Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for FARMINGTON returned 182 results.
RUSSIAN CUSTOM FOR PALM SUNDAY
ON PALM SUNDAY WE CUT BRANCHES FROM THE "PALM TREE"
WHICH WASN'T REALLY A PALM TREE, JUST A PATICULAR
TREE FOUND IN RUSSIA. WE DECORATED THE BRANCHES WITH
PAPER FLOWERS THAT WE MADE. THEN THE BRANCHES WERE TAKEN
TO CHURCH AND BLESSED BY THE PRIEST. THEN WE TOOK THEM
HOME AND PUT THEM IN VASES OR BEHIND ICONS.
Submitter comment:
CUSTOM WAS LEARNED BY INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD
IN RUSSIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | 663 Palm Sunday |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
SONG
(LEADER:)
YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN ON A PAIR OF SKATES,
'CAUSE YOU'LL ROLL RIGHT BY
THOSE PEARLY GATES.
(EVERYONE:)
OH YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN ON A PAIR OF SKATES 'CAUSE
YOU'LL ROLL RIGHT BY THOSE PEARLY GATES.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(LEADER:)
YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN IN A FORD V-8.
'CAUSE THE GOSH DARN THING
WILL BREAK RIGHT DOWN.
(EVERYONE:)
OH YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN IN A FORD V-8 'CAUSE THE GOSH
DARN THING WILL BREAK RIGHT DOWN.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(LEADER CONTINUES TO MAKE UP LINES WHICH EVERYONE THEN
REPEATS. LASTLY HE SINGS:)
IF YOU GET TO HEAVEN BEFORE I DO,
JUST POKE A HOLE AND PULL ME THROUGH.
(EVERYONE:)
OH IF YOU GET TO HEAVEN BEFOR I DO JUST POKE A
HOLE AND PULL ME THROUGH.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(REPEAT LAST LINE THREE TIMES)
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN HAMTRAMACK BUT THINKS
IT HAS BLACK AMERICAN ROOTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE SATIRE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
SONG
(REFRAIN:)
OLD FOLKS, YOUNG FOLKS, EVERYBODY COME.
COME JOIN THE BIBLE SCHOOL AND HAVE A LOT OF FUN.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHEWING GUM AND RAZORS AT THE DOOR,
AND YOU'LL HEAR SOME BIBLE STORIES THAT
YOU'VE NEVER HEARD BEFORE.
(FIRST STANZA:)
ADAM WAS A PLOWMAN AND EVE WAS HIS SPOUSE.
HE PICKED UP A HAMMER AND BUILT THEMSELVES A HOUSE.
EVERYTHING WAS PEACEFUL, QUIET AND SANE,
TILL EVE HAD A BABY AND THEY STARTED RAISIN' CAIN.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
(SECOND STANZA:)
IN CAME NOAH STUMBLING IN THE DARK.
HE PICKED UP A HAMMER AND HE BUILT HIMSELF AN ARK.
IN CAME THE ANIMALS TWO BY TWO--
THE GIANT HIPPOPOTAMUS AND THE LANKY KANGAROO.
(THIRD STANZA:)
IN CAME THE LION, IN CAME THE BEAR,
IN CAME THE BABOON WITHOUT ANY HAIR;
FOR FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS THEY SAILED AROUND THE
POND,
AND THEY KICKED OUT THE LIONESS BECAUSE SHE WAS A BLOND.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
(FOURTH STANZA:)
NOW DAVID WAS A SHEPHERD BOY, HIS FATHER'S PRIDE AND JOY.
HE MADE HIMSELF A SLINGSHOT--A HARMLESS LITTLE TOY.
IN CAME GOLIATH LOOKIN' FOR A FUSS,
SO HE PICKED UP A PEBBLE AND BOUNCED HIM ON THE CRUST.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED IN NEW YORK. IT WAS USUALLY SUNG ON
LONG CAR TRIPS. THERE ARE MORE STANZAS BUT THIS IS
ALL THE INFORMANT REMEMBERED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
RUSSIAN RYHMES
"POSPESHISH LUDEY NOSMESHISH" ("DON'T BE IN A HURRY
OR YOU WILL DO SOMETHING STUPID AND PEOPLE WILL LAUGH
AT YOU").
"DURACK, DURACK, A UMNII" ("STUPID, STUPID, BUT SMART" OR
SMART ENOUGH TO STAY AWAY FROM TROUBLES).
"TISHE EDESH, DALSHE BUDISH" ("RIDE SLOWLY, YOU WILL GET
THERE SOONER").
Submitter comment:
THE SPELLING OF THESE RHYMES IS ARBITRARY BECAUSE THE
RUSSIAN ALPHABET IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ENGLISH ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
RUSSIAN NEW YEAR'S EVE CUSTUMS
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE CHILDREN AND EVEN ADULTS PUT ON
UNUSUAL OR FUNNY COSTUMES AND WENT FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TO HAVE FUN. IT IS A LOT LIKE HALLOWEEN IN THE UNITED
STATES. ALL THIS IS FORGOTTEN NOW.
ALSO ON THIS EVENING, TEENAGE GIRLS WOULD GO OUTSIDE
BETWEEN TEN AND ELEVEN O'CLOCK. A GIRL WOULD ASK THE FIRST
MAN SHE SEES HIS FIRST NAME AND THIS WOULD BE THE NAME
OF HER FUTURE HUSBAND.
ALSO ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, SOME TEENAGE GIRLS WOULD PUT
A LARGE MIRROR IN FRONT OF THE DRESSER MIRROR FACE
TO FACE. THEN THEY PUT THE LIGHTS OUT AND PUT A CANDLE
ON EACH SIDE OF THE FIRST MIRROR. THEN A GIRL LOOKED
OVER ONE MIRROR AT THE OTHER IN SUCH A WAY THAT SHE
SEES A CORRIDOR. BY CONSTANTLY STARING AND USING THE
IMAGINATION SHE BEGINS TO SEE SOME SHADOWS, THEN A FORM,
AND FINALLY SHE SEES A BOYFRIEND OF HERS. THIS WILL BE
THE ONE SHE WILL MARRY. THE OTHER GIRLS TAKE THEIR
TURNS ALSO.
Submitter comment: THESE CUSTUMS TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): VISITING
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
RIDDLE
OVER THE GROUND,
UNDER YOUR NOSE
IT HAS AS MANY HEELS AS TOES. (A PAIR OF SHOES).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): CLOTHING (A) WEARING APPAREL (A)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
WISHING
IF YOU MAKE A WISH AS SOON AS YOU SEE A ROBIN , THEN IT WILL COME
TRUE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
LUCK
IF YOU SEE A PIN ON THE GROUND AND DON'T PICK IT UP, YOU WILL LOSE A
FRIEND AND END UP CRYING BEFORE THE DAY IS OUT. BUT IF YOU PICK IT
UP YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK THE REST OF THE DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Good luck P881.18 |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
OMEN
IF A BIRD FLIES INTO A HOUSE THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW, IT MEANS A
VERY BAD OMEN HAS BEEN GIVEN AND SOMEONE LIVING IN THE HOUSE WILL
DIE WITHIN THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
MARRIAGE CUSTOM
BRIDES SHOULD ALWAYS HIDE A PAIR OF SCISSORS ON THEMSELVES SO
THEY CAN "CUT" AWAY ANY EVIL THAT MAY BE WISHED UPON THEM
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
RIDDLE
WHAT IS IT THAT SITS UPON A SHELF, AND LIVES AS LONG AS IT EATS
ITSELF. A: A CANDLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
LUCK/OMEN
IF SEVEN PEOPLE EAT A SEVEN COURSE MEAL TOGETHER, THEN THEY WILL
HAVE GOOD LUCK B/UT IF THIRTEEN PEOPLE EAT TOGER AT ALL, ONE OF TH
THE THIRTEEN WILL DIE WITHIN THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
NAME
HEAD: } THIS IS THE NAME GIVEN BY THE SEAGOING SERVICES FOR A }
BATHROOM.
ROOM. IT IS IN SUCH COMMON USE, THAT MANY MILITARY MEN USE THIS
TERM EVEN WHEN OFF DUTY IN A CIVILIAN SITUATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 09-27-1972
RIDDLE
THIRTY-TWO WHITE CALVES STANDING IN A STALL, ALONG
COMES A RED
COW AD LICKS THEM ALL. A: N TEETH AND TONGUE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL (Q) ; BODY PARTS (A)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
LUCK
IT IS BAD LUCK FOR A WOMAN TO SWEEP OUT ANY PART OF HER HOUSE
WHILE SHE HAS ANY COMPANY VISITING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
CHILDREN'S SONG
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME PEACHES
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME PEARS
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME FIFTY CENTS
AND KICKED ME DOWN THE STAIRS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT MANY OF HER FRIENDS AND HER SISTERS USED
TO SING THIS WITH HER WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG. SHE ALSO TOLD ME THAT
THIS CAN ALSO BE USED WITH A CLAPPING BEAT OF WHATEVER THE SINGER
THINKS WILL GO WITH THE SONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): FRUIT AS GIFTS ; INITIAL ITERATION MEDIAL ITERATION ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
THERE ONCE WAS TWO DRUNKS AT THE WAKE OF THEIR BEST
FRIEND. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, THEY COULD NO LONGER
STAND TO BE SOBER, AND DECIDED TO HAVE A DRINK. THE
ONLY PROBLEM WAS THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY LEFT.
SO THEY DECIDED TO GO TO THE CORNER BAR. THEY DID
NOT WANT TO LEAVE THEIR "DEPARTED FRIEND," SO THEY
TOOK HIM WITH THEM. WHEN THEY GOT TO THE BAR, THEY
ORDERED THREE DRINKS INSTEAD OF TWO. ROUND AFTER
ROUND THEY FOLLOWED THE SAME ROUTINE, EACH TAKING
TURNS DRINKING THE CORPSE'S DRINK.
AFTER A WHILE THE TWO DRUNKS BECAME HUNGRY SO THEY
DRAGGED THE CORPSE OVER TO THE TABLE WHILE THEY
WENT TO EAT IN ANOTHER ROOM. MEANWHILE, THE
BARTENDER WENT OVER TO THE TABLE WHERE THE CORPSE
WAS SLUMPED OVER AND DEMANDED PAYMENT FOR THE DRINKS.
AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO WAKE HIM, HE THREATENED
TO KILL HIM IF HE DID NOT RESPOND. THE BARTENDER,
SEEING THAT HE WOULD NOT GET A RESPONSE, TOOK THE BODY
AND THREW IT AGAINST THE WALL. AT THAT MOMENT THE TWO
DRUNKS RETURNED, SCREAMING FOR THE POLICE.
"YOU'VE KILLED OUR FRIEND!"
"IT WAS HIS FAULT! HE PULLED A KNIFE!"
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT FIRMLY STATED THAT THIS ACTUALLY OCCURRED AND
THAT HE PERSONALLY KNEW ALL THOSE INVOLVED. INFORMANT
SAID THAT IT OCCURRED AROUND 1917 BUT HAS SINCE BECOME A
FAVORITE STORY OF OLDER DETROIT IRISHMEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 11-15-1971
SHE TOLD ME THAT WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH A FOREST YOU SHOULD CARRY
A PIECE OF BREAD IN YOUR HAND IN ORDER TO SCARE ALL THE GHOSTS.
Where learned: FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-21-1969
Claddaugh
The claddaugh is an Irish symbol of Love, Friendship and
Loyalty. It looks like two hands holding a heart, with a crown upon
the heart. The hands are friendship, the heart is love, the crown
is loyalty. This symbol is traditionally upon an Irish wedding
ring. This ring was created by a seafarer who had docked in the
town of Claddaugh, Ireland. While in port, he met a young maiden
and fell in love. He was in deep despair at the thought of leaving
her behind, so he went into the hills and designed and forged a
ring with this symbol upon it. He gave it to the maiden as a
symbol of his love, loyalty and friendship. Today this ring is
given upon the engagement of a couple and is worn with the heart
facing away from the woman. Upon their marriage, the ring is
turned around, with the heart facing the woman, indicating her
commitment (or his commitment, as this ring is also given as a
wedding ring to the man) to her husband.
Submitter comment: Claddaugh is pronounced klad-awe.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Woman in an Irish import store ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): Claddagh
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1991
IF THE CORNS ON YOUR FEET ACHE, IT'S A SURE SIGN OF RAIN.
Where learned: FARMINGTON ; KENTUCKY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.7 |