Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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"ZE SKUNK, ZE SKUNK"
I HUNT ZE BEAR; I HUNT ZE WOLF;
SOMETIMES I HUNT ZE RAT.
LAS' WEEK I TAKE MY AX
AN' HUNT ZE SKUNK POLECAT.
MY FRIEND JACQUES SAYS HE'S VER' GOOD FUR,
AN' SOMETIME GOOD TO EAT.
I TELL MY WIFE I GET FUR COAT
AN' SAME TIME GET SOME MEAT.
I WALK TWO, T'REE, FOUR MILE.
I FEEL WAN AWFUL SMELL.
I SAY DIS SKUNK HE'S UP AND DIE,
AN' FUR COAT GONE TO HELL.
BIMEBY I SEE ZE SKUNK,
CLOSE UP BY ONE BEEG TREE.
I SNEAK UP VERA CLOSE BEHIN',
AN' T'INK HE'S NO SEE ME.
BIMEBY I'M CLOSE UP BY ZE SKUNK.
I RAISE MY AX UP HIGH,
WHEN ... UP, KERPLUNK, DIS DAM', DAM' SKUNK
SHE'S T'ROW SOMET'ING IN MY EYE.
SACRE BLU! I T'INK I'M BLIN'.
GEE WHIZ! I CAN NO SEE!
I WALK ROUN' AN' ROUN' AN' ROUN'
AN' BUMP IN DAM' OL' TREE!
BIMEBY I DROP MY AX
AN' LIGHT OUT FOR DA SHACK.
I T'INK A MILLION SKUNKS
DEY CLIM' UPON MY BACK.
MY WIFE SHE MEET ME AT DA DOOR.
SHE SEEK ON ME DA DOG.
SHE SAY."YOU NO SLEEP HERE TONIGHT.
YOU GO SLEEP MIT DA HOG."
I TRY TO CLIM' IN HOG PEN.
GEE WHIZ! NOW WHAT YOU TINK?
DAT DAM' O' HOG NOT STAN' FOR DAT
ON 'COUNT OF AWFUL STINK.
NO MORE I'M HUNT ZE SKUNK POLECAT
TO GET HIS FUR OR MEAT.
FOR IF HIS BREATH HE SMELL SO BAD,
GEE WHIZ WHAT EEFF HE SPEET.
Submitter comment:
THIS POEM WAS USUALLY RECITED AROUND A FIRE ON
SATURDAY NIGHTS AT THE LOGGING CAMP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): LOGGING POEMS
James Callow Keyword(s): FRENCH DIALECT ; SPIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 03-04-1990
FOLKLORE OF OMENS
FIND A HAIRPIN, PICK IT UP AND YOU WILL MAKE A NEW FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: CA00001915
KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
THE STREET O'CONNER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN ST. CLAIR SHORES,
MICHIGAN, IS SAID TO BE HAUNTED BY THE GHOST OF AN 8-YEAR-OLD
GIRL WHO WAS DRAGGED TO HER DEATH ON THE BUMPER OF A CAR.
THE DRIVER OF THE CAR HEARD A KNOCKING ON THE BACK OF THE
VEHICLE BUT WAS UNAWARE AT THE TIME WHAT IT WAS. THE GIRL'S
MOTHER CURSED THE STREET SO THAT EVERY TIME A CAR WENT PAST
THE STREET, THE PASSENGERS WOULD HEAR THE KNOCKING.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 00-00-1964
YOU MAKE ABOUT AS MUCH SENSE AS A CIGARETTE MACHINE IN A
CANCER WARD.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
ROBERT JOHN STREET IN GROSSE POINTE IS HAUNTED.
THE HANDS OF A LITTLE GIRL, WHO WAS STRUCK AND
KILLED ON THAT STREET, KNOCK AND POUND ON PASSING
CARS.
Submitter comment:
QUITE A FEW PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO EITHER HEARD
OF THE TALE OR HEARD THE KNOCKING THEMSELVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.13 |
Date learned: 09-20-1971
OLE PETE BATEESE
OLE PETE BATEESE GOT CHASE ONE NIGHT
BY WOLF UP BY THE SOO.
DESE WOLF DEY T'REE, FOUR IN DE PACK
AND DEY SCARE HIM TRU AND TRU.
PRETTY SOON OLE PETE CLIMB UP A TREE;
HE T'INK HE STAY AWHILE.
DESE WOLF DEY SIT DOWN IN DE SNOW
AND LICK DERE CHOPS AND SMILE.
PETE QUICK TWO WOLF GO TROT AWAY;
PETE T'INK DE REST SOON GO.
PRETTY QUICK DESE WOLF COME RIGHT STRAIGHT BACK;
PETE'S SPIRITS DEY SINK LOW.
FOR W'AT YOU T'INK DESE WOLF DEY GOT?
BIG BEAVER- ONE? NO- TWO!
DEY SET DEM DOWN BESIDE DAT TREE
AND SAY, "BY GAR, NOW CHEW."
DOSE BEAVER START IN CHEW DAT TREE;
DEY CHEW LIKE BEAT DE BAND.
PETE T'INK HE SOON BE ON DE GROUN'
UNLESS HE TAKE A HAND.
SO PETE PULL OUT HIS ONE-QUART HOOCH
AND LET IT RUN OUT SLOW.
IT TRICKLE DOWN DE TRUNK TO WHERE
DOSE BEAVER CHEW BELOW.
DOSE BEAVER DEY GOT DRUNK, BY GAR.
DEY DON'T SEE NONE TOO GOOD.
DEY MAKE MISTAKE AND CHEW DE WOLF
INSTEAD OF CHEW DE TREE.
DOSE WOLF RUN 'WAY, AND PETE CLIMB DOWN
AND SIT DOWN IN DE SNOW.
AND CRY AND CRY TO T'INK FOR WHERE
HIS ONE-QUART HOOCH SHE GO.
Submitter comment:
THIS POEM IS RECITED ON WEEKEND PARTIES BY
CHEERS FROM THE LOGGING CREWS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
James Callow Keyword(s): FRENCH DIALECT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
LOCAL LEGEND: THE THREE BEARS (THE MOTHER AND HER TWO CUBS)
AN ENORMOUS FOREST FIRE BROKE OUT ON THE WISCONSIN SIDE OF LAKE
MICHIGAN. A MOTHER BEAR AND HER TWO CUBS WERE FORCED TO SWIM
TOWARD THE MICHIGAN SIDE TO ESCAPE THE FLAMES. SHORTLY BEFORE
THE TWIN CUBS REACHED THE MICHIGAN COAST NEAR LELAND, THEY GREW
EXHAUSTED AND DROWNED. THE MOTHER BEAR, A STRONGER SWIMMER,
REACHED LAND FIRST AND, UNAWARE OF HER CUBS' FATE, FELL INTO A
DEEP SLUMBER TO AWAIT THEIR ARRIVAL. THE CUBS NEVER ARRIVED,
BUT CAN BE SEEN FROM THE SHORELINE AS NORTH AND SOUTH MANITOU
ISLANDS. THE BEAR STILL SLEEPS; THE ENORMOUS SANDY BLUFFS TO
THIS DAY ARE KNOWN AS SLEEPING BEAR DUNES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Air Weather Fire PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LOCAL LEGEND: THE THREE BEARS (THE MOTHER AND HER TWO CUBS)
AN ENORMOUS FOREST FIRE BROKE OUT ON THE WISCONSIN SIDE OF LAKE
MICHIGAN. A MOTHER BEAR AND HER TWO CUBS WERE FORCED TO SWIM
TOWARD THE MICHIGAN SIDE TO ESCAPE THE FLAMES. SHORTLY BEFORE
THE TWIN CUBS REACHED THE MICHIGAN COAST NEAR LELAND, THEY GREW
EXHAUSTED AND DROWNED. THE MOTHER BEAR, A STRONGER SWIMMER,
REACHED LAND FIRST AND, UNAWARE OF HER CUBS' FATE, FELL INTO A
DEEP SLUMBER TO AWAIT THEIR ARRIVAL. THE CUBS NEVER ARRIVED,
BUT CAN BE SEEN FROM THE SHORELINE AS NORTH AND SOUTH MANITOU
ISLANDS. THE BEAR STILL SLEEPS; THE ENORMOUS SANDY BLUFFS TO
THIS DAY ARE KNOWN AS SLEEPING BEAR DUNES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Air Weather Fire PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
If you tip a cow when it is asleep the milk from that cow
will become sour.
Submitter comment:
A farmer told our family this story when we stopped to
buy some fresh fruits and vegetables from his farm on our
way to Traverse City.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
Keyword(s): drink, sour.
James Callow Keyword(s): cow tipping
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
PROVERBIAL
MY STOMACH FEELS AS IF MY THROAT WAS CUT....
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-02-1970
TAUNT
AN INSULT: WHERE DO YOU GO ?--YUBA U.?
OR WHERE ARE YOU GOING AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, YUBA U.?
Submitter comment:
YUBA IS A HICK TOWN TRADING POST IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN.
ASKING SOMEONE IF THEY ARE GOING TO YUBA UNIVERSITY
IS MEANT AS AN INSULT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-02-1970
THAT WENT OVER JUST ABOUT AS WELL AS A PREGNANT POLEVAULTER.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
I REMEMBER THE ONE, THERE WAS A MAN WHO WENT TO COMMUNION AND
HE DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT IT WAS REALLY GOD. SO WHEN THE PRIEST
GAVE HIM THE HOST, HE HURRIED UP AND TOOK IT OUT OF HIS
MOUTH AND PUT IT IN A HANDKERCHIEF, WRAPPED IT UP AND PUT
IT IN HIS POCKET. AND WHEN HE GOT HOME, HE WENT IN HIS
ROOM AND CLOSED THE DOOR, TOOK A HAMMER AND A NAIL, AND HE
NAILED THE HOST TO THE WALL, AND IT BEGAN TO BLEED. HE
DROWN {DROWNED} IN THE BLOOD.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
THIS IS A STORY ABOUT A WATER-SKIER WHO FELL WHILE SKIING
AND BECAME TANGLED IN THE SEAWEED. BY THE TIME THE BOAT
HAD TURNED AROUND AND REACHED THE SKIER, THE PERSON HAD
ALREADY DROWNED.
I HEARD THIS WHEN I WAS LITTLE AND DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS
TRUE OR NOT. I THINK IT SERVES AS A WARNING TO WATER-
SKIERS TO WATCH OUT FOR SEAWEEK. BEING A WATER-SKIER,
I KNOW THAT IT IS EASY TO BECOME TANGLED IN SEAWEED, BUT
IT IS EASY TO PULL IT OUT IF ONE IS BADLY TANGLED,
DROWNING WOULD NOT BE THAT EASY. BUT KNOWING THE STORY
EVERYTIME I HAVE FALLEN IN SEAWEED, IT SENDS CHILLS
THROUGH ME.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ACCIDENTAL DROWNING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERB
COURTSHIP IS BLISS;
MATRIMONY IS BLISTER
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID HER FATHER USED THIS SAYING WHILE ATTENDING COLLEGE
IN 1904.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Keyword(s): DEFINITION ; SEMANTICS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
FOLKART-CONVERSION OF ARTICLES TO NEW USES.
CANDLEHOLDER MADE FROM BABYFOOD JARS.
Submitter comment:
TO MAKE THIS ITEM, YOU TAKE THREE BABY FOOD JARS AND GLUE THEM
TOGETHER, KEEP THE LIDS ON. WHEN GLUE IS SETTLED (ABOUT ONE NIGHT)
TAKE A COVER FROM ANOTHER JAR, ABOUT 2-3 INCHES WIDE AND PLACE ON
TOP OF THE JARS. THEN TAKE VARNISH AND WOOD PAINT AND APPLY
TO THE JARS AND LID. LET THAT SETTLE OVERNIGHT THEN DECORATE THE
INSIDE OF THE LID WITH TINY PLASTIC FLOWERS AND PLACE CANDLE IN THE
MIDDLE.
FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Household furniture and utensil |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
FOLKART-CONVERSION OF ARTICLES TO NEW USES.
MAGAZINE HOLDER THAT WAS CONVERTED FROM A FLOWER BASKET.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A WIDE BOTTOM BASKET THAT WAS USED BY A FLORIST TO ARRANGE
FLOWERS IN.
FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Household furniture and utensil |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
AQUONELE (POPPY SEEDS)
THE CHILDREN STAND IN A CIRCLE AND HOLDING HANDS.
THEY SING THE FIRST VERSE. SINGING ZODZIUS: "SEJA
SITAIP, VA IR VA KAIP"--THE CHILDREN DO SOWING MOTIONS
FIRST WITH THEIR RIGHT HAND, THEN THEIR LEFT. SINGING
ON, "TAIP, TAIP AQUONELES SEJA"--EVERYONE CLAPS TWICE
AND TURNS AROUND SLOWLY, IN A FULL CIRCLE, TO THE RIGHT.
