Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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FEMININE OPINION
A HOUSE WITHOUT A WOMAN AND FIRELIGHT IS LIKE A BABY WITHOUT A SOUL
OR SPIRIT.
Submitter comment:
USED BY MARY TO DESCRIBE WHAT SHE THOUGHT OF MY DORM ROOM AT U OF D
MOSTLY BECAUSE OF A COMPLETE LACK OF DECORATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): VAGUE OF WOMEN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
SCARED BABY
A YOUNG MAN, SOON TO BE A FATHER, WALKED INTO THE HOUSE ONE
EVENING WITH A LARGE GREAT DANE. THIS SCARED HIS YOUNG WIFE
A GREAT DEAL AS SHE HAD NOT EXPECTED EITHER HE OR THE DOG.
A FEW MONTHS LATER WHEN THE WOMAN WENT TO THE HOSPITAL TO DELIVER
HER CHILD, SHE TOOK ALONG HER MOTHER. THE MOTHER CAME INTO THE
DELIVERY ROOM WITH HER, PREPARED TO DO WHAT SHE MUST. IF THE
CHILD WAS BORN WITH ANY MARKS, SHE WOULD RUB THESE WITH THE
PLACENTA TO ERASE THEM. BOTH MOTHER AND DAUGHTER BELIEVED THAT
THE BABY WOULD BE MARKED OR SCARRED BECAUSE THE MOTHER HAD BEEN
SCARED DURING HER PREGNANCY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 03-10-1967
FIGURE OF SPEECH
MARY SLOAN IS NOT THE BIGGEST CATFISH IN MY SEA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DETROIT ZOO
James Callow Keyword(s): METAPHOR ; PERSONAL NAME
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 08-20-1967
PROVERB
OLD CHINESE PROVERB IS THERE IS GOLD IN BOOKS
Submitter comment: TOLD DURING A LECTURE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-28-1971
PROVERB
OLD CHINESE PROVERB IS THERE IS GOLD IN BOOKS
Submitter comment: TOLD DURING A LECTURE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR ; EDUCATION ; SYMBOL ; WEALTH
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-28-1971
PROVERB
OF ALL THE SLAVES THE LOWEST IS HE WHO IS A SLAVE TO HIS PASSIONS
Submitter comment: FROM CICERO
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; HEDONISM ; OBSERVATION ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 12-00-1963
Entry filtered.
NONE
THE TERM DUTCH TREAT COMES FROM HOLLAND WHERE THE GIRLS PAY FOR
THE GUYS' WAY, OR THEY EACH PAY THEIR OWN, WHILE ON A DATE. ALSO,
THE GIRLS WILL FREQUENTLY ASK THE GUYS OUT.
Submitter comment: NONE
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Song CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: CA03001974
THE OLD AGE PENSION CHECK
WHEN OUR OLD AGE PENSION CHECK
COMES TO THE DOOR, WE WON'T HAVE TO DREAD THE POOR HOUSE ANYMORE,
THO' WE'RE OLD AND GREY, GOOD TIMES WILL BE BACK TO STAY, WHEN
OUR OLD AGE PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE DOOR. WHEN OUR OLD AGE
PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE DOOR, DEAR OLD GRAMMA WON'T BE
LONESOME ANYMORE, SHE'LL BE WAITING AT THE GATE, EVERYNIGHT
SHE'LL HAVE A DATE, WHEN OUR OLD AGE PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE
DOOR. GROW A FLOWING LONG WHITE BEARD AND USE A CANE, 'CAUSE
YOU'RE IN YOUR SECOND CHILDHOOD DON'T COMPLAIN. LIFE WILL JUST
BEGIN AT SIXTY AND WE'LL ALL BE VERY FRISKY, WHEN OUR OLD AGE
PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE DOOR. POWER AND PAINT WILL BE
ABOLISHED ON THAT DAY, AND HOOP SKIRTS THEN WILL BE BROUGHT BACK
INTO PLAY. FADED CHECKS WILL BE RAGE AND OLD MAIDS WILL TELL THEIR
AGE WHEN OUR OLD AGE PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE DOOR. ALL THE
DRUG STORES WILL GO BANKRUPT ON THAT DAY, FOR COSMETICS THEN WILL
ALL BE PUT AWAY. I'LL PUT FLAPPERS ON THE SHELVES, AND GET A
GRANDMA FOR MYSELF, WHEN OUR OLD AGE PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE
DOOR. THERE'S A MAN WHO TURNED THIS COUNTRY UPSIDE DOWN, WITH HIS
OLD AGE RUMORS GOING 'ROUND, IF YOU WANT IN ON THE FUN, SEND YOUR
DIME TO WASHINGTON, AND THE OLD AGE PENSION MAN WILL BE AROUND.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Song Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Song |
Date learned: CA00001973
WALKING THE FLOOR OVER YOU
YOU LEFT ME AND YOU WENT AWAY, YOU
SAID YOU'LD BE BACK IN JUST A DAY, YOU'VE BROKEN EVERY PROMISE YOU
LEFT ME ALL ALONE, I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU DID DEAR, BUT I DO KNOW
THAT YOU'RE GONE. (CHORUS) I'M WALKING THE FLOOR OVER YOU, I CAN'T
SLEEP A WINK, THAT IS TRUE, I'M HOPING AND I'M PRAYING AS MY
HEART BREAKS RIGHT IN TWO, WALKING THE FLOOR OVER YOU. NOW
DARLING, YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU WELL, LOVE YOU MORE THAN I COULD
EVER TELL, I THOUGHT THAT YOU WANTED ME AND ALWAYS WOULD BE MINE,
BUT YOU WENT AND LEFT ME HERE WITH TROUBLES ON MY MIND.
(REPEAT CHORUS) SOMEDAY YOU MAY BE LONESOME TOO, WALKING THE
FLOOR IS GOOD FOR YOU, JUST KEEP RIGHT ON A-WALKING AND IT WON'T
HURT YOU TO CRY, REMEMBER THAT I LOVE YOU AND I WILL UNTIL I DIE.
(REPEAT CHORUS)
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Song Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Song |
Date learned: CA00001973
TOM DOOLEY
HANG YOUR HEAD TOM DOOLEY, HANG YOUR HEAD AND CRY, KILLED POOR LAURA
FOSTER, YOU KNOW YOU'RE GONNA DIE. YOU TOOK HER BY THE HILLSIDE AS
GOD ALMIGHTY KNOWS, YOU TOOK HER BY THE HILLSIDE AND THERE YOU HID
HER CLOTHES. YOU TOOK HER BY THE ROADSIDE WHERE YOU BEGGED TO BE
EXCUSED, YOU TOOK HER BY THE ROADSIDE AND THERE YOU TOOK HER SHOES.
(REFRAIN) (FIRST SENTENCE) WELL PICK UP MY OLD VIOLIN AND PLAY IT
ALL YOU PLEASE, BY THIS TIME TOMORROW IT'LL BE NO GOOD TO ME.
(REFRAIN)
I DUG A HOLE FOUR FEET WIDE, I DUG IT THREE FOOT DEEP, THREW THE
COLD CLAY OVER HER AND TROMPED HER WITH MY FEET.(REFRAIN) WELL PICK
UP MY OLD VIOLIN AND PLAY IT ALL YOU PLEASE, BY THIS TIME TOMORROW
I'LL BE HANGIN' FROM A WIDE OAK TREE. THIS WORLD AND ONE MORE THEN,
WHERE DO YOU RECKON I'D BE? IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR GRAYSON I'D
A-BEEN IN TENNESSEE. (REFRAIN)
Submitter comment:
IT WAS REMARKED BY JEF THAT DOOLEY'S REAL NAME WAS DOLITTLE.
