Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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UP THE RIVER FROM OUR HOUSE IN MATHEWS, VIRGINIA IS A DARK,
SHADED CREEK WHICH WE WERE TOLD WAS HAUNTED. THERE WAS AN OLD
DESERTED HOUSE BY THE CREEK AND WHEN OWLS MADE NOISES AT NIGHT,
WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS GHOSTS. WHENEVER WE WENT BOAT RIDING
IN THE EVENING, WE WOULD NEVER GO NEAR THAT CREEK.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; MATHEWS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Running water |
Date learned: 04-05-1969
TRADITION
NUNS DON'T HAVE TO PAY TO RIDE BUSES AND TROLLEYS IN NEW
ORLEANS, BECAUSE OF THE EPIDEMICS OF YELLOW FEVER THEY ACTED
AS NURSES, A LOT OF THEM DIED. THE CITY ALLOWS THIS AS GRATITUDE
FOR THEIR SERVICE
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; KILMARNOCK
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- P439 |
Date learned: 11-30-1972
THERE IS A STATUE ON CAMPUS OF GENERAL GEORGE MORGAN
JONES, LOCAL CIVIL WAR HERO. IT IS SAID THAT IF A
VIRGIN WALKS BY HIM, HE WILL DRAW HIS SWORD.
Submitter comment: IT DOESN'T WORK.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; LYNCHBURG
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001964-1968
COLLEGE TRADITION
THERE IS A STATUE ON CAMPUS OF GENERAL GEORGE MORGAN JONES,
LOCAL CIVIK WAR HERO. IT IS SAID THAT IF A VIRGIN WALKS BY
HIM, HE WILL DRAW HIS SWORD (IT DOESN' WORK).
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; LYNCHBURG
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Legend |
MY MOTHER TOLD ME ABOUT A DUMB SUPPER THAT HER GRANDMOTHER
ATTENDED. MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER, SARAH HOLBROOK, LIVED IN
TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA. SHE AND SOME OF HER GIRLFRIENDS
HAD A "DUMB SUPPER." THE IDEA WAS TO COOK A MEAL WITH
NONE OF THE GIRLS SPEAKING A WORD. THEN AT MIDNIGHT, THEY
SAT DOWN AND ATE THE MEAL, STILL WITHOUT SPEAKING. MY
GREAT-GRANDMOTHER WAS FIFTEEN YEARS OLD AT THE TIME AND I
SUPPOSE THE OTHER GIRLS WERE ABOUT THE SAME AGE, SO THIS WAS
NO EASY JOB. IF YOU DID THIS, THE NEXT MAN YOU SAW WOULD
BE YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND.
MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER'S FATHER RAN AN INN, AND PEOPLE GOING
WEST WOULD STOP THERE BEFORE GOING ON THROUGH THE CUMBERLAND
GAP AND ON INTO THE BLUE GRASS REGION OF KENTUCKY OR THE
NASHVILLE BASIN. GABRIEL VAUGHAN AND HIS TWO BROTHERS EACH
HAVING A WAGON FILLED WITH SUPPLIES STOPPED THERE.
GABRIEL WAS THE FIRST MAN SARAH SAW. SHE MARRIED HIM THE
NEXT DAY AND THEY LEFT FOR KENTUCKY. WHEN THEY WERE GOING
DOWN THE BIG SANDY VALLEY, THEIR WAGON GOT IN A MUDHOLE AND THE
AXLE BROKE WHEN THEY PULLED IT OUT. GABE DECIDED TO STAY
THERE IN FLOYD COUNTY. ONE BROTHER WENT ON TO MISSOURI AND
THE OTHER FINALLY ENDED UP IN CALIFORNIA, ACCORDING TO A
COUSIN OF OURS WHO HAS TRACED THE FAMILY TREE. MY GREAT-
GRANDMOTHER WAS OVER NINETY WHEN SHE DIED AND I REMEMBER
HER SITTING IN HER POKE BONNET AND LONG DRESSES ROCKING.
SHE WAS SENILE AND SLAPPED AT ANY OF US YOUNGER ONES
WHO WENT NEAR HER. SHE COULD SPELL UNCOMMONLY LONG WORDS,
AND U SUPPOSE SHE TOLD MY MOTHER THIS STORY BEFORE SHE
GOT SO OLD.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; TAZEWELL COUNTY
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being Food Drink -- Manner of preparation BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SAYING
SOMEONE WHO IS VERY OUTGOING: "HE NEVER MEETS A STRANGER."
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; MONROE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-30-1972
OFFICIAL REQUEST
THERE WAS ONCE A MAN AND A WOMAN WHO HAD TWELVE SONS, AND THE
THIRTEENTH WAS ON THE WAY. THE FIRST TWELVE HAD BEEN NAMED
AFTER THE APOSTLES AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE NAME FOR THIS
ONE WOULD BE. BY THE TIME HE ARRIVED THEY HAD DECIDED TO NAME
HIM CHRIST--CHRIST MURPHY.
AFTER A FEW YEARS CHRIST MURPHY STARTED TO SCHOOL. ONE DAY
IN SECOND GRADE THE BISHOP WAS VISITING. HE SAID TO THE TEACHER,
"SISTER, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ONE OF YOUR PEOPLE SING. HOW ABOUT
THAT LITTLE BOY THERE," POINTING OUT LITTLE MURPHY.
"CHRIST MURPHY CAN'T SING," SHE PROTESTED.
"WELL, GODAMMIT, HE CAN TRY, CAN'T HE?"
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HAS NO RECORD OF WHERE HE FIRST HEARD THE JOKE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; WOODSTOCK
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
Date learned: 09-12-1967
OFFICIAL REQUEST
THERE WAS ONCE A MAN AND A WOMAN WHO HAD TWELVE SONS, AND THE
THIRTEENTH WAS ON THE WAY. THE FIRST TWELVE HAD BEEN NAMED
AFTER THE APOSTLES AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE NAME FOR THIS
ONE WOULD BE. BY THE TIME HE ARRIVED THEY HAD DECIDED TO NAME
HIM CHRIST--CHRIST MURPHY.
AFTER A FEW YEARS CHRIST MURPHY STARTED TO SCHOOL. ONE DAY
IN SECOND GRADE THE BISHOP WAS VISITING. HE SAID TO THE TEACHER,
"SISTER, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ONE OF YOUR PEOPLE SING. HOW ABOUT
THAT LITTLE BOY THERE," POINTING OUT LITTLE MURPHY.
"CHRIST MURPHY CAN'T SING," SHE PROTESTED.
"WELL, GODAMMIT, HE CAN TRY, CAN'T HE?"
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HAS NO RECORD OF WHERE HE FIRST HEARD THE JOKE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; WOODSTOCK
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
Date learned: 09-12-1967
GAME
KILLER BALL. THIS IS LIKE DODGE BALL. ANY NUMBER CAN PLAY
THE PLAYERS DIVIDE INTO TWO EQUAL TEAMS AND LINE UP FACING EACH
OTHER. THEY MUST BE ALONG A WALL. BALLS ARE DISTRIBUTED AMONG THEM.
THE OBJECT IS TO HIT YOUR OPPONENT WITH THE BALL. IF YOU ARE HIT
YOU ARE OUT OF THE GAME. THE TEAM WITH THE MOST PLAYERS LEFT
AT THE END WINS.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME WAS PLAYED BY TEENAGERS AND VERY FORCEFUL. OFTEN THE
OBJECT WAS TO SEE HOW HARD YOU COULD HIT YOUR OPPONENT.
ALL BALLS ARE THROWN AT THE SAME TIME. THERE ARE RULESAGAINST
HITTING TOO HARD OR ABOVE THE WAIST BUT THEY ARE MOSTLY IGNORED.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; CHESAPEAKE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS LEAVE A CRUST OF BREAD ON YOUR PLATE FOR
THE GOOD FAIRIES, OTHERWISE THEY WILL LEAVE YOUR HOME.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; Roanoke
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
SPIRIT LEGEND
THE RILEY FAMILY IS THOUGHT TO HAVE HAD A VERY RELIGIOUS
ANCESTER WHO HAD BECOME A NUN AND SPENT HER LIFE IN THE
CONVENT PRAYING FOR THE SOULS OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY. WHEN
SHE DIED, EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY WAS CERTAIN THAT SHE
IMMEDIATELY WENT UP TO HEAVEN FOR HER ETERNAL REWARD.
HER FATHER, PATRICK'S GRANDFATHER, DIED SEVERAL YEARS AFTER
THE DAUGHTER. HIS DEATH TOOK PLACE IN HIS OWN HOME, FOR
HE HAD LAIN DOWN TO TAKE A REST ON THE COUCH IN THE LIVING
ROOM WHEN A HEART ATTACK CAME UPON HIM AND HE DIED.
THE LEGEND GOES, THAT AT THE EXACT MOMENT OF HIS DEATH,
THE DRAPERIES IN THE LIVING ROOM OF HIS HOME ROSE UP INTO
THE FORM OF PRAYING HANDS, THOUGHT TO BE THOSE OF THE
DAUGHTER UP IN HEAVEN PRAYING FOR THE QUICK JOURNEY OF
HER OWN FATHER TO JOIN HER.
Submitter comment:
DRAPERIES FORM PRAYING HANDS BETOKEN PRAYING HANDS OF DEAD NUN
FOR HER FATHER AT THE MOMENT OF HIS DEATH.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; ARLINGTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
SPIRIT LEGEND
THE RILEY FAMILY IS THOUGHT TO HAVE HAD A VERY RELIGIOUS
ANCESTER WHO HAD BECOME A NUN AND SPENT HER LIFE IN THE
CONVENT PRAYING FOR THE SOULS OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY. WHEN
SHE DIED, EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY WAS CERTAIN THAT SHE
IMMEDIATELY WENT UP TO HEAVEN FOR HER ETERNAL REWARD.
