Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI WHERE THE STEAM GOES "PUSH'EM"
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; FOLEY HALL
Keyword(s): ACTION-JUMP ; PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-29-1967
SHOES ( COLLECTOR'S TITLE ) ; GOOD LUCK, SHOES ( CLASSIFIER'S TITLE )
GETTING HIT BY A THROWN SHOE IS GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.19 |
Date learned: 11-20-1968
HUMAN BEINGS AND THEIR ACTIVITIES (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)
IN AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE RACING IT IS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK
FOR A GIRL TO BE PRESENT IN THE PITS DURING A RACE. THIS HAS
BECOME SO STRONG THAT THE UNITED STATES AUTO CLUB HAS PASSED A
RULE AGAINST WOMEN IN THE PITS DURING A RACE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 |
Date learned: 09-24-1968
FATE LUCK (COLLECTOR'S TITLE)
DEAD SNAKES ARE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.35 |
Date learned: 10-17-1967
SCOTS SUPERSTITION (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; BAD LUCK: NEW YEARS (CLASSIFIERS TITLE)
NEVER LET A RED OR LIGHT HAIRED PERSON CROSS YOUR THRESHOLD ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY UNLESS THEY CARRY COAL WITH THEM OR YOU WILL HAVE
BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: PAT HAND HEARD THIS FROM A NEIGHBOR OF SCOTS DESCENT.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; HAIR COLOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.42 |
SUPERSITITION (COLLECTOR,S TITLE) ; CONVERSION; SALT (CLASSIFIER,S TITLE)
YOU,LL HAVE BAD LUCK IF YOU SPILL SALT.
THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT THE BAD LUCK IS THROWING THE SALT OVER YOUR
LEFT SHOULDER.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A SUPERSTITION COMMON IN THE UNDY FAMILY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17 |
Date learned: 11-23-1967
A BULLY GOOD FRIEND
I'VE GOT MY RELATIONS WITHOUT RESERVATIONS
I'VE UNCLES, AUNTS, COUSINS NO END
BUT YOU, WELL GOD BLESS YOU
I'M GLAD TO ADDRESS YOU
AS SIMPLY A BULLY GOOD FRIEND.
Submitter comment: HER BROTHER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
Keyword(s): FEMININE RHYME ; INTERNAL RHYME ; RHYME: ABCCD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.326 |
Date learned: 07-22-1964
A CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
AT CHRISTMAS TIME, THE FAMILY OBTAINS AN UNCONSECRATED HOST. THE
OLDEST MEMBER TAKES A BITE OF THE HOST AND WISHES A HAPPY NEW
YEAR. HE OR SHE KISSES THE NEXT OLDEST, AND THIS IS PASSED DOWN
THE LINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; RELIGION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
TOM SWIFTY
"SOMEBODY STOLE MY PINEAPPLES," HE SAID DOLEFULLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL 203 ;
Keyword(s): FOOD
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
THE LADY IN WHITE
ON BELLE ISLE THERE IS A TYPICAL LOVERS LANE WHERE A LADY DRESSED
IN WHITE SNEAKS UP ON PARKED CARS AND BREAKS THE HEADLIGHTS OR THE
BACK WINDSHIELD WITH A HATCHET. ACCORDING TO REPORTS THE LADY
DOES THIS BECAUSE OF HER DAUGHTER WHO WAS PARKED THERE ONE NIGHT
WITH A BOY AND THE NEXT MORNING SHE WAS FOUND FLOATING IN THE RIVER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): VANDALISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-20-1968
DOWN IN THE VALLEY WHERE THE GREEN GRASS GROWS,/ THERE SAT MARY AS
SWEET AS A ROSE./ SHE SANG, SHE SANG, SHE SANG SO SWEET/ ALONG CAME MM---- AND KISSED HER ON THE CHEEK./ HOW MANY KISSES DID SHE RECEIVE?
(COUNT)
Submitter comment:
MARY ANN AND PAT AGREE ON THE LAST LINE, BUT MARY HAS INSTEAD
5, 10, 15, OR 100, 200, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-18-1968
RATTLESNAKE PETE
RATTLESNAKE PETE WAS A HANDY-MAN ON A CATTLE DRIVE. HE WAS FAMOUS
FOR CATCHING RATTLESNAKES WITH HIS HANDS AND BITING THEIR HEADS OFF.
ONE DAY ONE OF THE COWBOYS ON THE DRIVE WAS BITTEN IN THE EAR BY A
RATTLESNAKE. PETE CUT HIS EAR OFF AND DRAINED THE POISON AND THEN
SEWED THE EAR BACK ON THE MAN. HOWEVER, PETE HAD
BEEN DRINKING AND SEWED THE EAR ON BACKWARDS. SEEING WHAT HE HAD
DONE, PETE REMOVED THE OTHER EAR AND SEWED IT ON BACKWARDS ALSO.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 11-20-1968
JOHNNY OVER THE OCEAN
JOHNNY OVER THE OCEAN,
JOHNNY OVER THE SEA,
JOHNNY BROKE THE SUGAR BOWL AND BLAMED IT ON ME.
I TOLD MA,
MA TOLD PA,
JOHNNY GOT A LICKIN', HA, HA, HA!
Submitter comment:
Jump rope rhyme
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
ON NEW YEAR'S EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY EATS
SMOKED HERRING FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Date learned: 09-26-1971
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
THE FIRST PERSON WHO COMES OVER THE THRESHOLD OF
YOUR HOUSE SHOULD BE A MAN TO BRING GOOD LUCK
TO THE HOUSE-HOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42 |
Date learned: 09-26-1971
CUSTOM
IN JAPAN, THE PEOPLE EXCHANGE NEW YEAR'S
CARDS WITH FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; UNION
Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.0101 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 11-25-1969
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
AT CHRISTMAS TIME MANY POLISH PEOPLE
GATHER TOGETHER AT A PARTY. EVERYONE HAS A
BLESSED WAFER MADE OF OPWATKI. TWO PEOPLE
BREAK A PIECE OFF EACH OTHER'S WAFER, EAT IT, AND
WISH EACH OTHER GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; OPLATKI
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
AMONG THE LITHUANIANS, THERE IS A TRADITIONAL MEAL ON THE
EVE OF CHRISTMAS. ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (FOUR WEEKS
BEFORE CHRISTMAS) THE LOCAL PRIEST WOULD VISIT EVERY HOUSE
FOR A YEARLY VISITATION. AT THAT TIME HE WOULD GIVE EVERY
FAMILY A PIECE OF UNLEAVENED BREAD, RESEMBLING THE HOST USED
AT MASS. THIS BREAD WOULD BE DECORATED WITH BRIGHT COLORS AND
WITH SCENES OF THE NATIVITY. THIS BREAD WAS TO BE SAVED FOR
THIS CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL. THE PEOPLE WOULD GIVE THE PRIEST
A DONATION FOR THIS PLOTKA. ALONG WITH THE PLOTKA, SOLE
AND FISH WERE ALSO SERVED. THE DESERT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT
PART. EXTRAVAGANT DESERTS WERE SERVED, WHICH WOULD NORMALLY
NOT BE SERVED AT ANY OTHER TIME (E.G. GOATS MILK WITH POPPY
SEEDS.)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki |
Date learned: 09-23-1971
JOURNEY OF THE THREE WISE MEN
AT CHRISTMAS TIME WHEN THE STABLE IS SET UP THE MAGI ARE NOT PLACED
AROUND THE CRIB BUT ARE PLACED A NOTICEABLE DISTANCE FROM IT. EACH
DAY THE THREE FIGURES ARE MOVED CLOSER SO THAT ON JANUARY 6TH, LITTLE
CHRISTMAS, THE THREE WISE MEN ARRIVE AT THE STABLE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): EPIPHANY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes |
Date learned: 10-22-1968
ON CHRISTMAS THE CHRIST CHILD ISN'T PUT INTO THE STABLE UNTIL
MIDNIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR