Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ROYAL OAK returned 336 results.
OLD MRS. WITCH - SONG
OLD MRS. WITCH. OLD MRS. WITCH
TELL ME HOW YOU FLY. TELL ME HOW YOU FLY.
I FLY UPON MY BROOMSTICK, WAY UP TO THE SKY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): DIALOGUE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
TO GET RID OF WARTS, YOU WAIT UNTIL THERE IS A FULL MOON AND A TOAD HAS TO JUMP ACROSS YOUR HAND. YOU MUST BE IN A CEMETERY FOR THIS TO WORK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; NEW YORK ; STATEN ISLAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1985 ; 00-00-1969
IF YOU'RE CANNING FOOD AND YOU'RE PREGNANT, THE FOOD
WILL SPOIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; NEW YORK ; STATEN ISLAND
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Manner of preparation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-00-1985 ; 00-00-1980
A FRIEND FROM MY WORK TOLD ME THAT HER FRIEND STOPPED
FOR GAS AT A STATION ONE DAY. THE ATTENDANT ASKED HER
HOW SHE WOULD PAY AND SHE GAVE HIM A CREDIT CARD. THE
ATTENDANT CAME BACK TO THE CAR AND SAID, "I'M SORRY MISS,
BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO COME WITH ME TO SPEAK WITH THE
MANAGER." MY FRIEND ASKED IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM BUT
THE ATTENDANT SAID THAT HE COULD NOT DISCUSS IT.
THE LADY WENT INSIDE THE STATION AND THE ATTENDANT SAID,
"I HAD TO GET YOU OUT OF THE CAR. THERE WAS A MAN HIDING
IN YOUR BACK SEAT HOLDING A HATCHET."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00-00-1985 ; 00-00-1984
FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS - CHANT
FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS SITTING ON A GATE. (HOLD UP 5 FINGERS)
THE FIRST ONE SAID, "MY IT'S GETTING LATE." (WIGGLE THUMB)
THE SECOND ONE SAID, "THERES WITCHES IN THE AIR." (WIGGLE
POINTER)
THE THIRD ONE SAID, "BUT WE DON'T CARE." (WIGGLE MIDDLE)
THE FOURTH ONE SAID, "LET'S RUN AND RUN AND RUN." (WIGGLE
RING FINGER)
THE FIFTH ONE SAID, "WE'LL HAVE SOME FUN." (WIGGLE PINKY)
THEN WOOO WENT THE WIND. (HAND MOVES IN A CIRCLE)
AND OUT WENT THE LIGHT. (CLAP ON THE WORD OUT)
AND FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS RAN OUT OF SIGHT. (HAND BEHIND BACK)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1970 ; 11-00-1985
NO MORE LOOKS,
NO MORE LIES,
NO MORE TEACHER'S UGLY EYES.
Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS IN GRADE SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
TEDDY BEAR (JUMP ROPE CHANT)
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR, TURN AROUND.
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR, TOUCH THE GROUND.
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR, TOUCH YOUR NOSE.
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR, TOUCH YOUR TOES.
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR, CLIMB THE STAIRS.
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR, SAY YOUR PRAYERS.
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR, TURN OUT THE LIGHT.
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR, SAY "GOODNIGHT."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
JUMP ROPE CHANT
EVERY TIME YOU JUMP, YOU HAVE TO SAY THE NAME OF A GIRL.
YOU CAN ALSO SAY NAMES OF BOYS, FRUITS, OR VEGETABLES.
IF YOU FAIL TO SAY A NAME, YOU MUST STOP JUMPING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
WHEN WE MOVED INTO OUR OLD HOUSE, WHEN I WAS YOUNGER,
THERE WASN'T A FIREPLACE. I ASKED MY OLDER SISTER HOW
SANTA CAME DOWN THE CHIMNEY, SINCE THERE WAS NO FIREPLACE.
THERE WAS A LOOSE FLOORBOARD THAT WAS MOVEABLE, UNDER-
NEATH MY BED. MY SISTER TOLD ME THAT SANTA GOT INTO THE
HOUSE BY COMING THROUGH THE LOOSE BOARD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Supernatural Being |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1969
IF YOU BRING A STRAY DOG INTO YOUR HOUSE AND FEED IT,
SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY WILL GET LOST SOON. "MY AUNT
TOLD ME THIS. SHE BELIEVES THIS BECAUSE IT HAPPENED
TO HER FRIEND."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): KINDNESS TO ANIMALS ; POST HOC
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-00-1985 ; 00-00-1979
AUTOGRAPH VERSE
ASHES TO ASHES,
DUST TO DUST,
IF IT WEREN'T FOR JIM,
JANE'S LIPS WOULD RUST.
Submitter comment:
MY EMPLOYER'S NAME IS JANE AND HER HUSBAND'S NAME IS
JIM. SHE SHOWED US HER OLD AUTOGRAPH BOOK WHERE SOMEONE
HAD WRITTEN THAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
THE DAY AFTER PRESIDENT'S DAY, IF YOU HEAR ENOUGH PEOPLE
YELL OUT "HOOT-E-WHO" SPRING WILL COME EARLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February BELIEF -- Measure of time Spring |
Date learned: 02-20-1990
LIMERICK
THERE ONCE WAS A GIRL NAMED MYRTLE
WHO HAD QUITE AN AFFAIR WITH A TURTLE.
NOTHING'S MORE PHENOMENAL
THAN A SWELLING ABDOMINAL
TO PROVE TO MYRTLE
THAT THE TURTLE WAS FERTILE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THE LIMERICK IN 7TH GRADE AT
HELEN KELLER JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
LIMERICK
THERE ONCE WAS A GIRL FROM MADRAS
WHO HAD A MAGNIFICENT ASS.
IT WASN'T PRETTY AND PINK
AS YOU PROBABLY THINK
BUT WAS BROWN, HAD LONG EARS AND ATE GRASS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN 7TH GRADE AT HELEN
KELLER JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): DONKEY ; PRETENDED OBSCENE LIMERICK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
WHEN SENDING A LETTER TO SOMEONE WHOM YOU LOVE,
ALWAYS PUT THE STAMP ON THE ENVELOPE UPSIDE DOWN
AS AN INDICATION TO THE RECEIVER OF THE LETTER
THAT THEY ARE LOVED.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS LEARNED FROM PRUDENCE TUCKER, MARTIN, TENNESSEE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): POSITION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
A GROUP OF FOUR GIRLS WERE SAID TO HAVE BEEN TAKING A
SHORTCUT HOME AT NIGHT THROUGH A CEMETERY. THEY NOTICED
A MAUSOLEUM IN THE CEMETERY WITH AN OPEN DOOR. THE GIRLS
WERE VERY CURIOUS ABOUT IT AND GATHERED NEAR THE DOOR TO
LOOK INSIDE. THE GROUP THEN BEGAN TO COAX ONE OF THE
GIRLS TO GO INSIDE. THEY DARED HER UNTIL SHE FINALLY
AGREED TO STEP INSIDE. AS SOON AS SHE DID, THE OTHER
GIRLS IMMEDIATELY CLOSED THE DOOR ON HER. THE GIRL
INSIDE BEGAN TO SCREAM TO BE LET OUT, BUT THE OTHERS
WERE NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THEY WERE ALL, BY
THIS TIME, QUITE FRIGHTENED AND SCREAMING THEMSELVES.
FINALLY, THE CARETAKER CAME TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON
AND WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH HIS KEY. WHEN HE
DID, THE GIRL STEPPED OUT FROM THE MAUSOLEUM WITH HAIR
THAT HAD TURNED COMPLETELY WHITE AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO
SPEAK FROM THAT TIME ON. THE GIRL WAS APPROXIMATELY
FIFTEEN YEARS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER TOLD HIM THIS STORY. SHE IN
TURN SAID IT WAS TOLD TO HER BY HER OWN MOTHER AS
WELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
POLISH BURIAL CUSTOM
THE BOUQUET OF FLOWERS FROM THE YOUNGEST DESCENDANT IS
PLACED IN THE COFFIN AND BURIED WITH THE DECEASED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-01-1968
WHEN GIVING SOMEONE A BIRTHDAY SPANKING, WE FOLLOW THIS:
GIVE THE PERSON AS MANY SMACKS AS IS HIS BIRTHDAY.
THEN GIVE HIM AN EXTRA SMACK FOR HIM TO BE GOOD AND
FINALLY A PINCH FOR HIM TO GROW AN INCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: 11-11-1969
USUALLY A GREEK MAN MARRIES A WOMAN THAT IS AT LEAST
TWELVE YEARS YOUNGER THAN HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Ceremony |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TO GET THE BRIDE AND GROOM TO KISS AT A WEDDING BANQUET
ALL THAT IS NECESSARY IS TO START BANGING ON THE
TABLE WITH THE SILVERWARE. THE BANGING WILL CONTINUE
UNTIL THEY KISS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Glassware tapping |
Date learned: 11-15-1969