Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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RELIGIOUS SUPERSTITION
THE MEXICANS BELIEVE IF THEY DON'T RECEIVE ASHES ON ASH WEDNESDAY
THEY WON'T BE ALIVE ON THE NEXT ASH WEDNESDAY.
Submitter comment:
DON LEARNED THIS IN FRESNO, CALIFORNIA AT HIS HOME PARISH. THE
PEOPLE APPARENTLY HAD A STRONG BELIEF IN THIS RELIGIOUS SUPERSTITION.
DESPITE THE SMALL SIZE OF THE PARISH, ASHES WERE DISTRIBUTED FOR
HOURS EACH YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | 663 Ash Wednesday BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
BUILDING CUSTOM
WHENEVER YOU BUILD A HOUSE NAIL AN EVERGREEN TREE TO THE RAFTERS
WHEN YOU ARE PUTTING THE ROOF ON. THIS GIVES LONG LIFE AND HAPPINESS
TO ALL WHO LIVE THERE.
Submitter comment:
JOFRAN LEARNED THIS GERMAN CUSTOM FROM HER FATHER. THEY HAVE
PRACTICED IT IN THE PAST AND IT IS ONE OF HER FAVORITES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Date learned: CA00001968
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
YOU SHOULD NEVER EAT CHICKEN ON NEW YEAR'S BECAUSE THE CHICKEN
SCRATCHES DIRT BACKWARDS WHEN IT WALKS. ON NEW YEAR'S YOU SHOULD
BE LOOKING FORWARD NOT BACKWARD.
Submitter comment:
JOFRAN LEARNED THIS FROM HER FATHER.
HOMEOPATHIC
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Bird |
Date learned: CA00001968
PLANTING CUSTOM
NEVER PLANT WINTER WHEAT UNTIL AFTER THE 'NO FLY' DATE. THIS IS A
DAY IN THE FALL, USUALLY LATE OCTOBER OR THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER
WHEN THE FLIES WON'T EAT THE CROP.
Submitter comment:
WHEN THE SCHNEIDERS WERE UNAWARE OF THIS CUSTOM THEIR CROP OF WINTER
WHEAT WAS KILLED THREE YEARS IN A ROW. THEN JOFRAN'S FATHER HEARD
OF THE CUSTOM FROM AN OLD MAN. THEY FOLLOW IT AND HAVE HAD LARGE
YIELDS EVER SINCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: CA00001972
PLANTING CUSTOM
NEVER PLANT TILL AFTER THE THREE ICE SAINTS' FEAST DAYS. THEN YOU
WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FROST RUINING YOUR CROPS.
Submitter comment:
JOFRAN, WHO GREW UP ON A FARM, PROBABLY LEARNED THIS OLD GERMAN
CUSTOM FROM HER FATHER. SHE IS FAIRLY SURE THAT TWO OF THE ICE
SAINTS ARE SAINT ANICETUS (APRIL 17) AND SAINT FIDELIS (APRIL 24).
SAINT CANISIUS (APRIL 27) MIGHT BE THE OTHER ONE BUT SHE'S NOT SURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 17 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 24 BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: CA00001972
THE CLOCK OF LIFE IS WOUND BUT ONCE,
AND NO MAN HAS THE POWER
TO TELL JUST WHERE THE HANDS WILL STOP,
AT LATE OR EARLY HOUR.
TO LOSE ONE'S WEALTH, IS SAD INDEED,
TO LOSE ONE'S HEALTH IS MORE;
TO LOSE ONE'S SOUL IS SUCH A LOSS,
AS NO MAN CAN RESTORE.
THE PRESENT ONLY IS OUR OWN,
LIVE, LOVE, TOIL WITH A WILL--
PLACE NO FAITH IN "TOMORROW" FOR
THE CLOCK MAY THEN BE STILL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ADVICE, PREPARATION FOR DEATH ; FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE ; METER: IAMBIC ; RHYME: MASCULINE, ABCA ; SYMBOL METONYMY RELIGION TIME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
ONE TODAY IS WORTH TWO TOMORROWS
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): ADVICE ; BELIEF ; Maxim ; NUMBERS ; NUMBERS
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; CARPE DIEM ; Positive
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-21-1968
IF YOU PUT A PAIR OF SHOES ON THE TABLE, THERE
WILL BE A FIGHT.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.19 |
Date learned: 10-27-1970
SHOES ON THE TABLE ARE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
SYLVIA LEARNED THIS FROM HER SISTER, WHO IN TURN HAD
LEARNED IT AT THE NURSES' LOUNGE AT BEAUMONT HOSPITAL,
ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.19 |
Date learned: 09-23-1967
IF THERE IS A STRING ON YOU, YOU'RE GOING TO RECEIVE
A LETTER OR A PACKAGE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
PLANTING CUSTOM
SQUASH CAN BE PLANTED TO HAVE DURING THE SUMMER AS LONG AS THE
BLACKBERRIES ARE STILL IN BLOSSOM.
