Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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MARRIAGE BELIEF
ON THE EVE OF SAINT ANDREW'S FEAST DAY; NOVEMBER 29, ALL THE GIRLS
LIVING IN A CERTAIN AREA WOULD GET TOGETHER AT ONE OF THE GIRLS'
HOMES AND EACH GIRL WOULD BAKE ROLLS. WHEN THE ROLLS WOULD BE DONE
THEY WOULD PUT THEM ON A BENCH AND CALL THE FAMILY DOG. THE GIRL
THAT GETS HER ROLL EATEN FIRST BY THE DOG WILL BE THE FIRST TO BE
MARRIED THAT YEAR.
THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM. MY MOTHER SAID THAT THE GIRLS REALLY
LOOKED FORWARD TO THIS EVENT. THEY WOULD HAVE LIKED IT TO OCCUR
OFTENER THOUGH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F112 BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 10-09-1971
VIGIL OF ST. ANDREW, MARRIAGE BELIEF
ON THE VIGIL OF SAINT ANDREW, WHICH IS NOVEMBER 29, ALL THE GIRLS
WRITE DOWN THE NAMES OF ALL THE BOYS THEY KNOW ON SMALL SLIPS OF
PAPER. THESE SLIPS ARE THEN FOLDED AND PLACED UNDER THE GIRLS'
PILLOW. IN THE MORNING WHEN THE GIRL WAKES UP, THE FIRST THING SHE
SHOULD DO IS TO PUT HER HAND UNDER THE PILLOW AND PULL OUT ONE
PIECE OF PAPER. THE NAME THAT APPEARS ON THE PAPER IS THE NAME OF
THE PERSON SHE WILL MARRY.
I BELIEVE THAT THIS CUSTOM IS PRACTICED IN POLAND ONLY. MY MOTHER
KNEW IT SINCE SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL. WHEN SHE WAS IN HER TWENTIES
SHE DID THIS AND ONE OF THE NAMES SHE WROTE ON ONE OF THE SLIPS OF
PAPER WAS MY FATHER'S. IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT THE NAME SHE
PULLED FROM THE BOTTOM OF HER PILLOW AT THIS TIME WAS MY FATHER'S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F112 BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 10-09-1971
FUTURE WIFE
ON JUNE 24, THE GIRLS MAKE WREATHS OF FLOWERS AND FASTEN A CANDLE TO
THE COMPLETED WREATH. THEN THEY LIGHT THE CANDLE AND PLACE THE
WREATH WITH CANDLE ON RIVER. THE BOYS GATHER ROUND AND TRY TO
CATCH THE LIGHTED WREATHS. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE OWNER OF THE
WREATH THAT A CERTAIN BOY CATCHES WILL BE THE FUTURE WIFE OF
THAT BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 10-09-1971
"DARK LADY"
ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT, AT 12:00 A.M.,
TELL A GIRL TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR--
SHUT OFF ALL LIGHTS--AND TELL THE
GIRL TO REPEAT THREE TIMES "DARK LADY."
TELL HER NOT TO LOOK AWAY BUT KEEP
LOOKING AT HERSELF. IF HER FACE GLOWS
SHE IS A WITCH, IF IT DOESN'T SHE IS SAFE.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AT A TEENAGE PARTY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
SUPERSTITION
DON'T ACCEPT STRAIGHT PINS AS A GIFT. IT'S BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT DOES NOT BELIEVE THIS SUPERSTITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; SAINT FLORIAN HIGH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
A BOW TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
IN BYZANTINE CATHOLIC CHURCHES TODAY, SOME PEOPLE
STILL PRACTICE AN OLD CUSTOM OF GETTING DOWN ON ALL
FOURS AND TOUCHING THE FLOOR WITH THEIR BROWS,
THUS SIGNIFYING A BOW TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.
Where learned: HAMTRAMCK ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts 686 Fourths / Quarters CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.3 SPEECH -- Religious |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Jump-rope Rhyme
MABLE, MABLE
SET THE TABLE.
DON'T FORGET THE RED HOT PEPPER.
