Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 5909 returned 113 results.
EASTERTIDE
ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER A BOY WILL MAKE A BRAID OUT OF RIBBON, AND
THEN HE GOES TO THE GIRL OF HIS CHOICE, AND SHE'LL TWIRL AROUND IN
FRONT OF HIM, AS HE HITS HER WITH THE BRAID.
THIS SEEMS TO BE ENJOYED BY EVERYONE IN THE VILLAGE
Submitter comment:
POLAND. SHE LIVED IN A SMALL VILLAGE OUTSIDE OF WARSAW.
MY INFORMANT LEARNED ABOUT THIS CUSTOM WHEN SHE WAS A SMALL GIRL IN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
MARRIAGE CUSTOM
WHEN THE BRIDE AND GROOM LEAVE THE CHURCH, INSTEAD OF THROWING RICE
EVERYONE THROWS MONEY AT THEM, AND THE CHILDREN PICK IT UP. IT IS
SAID THAT THIS IS AN OLD SCOTTISH CUSTOM.
Submitter comment:
THIS WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE FOR THE GROWNUPS, BUT BENEFICIAL TO THE
CHILDREN. MAYBE PEOPLE WERE THROWING COINS BEFORE RICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC, STANDARD VERSE THAT TELLS A STORY
LITTLE TOMMY TUCKER
LITTLE TOMMY TUCKER WAS A FUNNY LITTLE CHAP,
WHOSE FATHER WAS A SAILOR ON THE BAY.
AND HIS TONGUE TIED TONGUE WAS TIED IN A KNOT,
SO HE COULDN'T SING FOR SUPPER SO THEY SAY.
BUT ALONG CAME A FRIEND FROM THE CITY OF BAY.
AND A PEICE OF GOOD ADVICE HE GAVE.
SAYING TOMMY IF YOU WANT TO GET YOUR TONGUE UNTIED,
WHY CAKA LOKA CAKA LOKA LOKA LOKA LOKA KA
WHY CAKA LOKA CAKA LOKA LOKA LOKA LOKA KA
WHY CAKA LOKA CAKA LOKA LOKA LOKA LOKA KA
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SOMEWHAT OF A CUTE STORY THAT WAS TOLD TO ME, AND AN
INTERESTING PIECE OF LITRATURE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
CHILDREN'S SONG, BODILY GAME
FATHER ABRAHAM HAD SEVEN SONS,
SIR SEVEN SONS, HAD FATHER ABRAHAM
AND NONE OF THEM CRIED.
ALL THEY EVER DID WAS THIS } }
EACH TIME YOU SING THIS VERSE ADD ANOTHER MOVEMENT (SHAKE RIGHT HAND,
SHAKE LEFT FOOT....)
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN AMUSING GAME TO BE PLAYED WITH SMALL CHILDREN, IT HAS
BEEN IN THEIR FAMILY FOR FOUR GENERATIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
THE GIRL WHO HAD A DATE WITH THE DEVIL
EARLY IN THE 1800'S A GIRL ABOUT THE AGE OF 20 WENT TO A DANCE WITH
HER BOYFRIEND. HE WAS HONEST AND FRIENDLY, BUT NOT HANDSOME. WHILE
AT THE DANCED, SHE MET A VERY HANDSOME FELLOW. SHE DANCED AND
DANCED WITH THIS HANDSOME FELLOW, COMPLETELY IGNORING HER BOYFRIEND.
AT MIDNIGHT HER HANDSOME PARTNER CHANGED INTO THE DEVIL. HE DANCED
WITH HER TO HELL AND SHE WAS NWVER SEEN AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
Keyword(s): DEVIL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
SUPERNATURAL STORY CONCERNING DEATH
MY GREAT-UNCLE, BERT SULLIVAN OF CLINTON, MICHIGAN, ENTERED THE
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR AT THE AGE OF 18. WHILE IN TENNESSEE,
HE CONTRACTED TYPHOID FEVER; AND THE PARISH PRIEST
FROM CLINTON, FATHER HEIDENRICH, WENT DOWN TO
KNOXVILLE TO VISIT HIM. BERT'S MOTHER, MRS.
JOHN SULLIVAN, AND HER FOUR DAUGHTERS DECIDED TO PRAY FOR THE YOUNG
SOLDIER. SHE WENT INTO THE BEDROOM TO PRAY, WHILE THE FOUR
DAUGHTERS REMAINED IN THE PARLOR. SUDDENLY SHE CAME RUNNING
OUT OF THE
ROOM WTH HER HANDS CLAPPED OVER HER EARS. "WHAT WAS THAT
HORRIBLE BOOM?" SHE CRIED. THE DAUGHTERS REPLIED THAT THEY HAD
HEARD ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. WHEN FATHER HEIDENRICH RETURNED, HE
BROUGHT THE SAD NEWS THAT BERT HAD DIED--AT THE EXACT TIME THAT
HIS MOTHER HAD HEARD THE DEAFENING SOUND.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS WELL KNOWN BY MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY. MY MOTHER
TOLD IT TO ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | Observation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 10-00-1963
FAMILY CUSTOM
THE BIBLE IS CLOSED FROM GOOD FRIDAY AT 3:00 P.M. UNTIL EASTER SUNDAY
AT SUNRISE. THIS SYMBOLIZES JESUS CHRIST DESCENDING INTO HELL, AND
ON EASTER, WHEN IT IS OPENED, IT SHOWS JESUS CHRIST'S TRIUMPH AGAINST
THE DEVIL AND DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
LEPRECHAUNS
IF YOU ARE POOR, HONEST AND GOOD, THE LITTLE PEOPLE WILL COME
AND HELP YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): POVERTY VIRTUE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 01-20-1970
LEPRECHAUNS
IF YOU CAN CATCH A LEPRECHAUN, HE MUST GIVE YOU WHAT YOU WANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 01-20-1970
SEE A PIN AND PICK IT UP
ALL DAY YOU'LL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
(SEE A PIN AND LET IT LAY
CAN'T REMEMBER THE REST).
