Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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VERSE IN MARRIAGE CUSTOM
THE WAY THE TOWER IS OVER THE WIFE THAT IS THE WAY THE HUSBAND
SHOULD BE OVER THE WIFE.
Submitter comment:
PEOPLE BELIEVED THIS CENTURIES AGO. EXPRESSION IS NOT USED THAT
FREQUENTLY NOW.
THIS WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA.
THIS ITEM IS TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RUSSIA ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | 860 Belief Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.533 |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
VERSE IN MARRIAGE CUSTOM
WITCH WITH LONG HAIR DON'T BE AFRAID OF ME.
Submitter comment:
CHILDREN WERE FRIGHTENED ABOUT THE WITCH IN THE WHEAT FIELDS AND
WHEN THE MAN WAS MARRIED HE SAID THIS TO PROVE HIS BRAVERY.
THIS WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA.
THIS ITEM IS TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
James Callow comment:
INCOMPLETE? ARE KEYPUNCH CARDS MISSING?
CN[ GOUGH, IRENE 700299
C1[ 42449 TESSMER
C2[ STERLING HTS, MICHIGAN 48078
CO[ CHILDREN WERE FRIGHTENED ABOUT THE WITCH IN THE WHEAT FIELDS AND
WHEN THE MAN WAS MARRIED HE SAID THIS TO PROVE HIS BRAVERY.
THIS WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA.
THIS ITEM IS TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RUSSIA ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | 860 Belief Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.435 |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
JEST, ANECDOTE
ONCE THERE WAS AN ORTHODOX WOMAN AND A CATHOLIC MAN. THE
HUSBAND WENT OUT IN THE WOODS TO WORK AND THE MOTHER WHO
STAYED AT HOME TOLD THE CHILDREN IF THE CATHOLIC PRIEST SHOULD
COME TO THE DOOR TELL HIM THAT NO ONE IS HOME. ONE DAY THE
PRIEST COMES TO THE DOOR AND ASKS THE CHILDREN, QUOTATION
"WHERE ARE YOUR PARENTS?" AND THEY REPLY,
"ONE PARENT WENT OUT TO THE WOODS AND THE OTHER IS HIDING BEHIND
THE OVEN."
Submitter comment:
CHILDREN DON'T KNOW HOW TO LIE. THEY APPEAR INNOCENT COMPARED
TO THE MOTHER.
THIS WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA.
THIS ITEM IS TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RUSSIA ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
JEST, ANECDOTE
THE HOLY ORTHODOX PRIEST NEVER LOOKED OUTSIDE TO LOOK AT THE
WEATHER. HE WOULD ALWAYS ASK HIS SERVANT TO SEE IF IT WAS
RAINING OR IF IT WAS SUNSHINING. ON THE THIRD DAY THE SERVANT WAS
TIRED OF ANSWERING THE PRIEST AND DECIDED TO TRICK HIM. SO
WHEN THE PRIEST ASKED, " IS IT RAINING OR SHINING?"
HE SAID, "IT IS RAINING"
WHEN IT WAS REALLY SHINING. THE PRIEST AS ALWAYS SAID
" I KNOW AND GOD KNOWS."
THIS TIME, HOWEVER, THE
SERVANT CRIED, " GOD KNOWS BUT YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING."
Submitter comment:
THE ORTHODOX PRIESTS WERE CONSIDERED SO HOLY THAT THEY DID NOT
HAVE TO WORK. SOME PEOPLE CONSIDERED THEM LAZY.
THIS ITEM IS TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
THIS WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RUSSIA ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
SEVENTH BOOK OF MOSES
STAY AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SEVENTH BOOK OF MOSES. THESE
PEOPLE PERFORM DEEDS OF WITCHCRAFT. MY GRANDMOTHER KNEW A LADY WHO
POSSESSED THIS BOOK. THE LADY TOLD MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER SHE HAD TO
SAY GOOD BYE TO HER SEWING MACHINE. MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER REFUSED. THE
SEWING MACHINE THEN WALKED WITH HER UNTIL SHE SAID GOOD BYE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Magic Book |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
OMEN
IF YOU DROP A FORK YOU CAN EXPECT COMPANY FOR DINNER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
OMEN
IF YOU FIND A STRING ON YOUR CLOTHES YOU ARE GOING TO GET A SURPRISE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
OMEN
WHEN YOU CROSS A RAILROAD TRACK PUT YOUR HAND ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR
OR YOU WILL LOSE YOUR FRIENDS.
Submitter comment: WHEN ASKED THE MEANING OF THIS SHE HAD NO IDEA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): TRAVEL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
RIDDLE
IF IT IS NOT THE COUGH THAT CARRIES YOU OFF, WHAT IS IT?
