Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for FARM returned 198 results.
EVIL EYE
ONE CURE FOR THE EVIL EYE IS TO DROP SOME OIL WATER IN THE PRESENCE
OF THE VICTIM . IF AFTER IT SPREADS THE OIL TAKES ON THE SHAPE OF AN
EYE , THERE IS NO DOUBT THE VICTIM HAS FALLEN TO THE EVIL EYE. THE
PERSON GIVING THE CURE CAN THEN MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS THREE
TIMES ON THE VICTIM'S FOREHEAD, RESULTING IN A RAPID RECOVERY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Use of Object SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-24-1972
EVIL EYE
ONLY WAY A PERSON CAN PROTECT HIMSELF FROM THE EVIL EYE IS TO WEAR
GARLIC SEWN INTO A LITTLE BAG AND WORN AROUND THE NECK. THIS MUST
BE WORN ESPECIALLY BY WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO ARE THE MOST
SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE EVL EYE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 09-24-1972
EVIL EYE
BY RAISING A CLOSED FIST AND EXTENDING THE LITTLE FINGER AND THUMB,
THE VICTIM CAN COUNTER THE EVIL EYE AND RETURN THE EVIL TO ITS
ORIGINATOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-24-1972
RIDDLE
THIS IS AS PLAIN AS THE END OF YOUR NOSE THE MORE YOU TAKE FROM IT ,
THE BIGGER IT GROWS. (A HOLE)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
RIDDLE
IF YOU'RE SO SMART ANSWER ME HOW MANY SIDES DOES A TREE HAVE?
TWO, OUTSIDE AND INSIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT (Q) ; RETORT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM/LUCK
THE FIRST PERSON TO ENTER THE HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY MUST BE
HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS, SO THAT THE FAMILY'S GOOD LUCK WILL BE
INSURED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC FIRST FOOTING
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 |
Date learned: 09-24-1972
NEW YEARS CUSTOM/LUCK
A PERSON CAN ASSURE PROSPERITY FOR THE COMING YEAR BY BREAKING THE
POMEGRANATE ON THE DOORSTEP ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1 BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42 |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
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NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM/LUCK
IF AN OLIVE OR LAUREL BRANCH IS HUNG ON THE DOOR OF A HOME ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY, THE FAMILY LIVING IN THAT HOUSE WILL HAVE
GOOD LUCK FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1 BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42 |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
BELIEF
IF YOU HOLD A BIBLE, WHILE TAKING A TRIP BY AIRPLANE,
IT WILL KEEP YOU SAFE UNTIL YOU LAND.
Submitter comment:
SINCE MY GRANDMOTHER IS AFRAID OF AIR TRAVEL HERSELF
AND SEES MANY OF HER FAMILY DEPART ON AIRPLANE TRIPS.
SHE ALWAYS TELLS US THIS AND USUALLY BRINGS A BIBLE FOR US.
Where learned: HOME ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 02-26-1970
RIDDLE
WHAT IS BLACK AND HAS PIMPLES ON TOP?
-- A SEWER TOP
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): SEWER
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
If you make a strange face and someone hits you on the back,
your face will stay in that position forever.
Submitter comment: This saying is popular among grade school age children.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE FARMS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Body part Senses Head, physiognomy, face BELIEF -- Measure of time BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
IT WAS A GAME IN GROSSE POINTE FARMS FOR A FEW YOUNG
BOYS (ABOUT AGE 10) TO GO INTO A FRIEND'S BASEMENT
AND WITH THE LIGHTS OFF, THROW BOXING GLOVES AT
EACH OTHER.
Submitter comment: MIKE HADN'T THOUGHT OF THIS FOR A LONG TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; GROSSE POINTE FARMS
Keyword(s): SPARRING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 10-10-1971
IF IT RAINED WHEN A PERSON DIED, IT MEANT THAT THE ANGELS WERE
CRYING FOR HIM AND HE WENT TO HEAVEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO INFORMANT WHEN HE WAS 10 YEARS OLD, BY HIS
PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE FARMS
James Callow Keyword(s): TEARS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
IF IT RAINED WHEN A PERSON DIED, IT MEANT THAT THE ANGELS WERE CRYING FOR HIM AND HE WENT TO HEAVEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT WHEN HE WAS TEN YEARS OLD BY HIS PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE FARMS ; informant's home ; 138 Mapleton
Keyword(s): TEARS
Date learned: 10-03-1971
IF IT RAINED WHEN A PERSON DIED, IT MEANT THAT THE
ANGELS WERE CRYING FOR HIM AND HE WENT TO HEAVEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT WHEN HE WAS TEN YEARS
OLD BY HIS PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE FARMS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-03-1971
Dem Bones
OH, the Lord He thought He'd make a man.
Dem bones gonna rise again.
So He took a little water and he took a little sand,
Dem bones gonna rise again.
CHORUS: (repeated after every stanza).
I knowed it, knowed it,
Indeed I knowed Lordy,
I knowed it - Whee!
Dem bones gonna rise again.
Now Adam felt so powerful blue
Dem bones, etc.
He didn't know exactly what to do.
Dem bones, etc.
Chorus.
So the Lord took a rib from Adam's side
And He made Miss Eve to be his bride
He put them in a garden fair.
He thought they'd be most happy there.
There's pears an' plums and that there such
But that there tree you mustn't touch.
Around that tree old Satan slunk
And at Miss Eve his eyes he wunk.
So she took a pick and she took a pull
And then she filled her stockings full.
The next day when the Lord came round
He spotted them cores all over the ground.
Adam says, "I'm left holdin' the sack
Gee, I wish I had my old rib back."
"Adam, you're gonna have to leave this place
And earn your bread by the sweat of your face!"
"Come on, Eve, while we're still sane,
Come on, Eve, let's raise a little Cain!"
So he took his pick and he took his plow
And that's why we're all working now.
That's all there is, there ain't no more
Eve got the apple and Adam got the core.
The moral of this story be
Don't leave no cores for the Lord to see.
Submitter comment:
Miss Damin heard a middl-aged woman sing this song from memory at Ivory Polo Farms, near Detroit, this fall. She asked the lady to repeat it and copied it down just out of interest, but the lady's name is unknown.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Ivory Polo Farms
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic |