Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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SITTING IN A TREE
(BOY'S NAME) AND (GIRL'S NAME) SITTING IN A TREE
K-I-S-S-I-N-G.
FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES MARRIAGE,
THEN COME'S (SIC) (GIRL'S NAME) WITH A BABY CARRIAGE.
HOW MANY ARE THERE IN THAT CARRIAGE?
ONE, TWO, THREE...
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
TWENTY-FOUR ROBBERS
NOT LAST NIGHT, BUT THE NIGHT BEFORE
TWENTY-FOUR ROBBERS CAME A-KNOCKING AT MY DOOR.
I WENT DOWNSTAIRS TO LET THEM IN.
THEY HIT ME OVER THE HEAD WITH A ROLLING PIN.
I WENT UPSTAIRS TO GET MY GUN.
YOU SHOILD HAVE SEEN THESE ROBBERS RUN.
SOME WENT EAST, SOME WENT WEST,
SOME WENT IN THE CUCKOO'S NEST.
HOW MANY WENT IN THE CUCKOO'S NEST?
ONE, TWO, THREE,....
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
ON A MOUNTAIN
ON A MOUNTAIN STANDS A LADY; WHO SHE IS I DO NOT KNOW.
ALL SHE WANTS IS GOLD AND SILVER; ALL SHE WANTS IS A NICE YOUNG MAN.
COME IN MY DEAR...(NAME OF WHOEVER IS TO JUMP NEXT),
GO OUT MY DEAR...(NAME OF WHOEVER HAS BEEN JUMPING).
RHYME STARTS OVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
Keyword(s): CALL-RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
IF YOU PUT A SHIRT OR DRESS ON INSIDE OUT, LEAVE IT
THAT WAY OR YOU'LL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) |
IT IS BAD LUCK TO GO BACK AND UNLOCK A DOOR ONCE
YOU'VE LOCKED IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck Leaving Entering Returning home Travel |
Date learned: 04-09-1971
BIRD PICTURES INSIDE THE HOUSE ARE VERY BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS BY HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 03-27-1972
THE JACK O'LANTERN IS COMMONLY BELIEVED TO BE THE WANDERING
SOUL OF ONE WHO HAS BEEN REFUSED ENTRANCE INTO BOTH HEAVEN
AND HELL. HE OFTEN TERRIFIES NIGHT TRAVELERS; SOMETIMES HE
WARNS THEM. HE IS FAMOUS FOR LEADING THEM ASTRAY, BUT HAS
BEEN KNOWN TO DIRECT THOSE IN TROUBLE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT TOLD STORY TO A FEW OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD
CHILDREN A FEW YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
IN A FIELD LYING OUTSIDE OF GRAND RAPIDS (MICHIGAN),
OVERGROWN WITH TIME, IS BUILT AN OLD CHURCH. IT IS
PECULIAR THAT TO GET TO THIS CHURCH, ONE MUST WALK ACROSS
A FIELD OF VERY TALL GRASS AND LEAVE THE CAR ABOUT 300 FT.
FROM THE ENTRANCE OF THE CHURCH. AFTER REACHING THE CHURCH,
UNFAILINGLY, ONE'S ATTENTION WOULD BE DRAWN BACK TOWARD
THE CAR ACROSS THE FIELD, WHERE LIGHTS ALWAYS SEEM TO BE
SHINING AROUND. THEN THERE ARE THE NOISES WHICH FOLLOW
YOU BACK ACROSS THE FIELD. ONCE MORE BY YOUR CAR, YOU
TAKE OUT A FLASHLIGHT AND SHINE IT ACROSS THE FIELD AT
THE OMINOUSLY STANDING CHURCH WHERE YOU NATURALLY SEE
ITS REFLECTION. UNNATURALLY, HOWEVER, WHEN THE FLASH-
LIGHT IS TURNED OFF, THE REFLECTION DOES NOT GO AWAY.
THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND SOME FRIENDS, ON NUMEROUS
OCCASIONS WITH MANY WITNESSES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.13 |
Date learned: 00001969 SUMMER
WHEN SETTING THE TABLE: DROP A KNIFE, A FEMALE
WILL DIE IN THE FAMILY.
DROP A FORK: A MALE WILL DIE IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object Domestic object, wax, needle, dishware |
Date learned: 03-27-1972
IRISH SUPERSTITION
NEVER START ANYTHING ON A FRIDAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 04-08-1971
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS EAT YOUR BREAD BECAUSE IT WILL
PUT HAIR ON YOUR CHEST, IF YOU DO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
James Callow Keyword(s): MASCULINITY ; VIRILITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
IN THE EARLY 18TH CENTURY IN WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA,
THERE WERE SOME WEALTHY FAMILIES WHO OWNED LARGE
PLANTATIONS. ONE OF THESE PLANTATIONS WAS THE SHIRLEY
PLANTATION OWNED BY THE CARTER FAMILY. ONE OF THE
LADIES OF THIS PLANTATION SUSPECTED HER HUSBAND OF
HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH A WOMAN WHO WAS VISITING A
NEIGHBORING PLANTATION. HER NAME WAS MARY WILLING,
A MEMBER OF A PROMINANT PHILADELPHIA FAMILY. MR.
