Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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MIDSOMMAR DAGEN
AMONG THE FOLK OF SWEDISH DESCENT IN MINNESOTA, MIDSUMMER DAY
ON JUNE 24TH IS OF SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE. THIS IS THE BIRTHDAY OF
JOHN THE BAPTIST, EXACTLY SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE BIRTHDATE OF
CHRIST. "JOHANNES DOPARENS DAG" IS CELEBRATED WITH LARGE
FESTIVE PICNICS.
THE INFORMANT SAYS THAT JOHN THE BAPTIST DAY PICNICS ARE STILL
CELEBRATED AMONG MANY SWEDISH COMMUNITIES.
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; STURGEON LAKE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 03-28-1970
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
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
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
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 |
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
SONG
(LEADER:)
YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN ON A PAIR OF SKATES,
'CAUSE YOU'LL ROLL RIGHT BY
THOSE PEARLY GATES.
(EVERYONE:)
OH YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN ON A PAIR OF SKATES 'CAUSE
YOU'LL ROLL RIGHT BY THOSE PEARLY GATES.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(LEADER:)
YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN IN A FORD V-8.
'CAUSE THE GOSH DARN THING
WILL BREAK RIGHT DOWN.
(EVERYONE:)
OH YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN IN A FORD V-8 'CAUSE THE GOSH
DARN THING WILL BREAK RIGHT DOWN.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(LEADER CONTINUES TO MAKE UP LINES WHICH EVERYONE THEN
REPEATS. LASTLY HE SINGS:)
IF YOU GET TO HEAVEN BEFORE I DO,
JUST POKE A HOLE AND PULL ME THROUGH.
(EVERYONE:)
OH IF YOU GET TO HEAVEN BEFOR I DO JUST POKE A
HOLE AND PULL ME THROUGH.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(REPEAT LAST LINE THREE TIMES)
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN HAMTRAMACK BUT THINKS
IT HAS BLACK AMERICAN ROOTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE SATIRE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
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
Date learned: 03-09-1970
SONG
(REFRAIN:)
OLD FOLKS, YOUNG FOLKS, EVERYBODY COME.
COME JOIN THE BIBLE SCHOOL AND HAVE A LOT OF FUN.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHEWING GUM AND RAZORS AT THE DOOR,
AND YOU'LL HEAR SOME BIBLE STORIES THAT
YOU'VE NEVER HEARD BEFORE.
(FIRST STANZA:)
ADAM WAS A PLOWMAN AND EVE WAS HIS SPOUSE.
HE PICKED UP A HAMMER AND BUILT THEMSELVES A HOUSE.
EVERYTHING WAS PEACEFUL, QUIET AND SANE,
TILL EVE HAD A BABY AND THEY STARTED RAISIN' CAIN.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
(SECOND STANZA:)
IN CAME NOAH STUMBLING IN THE DARK.
HE PICKED UP A HAMMER AND HE BUILT HIMSELF AN ARK.
IN CAME THE ANIMALS TWO BY TWO--
THE GIANT HIPPOPOTAMUS AND THE LANKY KANGAROO.
(THIRD STANZA:)
IN CAME THE LION, IN CAME THE BEAR,
IN CAME THE BABOON WITHOUT ANY HAIR;
FOR FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS THEY SAILED AROUND THE
POND,
AND THEY KICKED OUT THE LIONESS BECAUSE SHE WAS A BLOND.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
(FOURTH STANZA:)
NOW DAVID WAS A SHEPHERD BOY, HIS FATHER'S PRIDE AND JOY.
HE MADE HIMSELF A SLINGSHOT--A HARMLESS LITTLE TOY.
IN CAME GOLIATH LOOKIN' FOR A FUSS,
SO HE PICKED UP A PEBBLE AND BOUNCED HIM ON THE CRUST.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED IN NEW YORK. IT WAS USUALLY SUNG ON
LONG CAR TRIPS. THERE ARE MORE STANZAS BUT THIS IS
ALL THE INFORMANT REMEMBERED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
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 |
Entry filtered.
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
RUSSIAN RYHMES
"POSPESHISH LUDEY NOSMESHISH" ("DON'T BE IN A HURRY
OR YOU WILL DO SOMETHING STUPID AND PEOPLE WILL LAUGH
AT YOU").
"DURACK, DURACK, A UMNII" ("STUPID, STUPID, BUT SMART" OR
SMART ENOUGH TO STAY AWAY FROM TROUBLES).
"TISHE EDESH, DALSHE BUDISH" ("RIDE SLOWLY, YOU WILL GET
THERE SOONER").
Submitter comment:
THE SPELLING OF THESE RHYMES IS ARBITRARY BECAUSE THE
RUSSIAN ALPHABET IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ENGLISH ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
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
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
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
RUSSIAN NEW YEAR'S EVE CUSTUMS
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE CHILDREN AND EVEN ADULTS PUT ON
UNUSUAL OR FUNNY COSTUMES AND WENT FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TO HAVE FUN. IT IS A LOT LIKE HALLOWEEN IN THE UNITED
STATES. ALL THIS IS FORGOTTEN NOW.
ALSO ON THIS EVENING, TEENAGE GIRLS WOULD GO OUTSIDE
BETWEEN TEN AND ELEVEN O'CLOCK. A GIRL WOULD ASK THE FIRST
MAN SHE SEES HIS FIRST NAME AND THIS WOULD BE THE NAME
OF HER FUTURE HUSBAND.
ALSO ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, SOME TEENAGE GIRLS WOULD PUT
A LARGE MIRROR IN FRONT OF THE DRESSER MIRROR FACE
TO FACE. THEN THEY PUT THE LIGHTS OUT AND PUT A CANDLE
ON EACH SIDE OF THE FIRST MIRROR. THEN A GIRL LOOKED
OVER ONE MIRROR AT THE OTHER IN SUCH A WAY THAT SHE
SEES A CORRIDOR. BY CONSTANTLY STARING AND USING THE
IMAGINATION SHE BEGINS TO SEE SOME SHADOWS, THEN A FORM,
AND FINALLY SHE SEES A BOYFRIEND OF HERS. THIS WILL BE
THE ONE SHE WILL MARRY. THE OTHER GIRLS TAKE THEIR
TURNS ALSO.
Submitter comment: THESE CUSTUMS TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): VISITING
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
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
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
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