THEY REPEAT AGAIN TO THE LEFT.
SINGING THAT THE POPPY SEEDS ARE COMING UP--THE CHILDREN
STOOP DOWN, SHOWING WITH THEIR FINGERS HOW THE POPPY
SEEDS ARE BREAKING THROUGH. THEY AGAIN CLAP 2 AND TURN
TO THE RIGHT, CLAP 2 AGAIN AND TURN TO THE LEFT.
Submitter comment:
SEJA SITAIP VA IR VA KAIP--SHOWING HOW THEY PLANT THE
POPPY SEEDS. SECOND QUOTE: THIS IS HOW, THIS IS HOW
THE POPPIES ARE PLANTED. SINGING OF HOW THEY ARE GROWING (THE POPPY SEEDS), THE CHILDREN STOOP DOWN AND SLOWLY RISE UP, SHOWING HOW HIGH THEY GROW. SINGING OF HOW THE POPPIES BLOOM, THE CHILDREN SLOWLY RAISE THEIR HANDS, HOLDING THEM TOGETHER, AND LEANING BACK JUST A LITTLE. SINGING OF HOW THE POPPIES RIPEN--THE CHILDREN, WITH HANDS RAISED, IMITATE WITH THEIR PALMS THE ROUND HEAD OF A POPPY. SINGING OF HOW THE POPPIES ARE SHAKEN DOWN, THE CHILDREN TURN ROWARDS EACH OTHER, PLACE THEIR HANDS ON EACH OTHERS ARMS ABOVE THE ELBOWS AND SHAKE. SINGING OF HOW THE POPPIES ARE BEING GRINDED--THE CHILDREN STOOP DOWN AND EVERYONE WITH THEIR RIGHT HAND MAKE A CIRCLE, IMITATING GRINDING. SINGING OF HOW TO EAT POPPIES--THE CHILDREN STAND AND THROW HANDFULS INTO THEIR MOUTHS. "POPPY SEEDS" IS A VERY POPULAR SONG AMONG THE LITTLE KIDS. NO ONE KNOWS WHERE IT ORIGINATED FROM OR WHO WROTE (IT), SO IT IS TRUE FOLKLORE. MY MOTHER'S STEP-MOTHER TOLD ME THAT SHE LEARNED THAT WHEN SHE WAS ONLY SEVEN YEARS OLD. SO IT'S PRETTY OLD. ALL OF THESE GAME-VERSES ARE OLD, BUT THE KIDS LOVE THEM.
A COMBINATION OF BOTH DANCE AND GAME.
Where learned: SOUTHFIELD ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 03-27-1972
FOLKART-CONVERSION OF ARTICLES TO NEW USES.
MILK CAN CONVERTED TO A PATIO ORNAMENTATION.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS LOOKING FOR VARIOUS ARTIFACTS THAT WOULD COMPLETE
HER DECOR OF HER HOME IN EARLY AMERICAN. SHE WANTED TO CARRY THIS
THEME THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE AND INTO THE SURROUNDING AREA.
FUNCTIOMAL SHIFT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Household furniture and utensil ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Accessories: Fireplace, stove, oven, lighting, etc. |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
GEOGRAPHY
CURIOUSLY, WHEN ONE IS HEADED NORTH ON LAKE MICHIGAN, ONE IS "DOWN-
WARD," AND HEADED SOUTHWARD TO CHICAGO, ONE IS "UPBOUND." THIS OCCURS
ONLY ON LAKE MICHIGAN. THE NAVIGATIONAL AND MARITIME TRADITION WHICH
DEFINES THE CONCEPTS "UPBOUND"AND "DOWNBOUND" IS THAT "DOWNBOUND" IS
ALWAYS "SEAWARD TO THE HEAD OF NAVIGATION." HENCE, ON THE GREAT LAKES
"DOWNWARD" IS THE DIRECTION OF THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY FROM THE
LAKES. YET, ON LAKE ERIE, SAILORS DO NOT DESIGNATE DIRECTION BY
"UPBOUND" OR "DOWNBOUND" BUT "EASTBOUND" OR "WESTBOUND"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 02-21-1970