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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TOO MANY COOKS SPOIL THE POT.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): POT?
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-15-1967
BELIEF
SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT IF YOU COUNT THE NUMBER OF CARS IN A
FUNERAL PROCESSION THAT IS THE NUMBER OF YEARS YOU HAVE LEFT TO
LIVE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT BELIEVES ABSOLUTELY IN THE ABOVE AND WOULD
ONLY COUNT THE NUMBER OF CARS IN PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S
FUNERAL PROCESSION.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-01-1970
(TALE FILLED WITH CONTRADICTION)
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT,
AND THE SUN SHOWN DOWN IN SPLENDOR.
TWO MEN STOOD FACE TO FACE WITH THEIR BACKS TOGETHER.
ONE DREW A REVOLVER FROM HIS BELT,
THE OTHER'S HEAD DID SEVER.
ALONG CAME A GAY YOUNG MISS,
SHE WAS OLD AND BENT WITH YEARS.
AND ON HER FACE SHE WORE A SMILE,
AND HER EYES WERE FILLED WITH TEARS.
SHE RECOGNIZED THE DYING MAN,
AND CRIED ALOUD, "WHO IS HE?"
HE RAISED HIS HEADLESS BODY UP
AND SAID, "MY GOD, IT'S LIZZIE!"
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative Prose Narrative |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MR. AND MRS. HILL WERE DRIVING ALONG IN THEIR CAR,
DURING A RAINSTORM. SUDDENLY IN A FLASH OF LIGHTNING,
MRS. HILL SAW A SPOOKY CASTLE ON A HILLTOP. "LOOK,
DEAR," SHE SAID. AND TOO BAD HE DID, BECAUSE THE
CAR RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH AND MR. AND MRS. HILL
WERE KILLED INSTANTLY.
BUT UP IN THAT CASTLE ON THE HILL WAS DR. FRANKENSTEIN
WHO HAD BEEN WORKING ALL OF HIS LIFE ON AN INVENTION
TO MAKE DEAD BODIES COME BACK TO LIFE. FRANKENSTEIN
SENT HIS ASSISTANT, IGOR, DOWN TO GET THE BODIES OF MR.
AND MRS. HILL. WHEN IGOR RETURNED, THE APPARATUS WAS
SET UP. THEY LAID THE BODIES DOWN. "GIVE THEM 5000
VOLTS, IGOR." ZAAP. BUT THEY WERE STILL DEAD. SO
FRANKENSTEIN DECIDED TO GIVE THEM FULL POWER--"GIVE
THEM 25000 VOLTS, IGOR!!" ZAAAP. BUT NO, STILL THEY
WERE DEAD. SO, FRANKENSTEIN, FACED WITH DEFEAT AFTER
A LIFETIME OF HARD WORK, STARTED PLAYING HIS FLUTE TO
RELAX HIS NERVES. LOOK--MRS. HILL'S HAND IS QUIVERING.
MR. HILL IS SITTING UP. THEY'RE TALKING TOGTHER!! "LOOK
IGOR" SAID DR. FRANKENSTEIN--"THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH
THE SOUND OF MUSIC!"
Submitter comment:
THIS JOKE IS A VERY CONTEMPORARY JOKE CONSIDERING
THE SONG FROM THE PRODUCTION "THE SOUND OF MUSIC."
FOR ANYONE LOOKING IN THE ARCHIVES AFTER 1980.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 02-22-1971
LADY IN WHITE
WHEN PENNY WAS A YOUNG CHILD, SHE WALED DOWN A
ROAD PAST A HOUSE WHERE A MEAN OLD WOMAN WAS PREVIOUSLY
RUN OUT OF TOWN. AS SHE PASSED THE HOUSE, SHE SAW A
WOMAN WITH AN EXPRESSIONLESS FACE, DRESSED ENTIRELY
IN WHITE, WHO WAS SIGNALING FOR PENNY TO COME TO HER.
SHE DIDN'T GO TO THE WOMAN, BUT RAN DIRECTLY HOME.
HER MOTHER TOLD HER THE WOMAN OFTEN APPEARED TO
PEOPLE BECAUSE SHE WAS STILL ANGRY.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-08-1968
THE LITTLE GIRL WHO HAUNTED HER HOUSE
PENNY LIVED ABOVE HER FATHER'S PUB IN ENGLAND (LONDON).
SHE CLAIMS THAT ON QUIET NIGHTS SHE AND HER FAMILY
OFTEN HEAR SOMEONE RUNNING DOWN THE HALL. THEY
HAVE LEARNED THAT ABOUT 100 YEARS AGO, A LITTLE GIRL
WAS MURDERED IN THE PUB. THE STEPS ARE SUPPOSEDLY
THE LITTLE GIRL'S GHOST.