HER FATHER, PATRICK'S GRANDFATHER, DIED SEVERAL YEARS AFTER
THE DAUGHTER. HIS DEATH TOOK PLACE IN HIS OWN HOME, FOR
HE HAD LAIN DOWN TO TAKE A REST ON THE COUCH IN THE LIVING
ROOM WHEN A HEART ATTACK CAME UPON HIM AND HE DIED.
THE LEGEND GOES, THAT AT THE EXACT MOMENT OF HIS DEATH,
THE DRAPERIES IN THE LIVING ROOM OF HIS HOME ROSE UP INTO
THE FORM OF PRAYING HANDS, THOUGHT TO BE THOSE OF THE
DAUGHTER UP IN HEAVEN PRAYING FOR THE QUICK JOURNEY OF
HER OWN FATHER TO JOIN HER.
Submitter comment:
DRAPERIES FORM PRAYING HANDS BETOKEN PRAYING HANDS OF DEAD NUN
FOR HER FATHER AT THE MOMENT OF HIS DEATH.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; ARLINGTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
OCEAN GHOST
HOUSE ON THE WATER, AT THE BAY.
SHE HAD NEVER BEEN OUT OF THE HOUSE FOR YEARS.
SHE DIED IN THE HOUSE--THE BODY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE
HOUSE--FOR THE FIRST TIME.
THEY BURIED HER BEHIND THE HOUSE.
HER GHOST IS SEEN GETTING UP AND WALKING AROUND.
James Callow comment:
A LINE SEEMS TO BE MISSING HERE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; KILMARNOCK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-27-1972
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS
OH, ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS, ROLLING OVER THE SEAS.
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
IT'S THE CHEESE, THE CHEESE, THE CHEESE THAT MAKES THE MOUSE GO
'ROUND. (REPEAT VERSE TWICE).
IT'S THE CHEESE THAT MAKES THE MOUSE GO 'ROUND.
...... CHORUS......
OH, ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS, ROLLING OVER THE SEAS.
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
IT'S THE MOUSE, THE MOUSE, THE MOUSE THAT MAKES THE CAT GO 'ROUND.
(REPEAT VERSE TWICE).
IT'S THE MOUSE THAT MAKES THE CAT GO 'ROUND.
...... CHORUS......
OH, ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS, ROLLING OVER THE SEAS.
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
IT'S THE CAT, THE CAT, THE CAT THAT MAKES THE DOG GO 'ROUND
(REPEAT TWICE).
IT'S THE CAT THAT MAKES THE DOG GO 'ROUND.
...... CHORUS......
OH, ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS, ROLLING OVER THE SEAS.
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
IT'S THE DOG, THE DOG, THE DOG THAT MAKES THE BOY GO 'ROUND (REPEAT
TWICE).
IT'S THE DOG THAT MAKES THE BOY GO 'ROUND.
...... CHORUS......
OH, ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS, ROLLING OVER THE SEAS.
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
IT'S THE BOY, THE BOY, THE BOY THAT MAKES THE GIRL GO 'ROUND
(REPEAT TWICE).
IT'S THE BOY THAT MAKES THE GIRL GO 'ROUND.
...... CHORUS......
OH, ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS, ROLLING OVER THE SEAS.
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
IT'S THE GIRL, THE GIRL, THE GIRL THAT MAKES THE LOVE GO 'ROUND
(REPEAT TWICE).
IT'S THE GIRL THAT MAKES THE LOVE GO 'ROUND.
...... CHORUS......
OH, ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS, ROLLING OVER THE SEAS.
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
IT'S LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THAT MAKES THE WORLD GO 'ROUND (REPEAT TWICE)
IT'S LOVE THAT MAKES THE WORLD GO 'ROUND.
...... CHORUS......
OH, ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS, ROLLING OVER THE SEAS,
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; FAIRFAX
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Love |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
WHAT DO A SUNDAY GOLFER AND THE MOVIE "CASABLANCA" HAVE IN COMMON?
MULTIPLY 332.375 BY 96 TO FIND OUT-BOGIE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; FAIRFAX
James Callow Keyword(s): MODERN FOLKLORE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
CALCULATOR PASTIME
TO FIND OUT A FAMOUS CIVIL WAR BATTLE ENTER 0.7145 AND INVERT-SHILO.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; FAIRFAX
James Callow Keyword(s): MODERN FOLKLORE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
RUB A WART WITH A PENNY TO GET RID OF THE WART.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; FAIRFAX
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
DREAM OF THE DEAD, HEAR OF THE LIVING. THIS MEANS THAT IF YOU
WERE TO DREAM OF SOMEONE DEAD THEN THE NEXT DAY A CALL WOULD
COME FROM THAT DEAD PERSON'S RELATIVE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; FAIRFAX
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Dreams Hear from the living |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
IF TWO PEOPLE GO AROUND A STABLE OBJECT, THEY MUST SAY BREAD AND
BUTTER OR RUN THE RISK OF HAVING A FIGHT.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; FAIRFAX
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-00-1980