Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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KREWE
THIS IS THE GENERIC TERM FOR CARNIVAL ORGANIZATIONS. THERE ARE
66, REX IS THE OLDEST AND CELEBRATED ITS 100TH
PARADE AND BALL THIS YEAR. SOME GROUPS
SPONSOR ONLY A PARADE OR BALL BUT MANY HAVE BOTH. THE MARDI GRAS
LASTS FROM 12TH NIGHT TO THE TUESDAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
Keyword(s): FEASTING BEFORE FASTING
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras 663 Ash Wednesday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 02-00-1971
MARDI GRAS SOUVENIERS
ONE 8 X 10 ENVELOPE CONTAINING BEADS, DOUBLOONS, AND BACCHUS BOGUS,
A RECENT SOUVENIER FROM THE KREWE OF BACCHUS; SQ731458-2
Submitter comment:
SOUVENIRS AND FAVORS USED AT THE MARDI GRAS SELDOM HAVE ANY
IDENTIFICATION WITH THE EVENT OR THE CITY. _THEY ARE USUALLY
COSTUME JEWELERY THAT IS AVAILABLE THROUGH ANY NOVELTY OR DIME
STORE. SIX LOCAL WHOLESALERS WILL SELL THIS MERCHANDISE BY THE
GROSS IF YOU INSIST.
BUT DO NOT BECOME ANGRY WHEN YOU DISCOVER YOU COULD
HAVE BOUGHT THE SAME ITEM IN YOUR HOME TOWN. DURING MARDI GRAS TIME
YOU WILL OFTEN SEE ELEGANT LADIES STUMP, PUSH, OR FIGHT WITH
A GROUP OF SMALL BOYS FOR A WORTHLESS GLASS BEAD NECKLACE THROWN FROM
A FLOAT. IF THE INCIDENT ABOUT THE SCRAMBLE FOR BEADS SEEMS SILLY,
YOU SHOULD SEE THE PEOPLE FIGHT AND I DO MEAN FIGHT FOR DOUBLOONS.
THESE DOUBLOONS ARE SOUVENIER COINS MADE ESPECIALLY FOR EACH KREWE
YEAR. THEY ARE NOW BECOMING COLLECTORS' ITEMS, ESPECIALLY THE REX
DOUBLOONS.
SO MANY BATTLES HAVE BEEN FOUGHT ON CANAL STREET ON MARDI GRAS,
THAT YOU JUST WOULD NOT BELIEVE IT. BROKEN FINGERS, JAWS, AND HEADS
ARE ALL PART OF THE QUEST FOR THE ULTIMATE SOUVENIERS. WHY, I DO NOT
KNOW. I GUESS IT IS THE SPRIT OF MARDI GRAS.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras |
Date learned: 02-11-1975
SECOND LINE
THIS IS AN INSTRUMENTAL. THE MUSIC GIVES THE IMPRESSION
OF A SNAPPY MARCH.
Submitter comment:
THE 'SECOND LINE ' IS NOT ONLY A SONG, BUT A DANCE OR STRUT.
IT IS VERY POPULAR AMONG BLACKS IN NEW ORLEANS. THIS STRUT
IS NOT ONLY PERFORMED DURING THE MARDI GRAS SEASON, IT IS
PERFORMED AT THE END OF LAMOST EVERY DANCE, WHITE OR BALCK.
WHEN YOU HEAR THE BLAST OF THE TRUMPETS, IT IS LIKE CALLING
ALL THE PEOPLE TO THE DANCE FLOOR. YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE
CANNOT BEAR TO SIT WHILE THIS TUNE IS PLAYING.
IT IS ALWAYS THE LAST DANCE OF THE BALL. THE SECOND
LINE TUNE IS ALSO PLAYED AFTER A JAZZ FUNERAL, BUT THEY
USUALLY REMEMBER THE SONG 'WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN.'
ON MARDI GRAS DAY YOU WILL SEE THE INDIANS DOING THE
'SECOND LINE DANCE' TO THEIR CHANTS AND TO THE MUSIC THAT
THEY MAKE.