CARTER WOULD ALWAYS SAY HE WAS GOING OVER TO THE
NEIGHBORING PLANTATION TO PLAY CARDS. ONE EVENING,
MRS. CARTER, WHILE SEARCHING IN A LARGE WARDROBE
CABINET FOR A LETTER FROM MARY TO MR. CARTER, WHICH WOULD
PROVE MR. CARTER'S GUILT, TOPPLED THE CABINET ON HER AND
SHE DIED. SOON AFTER, MR. CARTER MARRIED MARY WILLING.
THIS RESULTED INTO A SCANDAL IN WHICH MARY WILLING
CAME TO BE CALLED "WILLING MARY" BY THE TOWNSPEOPLE AND
PLANTATION OWNERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 10-14-1971
LEGEND OF THE POINSETTIA
AT THE TIME OF THE BIRTH OF THE CHRIST CHILD, A YOUNG SHEPHERD BOY
WANTED TO VISIT THE CHILD BUT HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO BRING HIM.
THERE WAS A RED FLOWER BY HIM, SO HE PICKED IT AND SAID THAT THIS
WOULD BE HIS GIFT TO THE CHRIST CHILD. WHEN HE PRESENTED IT TO
THE CHILD, HE SMILED JOYFULLY AT THE BOY. MANY YEARS LATER THIS
SAME BOY, NOW A MAN, WAS STANDING BY THE CROSS ON WHICH CHRIST WAS
HANGING. WHEN THE BLOOD FLOWED OUT OF THE SPEAR WOUND OF CHRIST
AND HIT THE GROUND, A RED FLOWER EXACTLY LIKE THAT GIVEN BY THE
SHEPHERD BOY SPRUNG UP. RIGHT THEN THE MAN KNEW THAT THIS WAS THE
SAME PERSON TO WHOM HE HAD ONCE GIVEN THE RED FLOWER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant SPEECH -- Folk Name for Plant |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IN THE EARLY 18TH CENTURY IN WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA,
THERE WERE SOME WEALTHY FAMILIES WHO OWNED LARGE
PLANTATIONS. ONE OF THESE PLANTATIONS WAS THE SHIRLEY
PLANTATION OWNED BY THE CARTER FAMILY. ONE OF THE
LADIES OF THIS PLANTATION SUSPECTED HER HUSBAND OF
HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH A WOMAN WHO WAS VISITING A
NEIGHBORING PLANTATION. HER NAME WAS MARY WILLING,
A MEMBER OF A PROMINANT PHILADELPHIA FAMILY. MR.
CARTER WOULD ALWAYS SAY HE WAS GOING OVER TO THE
NEIGHBORING PLANTATION TO PLAY CARDS. ONE EVENING,
MRS. CARTER, WHILE SEARCHING IN A LARGE WARDROBE
CABINET FOR A LETTER FROM MARY TO MR. CARTER, WHICH WOULD
PROVE MR. CARTER'S GUILT, TOPPLED THE CABINET ON HER AND
SHE DIED. SOON AFTER, MR. CARTER MARRIED MARY WILLING.
THIS RESULTED INTO A SCANDAL IN WHICH MARY WILLING
CAME TO BE CALLED "WILLING MARY" BY THE TOWNSPEOPLE AND
PLANTATION OWNERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 10-14-1971
LEGEND OF THE POINSETTIA
AT THE TIME OF THE BIRTH OF THE CHRIST CHILD, A YOUNG SHEPHERD BOY
WANTED TO VISIT THE CHILD BUT HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO BRING HIM.
THERE WAS A RED FLOWER BY HIM, SO HE PICKED IT AND SAID THAT THIS
WOULD BE HIS GIFT TO THE CHRIST CHILD. WHEN HE PRESENTED IT TO
THE CHILD, HE SMILED JOYFULLY AT THE BOY. MANY YEARS LATER THIS
SAME BOY, NOW A MAN, WAS STANDING BY THE CROSS ON WHICH CHRIST WAS
HANGING. WHEN THE BLOOD FLOWED OUT OF THE SPEAR WOUND OF CHRIST
AND HIT THE GROUND, A RED FLOWER EXACTLY LIKE THAT GIVEN BY THE
SHEPHERD BOY SPRUNG UP. RIGHT THEN THE MAN KNEW THAT THIS WAS THE
SAME PERSON TO WHOM HE HAD ONCE GIVEN THE RED FLOWER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant SPEECH -- Folk Name for Plant |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERB
WHEN ONE IS JUDGING A FRIEND, REMEMBER THAT HE IS JUDGING YOU WITH
THE SAME GODLIKE AND SUPERIOR IMPARTIALITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-00-1971
HAWAIIAN PORTUGESE JOKES
IN HAWAII, THE PORTUGESE ARE MOCKED IN ETHNIC JOKES. MANY PORTUGESE
IMMIGRATED THERE AT ONE TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Vocabulary of Special Group |
Date learned: 04-08-1971
GESTURE
AMERICANS WILL SAY "I AM SORRY" BUT GERMANS SAY "ES TUT
MIR LEID" WHICH TRANSLATED MEANS "IT GRIEVES ME".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
Keyword(s): FOREIGN
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
TONGUE TWISTER
DOES YOUR SHIRT SHOP STOCK SHORT SOCKS WITH SPOTS?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
Keyword(s): TONGUE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
RELIGIOUS GESTURE
WHEN STARTING ON A TRIP SAY "GO IN THE NAME OF GOD" AND MAKE
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
Keyword(s): RELIGION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 04-06-1971