Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 4177 returned 13 results.
MOTHER AND DAD HAVE TOLD ME MANY TIMES ABOUT THE JULY 4TH IN THE
1930'S, WHEN A FLEET (LITERALLY SCORES) OF UFO'S CROSSED THE
SKIES ABOUT NOONTIME IN RICHMOND, MISSOURI. I HAVE HEARD,
SINCE THE TIME MY PARENTS TOLD ME, THE SAME STORY FROM OTHER
RICHMOND DWELLERS OF THE 1930'S. THEY BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY ; RICHMOND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July 4 Independence Day BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00001930'S ; 00001950'S
EACH WHITE SPOT ON YOUR FINGERNAIL STANDS FOR GUYS WHO
LOVE YOU.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
Date learned: 00001950'S
ACCORDING TO GREEK ORTHODOX LEGEND, THE WEATHER ON GOOD FRIDAY
IS ALWAYS BAD, PARTICULARLY AROUND SIX IN THE EVENING. THIS APPLIES
TO THE GREEK ORTHODOX EASTER, NOT THE TRADITIONAL EASTER WHICH
FALLS ON DIFFERENT DATES.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
IF YOU WASH A CAR, IT WILL RAIN.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon |
Date learned: 00001950'S
IF YOU TELL A DREAM BEFORE BREAKFAST, IT WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Food BELIEF -- Dreams |
Date learned: 00001950'S
THE GIRL WHO TAKES THE LAST PIECE OF CAKE, CANDY, ETC.,
WILL BE AN OLD MAID
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Food BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Human condition and activities |
Date learned: 00001950'S
SAY "BREAD AND BUTTER" WHEN AN OBJECT COMES BETWEEN YOU
AND YOUR COMPANION OR YOU WILL HAVE AN ARGUMENT.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
James Callow Keyword(s): FIGHT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Human condition and activities SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001950'S
THE PERSON WHO GETS THE LONGEST END OF A WISHBONE,
GETS HIS WISH.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
CHEWING ON THE ICE AFTER FINISHING A DRINK IS A SIGN
OF SEXUAL FRUSTRATION.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
THREE LITTLE ANGELS
THREE LITTLE ANGELS, ALL DRESSED IN WHITE,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A KITE,
BUT THE KITE STRING BROKE AND DOWN THEY FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
TWO LITTLE ANGELS, ALL DRESSED IN WHITE,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A KITE,
BUT THE KITE STRING BROKE AND DOWN THEY FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
ONE LITTLE ANGEL...
...
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN HE WENT TO... MM
THREE LITTLE DEVILS, ALL DRESSED IN RED,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A THREAD,
BUT THE THREAD-STRING BROKE AND DOWN THEY FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
TWO LITTLE DEVILS ALL DRESSED IN RED...
... MM
THREE LITTLE DEMONS, ALL DRESSED IN BLACK,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN IN A CADILLAC,
BUT IT RAN OUT OF GAS AND DOWN THEY FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
TWO LITTLE...
...
(LAST TIME) INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
DON'T GET EXCITED, DON'T LOSE YOUR HEAD,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO BED.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN OF COLORS ; ELLIPSES IN LINES 4, 8, ETC. ; EUPHEMISM FOR HELL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
IF YOU ATTACH A NEEDLE WITH A SHORT THREAT ATTACHED TO IT
INTO THE ERASER OF A SHORT PENCIL AND HANG THE APPARATUS
OVER THE PALM SIDE OF THE WRIST, THE PENCIL WILL TELL
YOU WHETHER YOU WILL HAVE BOYS OR GIRLS AND HOW MANY. THE
PENCIL WILL MOVE PARALLEL TO THE ARM IF IT IS A GIRL,
AND HORIZONTAL FOR A BOY. WHEN HE APPARATUS COMES TO A
HALT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES OR BEGINS TO CIRCLE, THAT IS
ALL THE CHILDREN YOU WILL HAVE. DOES NOT WORK ON
PREGNANT WOMEN.
Where learned: KANSAS CITY
James Callow Keyword(s): ANAPEL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
THE TITANIC
OH, THEY BUILT THE SHIP TITANIC TO SAIL THE OCEAN BLUE,
AND THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD A SHIP THAT THE WATERS
COULDN'T GET THROUGH,
BUT THE GOOD LORD RAISED HIS HAND, SAID THIS SHIP WOULD NEVER LAND,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD, IT WAS SAD,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE --
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE CHILDREN LOST THEIR LIVES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN. MM
OH, THEY NEARED THE ICY SHORE WHEN THE RAINS BEGAN TO POUR,
AND THE RICH REFUSED TO ASSOCIATE WITH THE POOR,
SO THEY PUT THEM DOWN BELOW, WHERE THEY'D BE THE FIRST TO GO,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD.... MM
OH, THE SIDES BEGAN TO BREAK AND THE BOW BEGAN TO BURST,
AND THE CAPTAIN SHOUTED, "WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST."
THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN CRIED, WHILE ALL AROUND THEM DIED,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD... MM
SO THEY PUT THE LIFEBOATS OUT ON THE DARK AND STORMY SEA,
AND THE BAND STRUCK UP WITH "NEARER MY GOD TO THEE."
THE CAPTAIN TRIED TO WIRE, BUT THE WIRES WERE ALL AFIRE,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD... MM
OH, THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS WHEN YOU PUT OUT TO SEA,
YOU SHOULD WEAR A LIFE PRESERVER OR ON THE BOTTOM YOU'LL BE,
THE TITANIC NEVER WAS, NOW IT NEVER MORE SHALL BE,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD, IT WAS SAD,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE--
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE CHILDREN LOST THEIR LIVES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
KER-PLUNK
BUBBLE, BUBBLE.
Submitter comment:
THERE WAS AN ALTERNATE LINE FOR THE REFRAIN IN PLACE OF
THE "HUSBANDS AND WIVES..." LINE:
"UNCLES AND AUNTS, LITTLE CHILDREN WET THEIR PANTS"
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
IT'S A TRADITION IN THIS FAMILY THAT THE FIRST BORN SON TAKES
HIS FATHER'S MIDDLE NAME AND HIS MIDDLE NAME IS HIS FATHER'S FIRST
NAME. THESE RESPECTIVE NAMES ARE ALEXANDER AND STEPHEN, SO
THAT ALTERNATE GENERATIONS HAVE THE SAME NAMES AND THE IN-BETWEEN
GENERATIONS HAVE THE SAME NAMES REVERSED.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. |
Date learned: 00-00-1975