The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IF YOU EAT LOTS OF CHOCOLATE WHEN YOU ARE PREGNANT, YOUR
CHILD WILL HAVE DARK BROWN HAIR. SHE TOLD ME THIS DURING MY
AUNT'S PREGNANCY; MY AUNT CRAVED CHOCOLATE, AND SURE ENOUGH.
MY COUSIN HAS DARK, SHINY BROWN HAIR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I FIRST HEARD THIS

Date learned: 00-00-1975

View just this record

THIS PARODY GOES TO THE "JINGLE BELLS" TUNE. IT GOES, "JINGLE BELLS,
BATMAN SMELLS, ROBIN LAID AN EGG; BATMOBILE LOST A WHEEL, AND
JOKER GOT AWAY." IT IS REPEATED MANY TIMES, BUT USUALLY FOUR.
MY FRIENDS AND I PICKED THIS JINGLE UP FROM SOME OF THE OLDER KIDS.
WE THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY, SO IT BECAME "OUR" SONG. TO THIS DAY
WHEN I VISIT MY OLD FRIENDS DURING THE HOLIDAYS, WE STILL WILL
BREAK INTO SONG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I FIRST HEARD THIS

Date learned: 00-00-1974

View just this record

HALLOWEEN IS CELEBRATED MUCH THE SAME IN GREECE AS IT IS
IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT IN THE UPPER PENNISULA. ARTA, AS
IT IS CALLED, FEARS ALL HALLOWS EVE. PEOPLE DO NOT LEAVE THEIR
HOMES FOR FEAR THAT SPIRITS WILL OVERTAKE THEM AND DESTROY THEM.
THIS IS THE ONE NIGHT OF THE YEAR THAT PERSONS FROM ARTA BELIEVE
SPIRITS ROAM FREE. THESE SPIRITS CAN BE RESTORED TO LIFE IF
THEY CAN FIND A LIFE TO REPLACE THEM IN THE LAND OF THE DEAD.
GOAT'S BLOOD IS PAINTED ON EVERY FRONT DOOR IN THE SIGN OF
A CROSS TO WARD AWAY THESE EVIL SPIRITS. A LARGE MEAL IS
EATEN THAT NIGHT, FOR THE VILLAGERS BELIEVE THAT THE SPIRITS
CANNOT LIFT A LIVING PERSON AND CARRY HIM OFF IF HE IS FILLED
WITH FOOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I FIRST HEARD THIS

Date learned: 00-00-1948

View just this record