Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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COUNTING OUT
A BEE, A BEE, A BUMBLE BEE,
STUNG A MAN UPON THE KNEE,
STUNG A PIG UPON THE SNOUT,
I'LL BE DOGGED IF YOU AIN'T OUT.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
COUNTING OUT
ENY, MENY, MINI, MO
CATCH A CHINAMAN BY THE TOE,
IF HE HOLLERS, LET HIM GO,
EENY, MENY, MINI, MO.
O-U-T AND OUT GOES YOU.
Submitter comment: FROM MY FATHER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
COUNTING OUT
ONE POTATO, TWO POTATO, THREE POTATO, FOUR.
FIVE POTATO, SIX POTATO, SEVEN POTATO, OR.
OUT GOES YOU.
Submitter comment: FROM CHILDHOOD
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ENGINE, ENGINE, NUMBER NINE,
GOIN' DOWN CHICAGO LINE,
ONE GOES EAST, ONE GOES WEST,
ONE GOES IN THE COO-COO NEXT.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
TO CHOOSE "IT" THE CHILDREN PUT THEIR FEET INTO A CIRCLE.
THEN ONE PERSON POINTS TO ONE FOOT ON EACH WORD AS HE SAYS:
EENIE, MEENIE, MINIE, MOE,
CATCH A MONKEY BY HE TOE.
IF HE HOLLERS, LET HIM GO.
MY MOTHER SAYS TO CHOOSE THE VERY BEST ONE,
AND O-U-T SPELLS OUT YOU GO.
Submitter comment:
THE PERSON WHOSE FOOT THE CALLER IS POINTING AT ON THE
LAST WORD IS OUT. THE PROCESS IS REPEATED UNTIL ONE
PERSON IS LEFT. HE IS "IT."
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
POLISH PROVERB
TRANSLATION: LET HIM DRINK , LET HIM HIT {BEAT YOU},
AS LONG AS HE IS. (USUALLY ONLY THIS IS SAID)
POLISH: CHOCHBY PIL, CHOCHBY BIL, BYLE BYL.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS USED IN REFERENCE TO A GIRL WHO WANTS A HUSBAND
VERY BADLY. MY GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS THIS FROM POLAND
Where learned: DEARBORN ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-21-1967
TO DETERMINE WHO'S "IT," ALL GET IN A CIRCLE, HOLDING
OUT BOTH FISTS, THUMBS UP. ONE PERSON GOES AROUND
TO EACH WITH HIS FIST CLENCHED, HITTING EACH OF
THEIR FISTS IN ROTATION, CHANTING:
BIDDY, BIBBIDY, SIBIDDY, SAB,
IBIDDY, BIBBIDY, KANOBBO.
THE LAST PLAYER TO HAVE AN OUTSTRETCHED FIST IS"IT,"
MUCH IN THE FASHION OF EENIE-MEANIE, MYNIE....
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
APPLE, PEACHES, PUMPKIN, PIE,
WHO'S NOT READY HOLLER "I"
Submitter comment:
THIS VERSE WAS ALWAYS RECITED JUST BEFORE THE SEARCHER
IN HIDE AND GO SEEK WENT TO FIND THE HIDERS WHEN I WAS
A CHILD
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse |
WHEN PLAYING HIDE AND GO SEEK, IF YOU ARE TIRED OF TRYING
TO LOOK FOR ANYONE, YOU MAY CALL EVERYONE IN FOR FREE BY
SAYING: "OLLIE, OLLIE, OXEN FREE."
Submitter comment: I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS SAYING ORIGINATED IN ENGLAND.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF YOU'RE GOING TO PUSH ON THE THROTTLE,
DON'T PULL (DRINK) ON THE BOTTLE.
Submitter comment: A WARNING!
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE CAR ; DRINKING DRUNKENNESS
Date learned: 11-00-1971
MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOHN,
BLESS THESE WHEELS WE TRAVEL ON.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: UNKNOWN
LITTLE MISS MUFFET SAT ON A TUFFET,
EATING HER CURDS AND WHEY.
ALONG CAME A SPIDER AND SAT DOWN BESIDE HER,
AND SHE BEAT IT TO DEATH WITH HER SPOON.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM A FRIEND IN CLASS.
Where learned: SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): PARODY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
CRY BABY
KINDERGARTEN BABY, WASH YOUR FACE IN GRAVY!
