Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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RUSSIAN TALE
THERE ONCE WERE SOME POOR PEOPLE; THE WIFE WAS
A SPINNER AND THE HUSBAND WAS A FISHERMAN.
ONE DAY THE HUSBAND CAUGHT A GOLDFISH. THE GOLDFISH
ASKED THE MAN TO LET HER GO. HE SAID THAT HE
WAS SO POOR HE HAD TO CATCH FISH.
THE GOLDFISH SAID, "LET ME GO AND THEN GO HOME AND
YOU WILL HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED."
SO THE FISHERMAN LET HER SWIM AWAY. FROM THEN ON
HE WOULD GO TO HER AND SHE GRANTED ALL HIS REQUESTS.
THE GOLDFISH KEPT GIVING AND GIVING UNTIL THE WIFE
HAD EVERYTHING SHE COULD THINK OF BUT SHE STILL WAS
NOT SATISFIED. THEN SHE ASKED THE GOLDFISH TO BE HER
SERVANT. THIS ANGERED THE GOLDFISH SO MUCH THAT SHE
FLIPPED HER TAIL AND SWAM AWAY FOREVER AND SHE TOOK
BACK EVERYTHING SHE HAD GIVEN THEM.
Submitter comment: TALE WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA. IT WAS IN PROSE AS IT IS HERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
SOLOMON SLICK
THERE WAS A MAN IN TOWN
WHOSE NAME WAS SOLOMON SLICK
WE OWNED A MULE WITH DRAINY EYES,
OH, HOW THAT MULE WOULD KICK.
HE KICKED,
HE KICKED
HE KICKED
HE KICKED THE TRAIN OFF THE TRACKS.
HE KICKED THE STREAM BOAT OUT OF SIGHT.
Submitter comment:
NOTE: ON TAPE #2.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; MUSIC ; PARODY ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 02-12-1972
IRISH BELIEF
IN BLARNEY CASTLE, THERE IS A HIGH ROCK CALLED THE "BLARNEY STONE." THE BLARNEY STONE IS DIFFICULT TO REACH, BUT THE IRISH BELIEVE THAT IF A PERSON IS ABLE TO KISS THE STONE WITH HIS LIPS, THE FEAT GIVES THE TONGUE THE POWER OF FLATTERY AND OF COMPLIMENTARY
SPEECH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-03-1969
THE BAREFOOT BOY CAME WALKING DOWN THE STREET
WITH HIS PANTS FULL OF POCKETS AND HIS SHOES FULL OF FEET.
Submitter comment:
I REMEMBER CHANTING THIS AS A BOY. I NEVER KNEW WHAT IT MEANT
AND I STILL DON'T.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MUSIC ; NONSENSE ; PARODY ; RHYME ; SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 03-12-1970
Entry filtered.
THERE IS A STORY TOLD OF A YOUNG IRISH SCHOOLTEACHER,
CAME TO THE UNITED STATES, WANTING TO MAKE A GOOD
IMPRESSION IN THE NEW SCHOOL DURING THE CHRISTMAS
CARD SALE. OFFERED A NEW SILVER DOLLAR TO THE STUDENT
WHO COULD NAME THE GREATEST MAN IN THE WORLD! HANDS SHOT
UP QUICKLY. ONE BRIGHT LAD REPLIED, "I THINK IT WAS
GEORGE WASHINGTON, BECAUSE HE WAS OUR FIRST PRESIDENT
OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY." "YES," SAID THE TEACHER IN A
SMILING TONE OF VOICE,"BUT HE WAS NOT THE GREATEST."
"I KNOW," SHOUTED ANOTHER YOUNG BOY, "ABRAHAM
LINCOLN, BECAUSE HE FREED THE SLAVES." "OH, YES, HE
WAS A VERY GREAT MAN, BUT I DON'T THINK HE WAS THE
GREATEST MAN." A LITTLE JEWISH BOY GOT UP AND SAID,
"TEACHER, I KNOW WHO THE GREATEST MAN IN THE WORLD
WAS, ST. PATRICK." AND A BEFORE HE COULD FINISH
SPEAKING, THE TEACHER SAID, HERE IS YOUR NEW SILVER
DOLLAR, BECAUSE ST. PATRICK WAS THE GREATEST MAN
IN THE WORLD."
AT RECESS TIME, THE CLASS CENTERED AROUND THE WINNER
AND SAID, "HOW DID YOU EVER WIN, YOU KNOW ST.
PATRICK WAS NOT THE GREATEST MAN IN THE WORLD."
THE LITTLE JEWISH BOY REPLIED, "I KNOW IT, BUT--
BUSINESS IS BUSINESS!"
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; SAINT PAUL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
"MICHIGANIA FEVER"
THEN THERE'S THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
WHERE SOME ARE VERY RICH;
THEMSELVES AND A FEW OTHERS HAVE DUG A MIGHTY DITCH,
TO RENDER IT MORE EASY FOR US TO FIND THE WAY,
AND SAIL UPON THE WATERS OF MICHIGANIA-
YEA, YEA, YEA, TO MICHIGANIA!
Submitter comment: WORDS SUNG VERY LOUD USUALLY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C2005 |
Date learned: 03-20-1990
U. S. S. NEVERDOCK
THERE IS A NAVY TRADITION CONCERNING THE GOOD SHIP
U.S.S. NEVERDOCK, A VESSEL WITH AN UNKNOWN PURPOSE
AND UNKNOWN CREW THAT SAILS ABOUT, NEVER COMING INTO
DOCK TO PORT. SHE HAS A POOL TABLE, BOWLING ALLEYS,
SWIMMING POOLS, AND MANY OTHER LUXURIES ABOARD, AND
ONLY A SELECT FEW ARE CHOSEN TO BE FLOWN ON THE SHIP TO
JOIN HER CREW. IT IS A STANDARD JOKE AMONG ALL SAILORS
WHO ARE AWAITING ORDERS THAT THEY WILL BE DESTINED FOR
THE U.S.S. NEVERDOCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.6 |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
ARABIAN MAXIM
TIME IS LIKE A SWORD - YOU CUT WITH IT OR IT WILL
CUT YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
Entry filtered.
JOHNNY APPLESEED
JOHNNY APPLESEED WAS TO HAVE STAYED OVERNIGHT AT
THEIR FARM HOUSE. FOR LETTING HIM SLEEP THERE, HE
PLANTED AN APPLE TREE IN THEIR FRONT YARD. WHICH IS
STILL THERE TODAY.
Submitter comment:
DERBY'S FARM HOUSE HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN TO THEM FROM
PAST GENERATIONS. IT IS LOCATED ABOUT TWO MILES
NORTHEAST FROM CARSONVILLE, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; CARSONVILLE
Keyword(s): LEGENDARY FIGURE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 05-00-1963
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT STAYS IN THE SAME CORNER ALL THE TIME, BUT TRAVELS AROUND
THE WORLD?
A: A POSTAGE STAMP.
Data entry tech comment: ANOTHER VARIANT IN U OF D FOLKLORE 5 X 8 CARD FILES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Keyword(s): COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED MATTER (Q) ; PARTICULAR AREA (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
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
THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANT
AFTER PLAYING, SINGING AND DANCING ALL SUMMER THE
GRASSHOPPER FOUND HIMSELF FACING THE ONSET OF WINTER.
HE ASKED HIMSELF, "HOW WILL I SING ON AN EMPTY STOMACH?"
HE WAS VERY DISTRESSED AND HOPPED OVER TO AN ANT WHO
WAS GOING DOWN INTO HER HOLE FOR THE WINTER. HE ASKED
HER TO LET HIM INTO HER DWELLING AND GIVE HIM FOOD AND
WARMTH.
THE ANT SAID, "MY FRIEND, I WOULD BE ASHAMED TO TAKE
YOU IN SINCE YOU HAVEN'T WORKED ALL SUMMER."
THE GRASSHOPPER SAID, "OH YES, I WORKED--I SANG ALL
SUMMER."
BUT THE ANT SAID, "WELL YOU SANG ALL SUMMER, NOW YOU CAN
DANCE!"
Submitter comment:
THIS TALE IS SIMILAR TO ONE TOLD IN AMERICA EXCEPT
THAT IN THAT ONE THE ANT HAS PITY ON THE GRASSHOPPER
AND TAKES HIM IN. THE GRASSHOPPER EARNED HIS KEEP BY
SINGING AND DANCING FOR THE ANT COLONY. IN THE RUSSIAN
VERSION WHICH I GAVE THE GRASSHOPPER IS GIVEN A SARCASTIC
ANSWER FROM THE ANT AND IS TURNED AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
RUSSIAN TALE
A WOLF RAN OUT OF THE FOREST INTO THE VILLAGE BECAUSE
HUNTERS, WORKERS AND DOGS WERE AFTER HIM. THE WOLF CAME
TO A CAT ON A FENCE AND IMPLORED HER TO HELP HIM:
"VASIL, MY FRIEND, WHICH MAN FROM THIS VILLAGE IS GOOD
ENOUGH TO HIDE ME? YOU HEAR THE DOGS BARKING. THAT
HORRIBLE NOISE! THAT IS ALL ABOUT ME!"
THE CAT SAID, "RUN FAST TO TRAFEMA, A VERY GOOD MAN."
BUT THE WOLF ANSWERED, "I'M AFRAID OF HIM BECAUSE I
ATE HIS SHEEP."
THEN THE CAT SAID, "THEN GO TO SIMON, A VERY GOOD MAN."
"I'M AFRAID OF HIM BECAUSE I KILLED HIS COLT."
"THEN GO TO IVAN, A VERY GOOD MAN."
"I'M AFRAID OF HIM BECAUSE I STOLE HIS GOAT."
"WELL MAYBE KLEM WILL HIDE YOU."
