Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BIGGER THAN TEXAS
THE AMERICAN RANCHER ASKED THE AUSTRALIAN RANCHER HOW MANY ACRES
THE PLACE WAS. THE AUSSIE REPLIED, "ACRES BE DAMNED, OUT HERE
WE TALK ABOUT THOUSANDS OF MILES OF COUNTRY!"
Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 06-00-1967
BIGGER THAN TEXAS
THE AMERICAN RANCHER ASKED THE AUSTRALIAN RANCHER HOW MANY ACRES
THE PLACE WAS. THE AUSSIE REPLIED, "ACRES BE DAMNED, OUT HERE
WE TALK ABOUT THOUSANDS OF MILES OF COUNTRY!"
Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 06-00-1967
BIGGER THAN TEXAS
THE AMERICAN RANCHER ASKED THE AUSTRALIAN RANCHER HOW MANY ACRES
THE PLACE WAS. THE AUSSIE REPLIED, "ACRES BE DAMNED, OUT HERE
WE TALK ABOUT THOUSANDS OF MILES OF COUNTRY!"
Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 06-00-1967
GIRL STOLEN BY THE FAIRIES
ONE NIGHT THIS MAN WAS WALKING ALONG IN THE FOREST AND HE SAW
THREE MEN COMING CARRYING A COFFIN. (THERE ARE USUALLY FOUR MEN
WHO CARRY A COFFIN ON THEIR SHOULDERS IN IRELAND.) SO HE WENT
UP AND PUT HIS SHOULDER TO THE PLACE WHERE THE FOURTH MAN SHOULD
HAVE BEEN. WELL, THEY STOPPED AND HE SAT DOWN TO REST AND FELL
ASLEEP. WHEN HE WOKE UP THE THREE MEN WERE GONE BUT THE COFFIN
WAS THERE, AND HE OPENED IT AND THERE WAS A BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN
IT. SHE WAS STILL ALIVE SO HE TOOK HER HOME WITH HIM, BUT SHE
COULDN'T TALK. WELL, SOME TIME LATER HE WAS WALKING THROUGH THE
SAME WOODS AND HE HEARD THESE VOICES TALKING. "IT WAS RIGHT HERE.
HE TOOK HER AWAY FROM US," THEY SAID. "IT'S TOO BAD HE DOESN'T
KNOW THAT SHE HAS A PIN IN HER EAR AND IF HE TAKES IT OUT SHE'LL
BE ABLE TO HEAR AND TO TALK." SO HE RAN HOME, AND SURE ENOUGH,
THERE WAS A PIN IN HER EAR AND WHEN HE TOOK IT OUT SHE BEGAN TO
TALK.
Submitter comment: MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS IN BELFAST, IRELAND, ABOUT 1915.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman BELIEF -- Body part Senses Ears, noise in ear BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00001915 CA ; 01-13-1964
THE GIANT'S CAUSEWAY
THERE WAS AN IRISHMAN NAMED FINN MC COUL--HE WAS A GIANT OF A
MAN--WHO USED TO SHOUT ACROSS THE IRISH SEA TO A SCOTSMAN, DARING
HIM TO FIGHT. ONE DAY HE TOLD THE SCOTSMAN TO COME ACROSS AND
HE'D REALLY GIVE HIM A GOOD FIGHT. THE SCOTSMAN SAID HE WOULD,
BUT HE COULDN'T SWIM. SO FINN MADE A STONE CAUSEWAY ACROSS THE
IRISH SEA AND THE SCOTSMAN CAME OVER. FINN BEAT HIM, OF COURSE.
Submitter comment:
THIS CAUSEWAY REALLY EXISTS. THERE IS A PATH OF HUGE STONES
JUTTING OUT INTO THE IRISH SEA, BUT NOT COMPLETELY CROSSING IT
AND IT IS CALLED "GIANT'S CAUSEWAY."
MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS STORY IN BELFAST, IRELAND ABOUT 1915.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00001915 CA ; 01-13-1964
I THOUGHT AND THOUGHT, AND THOUGHT IN VAIN,
AND FINALLY DECIDED TO SIGN MY NAME.
Where learned: SAINT STANISLAUS GRADE SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Announcing a signature |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
PROBERB
WOMEN ARE WON WHEN THEY BEGIN TO THREATEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-28-1971
BULL IN THE RING (OR RINGER)
YOU WOULD PUT MARBLES IN A CIRCLE, ABOUT A TEN FOOT
CIRCLE. YOU WOULD HAVE TO SHOOT WITH ANOTHER
MARBLE FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE CIRCLE AND THOSE
THAT WENT OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE WERE YOURS.
Submitter comment: PLAYED WHEN SHE WAS A GIRL IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; GLOUCESTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement C560.12 |
Date learned: 05-11-1965 ; CHILDHOOD
Proverb
Even a fish wouldn't get caught if he kept his mouth closed.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [V500] crossed out. Replaced With current classification.