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS COLLECTED FROM MY SISTER. SHE HEARD THIS
FROM HER CLASSMATES; SHE'S IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): NURSERY RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Good luck Sharp objects |
Date learned: 04-11-1967
CHRIST JOKE
DO YOU KNOW HOW CHRIST RECEIVED HIS NAME? WELL, WAY BACK WHEN,
THESE THREE GUYS CAME TO VISIT THE BABE WHO, AS YOU KNOW, WAS
BORN IN THIS OLD CAVE. NOW THIS CAVE WAS VERY, VERY LOW AND ONE
OF THESE THREE GUYS WAS EXTREMELY TALL. AFTER KNEELING FOR A
LONG TIME BEFORE THE BABE, THE TALL ONE, FORGETTING THE KIND OF
PLACE HE WAS IN, ROSE QUICKLY AND BANGED HIS HEAD. "JESUS
CHRIST!" SHOUTS HE. AND MARY TURNS TO JOSEPH, UPON HEARING THIS,
AND SAYS, "GEE, JOSEPH, THAT WOULD BE A BETTER NAME THAN
ARCHIBALD."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
NEW YEAR'S SUPERSTITION
YOU MUST HAVE PORK FOR YOUR NEW YEAR'S DAY DINNER.
Submitter comment:
THIS OLD GERMAN SUPERSTITION IS TRADITIONAL IN MY UNCLE'S FAMILY.
ACCORDING TO HIM: "PORK WAS SUPPOSED TO BRING GOOD LUCK AND
FORTUNE, AND THIS WAS BASED ON AN OLD RURAL BELIEF THAT MOST
FARM ANIMALS WANDERED AWAY FROM THE HOUSE, WHILE THE HOGS ALWAYS
ROOTED TOWARDS THE HOUSE." HE ADDED WITH A SMILE, "MY MOTHER
WASN'T SUPERSTITIOUS, BUT WE ALWAYS HAD PORK FOR NEW YEAR'S."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
SUPERSTITION--WEATHER SIGNS
THE FIRST TWELVE DAYS OF JANUARY WILL INDICATE WHAT THE WEATHER
WILL BE LIKE DURING EACH OF THE TWELVE MONTHS OF THE YEAR.
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS FROM MY SISTER, ANNE, WHO DOES NOT RECALL WHERE
SHE HEARD IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
TREE MYTH
THE RED-BUD TREE IS ALSO CALLED THE JUDAS TREE, FOR IT IS BELIEVED
TO HAVE BEEN THE TREE ON WHICH JUDAS HANGED HIMSELF. THE TINY RED
BLOOMS WHICH IT PRODUCES SYMBOLIZE THE BLOOD OF THE TRAITOR.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER WAS THE INFORMANT. SHE ADDED THAT SHE DID NOT THINK THE
BELIEF COULD BE RELATED TO FACT, FOR THE BRANCHES OF THE RED-BUD
TREE ARE VERY BRITTLE AND BREAK EASILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Origin of Characteristics of Plants |
CHICKEN WHEN YOU'RE HUNGRY,
CHAMPAGNE WHEN YOU'RE DRY,
A NICE MAN WHEN YOU'RE TWENTY,
AND HEAVEN WHEN YOU DIE.
Submitter comment: SHE IS NOW 46, KEPT THE BOOK IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Good wishes (sincere) |
Entry filtered.
IN OUR FAMILY (AND PROBABLY IN MOST OTHERS I PRESUME) A PENNY IS
PLACED IN A NEW WALLET FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS CUSTOM WHEN I WAS YOUNG. I'M SURE THIS CUSTOM STEMS
FROM THE IDEA THAT EMPTINESS IS NOT A VIRTUE IN THE U.S..
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001960S
CURE FOR HICCUPS-- CLOSE YOUR EYES AND THINK OF 100 FAT NAKED MEN
STANDING IN A ROW.
Submitter comment: I CANT REMEMBER WHO I HEARD THIS FROM, BUT IT IS MEMORABLE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00001970S
ABSENCE MAKES THE HANDS GO WANDER.
Submitter comment: THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEVIATION FROM THE ORIGINAL SAYING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00001970S
USING BUTTER TO FREE GUM FROM ONE OF HER PLAYFUL GRANDCHILDREN'S HAIR
WAS ONE OF THE FOLK REMEDIES I REMEMBER FROM MY CHILDHOOD.
Submitter comment:
I REMEMBER THIS FOLK REMEDY BECAUSE MY GRANDMOTHER ADMINISTERED IT
ON ME QUITE A FEW TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1963