Submitter comment:
ON THE WORD "PEPPER," THE ROPE IS TURNED FASTER AND FASTER TILL THE JUMPER MISSES.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; informant's home
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; SPEED-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-11-1971
STORM PROTECTION BELIEF
IN CLYMER, PENNSYLVANIA, WHEN A BIG STORM COMES ABOUT, THE PEOPLE
THERE SHUT OFF THEIR LIGHTS, LIGHT CANDLES, TAKE OFF THEIR SHOES,
AND SIT IN ONE ROOM IN ORDER THAT THEIR HOMES WOULD BE SPARED
FROM THE LIGHTNING BOLTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.7 |
Date learned: 09-14-1969
GHOST SUPERSTITION
IF YOU SEE A GHOST IN YOUR MIRROR AT NIGHT, GET UP AND LIGHT A
CANDLE AND WALK NINE TIMES AROUND THE ROOM. THE GHOST WILL
DISAPPEAR.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; St. Hyacinth School
Keyword(s): GHOST ; Haunt ; NUMBER ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-29-1972
LIGHTNING SUPERSTITION
IN CLYMER, PENNSYLVANIA, WHEN A BIG STORM COMES ABOUT, THE PEOPLE
THERE SHUT OFF THEIR LIGHTS, LIGHT CANDLES, TAKE OFF THEIR SHOES,
AND SIT IN ONE ROOM IN ORDER THAT THEIR HOMES WOULD BE SPARED
FROM LIGHTNING BOLTS.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and city of residence.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.7 |
Date learned: 09-14-1969
LENTEN CUSTOM
THE DAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY, EVERY POLISH FAMILY MAKES DOUGHNUTS
THESE DOUGHNUTS ARE COOKED IN LARD AND THIS SIGNIFIES THAT NO FATS
WILL BE USED FOR SEVEN WEEKS.
Submitter comment:
THE ABSTAINING OF LARD DURING THE LENTEN SEASON IS VERY STRICT IN
POLAND. THIS CUSTOM IS PRACTICED IN SOME POLISH_AMERICAN
COMMUNITIES, SUCH AS HAMTRAMCK.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras 663 Ash Wednesday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday |
Date learned: 10-09-1971
Graffiti
"(name of boss) slept here"
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
Graffiti
Tiny Tim is a Polish saint
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
Entry filtered.
Shepherds Heard the Angels Say
1. Shepherds heard the angel say,
Christ is born to you this day,
Behtlehem is His lowly place of birth,
Born so humbly to this earth,
Lord of all creation.
2. Thus the Lord through His great love,
Came from heaven, up above,
No great place, grand or costly had He here,
But a manger cold and drear,
Lord of all creation.
Submitter comment:
Polish Christmas carol
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
In Bethlehem
1. In Bethlehem, in Bethlehem,
Tidings ring triumphant!
Sweet Virgin Mary, Sweet Virgin Mary,
Bore the Holy Infant.
Chorus:
Born is our Savior, Born is our Redeemer,
Angels are playing, Kings tribute paying,
Shepherds all are singing,
Sheep and oxen kneeling,
Lo! What wonder!
Each proclaiming.
2. Sweet Virgin Mary, sweet Virgin Mary
O'er her Wee Babe bending,
And kindly Joseph, and kindly Joseph
Gently them attending. Chorus.
Submitter comment:
Polish Christmas carol.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Morning Song
1. When the dawn from sleep is winging,
All the earth of Thee is singing;
Of Thee sings the boundless ocean:
"Praise the Lord of all creation!"
2. Man endowed beyond all measure,
With thy goodness and full treasure,
Sings to Thee with earth and ocean:
"Praise the Lord of all creation!"
Submitter comment:
Polish song.
The informant sang this song upon rising in the Army.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; informant's home
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Evening Song
1. All our daily plans and deeds, we
Bring before Thee, God Almighty;
Even when in slumber drifting
May our sleep in praise be lifting.
2. With a Father's kind affection
Turn Thine eyes in our direction,
Where in sad infirmity we
Wait in prayer for help from Thee.
Submitter comment:
Polish song.
The informant sang this song before retiring at night, in the Army.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; informant's home
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Quickly on to Bethlehem
1. Quickly on to Bethlehem the shepherds came,
Playing gaily on their lutes to bless His name.
Glory to God on Highest,
Glory to God on Highest,
And on earth, peace to men.
2. Giving their respects in all humility,
To the Infant Jesus from hearts lovingly,
Glory to God on Highest,
Glory to God on Highest,
And on earth, peace to men.
Submitter comment:
Polish Christmas carol
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Do Not Forsake Us
1. Do not forsake us,
Do not forsake us,
Mother do not forsake us,
Mother do not forsake us.
Mother, comfort us in weeping,
Mother, guide us or we perish.
Teach us love, though we are suff'ring,
Teach us Thee to ever cherish.
2. Do not forsake us,
Do not forsake us,
Mother do not forsake us,
Mother do not forsake us.
Tears are flowing, we are sighing,
This life is a vale of tears,
Our soul burdened, we are crying
To our God, to comfort all fears.
Submitter comment:
Polish song
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; informant's home
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |