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RUN MY GOOD SHEEP RUN

PLAYERS FOR THIS GAME ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO TEAMS, EACH WITH A CAPTAIN
(ABOUT EIGHT PLAYERS ARE NEEDED). EACH TEAM MEETS AND DETERMINES A
THREE-WORD CODE, (USUALLY COLORS), 1 STANDING FOR FAR AWAY, 1 FOR
COMING CLOSER AND ONE FOR VERY CLOSE. ONE TEAM IS THEN PICKED TO
HIDE AND THEIR CAPTAIN HIDES THEM, THEN COMES BACK TO THE OTHER TEAM
WHO ARE THE SEARCHERS. HE ACCOMPANIES THEM WHILE THEY LOOK FOR HIS
SHEEP (TEAM). WHILE THEY ARE SEARCHING HE CALLS OUT THE CODE WORDS
TO INFORM HIS TEAM OF THEIR PROGRESS. HE CAN ALSO CALL OUT OTHER
WORDS TO CONFUSE THE SEARCH TEAM. WHEN FINALLY THEY GET VERY CLOSE
TO HIS TEAM AND COULD SEE THEM FROM WHERE THEY ARE, HE CALLS RUN MY
GOOD SHEEP RUN AND BOTH TEAMS RACE BACK TO THE STARTING POINT. THE
FIRST TEAM (IN THE FORM OF ANY MEMBER) TO REACH THAT POINT WINS.
THE TEAMS THEN EXCHANGE ROLES AND A RUNNING SCORE IS KEPT.

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS GAME FROM MY PARENTS WHO PLAYED IT ON THE WEST SIDE
OF CHICAGO IN THE 1930S.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO ; WESTCHESTER

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting

Date learned: CA00001960

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CRACKS

STEP OVER A CRACK AND YOU'LL BREAK THE DEVIL'S DISHES.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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TURKEY-DAY

THERE IS A CUSTOM IN AMERICA IN WHICH THE PRIMARY FOOD ON
THANKSGIVING IS TURKEY. IT IS BELIEVED THAT WHEN THE PILGRIMS
CELEBRATED THE FIRST THANKSGIVING, THE INDIANS GAVE THEM TURKEY
TO EAT, AND IT HAS CARRIED OVER.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving

Date learned: 00-00-1955

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GOOD CORN

"KNEE HIGH BY THE FOURTH OF JULY" MEANS THE CORN CROP IS DOING
WELL.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 00-00-1962

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ITCHING EYES

IF YOUR LEFT EYE ITCHES, YOU'LL CRY. IF YOUR RIGHT EYE ITCHES,
YOU'LL LAUGH.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS A FRIEND OF MINE WHO REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER CHILDHOOD.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 02-00-1971

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BLACK BIRD

IF A BLACK BIRD FLIES INTO THE HOUSE, IT MEANS THAT SOMEONE IS
GOING TO DIE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS MY GRANDMOTHER, AND THIS IS APPARENTLY A CHILDHOOD
BELIEF.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 00-00-1971

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UNEXPECTED GUESTS

WHEN EATING A MEAL, IF YOU SHOULD TAKE A SECOND PIECE OF BREAD BEFORE
FINISHING THE FIRST, IT IS AN INDICATION THAT A STRANGER WILL BE
COMING TO THE HOUSE.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 00-00-1960

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MORE VISITORS

IF YOU DROP A KNIFE, A MAN IS COMING TO VISIT YOUR HOUSE. IF YOU DROP
A FORK OR A SPOON, THE VISITOR WILL BE A WOMAN.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 00-00-1963

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CHARM

THE ACORN MADE OF TIN OR COPPER.
IT HAD ONCE BEEN THE CUSTOM FOR PEOPLE TO CARRY A DRIED
ACORN FOR SUSTAINING YOUTHFULNESS AND VIGOR.
NOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE A WAYWARD LOVER RETURN
TO HIS OR HER COMPANION.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration

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GOOD NIGHT

GOOD NIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT.
DON'T LET THE BED BUGS BITE.
IF THEY DO, PUT THEM IN A STEW
AND GET UP AND EAT THEM AT HALF PAST TWO.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Keyword(s): FOOD ; GORE ; INSECTS ; INTERNAL RHYME ( TWO PAIRS) ; RHYME: AABB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief

Date learned: 00-00-1955

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WEREWOLF BELIEF

IF YOU LOOK BACK AT THE MOON OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER,
YOU WILL IMMEDIATELY ENCOUNTER A WEREWOLF.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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GOOD LUCK

IF A SPIDER OR TOAD CROSSES THE
BRIDES PATH SHE IS SURE TO HAVE A HAPPY MARRIAGE.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: Observation

