Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BLACK TONGUE
A BLACK TONGUE IS A SIGN THAT A PERSON HAS JUST TOLD A LIE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): LYING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
CUSTOM
MEN ALWAYS WALK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IN THE OLD DAYS
IF A CHARIOT WENT BY, IT WOULD SPLASH THE MAN INSTEAD OF THE WOMAN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; NORTH QUAD
Keyword(s): CHIVALRY ; DIRECTION ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 03-01-1971
LUCK IN FISHING
YOU SHOULD SPIT ON YOUR HOOK TO CATCH FISH QUICKLY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Fish |
Date learned: 11-20-1968
COED TRADITION-COURTSHIP
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN A COED IS NOT REALLY
A COED UNTIL SHE HAS BEEN KISSED UNDER THE
ENGINEERING ARCH AT MIDNIGHT ON A FRIDAY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; COMMERCE SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 09-00-1965
FINGER LAKES LEGEND
ACCORDING TO THE LEGENDS OF THE INDIANS OF NEW YORK, THE SO-CALLED
FINGER
LAKES ARE THE RESULT OF A GIANT FALLING AND LEAVING HIS HAND
IMPRINT IN THE EARTH.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Finger Lakes ; Giant ; Hand print ; Legend ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-14-1970
SUPERSTITION
ACCIDENTLY SWEEP SOMEONE'S FOOT WITH THE BROOM--BAD LUCK.
THIS CAN BE CONVERTED BY SPITTING ON THE BROOM.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT STATES THAT THE BROOM IS ASSOCIATED WITH
THE ACCESSORIES OF A WITCH, WHO IS SOMEONE EVIL. THEREFORE,
SWEEPING SOMEONE'S FOOT WITH THE BROOM IS THE SAME AS
TRANSFERRING EVIL SPIRITS TO THE PERSON. SPITTING IS
USED TO RID THE BODY OF THE EVIL SPIRITS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LOUNGE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 02-22-1979
IN WINTER YOUR HAIR GROWS FASTER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): WINTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Measure of time Winter |
Date learned: 11-02-1971
CHRISTMAS TRADITION
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, AN EXTRA PLACE IS SET AT THE TABLE FOR CHRIST.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; THE QUAD
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Table Setting ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
SPEECH ABOUT PLACES
THERE'S NO PLACE
LIKE THIS PLACE
ANYWHERE NEAR THIS PLACE,
SO THIS MUST BE THE PLACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; RESIDENCE HALLS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001950S AND 00001960S
Song
They were three ravens sat on a tree
Down a down, hey, down a down
They were black as they might be
With a down a derry, derry down
The first of them said to his mate
What shall we for our breakfast take
Down in yonder green field
Lies a knight slain under his shield
Down, down, down...
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic |
BACK OF THE BREAD
BACK OF THE BREAD IS THE FLOUR
AND BACK OF THE FLOWER IS THE MILL
AND BACK OF THE MILL IS THE SUN AND THE RAIN
AND THE FATHER'S WILL.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED IN GIRL SCOUTS, ST. THERESA GRADE SCHOOL, DET., MI.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHAIN SONG ; GIRL SCOUTS ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; SONG ; Tune
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Admiration Praise Adulation |
Date learned: 10-15-1967
HANG DOWN YOUR HEAD TOM DOOLEY
HANG DOWN YOUR HEAD AND CRY
HANG DOWN YOUR HEAD TOM DOOLEY
FOR TOMORROW YOU DIE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): Lyrics ; MUSIC ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Serious condemnation Scorn |
Date learned: 10-17-1967
SONG OF GOOD HUMOR
FIVE FOOT NINE, FROM PALESTINE,
CHANGES WATER INTO WINE,
HAS ANYBODY SEEN MY LORD?
HE'S SO NEAT, HE'S SO COOL,
WALKS ACROSS MY SWIMMING POOL,
HAS ANYBODY SEEN MY LORD?
NOW IF YOU RUN INTO A BEARDED JEW,
ALL HOLY AND WISE,
STEP RIGHT UP, CANE AND CUP,
HE'LL PUT SIGHT BACK IN YOUR EYES;
HE LIKES JAZZ, HE LIKES JIVE,
HAS HAS ANYBODY SEEN MY LORD?
Submitter comment:
SUNG TO THE TUNE, "HAS ANYBODY SEEN MY GAL."
SUNG AT UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT SAILING CLUB PARTY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; SAILING CLUB
Keyword(s): JESUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest BELIEF -- Religious hero |
SONG OF GOOD HUMOR
OH SIR JASPER, PLEASE DON'T TOUCH ME
OH SIR JASPER, PLEASE DON'T TOUCH ME
OH SIR JASPER, PLEASE DON'T TOUCH ME
AS SHE LAID BETWEEN THE LILY WHITE SHEETS
WITH NOTHING ON AT ALL
( EACH TIME YOU REPEAT OH, JASPER, PLEASE DON,T TOUCH ME, LEAVE
OFF ONE WORD.)
Submitter comment:
SUNG TO THE TUNE OF, "GLORY, GLORY HALLELULAH".
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): JOKE ; MUSIC ; PARODY ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 10-27-1971
SONG OF GOOD HUMOR
LAST NIGHT AS I LAY ON MY PILLOW,
LAST NIGHT AS I LAY ON MY BED,
I STUCK MY FEET OUT OF THE WINDOW
AND IN THE MORNING MY NEIGHBORS WERE DEAD.
BRING BACK, BRING BACK, BRING BACK MY NEIGHBORS TO ME. (SUNG TWICE)
Submitter comment:
SUNG TO THE TUNE OF, "MY BONNIE LIES OVER THE OCEAN."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): JOKE ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; PARODY ; SONG ; Tune
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Emotion |
Date learned: 10-27-1971
WISH FOR OLD AGE
MAY ALLAH MAKE YOUR BEARD GROW LONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; OFFICE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-08-1970
PROVERB
THE HOUR OF HAPPINESS BRINGS INDIFFERENCE; THE HOUR OF SADNESS BRINGS
MEDITATION; AND THE HOUR OF DEATH BRINGS CONFESSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CLASSROOM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
CRUCIAL MOMENT OF LIFE CUSTOM
"WHEN A FRATERNITY BROTHER OF MY FRATERNITY GETS MARRIED,
GRADUATES, OR GETS PINNED, WE TOAST HIM BY INTERLOCKING OUR ARMS
WITH THE DRINKS IN OUR HANDS, WE CLINK THE GLASSES BACKWARDS AND
CHUG THE DRINK."
Submitter comment: HE COMMENTS THAT THIS PROBABLY SOUNDS STUPID BUT THEY ALWAYS DO IT.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DORM ROOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage After engagement: fun with friends, etc. SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-02-1970
EASTER CUSTOM
ON EASTER SATURDAY, IN OUR SLOVENIAN PARISH, BASKETS OF FOOD (HOME-
MADE BREAD, EASTER EGGS, SAUSAGE, HAM, POTICA--A TYPE OF NUTBREAD--)
ARE TAKEN TO THE CHURCH TO BE GIVEN A SPECIAL BLESSING. THIS FOOD
IS THEN EATEN FOR BREAKFAST ON EASTER SUNDAY, MONDAY, AND TUESDAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA
Date learned: 10-02-1967
NUMBERS
DON'T ROCK AN EMPTY ROCKING CHAIR, IT MEANS DEATH.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): EMPTINESS ; NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero |
Date learned: 11-06-1967