ALSO, THE SONG TAKES PLACE SHORTLY AFTER THE CIVIL WAR. GRAYSON
IS OBVIOUSLY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF SOME SORT.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Song |
Date learned: CA03001974
"SHINEYMAN"
THE SHINEYMAN WAS A JUNKMAN, NO, CAN'T SAY THAT CAUSE THEY'RE NOT THE SAME. HE WAS MORE OF A CELEBRITY. HE ALWAYS WORE A FUNNY OLD HAT. HE HAD LARGE TRINKETS AND USED BROOMS HANGING FROM HIS WAGON. HE ALWAYS TOOTED A FUNNY HORN. I THOUGHT HE WAS A KIDNAPPER BECAUSE HE WAS UGLY, DIRTY, AND SMELLY. HE WAS A REGULAR AND HAD HIS OWN ROUTE. EVERYDAY HE WOULD COME UP AND DOWN GRANDMA'S ALLEY AND PICK UP OLD CARPETS, AND OTHER USED OBJECTS WHICH PEOPLE HAD DISCARDED I DON'T KNOW HOW HE GOT HIS TITLE BUT WE JUST CALLED HIM THE SHINEYMAN, AND NEVER ASKED WHY.
APPARENTLY, EACH NEIGHBORHOOD HAD ITS OWN SHINEYMAN.
Submitter comment: PRONOUNCED "SHEE-NEE"
Where learned: DETROIT ; MOTHERS GRANDMOTHERS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): SHEENY MAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00001940S
SIX NIGHTS DRUNK
I CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT AS DRUNK AS I COULD BE, AND I
SAW A HORSE IN THE STABLE WHERE MY HORSE OUGHT TO BE. SO I SAID TO
MY WIFE, MY PRETTY LITTLE WIFE, "WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE,, WHAT'S
THIS HORSE A'DOIN' WHERE MY HORSE OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID, "YOU
BLIND FOOL, YOU DRUNKEN FOOL, CAN'T YOU NEVER SEE? THAT'S
NOTHIN' BUT A MILKCOW YOUR MOTHER GAVE TO ME." WELL I'VE
TRAVELED THIS WIDE WORLD OVER AND SOME MIGHTY STRANGE THINGS I'VE
SAW, BUT A SADDLE ON A MILK COW I AIN'T NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
I CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT AS DRUNK AS I COULD BE, AND I SAW A
HAT ON THE TABLE WHERE MY HAT OUGHT TO BE. SO I SAID TO MY WIFE,
MY PRETTY LITTLE WIFE, "WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE, WHAT'S THIS HAT
A'DOIN' WHERE MY HAT OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID, "YOU BLIND FOOL, YOU
DRUNKEN FOOL, AIN'T IT PLAIN TO SEE, THAT'S NOTHING BUT A
CHAMBER POT YOUR MOTHER GIVE TO ME. WELL I'VE TRAVELED THIS WIDE
WORLD OVER, AND SOME CRAZY THINGS I'VE SAW, BUT A CHAMBER POT MARKED
7 AND 3/4 I AIN'T NEVER SEEN BEFORE. I CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT
AS DRUNK AS I COULD BE, AND I SAW SOME PANTS ON THE BEDPOST WHERE
MY PANTS OUGHT TO BE. SO I SAID TO MY WIFE, MY PRETTY LITTLE
WIFE, "WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE? WHAT'S THESE PANTS A'DOIN' WHERE
MY PANTS OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID, "YOU BLIND FOOL, YOU DRUNKEN FOOL,
CAN'T YOU NEVER SEE? IT'S NOTHING BUT A TABLE CLOTH YOUR MOTHER
GIVE TO ME." WELL I'VE TRAVELLED THIS WIDE WORLD OVER AND SOME
CRAZY THINGS I'VE SAW, BUT A TABLE CLOTH WITH A ZIPPER I AIN'T
NEVER SEEN BEFORE. I CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT AS DRUNK AS I COULD