NA NA NA NA!
Submitter comment:
THIS LITTLE DITTY IS SUNG TO THE UNFORTUNATE VICTIM WHO
HAS JUST BEEN PUNISHED AND STARTS TO CRY, OR FOR ANYONE
WHO CRIES. USUALLY ONE STARTS AND ALL THE OTHERS JOIN
IN. ONCE IT GETS GOING, IT TAKES A LITTLE WHILE TO STOP.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
O ALMIGHTY DOLLAR, THY SHINING FACE
THAT SPEAKS THY MIGHTY POWER
IN MY POCKET, FIND A RESTING PLACE,
FOR I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR.
AMEN.
Where learned: SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): APOSTROPHE MONOLOGUE QUATRAIN ; INDIRECTION SATIRE MONEY ; METER: IAMBIC, ANAPESTIC ; MOCK-PIOUS ; RHYME: MASCULINE, IMPERFECT, ABAB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
AND ALL THROUGH THE TOWN
ST. JOSEPH WAS SEARCHING,
WALKING UP ROADS AND DOWN.
OUR LADY WAS WAITING
SO MEEK AND SO MILD,
WHILE JOSEPH WAS SEEKING
A PLACE FOR THE CHILD.
THE CHILDREN WERE NESTLED,
EACH SNUG IN HIS BED;
AND THE GROWNUPS WOULDN'T BOTHER,
"THERE'S NO ROOM," THEY SAID.
WHEN EVEN THE INNKEEPER SENT THEM AWAY
AND JOSEPH WAS WONDERING WHERE THEY WOULD STAY,
HE THOUGHT OF THE CAVE IN THE SIDE OF THE HILL.
"LET'S GO THERE," SAID MARY, "IT'S SILENT AND STILL."
THE MOON ON THE BREAST
OF THE NEW FALLEN SNOW
MADE A PATHWAY OF LIGHT
FOR THEIR TIRED FEET TO GO.
AND IN THE CAVE
IN A CRADLE OF HAY
THE SAVIOR WAS BORN
ON THAT FIRST CHRISTMAS DAY!
THE FATHER WAS WATCHING
IN HEAVEN ABOVE,
AND SENT FOR HIS ANGELS,
HIS COURTIERS OF LOVE.
MORE RAPID THAN EAGLES,
GOD'S BRIGHT ANGELS CAME,
REJOICING AND EAGER,
AS EACH HEARD HIS NAME.
"COME POWERS, COME CHERUBS,
COME VIRTUES AND RAPHAEL;
COME THRONES AND DOMINIONS,
COME MICHAEL AND GABRIEL."
"NOW FLY TO THE EARTH
WHERE MY POOR PEOPLE LIVE,
ANNOUNCE THE GLAD TIDINGS
MY SON COMES TO GIVE!"
THE SHEPHERDS WERE WATCHING
THEIR FLOCKS ON THIS NIGHT;
AND SAW IN THE HEAVENS
AN UNEARTHLY LIGHT.
THE ANGELS ASSURED THEM
THEY'D NOTHING TO FEAR,
"IT'S CHRISTMAS," THEY SAID,
"THE SAVIOR IS HERE."
THEY HASTENED TO FIND HIM,
AND STOOD AT THE DOOR,
UNTIL MARY INVITED THEM IN
TO ADORE.
HE WAS SWADDLED IN BANDS
FROM HIS HEAD TO HIS FEET,
AND NEVER DID SHEPHERDS
SEE A BABY SO SWEET.
HE SPOKE NOT A WORD,
BUT THE SHEPHERDS ALL KNEW
HE WAS TELLING THEM SECRETS,
AND BLESSING THEM, TOO.
THEN SOFTLY THEY LEFT HIM,
THE BABE IN THE HAY,
AND REJOICED WITH GREAT JOY,
ON THAT FIRST CHRISTMAS DAY.
MARY HEARD THEM EXCLAIM
AS THEY WALKED UP THE HILL,
"GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST;
PEACE TO MEN OF GOOD WILL."
Submitter comment:
SISTER BANKERT SAID THAT IT WAS A CUSTOM FOR MANY YEARS,
FOR THE SISTERS TO MAKE UP PICTURE BOOKS OF THIS POEM FOR
NIECES AND NEWPHEWS. SISTER GAVE ME THIS COPY IN 1953.