THE TUNE ITSELF CAN BE PLAYED AT A RELATIVELY SLOW TEMPO FOR
THE PRESENTATIONS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CLUB GIVING
THE BALL. THE TEMPO IS QUICKENED FOR THE FINALAE OF THE BALL.
THE SECOND LINE DANCE IS KNOWN BY MANY WHITES IN NEW ORLEANS,
BUT IT IS BASICALLY A TRADITION OF THE BLACKS THERE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): INTERRACIALISM, NOT RACISM
Date learned: 02-11-1975
'IF EVER I CEASE TO LOVE '
DURING THE MARDI GRAS PERIOD, THE STREETS AND BUILDINGS ARE
GAILY DECORATED WITH THE OFFICIAL MARDI GRAS COLORS OF
PURPLE, GREEN, AND GOLD. THE MUSIC WHICH IS THE OFFICIAL
MARDI GRAS SONG IS 'IF EVER I CEASE TO LOVE'.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN INSTRUMENTAL. IT HAS THE QUALITY OF A MARCH.
EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE OFFICIAL MARDI GRAS SONG, MOST PEOPLE
DON'T LIKE IT. IT IS BORING, FORMAL AND IT LACKS LUSTER.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR ; CONTRAST
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras |
Date learned: 02-11-1975
SOMEBODY GOT SOUL, SOUL, SOUL (MARDI GRAS SONG)
I SEWED , SEWED, ALL NIGHT LONG.
SOMEBODY GOT SOUL, SOUL, SOUL
SAID MARDI GRAS MORNING GONNA BRING NEW DAWN
TIL SOMEBODY GOT SOUL, SOUL, SOUL CHANT
ODO LIKE YOU WANNA, DO LIKE YOU KNOW
HEY JAK E MA FINO ANYWHERE YOU GO
OH TAKE ME DOWN, DOWNTOWN
SAY TAKE ME DOWN, DOWNTOWN
SAID MARDI GRAS MORNING GONNA HAVE MY FUN
OH OH DON'T YA'LL WORRY AND DON'T YA'LL RUN
JUST DO WHAT YOU WANNA ON MARDI GRAS
PIPE LUNIE MA DUKE CREE AYE LUSTILLE
I WEAR MY FEATHERS WITH A HEART OF STEEL
I WON'T BOW DOWN, I DON'T KNOW HOW
SAID I WON'T BOW DOWN ON THE DIRTY GROUND
HEY JAK E MA FINO MA HO TAN DEY
OH TELL ME BOYS WHAT THEM INJUN SAY
I DIE, KILL AWAY
HA DIE, KILL AWAY
HA KIDDIE FAY HAKO HA HO NA NAE
SAY EARLY IN THE MORNING THE SUN DON'T SHINE
OH THE WILD MAGNOLIAS GONNA BE ON TIME
OH THEY RUNNING UP AND THEY RUNNING DOWN
GONNA RUN THAT GANG ALL OVER TOWN
OH MEET EVERYBODY ON A HUNDRED AND ONE
SAID A HUNDRED AND TWO GONNA MEET EM TOO?
