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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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COUNTING OUT

ENY, MENY, MINI, MO
CATCH A CHINAMAN BY THE TOE,
IF HE HOLLERS, LET HIM GO,
EENY, MENY, MINI, MO.
O-U-T AND OUT GOES YOU.

Submitter comment: FROM MY FATHER.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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COUNTING OUT

ONE POTATO, TWO POTATO, THREE POTATO, FOUR.
FIVE POTATO, SIX POTATO, SEVEN POTATO, OR.
OUT GOES YOU.

Submitter comment: FROM CHILDHOOD

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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FIRST GRADE BABIES,
SECOND GRADE TOTS,
THIRD GRADE ANGELS,
FOURTH GRADE SNOTS,
FIFTH GRADE PEACHES,
SIXTH GRADE PLUMS,
AND ALL THE REST ARE GREAT BIG BUMS.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; HAMBURG ; ASSUMED

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults

Date learned: 11-26-1967

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ENGINE, ENGINE, NUMBER NINE,
GOIN' DOWN CHICAGO LINE,
ONE GOES EAST, ONE GOES WEST,
ONE GOES IN THE COO-COO NEXT.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

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TO CHOOSE "IT" THE CHILDREN PUT THEIR FEET INTO A CIRCLE.
THEN ONE PERSON POINTS TO ONE FOOT ON EACH WORD AS HE SAYS:
EENIE, MEENIE, MINIE, MOE,
CATCH A MONKEY BY HE TOE.
IF HE HOLLERS, LET HIM GO.
MY MOTHER SAYS TO CHOOSE THE VERY BEST ONE,
AND O-U-T SPELLS OUT YOU GO.

Submitter comment: THE PERSON WHOSE FOOT THE CALLER IS POINTING AT ON THE
LAST WORD IS OUT. THE PROCESS IS REPEATED UNTIL ONE
PERSON IS LEFT. HE IS "IT."

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: 00-00-1955

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POLISH PROVERB

TRANSLATION: LET HIM DRINK , LET HIM HIT {BEAT YOU},
AS LONG AS HE IS. (USUALLY ONLY THIS IS SAID)
POLISH: CHOCHBY PIL, CHOCHBY BIL, BYLE BYL.

Submitter comment: THIS IS USED IN REFERENCE TO A GIRL WHO WANTS A HUSBAND
VERY BADLY. MY GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS THIS FROM POLAND

Where learned: DEARBORN ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 11-21-1967

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TO DETERMINE WHO'S "IT," ALL GET IN A CIRCLE, HOLDING
OUT BOTH FISTS, THUMBS UP. ONE PERSON GOES AROUND
TO EACH WITH HIS FIST CLENCHED, HITTING EACH OF
THEIR FISTS IN ROTATION, CHANTING:
BIDDY, BIBBIDY, SIBIDDY, SAB,
IBIDDY, BIBBIDY, KANOBBO.
THE LAST PLAYER TO HAVE AN OUTSTRETCHED FIST IS"IT,"
MUCH IN THE FASHION OF EENIE-MEANIE, MYNIE....

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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APPLE, PEACHES, PUMPKIN, PIE,
WHO'S NOT READY HOLLER "I"

Submitter comment: THIS VERSE WAS ALWAYS RECITED JUST BEFORE THE SEARCHER
IN HIDE AND GO SEEK WENT TO FIND THE HIDERS WHEN I WAS
A CHILD

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse

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WHEN PLAYING HIDE AND GO SEEK, IF YOU ARE TIRED OF TRYING
TO LOOK FOR ANYONE, YOU MAY CALL EVERYONE IN FOR FREE BY
SAYING: "OLLIE, OLLIE, OXEN FREE."

Submitter comment: I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS SAYING ORIGINATED IN ENGLAND.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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IF YOU'RE GOING TO PUSH ON THE THROTTLE,
DON'T PULL (DRINK) ON THE BOTTLE.

Submitter comment: A WARNING!

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE CAR ; DRINKING DRUNKENNESS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Food Drink
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land
Food Drink -- N447

Date learned: 11-00-1971

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MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOHN,
BLESS THESE WHEELS WE TRAVEL ON.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): PARODY ; PRAYER

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

Date learned: UNKNOWN

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LITTLE MISS MUFFET SAT ON A TUFFET,
EATING HER CURDS AND WHEY.
ALONG CAME A SPIDER AND SAT DOWN BESIDE HER,
AND SHE BEAT IT TO DEATH WITH HER SPOON.

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM A FRIEND IN CLASS.

Where learned: SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): PARODY

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

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CRY BABY

KINDERGARTEN BABY, WASH YOUR FACE IN GRAVY!
NA NA NA NA!

Submitter comment: THIS LITTLE DITTY IS SUNG TO THE UNFORTUNATE VICTIM WHO
HAS JUST BEEN PUNISHED AND STARTS TO CRY, OR FOR ANYONE
WHO CRIES. USUALLY ONE STARTS AND ALL THE OTHERS JOIN
IN. ONCE IT GETS GOING, IT TAKES A LITTLE WHILE TO STOP.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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O ALMIGHTY DOLLAR, THY SHINING FACE
THAT SPEAKS THY MIGHTY POWER
IN MY POCKET, FIND A RESTING PLACE,
FOR I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR.
AMEN.