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IT WAS TRADITIONAL THAT EACH INDIAN BRAVE MAKE A FAST OF SEVEN DAYS
AND NIGHTS UPON REACHING MANHOOD. ONE YOUNG MAN, CALLED WUNZH
CAME FROM A PARTICULARLY POOR VILLAGE. BEFORE MAKING HIS FAST,
WUNZH PRAYED TO THE "GREAT SPIRIT" FOR HELP.
THE FIRST NIGHT AS WUNZH SLEPT, HE DREAMT HE WAS TALKING TO THE
GREAT SPIRIT. HE ASKED THE GREAT SPIRIT TO SEND FOOD FOR HIS VILLAGE
WHEN HE AWOKE, HE WAS VERY HUNGRY SO HE WENT FOR A WALK THROUGH THE
WOODS, ONCE MORE PLEADING TO THE GREAT SPIRIT.
THE SECOND NIGHT WUNZH DREAMED THAT A YOUNG MAN DRESSED IN GREEN
AND YELLOW VISITED HIM. THE YOUNG MAN TOLD HIM HE WAS SENT FROM
THE GREAT SPIRIT TO SHOW WUNZH HOW TO HELP HIS PEOPLE. FIRST, THOUGH
,WUNZH MUST BATTLE WITH THE YOUNG MAN. WUNZH FOUGHT UNTIL HE WAS
EXHAUSTED AND THE YOUNG MAN LEFT. FOR TWO NIGHTSTHE YOUNG MAN
VISITED HIM AND THEY FOUGHT. ON THE THIRD DAY THE YOUNG MAN TOLD
WUNZH THAT THIS WAS THE LAST DAY HE WOULD COME. IF WUNZH COULD THROW
HIM, THE GREAT SPIRIT WOULD TELL HIM HOW TO HELP HIS PEOPLE.
WUNZH THREW HIM AFTER MUCH FIGHTING. THE YOUNG MAN INSTRUCTED HIM
NOT TO EAT THE FOOD HIS FATHER WOULD BRING ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF
HIS FAST. HE ALSO INSTRUCTED WUNZH TO KILL HIM AND PUT HIM INTO
THE GROUND.
"YOU MUST REMEMBER WHERE YOU PUT ME AND WATER ME EVERY TIME THE NEW
MOON COMES UP. THEN I WILL COME ALIVE."
WUNZH DID AS HE WAS INSTRUCTED. HE FAITHFULLY WATERED HIS FRIEND
AND SAW A GREEN PLANT SPRING UP. THE PLANT TOLD HIM NOT TO TELL
ANYONE ABOUT IT UNTIL THE YELLOW CAME
ONE DAY THE YELLOW CAME. WUNZH CALLED IT "MON-DAW-MIN" AND LED HIS
PEOPLE TO IT. MONDAWIN IS INDIAN CORN AND THIS TELLS OF ITS ORIGIN.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

James Callow Keyword(s): WRESTLING

Subject headings: 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Plant Life

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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PROVERB

AN IDLE MIND IS THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Keyword(s): METAPHOR

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: EARLY CHILDHOOD

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WEATHER PROVERB

IF THE SUN SET IS RED,
THEN ALOT DAY WILL FOLLOW
ON THE MORN

Submitter comment: NONE

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Keyword(s): WEATHER

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Weather Proverb

Date learned: 09-24-1969

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CURE FOR COUGH

GOOSE GREASE ON NECK WITH A FLANNEL CLOTH WRAPPED AROUND THE THROAT
WAS USED TO CURE COUGHS.

Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER REASSURED ME WITHOUT ANY DOUBT THAT THIS REMEDY FROM
POLAND WORKED WELL.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy
BELIEF -- Animal

Date learned: 00-00-1930

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CURE FOR NERVES

BUDS OF CLOVER PLANTS SUCH AS MINT LEAVES WERE BOILED AS TEA TO CALM
NERVES.

Submitter comment: I TRIED SOME OF THIS TEA AT MY GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE, AND IT WAS TASTY
AND RELAXING.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy
BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 00-00-1920

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CURE FOR COUGH

BAD COUGH EASED BY TAKING LEAVES FROM LINDEN TREE AND BOILING THEM
WITH SOME HONEY AND ROCK SUGAR AND DRINKING JUST BEFORE BED.

Submitter comment: THIS CURE FOR COUGHS WAS OBTAINED IN CHICAGO FROM FRIENDS OF MY
GRANDMOTHER. SHE NOW, THOUGH, JUST TAKES HONEY WITH SOME LEMON JUICE
TO SOOTHE COUGHS.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy
BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 00-00-1930

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FESTIVAL AFTER EASTER

ON DYNGUS DAY, WHICH WAS THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER EASTER SUNDAY,
BOYS WOULD SURPRISE GIRLS BY WHIPPING THEM ON THE LEGS WITH THIN
BRANCHES. THIS WAS DONE TO REPRESENT THE SCOURGING JESUS ENDURED.

Submitter comment: MY MOTHER TOLD ME THAT SHE ALWAYS HID ON DYNGUS DAY, BUT HER COUSINS
ALWAYS MANAGED TO FIND HER AND WHIP HER.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus

Date learned: 00-00-1930

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DYNGUS DAY

THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER BOYS SPRINKLED CHEAP PERFUME ON THE GIRLS
WHICH REPRESENTED THE SPITTLE JESUS RECEIVED FROM THE ROMANS.

Submitter comment: THIS VERSION OF DYNGUS DAY WAS PARTICULARLY FRUSTRATING, ESPECIALLY
SINCE GIRLS TRIED TO KEEP THEIR HAIR NICE.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus

Date learned: 00-00-1930

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