Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for BIRMINGHAM returned 584 results.
ALABAMA WEDDING CUSTOM
"A BRIDE SHOULD HAVE A COIN IN HER SHOE ON HER WEDDING DAY,
TO BRING HER A PROSPEROUS MARRIAGE".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Penny in shoe |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA SUPERSTITION
"IF YOU SPILL SALT, YOU SHOULD THROW SOME OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER
TO BRING GOOD LUCK".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE FIRST LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA SUPERSTITION
"THE ONLY WAY TO CATCH A BIRD WAS TO PUT SALT ON ITS TAIL,
AND IF YOU CAUGHT A BIRD, IT WOULD BRING YOU GOOD LUCK FOR A YEAR".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA SUPERSTITION
"A CARDINAL SINGING IN THE YARD IS A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
"IT WAS GOOD LUCK TO HAVE THE FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE UP BY
CHRISTMAS EVE".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
"IT BROUGHT THE FAMILY GOOD LUCK TO SERVE PLUM PUDDING WITH
CHRISTMAS DINNER".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
ALABAMA NEW YEAR'S DAY CUSTOM
"THE WOMAN OF THE HOUSE SHOULD NEVER DO THE WASH
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, BECAUSE IT WOULD BRING ILLNESS TO
A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
WHEN YOU WASH YOUR HAIR UNDER A FULL MOON,
IT WILL FALL OUT.
Submitter comment:
SHE BELIEVED IT AT THE TIME IT WAS TOLD TO
HER, BUT SHE NO LONGER BELIEVES IT.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 00-00-1950 ; 00-00-1985
WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT, BUT
JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING.
Submitter comment: SHE BELIEVED IT.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1941 ; 00-00-1985
IT IS THE BEAUTIFUL BIRD THAT GETS CAGED.
Submitter comment: SHE BELIEVES IT.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1952 ; 00-00-1985
OH LORD, I WANT TO BE FREE,
WANT TO BE FREE;
RAINBOW ROUND MY SHOULDER,
WINGS ON MY FEET.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A POEM THAT WAS USED IN THE SOUTH.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1947 ; 00-00-1985
YOU WILL GET A HEADACHE IF YOU THROW YOUR HAIR AWAY AND A
BIRD GETS IT AND MAKES A NEST WITH IT.
Submitter comment:
TOLD MY COUSIN THIS AS SHE THREW HAIR FROM HER BRUSH OUT
THE WINDOW.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001970S
Always say a prayer in a new car before you drive it. Also
hang a cross from the rear view mirror. This will assure you of
the longest and the most careful, safe ride.
Submitter comment:
My father told this to me when he bought my first car and I
have done it to every car that I have owned since.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
Just as there are the different books to the bible, so are
there 3 different books to Satan's bible. Folklore has it that
the witch or warlock that can find all 3 of them will be able to
spell the forgotten name of God. And in so doing, the witch or
warlock will acquire all of the powers from God.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Magic Book SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
BAD LUCK WILL LAST TWO YEARS.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 07-26-1968
TROUBLE COMES IN TRIPLE DOSES.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple |
Date learned: 07-26-1968
IF THERE'S ONE DEATH IN THE FAMILY, THERE'LL BE THREE
BEFORE IT'S OVER.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-26-1968
IF YOU HAVE PNEUMONIA THREE TIMES, IT'LL KILL YOU.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-26-1968
PUT A PIECE OF WEDDING CAKE UNDER YOUR PILLOW (I THINK IT ONLY
WORKS FOR GIRLS) AND SHE WILL DREAM OF HER FUTURE HUSBAND.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM ; SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Wedding cake BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about friends and lovers |
WE WORE (THE GIRLS) JACKETS OR SWEATERS OF THE GUYS WE WERE
GOING "STEADY" WITH. AT THIS AGE, WE FELT RINGS WERE TOO SILLY.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |