Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for MINNESOTA returned 55 results.
ANIMAL RIDDLE
WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU COMBINE A MINK AND A KANGAROO?
A MINK WITH A POCKET.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; MINNEAPOLIS
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; JOKE ; PUZZLE ; RIDDLE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
Entry filtered.
IF THE CATERPILLER (WOOLLY BEAR) HAS A BROWN COAT, IT MEANS
IT'LL BE A MILD WINTER. IF THE WOOLLY BEAR CATERPILLAR HAS
A BLACK COAT IT MEANS IT WILL BE A HARD WINTER.
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; FAIRBAULT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 10-15-1987 ; 10-14-1987
IF COWS LAY ON A HILL UNDER A TREE, IT MEANS THAT IT IS GOING TO
RAIN.
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; FAIRBAULT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 10-10-1987 ; 10-14-1987
BEST DAY
THE BEST DAY IS TODAY.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER BELIEVES IN LIVING EACH DAY TO ITS FULLEST. HE HAS
TOLD ME THIS PROVERB MANY TIMES.
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; STURGEON LAKE ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER
James Callow Keyword(s): CARPE DIEM ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-05-1970
DID YOU HEAR THERE ARE TENSE RELATION(S) BETWEEN
ENGLAND AND THE UNITED STATES?
LADYBIRD ATE THE BEATLES.
Data entry tech comment: LADYBIRD REFERS TO PRESIDENT LYNDON JOHNSON'S WIFE;
Where learned: MINNESOTA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
INSULT
SING SWANEE RIVER AND THROW YOUR WHOLE SELF INTO IT.
Submitter comment: HEARD AT A CHRISTMAS GET-TOGETHER.
Where learned: MINNESOTA
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
Belief: Animal
Snake Legend:
If you kill a snake you have to do it late in the day, because otherwise the snake would suffer until sunset.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [B440] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classification.
Where learned: HOME ; MINNESOTA ; SAINT PAUL
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; BELIEF ; DEATH ; Kill ; Serpent ; Snake ; Sundown ; SUNSET ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
STAR BELIEF
TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR, HOW I WONDER WHAT YOU ARE.
UP ABOVE THE WORLD SO HIGH, LIKE A DIAMOND IN THE SKY.
I WISH I MAY, I WISH I MIGHT,
HAVE THE WISH I WISH TONIGHT.
IF YOU MAKE A WISH ON THE FIRST STAR THAT YOU SEE, YOUR
WISH WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; GULLEY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Star |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ITCHY FEET
IF THE BOTTOM OF YOUR FEET ITCH YOU WILL SOON BE WALKING ON STRANGE
GROUND OR IN A STRANGE PLACE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT JUST MENTIONED THIS ONE DAY.
Where learned: NEIGHBORS HOME ; MINNESOTA ; GULLY
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
JULAFTON FOODS
SOME OF THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS EVE FOODS AMONG THE MINNESOTA
SWEDES INCLUDED LUTFISK (BRINE FISH), SWEDISH POTATO SAUSAGE,
POTATIS KORV, SYLTA, FRUIT BREAD, JULKAKA (MEAT), COOKIES, AND
ROSETTES (FRIED BATTER).
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT REMEMBERS HER MOTHER AND RELATIVES PREPARING THE
JULAFTON FEAST WEEKS IN ADVANCE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; ROUTE 1 ; STURGEON LAKE
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Swedish ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas |
Date learned: 03-28-1970
STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT
AFTER DARK, CHILDREN GATHER AROUND A STREET LIGHT.
"IT" COUNTS WHILE CHILDREN HIDE. AFTER COUNTING
TO SPECIFIED NUMBER, HE BEGINS LOOKING FOR PLAYERS
SAYING "STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT, HOPE TO SEE A
GHOST TONIGHT. ONE O'CLOCK, HE IS NOT HERE, TWO
O'CLOCK, HE IS NOT HERE, ETC." UNTIL A CHILD IS
SPIED WITH "HE IS HERE." A RACE TO THE STARTING
POINT ENSUES. IF "IT" TAPS THE PLAYER BEFORE REACHING
THE STREET LIGHT, HE IS IT AND THE GAME BEGINS.
IF NOT, HE KEEPS LOOKING FOR PLAYERS AS IN "HIDE
AND SEEK."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; MINNESOTA
James Callow Keyword(s): COUNTING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.524 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WEAKNESS
THE THREE MICROBES OF WEAKNESS: REGRET, WORRY AND FEAR.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER FIRMLY BELIEVES IN NOT REGRETTING WHAT
IS ALREADY PAST.
Where learned: HOME ; MINNESOTA ; ROUTE 1 ; STURGEON LAKE ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-05-1970
IF YOUR CORNS HURT, IT'S GOING TO RAIN.
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; CHISHOLM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Pains |
Date learned: 07-01-1970
POLTERABEND
THIS GERMAN CUSTOM CONSISTS OF FRIENDS OF A NEWLYWED
COUPLE THROWING POTTERY AGAINST THEIR HOUSE DOORWAY.
THE BELIEF IS THAT THIS WILL BRING GOOD LUCK TO THE
YOUNG COUPLE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS INFORMED OF THIS CUSTOM ON A RECENT
TRIP TO GERMANY.
Where learned: GERMANY ; MINNESOTA ; DULUTH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Day after wedding |
SLOVAK WEDDING
AMONG MANY TRADITIONAL SLOVAK GROUPS IN MINNESOTA,
A WEDDING IS NOT COMPLETE WITHOUT A PENNY DANCE.
IN THE PENNY DANCE THE BRIDE DANCES WITH VARIOUS
MEN WHILE OTHERS THROW COINS ON THE DANCE FLOOR.
THUS THE YOUNG COUPLE HAVE SOME FUNDS TO BEGIN
LIFE ON.
Submitter comment:
IN MINNESOTA AMONG THE SLAVS THIS IS A COMMON
WEDDING CUSTOM. IT IS A TIME OF GOOD SPIRITS AND
GAIETY.
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; DULUTH
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Paying for dance |
IN GERMANY, TOUCHING OR SEEING A CHIMNEY SWEEP IS
CONSIDERED GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS TOLD OF THIS GOOD LUCK BELIEF ON A RECENT
TRIP TO GERMANY.
Where learned: GERMANY ; MINNESOTA ; DULUTH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 06-25-1969
GERMAN SONG
DU, DU LIEGHT MIR IN HERZON.
DU, DU LIEGHT MIR IN HERZEN,
DU, DU LIEGST MIR IM SINN.
DU, DU MAEHST MIR VIEL SCHMER-ZEN,
WEIST NICHT WIE GUT ICH DIR BIN;
JA, JA, JA, JA WEIST NIGHT, WIE GUT ICH DIR BIN! MM
YOU, YOU ARE IN MY HEART.
YOU, YOU ARE IN MY HEART,
YOU, YOU ARE IN MY MIND.
YOU, YOU GIVE ME MUCH PAIN,
DON'T YOU KNOW HOW GOOD I AM TO YOU.
YES, YES, YES, YES DON'T YOU KNOW HOW GOOD I AM TO YOU!
Submitter comment:
FIRST VERSE OF TWO VERSES. SUNG WHILE A CHILD IN FREEPORT,
MINNESOTA (NEAR ST. CLOUD).
Data entry tech comment:
Keypunched by R.J.Miller 11/82
Updated by TRD 01/12
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; FREEPORT ; NEAR ST CLOUD
Keyword(s): GERMAN ; LOVE ; Lyrics ; Poetry ; RHYME ; SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Love |
Date learned: 11-00-1971
AIN'T GONNA CRY NO MORE
HOW IN THE DICKENS,
CAN I WATER MY CHICKENS?
IF I AIN'T GONNA CRY NO MORE.
AIN'T GONNA CRY NO MORE, NO MORE,
AIN'T GOONA CRY NO MORE.
HOW IN THE DEUCE,
CAN I WATER MY GOOSE?
IF I AIN'T GONNA CRY NO MORE.
AIN'T GONNA CRY NO MORE, NO MORE,
AIN'T GONNA CRY NO MORE.
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; PARKERS PRAIRIE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Daily Life |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
WEDDING CUSTOMS OF THE SWEDISH IMMIGRANTS
AFTER THE DECISION TO MARRY IS MADE BY A SWEDISH
COUPLE, APPROVAL MUST BE SOUGHT FROM THE PARENTS. THE
PARENTS THEN SET THE DATE FOR THE ENGAGEMENT AS WELL
AS THE WEDDING AND HOLD A PARTY ON THE DAY OF ENGAGE-
MENT.
AFTER THE WEDDING RITES THERE IS ANOTHER PARTY AT
WHICH THE NEW BRIDE IS OBLIGED TO DANCE THE FIRST DANCE
WITH HER FATHER AND THE GROOM LIKEWISE HAS THE FIRST
DANCE WITH THE BRIDE'S MOTHER. THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE,
DURING THE DANCE, LEADS THE GROOM TO THE ELDERS OF THE
SWEDISH COMMUNITY WHO TAKE HIM TO ANOTHER ROOM. THE
BRIDE'S FATHER LEAVES HER AND LEADS THE ELDERS IN
QUESTIONING OF THE GROOM. THE QUESTIONS PERTAIN TO
HOW THE GROOM WILL TREAT THE FATHER'S DAUGHTER AND
EACH QUESTION IS ACCOMPANIED WITH A SHOT OF WHISKEY.
BY THE TIME THE FATHER RUNS OUT OF QUESTIONS, THE
GROOM IS CONSIDERABLY DRUNK. HE IS THEN DRAGGED TO THE
FEET OF HIS NEW BRIDE AND THE BRIDE IS OBLIGED TO
CARRY HER HUSBAND OUT AND HOME BY HERSELF.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF MR. SANBORN WHO
MARRIED A GIRL FROM THE SWEDISH COMMUNITY OF HARRIS,
MINNESOTA.
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; WISCONSIN ; WEST BEND ; HARRIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Reception |
Date learned: 09-30-1967