Submitter comment:
JOFRAN CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE SHE LEARNED THIS BUT FOLLOWS IT AND SAYS
IT WORKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: CA00001972
TALE
OUT IN VERMILLION, OHIO THERE USED TO BE AN OLD REFORMATORY SCHOOL
AND ONE NIGHT IT BURNED DOWN. THEY SAY IF YOU GO OUT AT MIDNIGHT
YOU CAN HEAR THE SCREAMS OF THE CHILDREN BURNING AND SEE THEIR
GHOSTS.
Submitter comment:
JOFRAN HEARD THIS FROM SOME PEOPLE SHE WORKED WITH. SHE DOESN'T
BELIEVE IT BUT PEOPLE SAY IT IS TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
TALE
WE HAVE THIS ROAD CALLED BURNS ROAD AND THE DEVIL LIVES ON BURNS
ROAD. IT WAS A FAVORITE FOR PEOPLE TO GO PARKING UNTIL ONE NIGHT
THIS COUPLE PARKED THERE. THEIR CAR RAN OUT OF GAS OR THAY HAD
TROUBLE AND THE BOY SAID HE WOULD GO GET HELP AND SAID, "YOU STAY
HERE AND LOCK THE DOORS." THE BOY WAS GONE A LONG TIME AND THE GIRL
BEGAN TO HEAR ALL THIS RUSTLING AND STUFF BEHIND HER. SHE DIDN'T
LOOK BACK BUT STAYED IN THE CAR AND FELL ASLEEP. SHE HEARD SOME
SCRATCHING BEHIND HER AND JUST FREAKED OUT OR SOMETHING. THE POLICE
WOKE HER UP AND TOLD HER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND NOT TO LOOK BEHIND
HER. BUT SHE DID AND SAW THE BODY OF HER BOYFRIEND. HE WAS TRYING
TO CLAW AT THE CAR AND HIS WHOLE BODY WAS MANGLED. SO PEOPLE SAY THE
DEVIL LIVES ON BURNS ROAD. OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HEARD STRANGE NOISES
AND HAVE SEEN HIS GHOST UP THERE IN THE EVENINGS.
Submitter comment:
BURNS ROAD IS IN OR NEAR AVON, OHIO. JOFRAN HEARD THIS STORY AS
A CHILD FROM HER SISTERS OR HER FRIENDS. SHE BELIEVED IT AT FIRST
BUT CONSIDERS IT A STORY NOW. THE ROAD ITSELF IS SPOOKY AND GIVES
ONE AN EERIE FEELING ACCORDING TO JOFRAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: CA00001968
SCHOOL TRADITION
CENTRAL INTERMEDIATE JUNIOR HIGH HAS AN ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE FOR A
CHILDREN'S HOME. DURING THE DRIVE, ONE TEACHER WILL OPEN THE
CLASSROOM DOOR AND THE ENTIRE CLASS WILL CHANT THE FOLLOWING WORDS
UNTIL ANOTHER CLASS ANSWERS BACK WITH THE SAME CHANT:
BABY'S IN THE HIGHCHAIR
WHO PUT HER THERE?
MA, PA, SIS-BOOM-BAH
GOODIES, GOODIES RAH, RAH, RAH}
Submitter comment:
RHYME: AABB
CENTRAL INTERMEDIATE JUNIOR HIGH IS IN MIDLAND, MICHIGAN. THE
STUDENTS CHANTED THESE WORDS IN THIS MANNER EVERY YEAR DURING THE
FOOD DRIVE. JULIE DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THIS TRADITION BEGAN BUT THOUGHT
IT HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME. IT IS STILL PRACTICED TODAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.537 |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
EVE OF ST. NICHOLAS' DAY CUSTOM
THE WHOLE FAMILY WRITES LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS AND PUTS THEM OUT ON
THE KITCHEN TABLE WITH MILK AND COOKIES ON DECEMBER 5, THE EVE OF
ST. NICK'S DAY. THE NEXT DAY THE LETTERS WOULD BE GONE, THE FOOD
WOULD BE EATEN AND A BOWL OF CHRISTMAS CANDY WOULD BE ON THE TABLE.
Submitter comment:
THIS TRADITION COMES FROM MARIE'S FATHER'S SIDE OF THE FAMILY. THEIR
ETHNIC BACKGROUND IS GERMAN SWISS. MARIE'S FAMILY REALLY DOES THIS
EVERY YEAR AND HAS SINCE SHE WAS LITTLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: CA00001962
JUMP-ROPE RHYME
SALUTE TO THE CAPTAIN
CURTSEY TO THE QUEEN
TURN MY BACK ON THE MEAN OLD KING
Submitter comment:
WHILE JUMPING ROPE YOU FOLLOW THE ACTIONS DESCRIBED IN THE RHYME,
FIRST SALUTING, THEN CURTSEYING, THEN TURNING AROUND. BEEJ PROBABLY
LEARNED THIS RHYME IN THE FIFTH GRADE IN GREENVILLE, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
TALE WITH MORAL
GOOBERDINKS LIVE ON DINNER TABLES. THEY HAVE WHOLE CITIES BUT YOU
CAN'T SEE THEM. YOU CAN PUT DISHES ON THE TABLE AND SINCE THEY SEE
THEM COMING THEY MOVE OUT OF THE WAY--MOVING WHOLE CITIES. BUT THEY
DON'T SEE ELBOWS. IF YOU PUT YOUR ELBOWS ON THE TABLE YOU SMASH
WHOLE CITIES OF GOOBERDINKS. YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE YOUR ELBOWS ON THE
TABLE SO YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE GOOBERDINKS INTO YOUR CUPPED HANDS AND
RESUSCITATE THEM. THEN YOU BLOW THEM INTO THE KITCHEN WHERE THEY
LAND IN THE SUGAR BOWL AND REVIVE. THE MORAL IS--DON'T PUT YOUR
ELBOWS ON THE TABLE.
Submitter comment:
MARIE FIRST HEARD THE STORY AT GIRL SCOUT CAMP LINDEN IN LINDEN,
MICHIGAN IN 1971. SHE SAID THAT WHEN YOU'RE AT CAMP LINDEN YOU
BELIEVE IN GOOBERDINKS. YOU TRY NOT TO PUT YOUR ELBOWS ON THE TABLE
AND IF YOU DO, YOU HAVE TO REVIVE THE GOOBERDINKS.
INVISIBLE BEINGS
FUNCTION
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
CHILDREN'S RHYME
I'M A LITTLE TEAPOT, SHORT AND STOUT
HERE IS MY HANDLE, HERE IS MY SPOUT
WHEN I GET ALL STEAMED UP HEAR ME SHOUT
TIP ME OVER AND POUR ME OUT MM
ON THE FIRST HALF OF THE SECOND LINE, PLACE ONE HAND ON YOUR HIP AND
ON THE SECOND HALF, EXTEND YOUR OTHER ARM WITH THE ELBOW BENT TO FORM
A SPOUT. ON THE LAST LINE BEND SIDEWAYS AS IF POURING TEA OUT OF THE
SPOUT.
Submitter comment:
I REMEMBER LEARNING THIS IN KINDERGARTEN IN ENDWELL, NEW YORK BUT IT
WAS ALSO WELL KNOWN IN SOLON, OHIO. MY ROOMMATE JULIE SCHMOKE AND
OTHER STUDENTS FROM MICHIGAN ARE FAMILIAR WITH IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: CA00001963
Entry filtered.
TITANIC SONG
VERSE 1:
THEY BUILT THE SHIP TITANIC
TO SAIL THE OCEAN BLUE
AND THEY SAID IT WAS A SHIP
THAT THE WATER COULDN'T GO THROUGH
IT WAS ON ITS MAIDEN TRIP
WHEN AN ICEBERG HIT THE SHIP
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
REFRAIN:
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 KIDDIES LOST THEIR LIVES
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
VERSE 2:
THEY WERE NOT FAR FROM ENGLAND
THEY WERE NOT FAR FROM SHORE
WHEN 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
REPEAT REFRAIN
VERSE 3:
THEY THREW THE LIFEBOATS OVER
INTO THE FOAMING SEA
AND THE BAND STRUCK UP
"NEAR MY GOD TO THEE"
LITTLE KIDDIES SCREAMED AND CRIED
BUT THEY ALL WENT DOWN AND DIED
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
REPEAT REFRAIN
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS SONG ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO IN SOLON, OHIO AT ST. RITA'S
SUMMER BIBLE SCHOOL. IT WAS FOR CATHOLIC CHILDREN FROM KINDERGARTEN
TO FIFTH GRADE. FR. ED DIETRICH, ONE OF THE PARISH PRIESTS, TAUGHT
US THIS SONG. THE KIDS ALL LOVED IT FOR SOME REASON AND WOULD LAUGH
AND GIGGLE ALL THROUGH IT WHICH SEEMED IRONICALLY HILARIOUS. I HAVE
NO IDEA WHERE FR. DIETRICH LEARNED THE SONG BUT IT REMAINS ONE OF MY
FAVORITES.
SATIRE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
Date learned: 00-00-1971