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 STERLING returned 190 results.
Proverb
That's the pot calling the kettle black.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [V200] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classification.
Where learned: Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Black ; COLOR ; HYPOCRISY ; Kettle ; Maxim ; Pot ; PROVERB ; Similarity ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
"THE PRETTIEST GIRL"
EACH LINE IS REPEATED BY A SECOND SINGER
THE PRETTIEST GIRL,
I EVER SAW,
WAS SIPPIN CI-
DER THROUGH A STRAW,
THE PRETTIEST GIRL I EVER SAW, WAS SIPPIN CIDER
THROUGH A STRAW
I ASKED HER IF,
SHE'D SHOW ME HOW,
TO SIP SOME CI-
DER THROUGH A STRAW,
I ASKED HER IF SHE'D SHOW ME HOW,
TO SIP SOME CIDER THROUGH A STRAW
SO LIP TO LIP,
AND JAW TO JAW,
WE SIPPED SOME CI-
DER THROUGH A STRAW,
SO LIP TO LIP AND JAW TO JAW,
WE SIPPED SOME CIDER THROUGH A STRAW.
THE STRAW DID SLIP,
I KISSED HER LIP,
FROM SIPPIN CI-,
DER THROUGH A STRAW,
THE STRAW DID SLIP, I KISSED HER LIP,
FROM SIPPIN CIDER THROUGH A STRAW
AND NOW I'VE GOT,
A MOTHER IN LAW,
FROM SIPPIN CI-
DER THROUGH A STRAW,
AND NOW I'VE GOT A MOTHER IN LAW,
FROM SIPPIN CIDER THROUGH A STRAW
AND 49 KIDS,
ALL CALL ME PAW,
FROM SIPPIN CI-
DER THROUGH A STRAW,
AND 49 KIDS ALL CALL ME PAW,
FROM SIPPIN CIDER THROUGH A STRAW
THE MORAL OF,
THIS LITTLE TALE,
IS SIP YOUR CI-
DER THROUGH A PAIL,
THE MORAL OF THIS LITTLE TALE,
IS SIP YOUR CIDER THROUGH A PAIL.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 00001950S
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
BUY A FORD, THEY'RE THE BEST. THEN RIDE A MILE AND WALK THE REST.
Submitter comment:
THE WORD FORD IS AN ABBREVIATION FOR A COMMON RETORT WHICH
MEANS "FIX OR REPAIR DAILY."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: CA00001970
TREE SURGEON JOKE
HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL TREE SURGEON WHO HAD
SEVERAL BRANCH OFFICES?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NOVELIST JOKE
HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE NOVELIST WHO THOUGHT AND THOUGHT
UNTIL HE CAME UP WITH SOME NOVEL IDEAS?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
JOHN AND MARGARET
JOHN AND MARGARET HAD A FATHER AND A STEPMOTHER. THE STEPMOTHER
TOOK THEM INTO THE FOREST AND THE CHILDREN KNEW THAT SHE WAS
GOING TO LEAVE THEM THERE. SO THE BOY SCATTERED CRUMBS OF
BREAD ALONG THE WAY SO THEY COULD FIND THEIR WAY BACK. THE
STEPMOTHER DID LEAVE THEM AND WENT BACK HOME.
HOWEVER, THE BIRDS ATE THE BREAD CRUMBS AND THE CHILDREN COULDN'T
FIND THEIR WAY BACK HOME. THEY WALKED AROUND AND AROUND ON
CIRCLES INSIDE THE FOREST TRYING TO FIND THEIR WAY HOME. THEN THE
CHILDREN SAW A VERY NICE HOUSE MADE OF CAKES. TORTS, COOKIES,
THE WITCH CAME CAME OUT SAYING, "WHO IS TAKING APART MY
HOME? DO NOT BE AFRAID, COME TO ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU
SOMETHING TO EAT." SHE FED THEM AND TREATED THEM VERY
WELL. LATER SHE LIT THE OVEN==THE OVEN WAS LARGE- AND WHEN IT
WAS HOT SHE TOLD THE BOY TO SIT ON THE WOODEN SHOVEL. BUT THE BOY
SAID, "I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SIT DOWN ON IT. WILL YOU
SHOW ME HOW TO DO IT?". AND AS SHE WAS GOING TO
SHOW HIM, HE PUSHED HER INTO THE OVEN.
THEY WERE HAPPY AND WENT HOME AND LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT NEVER HEARD OF HANSEL AND GRETEL. SHE HEARD THIS STORY
FROM HER OLDER SISTER WHILE IN POLAND.
THIS IS TRANSLATED FROM POLISH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
AFTER CHRISTMAS THE BOYS WOULD VISIT HOMES DRESSED AS A DEVIL
CARRYING A PITCHFORK AND SHEPHERDS WITH A STAR. THEY WOULD SING A
FEW CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND PUT ON A SHORT FUNNY PLAY. THE PLAY
USUALLY INVOLVED THE SHEPHERDS AND DEVIL FIGHTING EACH OTHER.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE IN POLAND FROM CHRISTMAS DAY UNTIL NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW
Date learned: 11-00-1973
EASTER CUSTOM
BOYS WOULD MAKE TINY HOLES WITH A NEEDLE AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF AN
EGG AND BLOW THE INSIDES OUT. WHEN THE GIRLS WERE STANDING UP
IN CHURCH THE BOYS WOULD SNEAK UP AND PIN THE EMPTY SHELL
ON THEIR BACKS.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS DONE TO UNMARRIED GIRLS IN POLAND.
THE INFORMANT IS NOT SURE WHETHER IT WAS DONE AT CHRISTMAS OR
OR EASTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW
Date learned: 11-00-1973
EASTER CUSTOM
ON THE FIRST DAY AFTER EASTER THE BOYS IN THE CITY WOULD SPRINKLE
THE GIRLS WITH PERFUME BUT IN THE VILLAGE THE BOYS WOULD THROW
PAILS FULL OF WATER AT
THE GIRLS AS THEY WOULD BE GOING TO CHURCH. THE GIRLS WOULD
SPLASH THEM BACK WITH A CUPFUL OF WATER.
Submitter comment:
THIS TOOK PLACE IN POLAND.
IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH IS DETROIT, A LADY SAID THAT BOYS
WOULD HIT GIRLS THE DAY
AFTER EASTER AND THE GIRLS COULDN'T HIT BACK. THE OPPOSITE HELD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW
Date learned: 11-00-1973
FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
ON THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST GIRLS MADE WREATHS
FROM FLOWERS NEAR THE WATER. THEY PLACED CANDLES ON THEIR
WREATHS
AND SAW WHICH ONE WOULD FLOAT THE LONGEST. THAT GIRL WOULD BE
MARRIED FIRST WHOSE WREATH STAYED UP THE LONGEST.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
GAME VERSE
"ULI ULI JANKO:" KNEEL DOWN ON YOUR KNEE, REST
YOURSELF ON YOUR HIPS, CATCH YOURSELF BY YOUR BRAIDS, WASH YOURSELF
AND COMB YOURSELF. WHOEVER YOU LOVE THAT ONE TAKE.
Submitter comment:
FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS OF THE RHYME.
THIS WAS LEARNED IN POLAND.
THIS IS TRANSLATED FROM POLISH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.520 |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
GAME VERSE
CLAP, CLAP YOUR LITTLE HANDS. WE ARE RIDING TO GRANDMOTHER AND
FROM GRANDMOTHER TO GRANDFATHER FOR SOME RED APPLES.
Submitter comment:
CLAP THE CHILD'S HANDS WHILE SAYING THIS.
THIS IS TRANSLATED FROM POLISH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse Food Drink -- Plant food |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
LULLABY
NOW THE MOON SLEEPS AND THE STARS ARE SLEEPING. THEY TIRED
MY LITTLE DOLL. CLOSE YOUR LITTLE EYES AND LAY DOWN YOUR
LITTLE HEAD AND I WILL TELL YOU A TALE. THERE WAS A KING,
THERE WAS A "PAZ" , AND THERE WAS ALSO A QUEEN.
THEY LIVED IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROSE GARDEN, DID NOT KNOW STORMY
WEATHER, AND EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT IT.
THEN A TERRIBLE LOSS, A SUDDEN DEATH, CAME UPON THEM.
THE KING WAS EATEN BY THE DOG, THE "PAZ" WAS
EATEN BY THE CAT, THE QUEEN, THE MOUSE HAD EATEN. BUT SO THAT
YOU WILL NOT BE SAD MY DEAREST LITTLE DOLL, FROM SUGAR WAS MADE
THE KING, FROM CHOCOLATE THE "PAZ", AND THE QUEEN
"Z MARCEPANA."