Where learned: IRELAND ; BELFAST
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; CATCH ; FISH ; Maxim ; Mouth ; PROVERB ; Trap ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
ANDY, ANDY OVER
YOU WOULD LOOK FOR THE BALL BECAUSE IT WAS TRYING
TO GET OVER. IT WAS LIKE PLAYING CATCH OVER
THE TOP OF A HOUSE.
Submitter comment: PLAYED IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; GLOUCESTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
WHO BECOMES A VAMPIRE
DEAD PEOPLE NOT BURIED WITHIN 5 DAYS WILL BECOME A VAMPIRE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ENGLAND ; WORCESTER
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead ; Vampire
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER ; TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | 686 Fifths CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
PROVERB: CAT
HAPPY AS A CAT IN A CREAMERY.
Submitter comment:
USED TO DENOTE EXTREME HAPPINESS OF A PERSON OR ANIMAL IN A GIVEN
CIRCUMSTANCE.
INFORMANT USED THIS WHEN HE SAW HIS SECRETARY WAS VERY HAPPY. HE
LEARNED WHEN HE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 11-01-1971
TAPPY ON THE ICE BOX
SOMEONE WOULD STAND WITH HIS HANDS COVERING HIS EYES
AND SAY: "DRAW A CIRCLE ON MY BACK AND SOMEBODY
PUNCH!" THEN SOMEBODY WOULD HIT HIM IN THE BACK
AND HE WOULD TURN AROUND AND ASK ONE OF THE CHILDREN
IN THE CIRCLE "WAS IT YOU?" IT WAS REPEATED
TIL HE GUESSED THE RIGHT ONE WHO THEN BECAME "IT."
Submitter comment: PLAYED WHEN SHE WAS A GIRL IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; GLOUCESTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rains fall soft upon your fields and
Until we meet again...
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs Added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Leave Taking?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Back ; BLESSING ; Culture ; ETHNIC ; Field ; God ; Irish ; Rain ; Road ; TRAVEL ; Wind
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
BUBBLE GUM, BUBBLE, GUM
IN A DISH
HOW MANY PIECES DO YOU WISH?
THEN COUNT DOWN FROM THE NUMBER WISHED, AND "YOU ARE IT)
Submitter comment: THIS IS USED TO DETERMINE WHO WILL BE IT IN A GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
REMEMBER ME EARLY,
REMEMBER ME LATE
REMEMBER ME AT THE HEAVENLY GATE.
Where learned: SAINT STANISLAUS GRADE SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
NEW YORK
YOU WOULD CHOOSE SIDES AND DECIDE WHAT THE OTHER SIDE
SHOULD DO. ONE SIDE WOULD SAY: HERE WE COME.
THE OTHER WOULD ASK: WHERE FROM? ANSWER: NEW YORK.
QUESTION: WHAT'S YOUR TRADE? ANSWER: ICE CREAM AND
LEMONADE. QUESTION: GIVE ME YOUR INITIAL AND SET
TO WORK.
THEN THE OPPOSING SIDE WOULD GIVE THE INITIALS OF THE
TASK THEY HAD CHOSEN FOR THE OTHER SIDE TO DO; FOR
EXAMPLE, "SSFSS" FOR "SEWING SOCKS FOR SEVEN SISTERS."
THEN THEY WOULD PANTOMIME THE ACTION AND THAT
OPPOSING SIDE WOULD HAVE TO GUESS WHAT IT WAS. WHEN
THEY GUESSED IT RIGHT, THE PANTOMIMING TEAM WOULD ALL
RUN; WHOEVER WAS CAUGHT WOULD HAVE TO GO OVER TO THE
OTHER SIDE.
Submitter comment: PLAYED WHEN SHE WAS A GIRL IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; GLOUCESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; DIALOGUE ; RHYME: AABCCD
Date learned: 05-11-1965
GREEN LIGHT, RED LIGHT
ON THE GREEN LIGHT, YOU WOULD RUN AND ON THE RED YOU'D
HAVE TO STOP. IF YOU WERE CAUGHT MOVING AFTER
THE RED LIGHT, YOU WERE "IT."
Submitter comment: PLAYED AS A GIRL IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; GLOUCESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): TAG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
GO SHEEPY GO
THIS WAS A CHILDREN'S GAME, BUT IT WAS JUST LIKE
HIDE 'N' SEEK.
Submitter comment: PLAYED WHEN SHE WAS A GIRL IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; GLOUCESTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
MENSTRUATION SUPERSTITION
YOU CAN'T GO IN A GARDEN DURING YOUR PERIOD. IT
WILL KILL THE CUCUMBER VINES.
AND YOU COULDN'T TOUCH MEAT, UNLESS YOU WERE
GOING TO COOK IT RIGHT AWAY, OR IT WOULD SPOIL.
Submitter comment: POPULAR BELIEF IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO, WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG.
Where learned: OHIO ; GLOUCESTER
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Food BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Daily Life |
Date learned: 05-11-1965