS. COLEMAN LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; GROSSE POINTE PARK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
GRACE
THE LORD BE PRAISED
THAT MY BELLY BE RAISED
SIX INCHES ABOVE THE TABLE,
AND I'LL BE DAMNED
IF IT AIN'T CRAMMED
AS FAR AS IT IS ABLE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A NON-DENOMINATIONAL PRE-MEAL PRAYER WE SAID AT HOME:
THANK YOU FOR THE FOOD WE EAT
THANK YOU FOR THE BIRDS THAT TWEET (OR SING)
THANK YOU LORD FOR EVERYTHING. AMEN.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
GERMAN CUSTOM
WHEN THE FIRST MALE CHILD IS CIRCUMCISED IN THE HOME BY A
RELIGIOUS PRACTITIONER, THERE ARE SEVEN MALE MEMBERS OF
THE FAMILY PRESENT. THE PATERNAL GRANDFATHER PAYS FOR
THE CIRCUMCISION AND GIVES THE FATHER A NOMINAL FEE IN ORDER
TO BUY THE CHILD INTO THE FAMILY. THIS GIVES THE GRAND-
FATHER AUTHORITY OVER THE CHILD.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ENGAGEMENT CUSTOM
AT A BRIDAL SHOWER, AS THE FUTURE BRIDE OPENS HER PRESENTS
THE NUMBER OF TIMES THAT SHE HAS TO BREAK A RIBBON TO
OPEN THE PACKAGES IS COUNTED. THIS NUMBER WILL BE THE
NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-02-1967
STORE HOURS
NORMAL STORE HOURS ARE FROM EIGHT IN THE MORNING UNTIL
SEVEN AT NIGHT ON MONDAY TO FRIDAY. THEY ARE CLOSED
FROM ONE TO TWO EACH DAY FOR LUNCH.
ON SATURDAY STORES ARE ONLY OPEN A HALF DAY FROM
EIGHT UNTIL TWO. ALL STORES ARE CLOSED ON SUNDAY
ALL DAY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: 01-00-1971
INDIAN NEW YEAR
FOLLOWING THE LUNAR CALENDAR, THE NEW YEAR BEGINS
GENERALLY IN APRIL. THE PEOPLE WILL SPEND A FEW
MINUTES IN A TEMPLE, WITH A BANQUET IN THE
AFTERNOON. IT IS CALLED GUDI PADUA. IN 1967
IT OCCURRED ON APRIL 10, IN 1968 ON MARCH 29.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time |
Date learned: 03-19-1968
MEDICINE SHOWS USED TO COME TO TOWN QUITE REGULARLY.
ONE HE PARTICULARLY REMEMBERS, FEATURED A CURE FOR
TAPEWORM, ALONG WITH ITS OTHER MAGICAL PROPERTIES.
THE MEDICINE MAN HAD A TAPEWORM ON DISPLAY IN A
BOTTLE AND HE TOLD THE PEOPLE THAT, IN ORDER TO GET
THIS PARTICULAR TAPEWORM OUT OF A MAN, SO THEY COULD
USE IT FOR DISPLAY, THEY STARVED THE MAN FOR THREE
DAYS AND THEN PUT A GLASS OF MILK IN FRONT OF HIS
MOUTH. THE TAPE WORM CAME RIGHT UP OUT OF THE MAN'S
STOMACH AND JUMPED INTO THE GLASS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale BELIEF -- Curer BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
ANGELS
"WHEN LITTLE CHILDREN DIE, THEY GO TO HEAVEN TO HELP
GOD TAKE CARE OF THE OLD PEOPLE. THAT'S WHAT
GRANDMA WITTKOP ALWAYS USED TO SAY."
Submitter comment:
NORA C. FRIEDERICHS IS MY MOTHER, GRANDMA WITTKOP
MY GRANDMOTHER.
AT THE FUNERAL OF MY DAUGHTER, MARY, 1/5/67.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
THE INDIANS WEAVED THEIR BASKETS. THEY WENT OUT INTO
THE SWAMP AND CUT DOWN THESE, THEY WERE LIKE WIDE
BLADES OF GRASS, CALLED "SWEET GRASS." AND THEY BROUGHT
THEM HOME AND THEY HAD THESE HUGE WOODEN MALLETS AND
THEY TOOK THESE BLADES OF GRASS AND PUT THEM ON LARGE
WOODEN STUMPS AND POUNDED THEM UNTIL THEY WERE PAPER-
THIN. SOMETIMES IT TOOK HOURS AND HOURS. THEN THESE
BLADES WERE DYED DIFFERENT COLORS AND THEN WOVEN INTO
BASKETS, WHICH THEY SOLD TO THE TOURISTS WHO CAME UP
EVERY SUMMER. THEY ALSO SOLD THEM TO THE BIG STORES
IN TOWN ON CONSIGNMENT. THESE BASKETS SOLD FOR BIG
PRICES, BEING AUTHENTIC INDIAN AND HAND-MADE. THEY
DON'T DO THIS KIND OF THING IN THE UPPER PENINSULA
(MICHIGAN) ANY MORE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 05-22-1965
WHEN HE WAS AT COLLEGE AT HARVARD, MR. MURPHY REMEMBERS
ONE TRADITION THAT WAS UNIQUE TO HIS APARTMENT HOUSE.