BE, AND I SAW A HEAD ON MY PILLOW WHERE MY HEAD OUGHT TO BE. SO I
SAID TO MY WIFE, MY PRETTY LITTLE WIFE, "WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE,
WHAT'S THIS HEAD A'DOIN' WHERE MY HEAD OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID,
"YOU BLIND FOOL, YOU DRUNKEN FOOL, AIN'T IT PLAIN TO SEE? THAT'S
NOTHING BUT A CABBAGE HEAD YOUR MOTHER GIVE TO ME." WELL I'VE
TRAVELLED THIS WIDE WORLD OVER AND SOME MIGHTY CRAZY THINGS I'VE SAW,
BUT A CABBAGE HEAD WITH A MUSTACHE I AIN'T NEVER SEEN BEFORE. I
CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT AS DRUNK AS I COULD BE, AND I SAW AN ASS
ON MY MATTRESS WHERE MY ASS OUGHT TO BE. SO I SAID TO MY WIFE, MY
PRETTY LITTLE WIFE, "NOW WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE? WHAT'S THIS ASS
A'DOIN' WHERE MY ASS OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID, "YOU BLIND FOOL, YOU
DRUNKEN FOOL, AIN'T IT PLAIN TO SEE? THAT'S NOTHING BUT A PUMPKIN
YOUR MOTHER GIVE TO ME." WELL, I'VE TRAVELLED THIS WIDE WORLD OVER
SOME CRAZY THINGS I'VE SAW, BUT A PUMPKIN WITH AN ASS-HOLE I AIN'T
NEVER SEEN BEFORE. I CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT AS DRUNK AS I COULD
BE, AND I SAW A COCK A'LAYIN' WHERE MY COCK OUGHT TO BE. SO I SAID
TO MY WIFE, MY PRETTY LITTLE WIFE, "WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE? WHAT'S
THIS COCK A'DOIN' WHERE MY COCK OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID, "YOU BLIND
FOOL, YOU DRUNKEN FOOL, AIN'T IT PLAIN TO SEE? THAT'S NOTHING BUT A
CANDLE STICK YOUR MOTHER GIVE TO ME. WELL I'VE TRAVELLED THIS WIDE
WORLD OVER AND SOME CRAZY THINGS I'VE SAW, BUT A CANDLE STICK WITH
BOLLOCHS I AIN'T NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
Submitter comment: USUALLY ONLY FIVE VERSES ARE SUNG IN PUBLIC.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Song |
Date learned: CA03001974
BELIEF
IF YOU STEP ON A CRACK, YOU BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00001950S AND 00001960S
POLISH CUSTOM -- SHROVE TUESDAY
ON THE TUESDAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY, IT IS A CUSTOM IN MISS GALL'S
FAMILY (POLISH) TO MAKE A LARGE BATCH OF DONUTS AND TO EAT
THEM ALL BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY. THIS DAY IS CALLED PONCHKI DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; RATHSKELLER
Keyword(s): DOUGHNUT ; PACZKI ; RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday |
Date learned: 02-27-1968
UNWRITTEN RULE OF RUGBY.
THE HOMETEAM MUST THROW A PARTY AFTER THE GAME WHICH
ALWAYS INCLUDES BEER AND MAYBE FOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
CHRISTMAS
IN THE PHILIPPINES, INSTEAD OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE WHICH WE USE AS
THE MOST COMMON SYMBOL OF CHRISTMAS, THE INHABITANTS USE THE
CHRISTMAS STAR. EACH HOME HAS A LARGE STAR, MADE OF SOME
NATURAL MATERIAL SUCH AS BAMBOO, WHICH SERVES AS THE CENTRAL
DECORATION IN THE HOME AS OUR TREES DO.
Where learned: DETROIT ; WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY ; NEWMAN CENTER CHAPEL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU DROP A KNIFE, YOU WILL RECEIVE A VISIT FROM A MAN. IF YOU
DROP A FORK A WOMAN WILL COME, AND IF YOU DROP A SPOON A BABY
WILL VISIT YOU.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; SAINT HYACINTH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-29-1972
MILT FAMEY
MILT FAMEY WAS A MAJOR LEAGUE PITCHER FOR THE BOSTON BEANS. HE HAD
BEEN WITH THE TEAM FOR 4 YEARS AND HAD NEVER PITCHED A GAME. THE
REASON FOR THIS WAS THAT JOE "LEFTY" SLINGER WAS ALSO WITH THE TEAM.
HE WAS THE WINNINGEST PITCHER IN THE MAJORS, PITCHING EVERY GAME FOR
THE BEANS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, MILT WAS GETTING PRETTY DISCOURAGED AND
HE TOOK TO DRINKING WHILE SITTING ON THE BENCH. HE AVERAGED ABOUT A
CASE OF BEER A GAME. HIS FIFTH YEAR FOR THE BEANS WAS NO DIFFERENT
THAN THE FIRST FOUR. LEFTY WAS PITCHING FLAWLESSLY AND MILT WAS
BECOMING AN ALCOHOLIC. THEN IT HAPPENED. IT WAS THE SEVENTH GAME OF
THE WORLD SERIES WITH THE BEANS LEADING 3 TO 0 OVER THE SMALLVILLE
GIANTS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE NINTH. THE GIANTS WERE AT BAT WITH ONE
OUT. THE NEXT BATTER LINED ONE RIGHT AT LEFTY. IT HIT HIM IN THE HAND
AND AFTER MAKING THE PUTOUT LEFTY COLLAPSED AND HAD TO BE CARRIED
OFF THE FIELD, SUFFERING A BROKEN HAND. IT WAS MILT'S BIG CHANCE TO
PROVE HIMSELF. UNFORTUNATELY, HE WAS STILL SITTING ON THE BENCH
DRINKING BEER AND THROWING THE EMPTY CANS OUT ON THE FIELD ALONG THE
THIRD BASE LINE. AFTER REALIZING WHAT HAD HAPPENED, HE STUMBLED OUT
ONTO THE FIELD TO THE PITCHER'S MOUND AND SHOUTED TO THE CATCHER TO
BRING 'EM ON. THE FIRST BATTER STEPPED UP AND MILT LEFT GO WITH HIS
FIRST PITCH WHICH SAILED THROUGH THE AIR ABOUT 15 FEET ABOVE THE
BATTER'S HEAD, AS DID THE NEXT 3 PITCHES. THE NEXT 2 BATTERS ALSO
GOT ON BASE THIS WAY. NOW THINGS WERE GETTING CLOSE. THE BASES WERE
LOADED WITH THE WINNING RUN AT THE PLATE. MILT KNEW HE HAD BETTER
START THROWING STRIKES SOON AND HE DID SO ON THE NEXT PITCH. THERE
WAS A LOUD CRACK AND THE BALL SAILED OUT OF THE PARK FOR A GAME
WINNING HOMERUN. AS THE BASERUNNERS ROUNDED THIRD THEY WERE BEGINNING
TO KICK THROUGH ALL OF MILT'S EMPTY BEER CANS. ONE OF THEM ASKED
WHERE ALL THE EMPTY CANS HAD COME FROM AND ANOTHER REPLIED "THAT'S
THE BEER THAT MADE MILT FAMEY WALK US".
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS TOLD WITH A GREAT AMOUNT OF HAND AND ARM MOVEMENT.
WOULD COME UNDER C1400-C1599 IN SHAGGY DOG INDEX (PUNCH LINE FROM
ADVERTISING). - J. T. CALLOW
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT DORMS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
RIDDLE
IT SPINS AROUND BUT IS NOT SPINNING A WHEEL; IT CAN WALK A
ROPE BUT IS NOT A MONKEY.
-- A SPIDER.
Submitter comment: HEARD THIS IN DORMITORY
Where learned: HOME ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): ROPE FOR WEB
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-27-1967