Submitter comment:
"Z MARCEPANA" IS A TYPE OF CAKE WHICH THE
QUEEN WAS MADE OF.
THE INFORMANT DID NOT KNOW WHAT KIND IT EXACTLY WAS.
THIS IS A TRANSLATION OF THE LULLABY LEARNED IN POLAND.
THIS IS TRANSLATED FROM POLISH
James Callow comment:
MARZIPAN IS A CONFECTION MADE FROM ALMOND PASTE AND
CK[ EGG WHITE AND SUGAR. PAC
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW
James Callow Keyword(s): EGG WHITE AND SUGAR. PAC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Cradle song Lullaby |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
GAME VERSE
WALKS THE CHIMNEY UP THE LADDER "FIKMIK"/ AND
HE'S ALREADY STIRRING IN THE CHIMNEY.
PLACE HANDS BACK TO BACK ( LEFT HAND FACING DOWNWARD AND PALM OF
RIGHT HAND FACING UPWARD. CROSS FINGERS ONE BY ONE AND
TWIST ARMS AROUND BUT KEEP FINGERS INTERTWINED SO THAT THE
RIGHT THUMB IS STIRRING IN THE CENTER AND APPEARS TO BE THE
CHIMNEY SWEEPER WORKING.
Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM POLISH. THIS WAS LEARNED IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
PENTECOST CELEBRATION
HOMES AND CHURCHES WOULD BE DRESSED GREEN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pentecost BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
A BUNDLE OF STRAW WOULD BE PLACED IN THE CORNER OF A ROOM.
A WAFER WOULD LAY ON TOP OF SOME HAY ON THE CENTER OF THE
TABLE.
Submitter comment:
THIS OCCURRED IN POLAND.
THIS OCCURRED ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
THE FEAST OF THE LORD'S BODY {CORPUS CHRISTI}
IN MAY OR JUNE ALTARS WERE SET UP OUTSIDE. THEY WERE SET UP
IN THE NORTH, SOUTH, EAST AND WEST. A PROCESSION WOULD BE HELD
BY THE VILLAGES WHICH BELONGED TO ONE PARISH.
Submitter comment: THIS HAPPENED IN POLAND. THIS FEAST IS CORPUS CHRISTI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTIONS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Summer |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
EASTER CELEBRATIONS
A MAN WOULD INVITE A PRIEST TO VISIT HIS FAMILY AT HOME DURING
EASTER. THE PRIEST WOULD BLESS THE WAFER. THE ORGANIST WOULD
COLLECT HAY, GRAIN, OR MONEY FOR THE CHURCH.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
CHILDREN'S SONG
A SAILOR WENT TO SEA, SEA , SEA TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEA, SEA, SEA.
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD SEA, SEA, SEA, WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE
DEEP BLUE SEA, SEA, SEA
Submitter comment:
IN PLACE OF THE WORD SEA SUBSTITUTE PROGRESSIVELY KNEE, CHINA,
HONG KONG, AND
HAWAII. THE LAST TIME INSERT ALL THE WORDS. ACTIONS TO
BE DONE:
SEA - SALUTE CHOP-HIT THE INSIDE OF YOUR ARM IN CHOPPING MOTION
KNEE: TOUCH THE KNEE. CHINA: PUSH THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR EYES TO
MAKE THEM APPEAR CHINESE; HAWAII--HULA DANCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
NARRATIVE SONGS
MISS SUZY HAD A BABY NAMED TINY TIM. SHE PUT HIM IN THE
BATHTUB TO SEE IF HE COULD SWIM. HE DRANK UP ALL THE WATER,
HE ATE UP ALL THE SOAP, HE TRIED TO SWALLOW UP THE BATHTUB
BUT IT WOULDN'T FIT DOWN HIS THROAT. MISS SUZY CALLED THE
DOCTOR, THE DOCTOR CALLED THE NURSE, THE NURSE CALLED THE
LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE. IN CAME THE DOCTOR, IN CAME
THE NURSE, IN CAME THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
" CHICKEN POX," SAID THE DOCTOR, "FLU,"
SAID THE NURSE, "MEASLES," SAID THE
LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS LEARNED IN DETROIT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic |
Date learned: 11-00-1973