ANSWER: THE COFFIN THEY CARRY YOU OFF IN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle C890.400 |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
WISHING
WHEN YOU WEAR A NECKLACE, IF THE CLASP COMES TO THE FRONT YOU CAN
MAKE A WISH AND IT WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
WISHING
WHEN YOU SEE A MAIL TRUCK, CROSS YOUR FINGERS AND MAKE A WISH. KEEP
THEM CROSSED UNTIL YOU SEE A DOG. THEN UNCROSS THEM AND YOUR WISH
WILL COME TRUE.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT WAS LIVING IN CALIFORNIA AT THIS TIME
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
WISHING
WHOEVER SEES THE FIRST STREET LIGHT GO ON GETS TO MAKE A WISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
THUMP DRAG
THERE WAS A COUNSELOR AT CAMP NAMED JERRY. HE WAS BOSSY TO ABOUT
THREE CHILDREN. ONE DAY, AFTER A CAMP MOVIE, ONE OF THE CHILDREN TOOK
A CLUB AND HIT JERRY ON THE HEAD. THEN THEY TIED HIM UP AND POURED GAS
OVER HIM. THEY LIT A MATCH AND PRETENDED THEY WOULD IGNITE HIM. HALF OF
HIS BODY WAS BURNT. THE NEXT YEAR THE SAME CAMPERS CAME BACK. DURING THE
WINTER SOME OF THE FOOD AND SUPPLIES WERE STOLEN. THE DOCTOR THOUGHT IT
WAS A BEAR. THE CHILDREN CONFESSED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IT WAS BELIEVED THAT
JERRY WENT INSANE. ONE DAY THEY HEARD A THUMP AND A DRAG. THIS WAS THE SOUND
THAT JERRY MADE BECAUSE HIS
LEG WAS BURNED. ONE DAY HE WALKED INTO A CABIN AND TOOK ONE OF THE
THREE CHILDREN. THE COUNSELOR HEARD THE NOISE AND CAME RUNNING. THUMP
DRAG DROPPED THE CHILD. THE COUNSELOR DECIDED TO GET THUMP DRAG. THEY
FOLLOWED HIM TO A SEWER AND SAW BLOOD AND BONES ALL OVER. THUMP DRAG
SMASHED THE HEADS OF TWO COUNSELORS. ONE COUNSELOR SHOT HIM BUT THUMP
DRAG DISAPPEARED. ONE YEAR LATER HE WAS FOUND DEAD BY A FARMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): BEOWULF ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
THE WITCH OF METRO BEACH
A WOMAN WHO DIED IN A CAR CRASH AT METROPOLITAN BEACH HAUNTS THOSE
WHO COME THERE TO PARK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): DETROIT, MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
DEATH
WHEN MY GREAT GRANDFATHER DIED THE FRONT GATE OF HIS HOUSE STARTED
SWINGING BACK AND FORTH ALONE. WHEN MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER DIED HER
ROCKING CHAIR STARTED ROCKING BY ITSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
KNOCK KNOCK BRIDGE
A COUPLE WAS TRAVELING WITH THEIR DAUGHTER ACROSS A BRIDGE IN GROSSE
POINTE. THE LITTLE GIRL FELL OUT OF THE CAR. SHE WAS DRAGGED BY THE
SIDE OF THE CAR AND KNOCKED ON THE DOOR OF THE CAR AS SHE WAS
DRAGGED. NOW ANYONE THAT CROSSES THE BRIDGE CAN HEAR HER KNOCKING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): VARIANT OF KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
PAT AND MIKE STORY
PAT AND MIKE NEVER WENT TO THE COUNTRY. THEY WERE CITY SLICKERS. THEY
WENT TO THE COUNTRY ONE DAY AND MET A FARMER. THEY HAD NEVER BEEN
SWIMMING AND DECIDED TO TRY IT. THEY ASKED THE FARMER WHERE THEY
COULD GO SWIMMING. THE FARMER SAID TO WALK ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD
AND THERE WOULD BE A BIG GREEN LAKE. PAT AND MIKE WALKED ABOUT HALF A
MILE AND SAW A BIG GREEN PASTURE. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE LAKE. PAT
TOLD MIKE TO GO FIRST AND TELL HIM HOW IT FEELS. MIKE GOT ON THE
FENCE AND DOVE IN AND HIT HIS HEAD. PAT ASKED HOW IT FELT. MIKE SAID
"I DON'T KNOW BUT I THINK YOU BETTER DIVE A LITTLE TO THE RIGHT,
I HIT A SAND BAR."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): OUTLANDER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman IRIS |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
CLANCY
CLANCY WAS A COOK AT CAMP OZANAM. HE LIVED IN AN APARTMENT NOW CALLED
ASH. CLANCY WAS BELIEVED TO BE FROM ANOTHER PLANET. ONE DAY CAMPERS
HEARD SCREAMS. THE COUNSELORS WENT IN AND SAW A MEAT GRINDER AND SOME
KIDS. CLANCY WOULD TAKE KIDS AND GRIND THEM UP. HE WAS SERVING THE
CAMP CHILDREN GROUND UP PEOPLE. THE COUNSELORS CALLED THE POLICE AND
CLANCY RAN OUT. THE POLICE SHOT CLANCY BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. CLANCY
RAN ONTO A ROCK AND SHOT UP INTO THE AIR. HE WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM ; INEFFECTIVE BULLETS INVULNERABILITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Planet |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
LUKE THE SPOOK
THERE IS A GHOST HOUSE ON 26 MILE ROAD. EERIE SOUNDS ARE HEARD FROM
INSIDE AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT CAUSES THEM. SOME SAY A GHOST NAMED LUKE
THE SPOOK LIVES THERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
WART REMEDY
PUT A PIECE OF RAW MEAT UPON A WART, BURY THE MEAT, WHEN THE MEAT
ROTS, YOUR WART WILL BE GONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body) BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 11-15-1973