"I'M AFRAID OF HIM BECAUSE I STOLE HIS PIGLET."
THEN THE CAT SAID, "I SEE YOU HAVE SALTED EVERYONE IN
THE VILLAGE. WHAT YOU HAVE SOWN YOU MUST NOW REAP.
Submitter comment:
THE ORIGINAL WAS IN RHYME IN RUSSIAN.
IN THE TEXT, "SALTED" MEANS "AFFRONTED". "SALTING" REFERS
TO THE MEANS OF PRESERVING SLAUGHTERED GAME--THE MEAT
WAS SALTED. THE WOLF HAD SLAUGHTERED THE VILLAGERS'
ANIMALS, OR "SALTED" THEM. IT IS USED LOOSELY HERE--
HE SALTED THE PEOPLE, NOT THE ANIMALS.
ALSO, NOTE THAT THE LAST SENTENCE THE CAT SAYS IS REALLY
A QUOTE FROM THE BIBLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN TALE
Date learned: 12-00-1983
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 |
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
RUSSIAN PROVERB
IF YOU TALK TO A SMART PERSON
YOU WILL LOSE SOME BRAINS,
IF YOU TALK TO A FOOL
YOU WILL LOSE SOME BRAINS.
Submitter comment: WAS IN RHYME IN THE ORIGINAL RUSSIAN. LEARNED IN RUSSIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
I REALLY DIG ASTROLOGY AND PLAY SOMEWHAT OF A GAME IN
TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A PERSON'S SIGN. MY SIGN IS
PISCES, THE FISH. IT IS A WATER SIGN, WHICH IS
CHARACTERIZED BY A FLOWING, SOMEWHAT MYSTICAL SIGN.
WE ARE HIGHLY EMOTIONAL AND IDEALISTIC. USUALLY, THE
LIFE OF THE PARTY, WITH A BUBBLY SENSE OF HUMOR. WE ARE
TOO EMOTIONAL FOR OUR OWN GOOD AT TIMES, AND SOME OF
OUR FAULTS ARE THAT WE ARE INDECISIVE, TOO OFTEN
SWAYED, HIGHLY POSSESSIVE. I HAVE AN ASCENDENT
SIGN IN LEO, WHICH IS A FIRE SIGN, A MAGNETIC PERSON-
ALITY, VERY KIND AND GENEROUS, STRONG, USUALLY MAKE
A GOOD LEADER. THEY ARE PRONE TO EXCESS PRIDE, AND
LIKE PEOPLE TO BOW AT THEIR FEET TO A DEGREE. I
HAVE A MOON IN AQUARIUS, WHICH (IS) THE HUMANITARIAN
SIGN, LIKE TO GIVE GOOD ADVICE AND SAVE OTHERS FROM
DRASTIC WAYS OF THINKING.
THESE ARE THREE MAIN ITEMS WHICH MAKE YOUR PERSON,
SUN SIGN-SHAPES YOUR INDIVIDUALITY. ASCENDENT
SIGN-SHAPES THE FIRST IMPRESSION YOU GIVE TO
ANOTHER PERSON, MODIFIES SUN SIGN, PHYSICAL APPEAR-
ANCE. MOON SIGN-IS WHAT YOUR CHARACTER IS REALLY
LIKE, PERSONALITY. THERE ARE ALSO 12 HOUSES,
TAKING IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE, WHICH ARE CAST IN
DIFFERENT SIGNS. IT SHAPES YOUR OUTLOOK ON THINGS
AND CAN CALCULATE WHAT KIND OF LUCK YOU WILL POSSIBLY
HAVE IN THE FUTURE. THERE IS ALSO A RULING GOD AND
PLANET TO EACH OF THE 12 SIGNS. MY RULING PLANET IS
REPTUNE, AND MY GOD IS POSIEDON, GOD OF THE
WATER AND SEA.
MY BEST MARRIAGE SIGNS ARE 1. CANCER AND SCORPIAN,
MY OTHER TWO WATER SIGNS. 2. TAURUS, AN EARTH SIGN.
3. GEMINI, AN AIR SIGN. 4. SAGITTARIUS, A FIRE
SIGN.
MY CO-RULER IS JUPITER, THE GOD OF HAPPINESS.
Where learned: MIND
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RUSSIAN CUSTOM FOR PALM SUNDAY
ON PALM SUNDAY WE CUT BRANCHES FROM THE "PALM TREE"
WHICH WASN'T REALLY A PALM TREE, JUST A PATICULAR
TREE FOUND IN RUSSIA. WE DECORATED THE BRANCHES WITH
PAPER FLOWERS THAT WE MADE. THEN THE BRANCHES WERE TAKEN
TO CHURCH AND BLESSED BY THE PRIEST. THEN WE TOOK THEM
HOME AND PUT THEM IN VASES OR BEHIND ICONS.
Submitter comment:
CUSTOM WAS LEARNED BY INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD
IN RUSSIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | 663 Palm Sunday |
Date learned: 12-00-1983