THERE WAS A THREE-IN-WIDE LEDGE RUNNING AROUND THE
HOUSE, FIVE STORIES UP. WHENEVER A NEW LODGER CAME
TO THE HOUSE, HE HAD TO WALK AROUND THAT LEDGE AT
MIDNIGHT BEFORE HE WAS ACCEPTED BY THE OTHER
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE. HE SAID THAT ONE FELLOW
ENJOYED IT SO MUCH, THAT HE KEPT ON DOING IT EVERY
NIGHT, NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER, FOR THE REST
OF HIS STAY AT COLLEGE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F557 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 05-22-1965
MRS. MURPHY REMEMBERS THAT IT WAS HER OLD UNCLE THAT
USED TO DRIVE THE SCHOOL BUS THE FOUR MILES TO
SCHOOL AND BACK EVERY DAY. ACTUALLY THE BUS WAS AN OLD
HAY WAGON DRIVEN BY TWO HORSES. IN THE WINTER, HER
UNCLE FITTED IT WITH A COVER THAT MADE IT LOOK
JUST LIKE THE OLD CONESTOGA WAGONS OF FRONTIER DAYS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Sled, cart, wagon propelled by human or beast on land |
Date learned: 05-22-1965
MORRIS WAS STATIONED ON AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER AND IT WAS
THE NORMAL PRACTICE FOR EVERYONE ON BOARD TO TRY
THEIR BEST TO GET DRUNK ON THEIR DAILY RATION OF TWO
BEERS. TO DO THIS, THEY USED TO GO UP ON THE TOP
DECK OF THE SHIP, WHERE THE TEMPERATURE OFTEN
REACHED 105 DEGREES, LAY DOWN IN THE HOT SUN, AND
DRINK THE BEER THROUGH STRAWS. IT WORKED FOR HIM
EVERY TIME.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
WHEN MRS. MURPHY WAS A CHILD, THERE WAS A TRADITION
AROUND HER HOME THAT THE YOUNGEST CHILD WAS TO
BE THE "BLOOD CATCHER" DURING BUTCHERING TIME. THE
CHILD WOULD STAND AT THE HEAD OF THE PIG AND A
KNIFE WOULD BE STUCK IN THE NECK OF THE PIG. THEN
SHE WOULD PUT A PAN UNDER THE BLEEDING WOUND AND
CATCH THE BLOOD. THIS BLOOD WAS LATER USED FOR THE
MAKING OF "BLOOD SAUSAGE," WHICH WAS A COMBINATION
OF THE BLOOD AND PORK PUT IN A CASING. THIS SAUSAGE
WAS ONE OF THEIR STAPLES DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 05-22-1965
HIS FATHER, LIKE MANY OTHERS IN THE TOWN, KEPT A THIRTY
FOOT LONG HORSEWHIP WITHIN SIGHT OF THE CHILDREN, AS A
METHOD OF SILENT, POTENTIAL THREAT FOR WRONGDOINGS.
ALTHOUGH HE NEVER USED IT ON THE CHILDREN, HE TOOK
IT DOWN FROM THE WALL ONCE IN A WHILE AND CRACKED
IT. THE NOISE WAS ENOUGH TO WARD OFF ANY POSSIBLE
FUTURE PRANKS BY THE CHILDREN.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 05-22-1965
SAYING
EVERY TIME A NEW BORN BABY CRIES, SOMEONE DIES.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIENDS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-08-1967
SMART-ALECK SAYING:
NICE PLAY, SHAKESPEARE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001950S
SMART-ALECK SAYING:
MAKE LIKE AN EGG, AND BEAT IT.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001950S
THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE
ONE DAY, AS I SAT MUSING, SAD AND LONELY
WITHOUT A FRIEND,
A VOICE CAME TO ME FROM OUT OF THE GLOOM
SAYING, "CHEER UP, THINGS COULD BE WORSE."
SO I CHEERED UP, AND SURE ENOUGH, THINGS GOT WORSE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN