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FOLKLORE OF NEW YEAR'S DAY

IN CANADA, ON NEW YEAR'S DAY THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD GIVES HIS
PATERNAL BLESSING TO EACH OF HIS SONS AND DAUGHTERS. THIS
CONTINUES EVEN AFTER THE CHILDREN MOVE OUT TO START THEIR
OWN FAMILIES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: CA00001915

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FOLKLORE OF EPIPHANY

IN CANADA, A SMALL CROWN IS BAKED IN A CAKE. THE PERSON WHO GETS
THE CROWN IN HIS PIECE IS THE "KING" FOR THE DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany

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RIDDLE

Q: NOT AND SHOT FOUGHT A DUEL. NOT WAS SHOT AND SHOT WAS NOT. NOW
WOULD YOU RATHER BE SHOT OR NOT?
A: SHOT - FOR NOT WAS SHOT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; LITERAL NONOPPOSITIONAL ; PERSONS (A) ; PERSONS (Q)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 12-02-1967

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SALT OVER YOUR SHOULDER ( COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; GOOD LUCK; SALT ( CLASSIFIER'S TITLE )

FOR GOOD LUCK YOU THROW SALT OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Good luck P881.17

Date learned: NOT RECORDED

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BELIEF

AT CHRISTMAS TIME IF YOU GO TO BED EARLY, SANTA WILL COME THERE
FIRST AND YOU WILL HAVE A BETTER SELECTION OF PRESENTS.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus

Date learned: 03-00-1971

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HANGER QUEENS

IT IS AN OLD NAVY TRADITION THAT EVERY OUTFIT MUST
HAVE A HANGER QUEEN. THIS IS SUPPOSEDLY THE BEST
AIRPLANE IN THE SQUADRON, IN WHICH EVERYTHING WORKS
THE BEST, DROPS THE MOST BOMBS, ETC. IN ACTUALITY,
HOWEVER, THIS IS THE PLANE IN WHICH NOTHING WORKS
AT ALL, AND SO PARTS ARE ROBBED FROM IT TO FIX
THE OTHER PLANES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.6

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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LIGHTNING

IN POLAND IT WAS A PRACTICE
TO BURY ANYONE WHO HAD BEEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
NECK DEEP IN THE GROUND.
AND IT WOULD RELIEVE HIM.

Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS THIS PRACTICE FROM HER CHILDHOOD
IN POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

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LOCAL HAUNTED HOUSE STORY

THERE WAS AN OLD HOUSE NEAR HERE, BUT THIS WAS QUITE A FEW YEARS
AGO, AND PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS HAUNTED BECAUSE THEY WOULD HEAR
NOISES COMING FROM IT AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE A HORRIBLE SMELL
WOULD COME OUT OF THE HOUSE. FINALLY, THEY FOUND AN OLD WOMAN
IN THE BASEMENT WHO HAD BEEN LIVING THERE AND EATING THE RATS
TO KEEP ALIVE.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal

Date learned: 09-19-1967

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IT IS CONSIDERED VERY BAD LUCK TO TRIP ON A GANGPLANK
THIS ESPECIALLY HOLDS TRUE BEFORE GOING ON LIBERTY
AND SHOULD THIS OCCUR, IT IS BELIEVED THAT A VERY BAD
LIBERTY WILL RESULT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

James Callow Keyword(s): LIBERTY=LEAVE, VACATION, TIME OFF ; MARITIME

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Water craft or boat propelled by human, wind, mechanical or other force
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Angular forms
BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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JOHN JACOB JINGLEHEIMER SCHMIDT,
THAT'S MY NAME TOO,
WHENEVER I GO OUT, THE PEOPLE ALWAYS SHOUT,
THERE GOES JOHN JACOB JINGLEHEIMER SCHMIDT,
DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA (AND REPEAT ONCE).

Submitter comment:

THIS IS A SONG WE USE TO SING IN BOY SCOUTS AFTER MEALS IN THE
MESS HALL. THE VERSE HERE IS THE ONLY ONE I KNOW OF.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; JOKE ; SONG ; TONGUE TWISTER ; Tune

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest

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Entry filtered.

THE SOUSE FAMILY

DRINK, DRINK, DRINK, DRINK; DRINK, DRINK, DRINK, DRINK,
DRUNK LAST NIGHT, DRUNK THE NIGHT BEFORE,
GONNA GET DRUNK TONIGHT LIKE I NEVER GOT DRUNK BEFORE;
FOR WHEN I'M DRUNK I'M AS HAPPY AS CAN BE.
FOR I AM A MEMBER OF THE SOUSE FAMILY;
AND THE SOUSE FAMILY IS THE BEST FAMILY,
THAT EVER CAME OVER FROM OLD GERMANY.

THERE'S THE HIGH LAND DUTCH,
AND THE LOW LAND DUTCH,
AND THE ROTTERDAM DUTCH,
AND THE GOD DAMN DUTCH.

CHORUS:
GLORIOUS, GLORIOUS, ONE KEG OF BEER FOR THE FOUR OF US,
OH, GLORY BE TO GOD THAT THERE ARE NO MORE OF US,
FOR ONE OF US COULD DRINK IT ALL ALONE, DAMN NEAR!
OH, WHAT'S THAT SMELL ON THE EVENING BREEZE,
IT'S THE GOD DAMN DUTCH AND THEIR LIMBURGER CHEESE.

CHORUS:

WHEN GOD MADE THE IRISH HE DIDN'T MAKE MUCH,
BUT THEY'RE A HELLOFALOT BETTER THAT THE GOD DAMN DUTCH.

CHORUS:

OH, THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS IS A HELL OF A PLACE TO BE,
THE TEMPERATURE IN THE SHADE IS A HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE;
THERE ISN'T ANY WATER, AND THERE ISN'T ANY GRASS,
JUST A LOT OF CACTUS TO PRICK YOU IN THE (CHORUS).

Submitter comment:

A COLLEGE SONG

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): DRINKING SONG ; ELLIPSIS AS A KIND OF EUPHEMISM

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest

Date learned: 11-20-1969

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IT IS VERY BAD LUCK FOR A SAILOR TO SIT WITH HIS
HAT ON.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.)
BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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A SAILOR GETTING OUT OF THE NAVY WILL NEVER LOOK
BACK AT THE SHIP HE IS LEAVING, THE BASE, ETC.
TO LOOK BACK IS TO BRING BAD LUCK TO YOUR FUTURE
CIVILIAN LIFE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- P535
BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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IT IS VERY BAD LUCK WITHIN THE NAVY AIRBORNE TO
LET ANYONE ELSE WEAR YOUR FLIGHT JACKET. THIS IS
ESPECIALLY TRUE IF YOUR FLIGHT JACKET HAS YOUR
NAME TAGS ON IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- P535
BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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ONE HUNDRED BOTTLES OF BEER

A HUNDRED BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL,
A HUNDRED BOTTLES OF BEER.
IF ONE OF THOSE BOTTLES SHOULD HAPPEN TO FALL,
NINETY-NINE BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL,
NINETY-NINE BOTTLES OF BEER.
IF ONE OF THOSE BOTTLES SHOULD HAPPEN TO FALL,
NINETY-EIGHT BOTTLES, ETC.
. . .
ONE MORE BOTTLE OF BEER ON THE WALL,
ONE MORE BOTTLE OF BEER,
IF THAT ONE BOTTLE SHOULD HAPPEN TO FALL,
NO MORE BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL.

Submitter comment:

SUNG. GOOD FOR KEEPING CHILDREN OCCUPIED ON LONG AUTOMOBILE
TRIPS, IF YOU CAN STAND IT.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE, OPPOSITE OF

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest

Date learned: 04-00-1968

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POLISH CUSTOM

THERE IS A POLISH CUSTOM WHERE THEY HAVE A CHRISTMAS WAFER AND FOR
EASTER A HARD BOILED EGG. ANYONE WHO TAKES A BITE OF YOUR EGG OR
WAFER WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AND IT IS PRACTICED IN THEIR HOME
STILL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting

Date learned: 02-24-1970

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THE CRUEL WAR

THE CRUEL WAR IS RAGIN', JOHNNY MUST FIGHT,
THOUGH I WANT TO BE WITH HIM FROM MORNIN' TIL NIGHT.
I WANT TO BE WITH HIM, IT GRIEVES MY HEART SO.
WON'T YOU LET ME GO WITH YOU?
NO, MY LOVE, NO.

TOMORROW IS SUNDAY. MONDAY IS THE DAY,
WHEN YOUR CAPTAIN WILL CALL AND YOU MUST OBEY.
YOUR CAPTAIN WILL CALL YOU. IT GRIEVES MY HEART SO.
WONT YOU LET ME GO WITH YOU?
NO, MY LOVE, NO.

I'LL TIE BACK MY HAIR, MEN'S CLOTHING I'LL PUT ON,
AND I'LL PASS AS YOUR COMRADE AS WE MARCH ALONG.
I'LL PASS AS YOUR COMRADE; NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW.
WON'T YOU LET ME GO WITH YOU?
NO, MY LOVE, NO.

JOHNNY, OH JOHNNY, I FEAR YOU ARE UNKIND,
FOR I LOVE YOU FAR BETTER THAN ALL MANKIND.
I LOVE YOU FAR BETTER THAN WORDS CAN ERE EXPRESS.
WON'T YOU LET ME GO WITH YOU?
YES, MY LOVE, YES.

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS SONG FROM A GIRL AT SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL.
I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT IN PRINT ANYWHERE AND DO NOT KNOW THE ORIGIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Love

Date learned: 07-00-1964

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IF A CHILD'S FIRST TOOTH APPEARS IN THE UPPER JAW HE WILL BE WISE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue
BELIEF -- Number

Date learned: 10-02-1968

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THE WOMAN WITH THE EVIL-EYE

IN JANOIVUC, POLAND, FROM WHERE MY
GRANDFATHER COMES, HE TELLS OF A WOMAN WHO
HAD AN EVIL EYE. IT WAS KNOWN
THAT WHENEVER SHE WAS WITH SOMEONE, AND A FLOCK OF
GEESE WOULD COME BY, AND SHE WOULD COMMENT, "OH, WHAT A
NICE FLOCK IMMEDIATELY THE GEESE WOULD ALL DIE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 10-22-1967

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WHEN AT THE DINNER TABLE, OR WHEN HANDLING SILVER-
WARE, IF SOMEONE DROPS A SPOON THEY CAN EXPECT
A MALE VISITOR THAT DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN

Subject headings: Observation
Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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