Where learned: SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): APOSTROPHE MONOLOGUE QUATRAIN ; INDIRECTION SATIRE MONEY ; METER: IAMBIC, ANAPESTIC ; MOCK-PIOUS ; RHYME: MASCULINE, IMPERFECT, ABAB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
AND ALL THROUGH THE TOWN
ST. JOSEPH WAS SEARCHING,
WALKING UP ROADS AND DOWN.
OUR LADY WAS WAITING
SO MEEK AND SO MILD,
WHILE JOSEPH WAS SEEKING
A PLACE FOR THE CHILD.
THE CHILDREN WERE NESTLED,
EACH SNUG IN HIS BED;
AND THE GROWNUPS WOULDN'T BOTHER,
"THERE'S NO ROOM," THEY SAID.
WHEN EVEN THE INNKEEPER SENT THEM AWAY
AND JOSEPH WAS WONDERING WHERE THEY WOULD STAY,
HE THOUGHT OF THE CAVE IN THE SIDE OF THE HILL.
"LET'S GO THERE," SAID MARY, "IT'S SILENT AND STILL."
THE MOON ON THE BREAST
OF THE NEW FALLEN SNOW
MADE A PATHWAY OF LIGHT
FOR THEIR TIRED FEET TO GO.
AND IN THE CAVE
IN A CRADLE OF HAY
THE SAVIOR WAS BORN
ON THAT FIRST CHRISTMAS DAY!
THE FATHER WAS WATCHING
IN HEAVEN ABOVE,
AND SENT FOR HIS ANGELS,
HIS COURTIERS OF LOVE.
MORE RAPID THAN EAGLES,
GOD'S BRIGHT ANGELS CAME,
REJOICING AND EAGER,
AS EACH HEARD HIS NAME.
"COME POWERS, COME CHERUBS,
COME VIRTUES AND RAPHAEL;
COME THRONES AND DOMINIONS,
COME MICHAEL AND GABRIEL."
"NOW FLY TO THE EARTH
WHERE MY POOR PEOPLE LIVE,
ANNOUNCE THE GLAD TIDINGS
MY SON COMES TO GIVE!"
THE SHEPHERDS WERE WATCHING
THEIR FLOCKS ON THIS NIGHT;
AND SAW IN THE HEAVENS
AN UNEARTHLY LIGHT.
THE ANGELS ASSURED THEM
THEY'D NOTHING TO FEAR,
"IT'S CHRISTMAS," THEY SAID,
"THE SAVIOR IS HERE."
THEY HASTENED TO FIND HIM,
AND STOOD AT THE DOOR,
UNTIL MARY INVITED THEM IN
TO ADORE.
HE WAS SWADDLED IN BANDS
FROM HIS HEAD TO HIS FEET,
AND NEVER DID SHEPHERDS
SEE A BABY SO SWEET.
HE SPOKE NOT A WORD,
BUT THE SHEPHERDS ALL KNEW
HE WAS TELLING THEM SECRETS,
AND BLESSING THEM, TOO.
THEN SOFTLY THEY LEFT HIM,
THE BABE IN THE HAY,
AND REJOICED WITH GREAT JOY,
ON THAT FIRST CHRISTMAS DAY.
MARY HEARD THEM EXCLAIM
AS THEY WALKED UP THE HILL,
"GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST;
PEACE TO MEN OF GOOD WILL."

Submitter comment: SISTER BANKERT SAID THAT IT WAS A CUSTOM FOR MANY YEARS,
FOR THE SISTERS TO MAKE UP PICTURE BOOKS OF THIS POEM FOR
NIECES AND NEWPHEWS. SISTER GAVE ME THIS COPY IN 1953.

Data entry tech comment: VARIATION OF "THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS"

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): METER: ANAPESTIC ; PIOUS, THIRD PERSON NARRATIVE ; RELIGION CHRISTMAS NATIVITY ; RHYME: MASCULINE, ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse

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PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH

YOU LOOK GOOD IN THE FACE.

Where learned: OAKVILLE ; ONTARIO, ASSUMED

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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THIS WAS COLLECTED APRIL 11, 1967 FROM MY SISTER. SHE
HEARD IT FROM HER CLASSMATES; SHE IS IN JUNIOR HIGH
SCHOOL.
WHEN TWO PEOPLE TALK AT THE SAME TIME, ONE MUST SAY
"NEEDLES AND PINS" IN ORDER TO PREVENT BAD LUCK.

Where learned: JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; WYANDOTTE

James Callow Keyword(s): FORMULA SPEECH

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Conversions Activities
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 04-11-1967

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SOME DAYS YOU GET THE BEAR
AND OTHER DAYS THE BEAR GETS YOU.

Submitter comment: HEARD IT AT HOME

Where learned: UNION, ASSUMED

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 11-17-1967

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ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE,
YOU GO TO MAGNIFICAT, I WISH I DID, TOO.

Where learned: OHIO, ASSUMED ; NORTH OLMSTED

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations

Date learned: 00-00-1966

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DIVERS' GESTURES

THUMB AND INDEX FINGER CLOSED IN A CIRCLE, OTHER FINGERS
STRAIGHT: ALL RIGHT? AND ALL RIGHT.
HIT CHEST WITH CLOSED FIST: LOW ON AIR.
MAKE CUTTING MOTION ACROSS THROAT WITH INDEX FINGER:
OUT OF AIR.
TAKE MOUTHPIECE OUT OF MOUTH: GIVE ME AIR.
CLOSED FIST WITH THUMB POINTING UP/DOWN: LET'S
GO UP/DOWN.

Where learned: DEARBORN ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
SPEECH -- Instructions Directions

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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