TAKE ME DOWN, DOWNTOWN
SAID MARDI GRAS YA'LL WANT TO HAVE FUN
CREE AYE LA JON, LA DU CREE AYE
WE THEM INJUNS HOLLERING ON MARDI GRAS
OH TAKE ME DOWN, DOWNTOWN
SAY TAKE ME DOWN, DOWNTOWN
HEY EARLY IN THE MORNING GONNA HAVE MY FUN
SAID DO LIKE YOU OUGHTA, DO LIKE YOU KNOW
SAID MEET THEM BOYS ANYWHERE YOU GO
SOMEBODY
SOMEBODY GOT
SOMEBODY GOT SOUL
SOMEBODY GOT SOUL, SOUL
SOMEBODY GOT SOUL, SOUL, SOUL
SAID JAK E MA FINO MA HO TAN DEY
I'M AN INJUN BOY ON A HOLIDAY
DON'T YA'LL WORRY BOY, DON'T YA'LL RUN
SAID MEET EVERYBODY ON MARDI GRAS
COME TO NEW ORLEANS ON MARDI GRAS
SAID ASK ANYBODY WHERE THE INDIAN FROM
OH THEY'RE FROM UPTOWN WON'T BOW DOWM
OH THEY'RE FROM UPTOWN, THEY DON'T KNOWN HOW
THEY GONNA MEET EVERYBODY ON MARDI GRAS
MAGNOLIA GONNA SEW ALL NIGHT
OH NOW DON'T YOU WORRY BOY, DON'T YOU RUN
SOMEBODY GOT SOUL, SOUL, SOUL
OH SOMEBODY GOT SOUL, SOUL, SOUL
Submitter comment:
THIS IS ANOTHER CHANT (IN) WHICH THE INDIAN TELLS
THE PEOPLE ABOUT HIS
FEELINGS ON MARDI GRAS DAY. HE BEGINS BY TELLING ALL HIS LISTENERS
HOW LONG AND HARD HE HAS BEEN WORKING ON HIS COSTUME; EVEN UNTIL
THE BREAK OF DAY ON MARDI GRAS DAY.
NOW HE IS READY TO HIT THE STREETS AND HIS DESTINATION IS
DOWNTOWN BECAUSE THE INDIANS GET TOGETHER IN THE UPTOWN PART OF THE
CITY. HE IS EXPLAINING THAT HE IS GOING TO DO EXACTLY WHAT HE
WANTS TO ON THIS DAY AND INVITES EVERYONE TO DO THE SAME.
HE THEN GOES ON TO TELL HOW PROUD HE IS ABOUT HIS OUTFIT
BY SAYING 'I WEAR MY FEATHERS WITH A HEART OF STEEL',' I WON'T BOW
DOWN, I WON'T BOW DOWN'. HE TELLS YOU THAT EARLY IN THE MORNING
BEFORE THE SUN IS OUT, THE INDIAN GROUP, THE WILD MAGNOLIAS, ARE
UP AND READY TO GO. THEY ARE PREPARED TO RUN THEIR FOLLOWERS, THE
CROWDS OF PEOPLE WHO COME TO SEE THEM, ALL OVER TOWN. HE IS ALSO
GUARANTEEING THE PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.
HE EVEN CONVEYS A MESSAGE TO THE TOURISTS THAT THEY SHOULD ASK
WHERE TO FIND THE INDIANS ON MARDI GRAS DAY.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras |
Date learned: 03-14-1975
Entry filtered.
HOW DO YOU FIT FOUR ELEPHANTS IN A VOLKSWAGEN?
TWO IN THE FRONT AND TWO IN THE BACK.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST IN SIZE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-01-971
WHY DO ELEPHANTS WEAR LITTLE GREEN HATS?
SO YOU CANNOT SEE THEM WHEN THEY TIPTOE ACROSS THE POOL TABLE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
LENTEN CUSTOMS
ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE LENTEN FASTING BEGINS, THE PEOPLE OF
NEW ORLEANS CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL OF "MARDI GRAS." ACTUALLY,
MARDI GRAS MEANS "FAT TUESDAY" AND THIS IS THE DAY BEFORE ASH
WEDNESDAY. BUT THE PEOPLE CELEBRATE FOR A COUPLE WEEKS BEFORE-
HAND, MUCH THE SAME WAY AS MOST PEOPLE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS.
MARDI GRAS IS CHARACTERIZED BY ITS MAGNIFICENT PARADES. VARIOUS
GROUPS SPEND ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF TIME, EFFORT, AND MONEY TO MAKE
THEIR FLOATS AS BEAUTIFUL AS POSSIBLE. THROUGHOUT THE PARADE,
PEOPLE SIT ON THE FLOATS AND THROW TRINKETS, BEADS AND OTHER CHEAP
TOYS TO THE CROWDS WHO CLAMOR TO SEE WHO CAN CATCH THE MOST.