Data entry tech comment: VARIATION OF "THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS"
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): METER: ANAPESTIC ; PIOUS, THIRD PERSON NARRATIVE ; RELIGION CHRISTMAS NATIVITY ; RHYME: MASCULINE, ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
THIS WAS COLLECTED APRIL 11, 1967 FROM MY SISTER. SHE
HEARD IT FROM HER CLASSMATES; SHE IS IN JUNIOR HIGH
SCHOOL.
WHEN TWO PEOPLE TALK AT THE SAME TIME, ONE MUST SAY
"NEEDLES AND PINS" IN ORDER TO PREVENT BAD LUCK.
Where learned: JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): FORMULA SPEECH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions Activities SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 04-11-1967
DIVERS' GESTURES
THUMB AND INDEX FINGER CLOSED IN A CIRCLE, OTHER FINGERS
STRAIGHT: ALL RIGHT? AND ALL RIGHT.
HIT CHEST WITH CLOSED FIST: LOW ON AIR.
MAKE CUTTING MOTION ACROSS THROAT WITH INDEX FINGER:
OUT OF AIR.
TAKE MOUTHPIECE OUT OF MOUTH: GIVE ME AIR.
CLOSED FIST WITH THUMB POINTING UP/DOWN: LET'S
GO UP/DOWN.
Where learned: DEARBORN ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Instructions Directions |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY AND THEN MY BROTHER TAKEN SICK. THEN
MY MOTHER CAME TO MY BEDSIDE AND STOOD IN THE DOOR ONE MORNING.
I WAS LAYING THERE, I WASN'T SLEEP, AND SHE CALLED MY NAME THREE
TIMES...MARTHA...MARTHA...MARTHA. SHE SAID GO AND SEE ABOUT
BUDDY. BUDDY WAS MY BROTHER, BUT HIS NAME WAS CHARLIE. SHE SAID
HE'S SICK AND I WENT OVER TO SEE ABOUT HIM AND HE WAS SICK.
HE WAS LYING THERE SO SICK, I ASKED HIM, BUDDY, WHY DIDN'T YOU
LET ME KNOW YOU WERE SICK. HE SAID, WELL I DIDN'T WANT TO BOTHER
YOU. I SAID THAT'S NOT BOTHERING ME, I'M SUPPOSE TO HELP YOU
WHEN YOU GET SICK AND WHEN I GET SICK YOU SUPPOSE TO TAKE CARE OF
ME. IT HURTED ME SO BAD I CRIED BECAUSE HE WAS SO SICK I COULDN'T
HELP HIM. I WASHED CLOTHES AND IRONED FOR HIM AND DID OTHER
THINGS TOO. BUT HE BECAME MORE SICK AND HE PASSED AWAY AND THAT
WAS THE END OF THAT.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER ALSO TOLD ME THAT HER SECOND HUSBAND HAD VISITED
HER AFTER HE DIED. SHE SAID SHE TOLD THE PASTOR'S WIFE ABOUT IT,
BUT SHE DIDN'T BELIEVE IT. MY GRANDMOTHER SAID IT WAS TRUE. SHE
SAID HER FIRST HUSBAND ALSO CAME TO SEE ABOUT HER. SHE SAID SHE
HAD NO REASON TO LIE. IT REALLY DID HAPPEN. SHE SAID THEY BOTH
TALKED TO HER AND JUST VANISHED AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; ECORSE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE BRIDE MUST NOT SEE THE GROOM ON THE DAY OF THE
WEDDING, UNTIL THEY MEET IN CHURCH, OR ELSE BAD LUCK
WILL FOLLOW.
Where learned: DEARBORN ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Bride and groom must not see each other BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 06-00-1968
EACH YEAR, BECAUSE BOTH OF THEIR BIRTHDAYS ARE
DECEMBER 17, OUR FAMILY CELEBRATES BOTH MY GRANDFATHER
AND MY FATHER'S BIRTHDAYS WITH A BIG PARTY THE SUNDAY
NEAREST THEIR BIRTHDAYS. COUSINS, AUNTS AND UNCLES,
BROTHERS AND SISTERS, ALL GATHER FOR CAKE AND ICE CREAM.
Where learned: DEARBORN ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN