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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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NAME

THE NAME CANUCK COMES FROM FRENCH - CANADIAN FUR TRAPPERS WHO
PADDLED THE BOAT OF THE SAME NAME TO TRAP BEAVER ETC. IN
CANADA'S NORTHERN LAKES AROUND THE 17TH CENTURY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED ON A CHORUS TRIP

Subject headings: SPEECH -- FamilyGroup

Date learned: 03-00-1967

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STORY

IN THE 1820'S AT SPRING ARBOR, MICHIGAN, AN INDIAN CHIEF WAS
CAPTURED DURING THE WAR. AFTER THE WAR, THE ENGLISH ALLOWED
HIM TO RETURN TO HIS TRIBE. HE WAS SIX FEET TALL AND USED
CRUTCHES TO GET AROUND. IT IS SAID THAT HE WOULD CHALLENGE
ANY MAN TO RACE WITH HIM AND THAT HE ALWAYS WON. EVEN THOUGH
ONE-LEGGED, HE HAD DEVELOPED AN ENORMOUS SPRINT WITH THE AID
OF HIS CRUTCHES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SPRING ARBOR

Keyword(s): Chief ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Native American

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation War
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails

Date learned: 03-19-1970

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JUMP-ROPE RHYME

JOHNNY OVER THE OCEAN,
JOHNNY OVER THE SEA,
JOHNNY BROKE THE MILK BOTTLE,
AND BLAMED IT ON ME.

I TOLD MA,
MA TOLD PA,
JOHNNY GOT A LICK'N. HA, HA, HA.
HOW MANY LICK'NS DID HE RECEIVE?

Submitter comment:

LEARNED IT FROM FRIENDS AND PLAYMATES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; COLLECTED AT HER HOME ; Berkley

Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: 10-21-1967

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Jump Rope Song

CINDERELLA DRESSED IN YELLOW
WENT DOWNTOWN TO KISS A FELLOW
MADE A MISTAKE AND KISSED A SNAKE
HOW MANY DOCTORS WILL IT TAKE?
ONE, TWO, THREE . . .

 

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE JUMP

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: 02-21-1970

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EARLY TO BED AND EARLY TO RISE MAKES YOU HEALTHY, WEALTHY AND WISE

Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS BY HER MOTHER IN THE YEAR 1920

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb

Date learned: 09-25-1972

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A CRICKET IN A HOME BRINGS GOOD LUCK

Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER STATED THIS IN 1925

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): PINOCCHIO

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.3

Date learned: 00-00-1929

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HAUNTED HOUSE

ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO, A MAN LIVING IN A COTTAGE ON WAMPLER'S LAKE IN
MICHIGAN'S IRISH HILLS AREA BEGAN TO HAVE STRANGE EXPERIENCES. A
PIANO ON THE SECOND FLOOR WOULD BEGIN TO PLAY MYSTERIOUSLY, AND
A COLD WIND WOULD BLOW THROUGH THE HOUSE. HE MOVED OUT, AND THE
COTTAGE GOT A REPUTATION OF BEING HAUNTED. THE MATTER RECEIVED
MUCH PUBLICITY, AND NO ONE WOULD MOVE INTO THE HOUSE.
IT IS SAID THAT EVENTUALLY ONE MAN MUSTERED UP SOME COURAGE,
ENTERED THE COTTAGE, AND SAID, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, I
COMMAND YOU TO STOP. THE SOUNDS WERE NEVER HEARD AGAIN, BUT THE
COTTAGE IS STILL KNOWN AS THE HAUNTED HOUSE OF WAMPLER'S LAKE.

Submitter comment:

I LEARNED THIS STORY FROM MY AUNT, WHO USED TO VACATION AT
WAMPLER'S LAKE. I ALSO SAW THE HAUNTED COTTAGE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

James Callow comment:

Corrected spelling and eliminated some commas

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WAMPLERS LAKE

Keyword(s): HAUNTED HOUSE ; MANIFESTATIONS ; Wamplers Lake

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.2

Date learned: 00-00-1958

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THE GAME "BITE THE BAG."

THE GAME BITE THE BAG IS A GAME PLAYED AT PARTIES WHERE THE
PLAYERS ALL GATHER IN A CIRCLE AND AN ORDINARY GROCERY BAG
IS PLACED IN THE MIDDLE. THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO
BEND OVER AND PICK UP THE BAG WITH YOUR TEETH WITHOUT ANY PART
OF YOUR BODY EXCEPT FOR YOUR FEET TOUCHING THE GROUND. THE GAME
PROCEEDS AND EACH PLAYER TRIES TO PICK UP THE BAG. THE PLAYER
IS DISQUALIFIED WHEN THEY FAIL TO PICK UP THE BAG PROPERLY.
AFTER EACH SUCCESSIVE ROUND THE BAG HAS ONE INCH CUT OFF THE
TOP EDGE SO THAT IT PROGRESSIVELY BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT.
THE WINNER IS THE LAST PERSON TO SUCCESSFULLY PICK UP THE BAG.

James Callow comment: CAN YOU BEND YOUR KNEES? YES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PARTY ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 00001983CA

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METHOD OF CURING

WASH YOUR FACE IN THE MORNING DEW
AND YOU WILL GET RID OF FRECKLES.

Data entry tech comment: THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVES CONTAINS SEVERAL SIMILAR ITEMS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT MATTHEWS CHURCH

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 00-00-1959

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WHEN YOU ACCIDENTALLY SPILL SALT, INFORMANT TAKES
A FEW GRAINS OF SALT AND THROWS IT OVER EACH
SHOULDER FOR GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; GRADE SCHOOL ; REDFORD ; SAINT MARYS

James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Good luck Activities

Date learned: 02-12-1970

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WEAR OUT YOUR TOE, YOU SPEND AS YOU GO;
WEAR OUT YOUR HEEL, YOU SPEND A GOOD DEAL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; SAINT MARYS

James Callow Keyword(s): THRIFT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief

Date learned: 11-17-1968

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ARTS AND CRAFTS

NO CAMP COUNSELOR IS TRULY A COUNSELOR WITHOUT HIS LANYARD AND
WHISTLE, FOR THIS IS HIS SYMBOL OF AUTHORITY AND IS EVEN USED AS
SUCH BY THE CAMPERS WHEN THEY PUT ON SKITS ABOUT THEIR COUNSELORS.
THE LANYARDS ARE MADE BY THE COUNSELOR HIMSELF IN HIS FIRST ENCOUNTE
WITH ARTS AND CRAFTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MEMPHIS ; SAINT MARYS CAMPUS

Subject headings: SPEECH -- To Be Seen

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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TAJOR

LEGEND OF AN ANIMAL HALF TIGER AND HALF JAGUAR THAT ROAMS CAMP
GROUNDS AT NIGHT. PROTECTOR OF THE GOOD AND NEMESIS OF EVIL. OFTEN
USED IN CONVINCING LITTLE BOYS TO GO TO SLEEP--FOR THE TAJOR IS ONLY
HARMFUL TO THOSE WHO ARE BAD.

Submitter comment: LEARNED WHILE COUNSELOR

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MEMPHIS ; SAINT MARYS CAMP

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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FLOUR OF ENGLAND - RIDDLE

Q: FLOUR OF ENGLAND, FRUIT OF SPAIN/ MET TOGETHER IN A SHOWER OF
RAIN;/ PUT IN A BAG AND TIED ROUND WITH A STRING;/ IF YOU'LL TELL
ME THIS RIDDLE, I'LL GIVE YOU A RING.
A: A PLUM PUDDING.

Submitter comment: I FOUND THIS IN AN OLD MOTHER GOOSE COLORING BOOK WHICH WAS IN THE
ATTIC. THE COVER AND SOME PAGES WERE MISSING. IT IS AT LEAST TEN
YEARS OLD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): NATURAL PHENOMENA (Q) ; NOTION ITEMS (Q) ; PARTICULAR AREA (Q)

James Callow Keyword(s): CATCH

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: 08-00-1964

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MARBLE WALLS - RIDDLE

Q: IN MARBLE WALLS AS WHITE AS MILK,/ LINED WITH A SKIN AS SOFT AS
SILK,/ WITHIN A FOUNTAIN CRYSTAL CLEAR/ A GOLDEN APPLE DOTH APPEAR./
NO DOORS THERE ARE TO THIS STRONGHOLD,/ YET THIEVES BREAK IN AND
STEAL THE GOLD.
A: AN EGG.

Submitter comment: I FOUND THIS IN AN OLD MOTHER GOOSE COLORING BOOK WHICH WAS IN THE
ATTIC. THE COVER AND SOME PAGES WERE MISSING. IT IS AT LEAST TEN
YEARS OLD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BUILDING (Q) ; MONETARY (Q) ; NATURAL PHENOMENA (Q) COLOR

James Callow Keyword(s): INVERSION ; SYNTAX

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: 08-00-1964

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TRUE RIDDLE

Q: AS I WENT THROUGH THE FIELDS OF WHEAT/ I FOUND SOMETHING GOOD
TO EAT,/ 'TWAS NEITHER FLESH NOR MEAT, NOR BONE,/
I KEPT IT UNTIL IT RAN ALONE.
A: AN EGG.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS WAS A RIDDLE THAT SHE HEARD AT MICHIGAN
MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY FROM A CO-OFFICE-WORKER ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
INFORMANT ADMITS TO BEING STUMPED FOR A FEW HOURS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): EATABLES (Q) ; PARTICULAR AREA (Q) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q)

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: 10-20-1971

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Q: TASTY TO SOME FOLKS,/ AND USED THE WORLD ROUND./ NOT MADE OF DIRT,
BUT IT ALWAYS IS GROUND.
A: COFFEE.

Submitter comment: I FOUND THIS ACTIVITY BOOK IN THE ATTIC. FROM:
"LOTS OF THINGS TO DO"
(AKRON, OHIO, THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO., 1951)
THE PAGES ARE NOT NUMBERED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; EATABLES AND DRINKS (Q) ; PERSONS (Q)

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: 08-00-1964

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RED SKY IN THE MORNING, SHEPARDS WARRING. {WARNING?}
RED SKY IN THE EVENING SAILORS DELIGHT.
WE ALL GREW UP BELIEVING THIS SAYING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief

Date learned: 10-20-1972

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WHEN WE VISITED SOMEONE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE FIRST OF THE
YEAR WE HAD TO TAKE THEM SOMETHING. IF THE FAMILY WAS NOT
TAKEN SOMETHING THEY WOULD BE IN NEED FOR THE REST OF THE
YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN

James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING AT NEW YEAR'S SEASON

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20

Date learned: 10-20-1972

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ANOTHER THING THE GYPSIES SAID WAS THAT IF A PERSON HAD A SORE
HEEL TO TAKE FRESH COW MANURE AND HEAT IT UNTIL IT WAS HOT.
TAKE YOUR HEEL AND PUT IT IN THE HOT COW MANURE AND THIS TAKES
THE SORENESS OUT OF YOUR HEEL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Animal

Date learned: 10-20-1972

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