MANY OF THESE ARTICLES ARE VIRTUALLY WORTHLESS, BUT I HAVE SEEN
EXPENSIVE BEADS, GOLD PIECES AND EVEN $20.00 BILLS BEING THROWN
TOO. BESIDES THIS, EACH PARADE HAS ITS OWN PARTICULAR NAME ( THE
REX PARADE, FOR EXAMPLE) AND THE PEOPLE SITTING ON THE MAIN FLOAT
OF EACH PARADE THROW OFF "DOUBLOONS" WITH THE NAME OF THE PARADE
AND THAT YEAR STAMPED ON. A "DOUBLOON" IS A SILVER-DOLLAR SIZED,
PLASTIC COIN, ALWAYS IN PURPLE, GOLD, OR GREEN.
LONG AFTER MARDI GRAS IS OVER, PEOPLE CONTINUE TO TRADE DOUBLOONS--
TO TRY TO GET A DUBLOON OF EACH COLOR FROM EACH PARADE. THIS
COLLECTION CAN BE QUITE VALUABLE. SO THE PARADES, DOUBLOONS, BALLS,
AND PARTIES MAKE MARDI GRAS THE MOST FESTIVE TIME OF THE WHOLE
YEAR IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
KRIS KRINGLE
ONE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS, MEMBERS OF A FAMILY DRAW ONE ANOTHER'S
NAMES FROM A HAT. DURING THE NEXT WEEK, YOU ARE THE KRIS KRINGLE
TO THE PERSON WHOSE NAME YOU DREW BY SECRETLY DOING FAVORS FOR HIM.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY ALL THE PEOPLE REVEAL WHOSE NAMES THEY DREW.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F121 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 00001972 (CHRISTMAS)
BAD LUCK BY A CAN
OPEN ANY CAN UPRIGHT NOT UPSIDE DOWN OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
BAD LUCK BY A LADDER
NEVER WALK UNDER A LADDER.
Submitter comment:
LONG AGO PEOPLE BELIEVED THAT GODS WENT UP TO THE SKY ON LADDERS,
AND WALKING UNDERNEATH WOULD CERTAINLY BRING PUNISHMENT.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.13 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
BAD LUCK
NEVER POUR COFFEE IN CREAM, POUR CREAM IN COFFEE OR YOU WILL HAVE
BAD LUCK.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Non-alcoholic fruit beverage Coffee BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
BAD LUCK BY A BROOM
NEVER SWEEP DIRT FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE, OR FROM
THE HOUSE TO THE FRONT GATE BECAUSE YOU WILL BE SWEEPING YOUR LUCK
AWAY FROM YOU
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
BAD LUCK BY A BROOM
DO NOT WALK OVER A BROOM OR NO ONE WILL COME TO VISIT YOU
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
BROOM AND BAD LUCK
NEVER STAND A BROOM UPSIDE DOWN IN A HOUSE. IT IS A SIGN OF BAD
LUCK. ALSO: IF YOU STAND A BROOM UPSIDE DOWN IN A CORNER WITH A
FORK STUCK IN IT, YOU CAN MAKE AN UNWANTED VISITOR LEAVE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.1 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
BROOM
NEVER SWEEP ANYONE'S FEET OR YOUR FEET WITH A BROOM BECAUSE THAT
PERSON OR YOU WILL GO TO JAIL.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 11-23-1973
SPLIT THE POST
IF SOMETHING COMES BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE WALKING TOGETHER, THE YOUNGEST
WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
Date learned: 12-01-1973
COMBING HAIR
IF TWO PEOPLE COMB IN THE SAME PERSONS' HAIR AT THE SAME TIME THE
YOUNGEST WILL DIE FIRST.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): SIMULTANEITY
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
BURN OLD HAIR
ALWAYS BURN YOUR HAIR THAT IS LEFT IN THE COMB OR BRUSH BECAUSE IF
A BIRD MAKES HIS NEST WITH YOUR HAIR, YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE A HEADACHE
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: CA11001973