Where learned: HOME ; ENGLAND ; LONDON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-07-1968
THE GHOST WHO WANTED THE HOUSE
HOPE TOLD ME OF A GHOST WHICH LIVED IN HER HOUSE WHEN
SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL. IT WAS THE SPIRIT OF A MAN
WHO DIED IN THE HOUSE WHEN HIS SON WAS A LITTLE BOY.
WHEN HOPE AND HER FAMILY MOVED IN, THE GHOST WOULD
MAKE A LOT OF NOISE AND WALK AROUND THE HOUSE. HE
WOULD NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO GO INTO THE ATTIC WHERE HIS
CHILD USED TO PLAY. HE WANTED THE FAMILY OF HOPE TO
MOVE OUT OF THE HOUSE, BECAUSE HE WANTED TO BE LEFT
ALONE WITH THE MEMORY OF HIS FAMILY AND THE LITTLE BOY.
HE RAN PAST HER MOTHER ONCE WHEN THE PAPER WAS
DELIVERED, LIKE HE HAD PROBABLY DONE IN THE YEARS
BEFORE. HE RAN UP TO THE THIRD FLOOR, SLAMMED THE
DOOR, AND LOCKED IT, WHILE HOPE'S WHOLE FAMILY
WAS DOWN STAIRS, SO NO ONE COULD HAVE BEEN UPSTAIRS
TO DO IT. THIS WAS ONE EXAMPLE SHE GAVE ME ABOUT
THE PRESENCE OF THE GHOST.
Submitter comment:
HOPE TOLD ME THIS ONE NIGHT AFTER WE HAD FINISHED
READING AN ARTICLE ON GHOSTS AND SPIRITS IN PEOPLE'S
HOUSES.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-02-1969
SPIRITUAL
LOW IN THE GRAVE HE LAY,
JESUS MY SAVIOR
WAITING THE COMING DAY
JESUS MY LORD.
UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE,
WITH HIS MIGHTY TRIUMPH OVER HIS FOES.
HE AROSE A VICTORY FROM THE DARK DOMAIN
AND HE LIVES FOREVER
WITH THE SAINTS TO REIGN.
WITH THE SAINTS TO REIGN.
CHORUS: HE AROSE; HE AROSE} HALLELUJAH
CHORUS: CHRIST AROSE.
VAINLY THEY WATCHED HIS BED
JESUS MY SAVIOR
VAINLY THEY SEALED THE DEAD
JESUS MY LORD
UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE
WITH HIS MIGHTY TRIUMPH OVER
HIS FOES.
HE AROSE} HE AROSE} HALLELUJAH
CHRIST AROSE.
DEATH COULD NOT KEEP HIS PREY:
HE TORE THE BARS AWAY.
UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE
WITH HIS MIGHTY TRIUMPH OVER
HIS FOES.
HE AROSE} HE AROSE} HALLELUJAH
CHRIST AROSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIS HOME ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
IN THE CENTRAL MOUNTAINS OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC,
CIGUAPA, PEOPLE LIVE. THEIR FEET ARE ON BACKWARDS,
WITH SHARP, RAZOR BLADE HAIR DOWN TO THEIR ANKLES.
THEY GO AROUND TRYING TO KILL PEOPLE. THE ONLY
WAY TO CATCH THEM IS WITH A BLACK DOG WITH FIVE TOES
AND BORN ON THE 7TH MONTH OF THE YEAR. ALL THE DOG HAS
TO DO IS BARK, WHICH WILL PARALYZE THE CIQUAPA, SO
THE CATCHER CAN KILL HIM.
Where learned: HOME ; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 10-25-1972
ALL OVER THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, SOME NORMAL PEOPLE,
WHILE ASLEEP, TURN INTO WITCHES. THIS HAPPENS AT
EVERY FULL MOON. THEY TUCK THE NORMAL SKIN UNDER
THEIR NEW SKIN AND GO OUT AND DO EVIL THINGS, I.E.,
EATING BABIES AND PLUCKING THE EYES OUT OF PEOPLE.
BEFORE DAWN, THESE PEOPLE RETURN BACK TO NORMAL
AND REMEMBER NOTHING.
Where learned: HOME ; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
FAMILY SAGA
MR. WRIGHT ALSO TOLD STORIES HIS GRANDFATHER TOLD
ABOUT HIMSELF.
GRANDPA ONCE PLANTED A WATERMELON PATCH. THE HOG
GOT INTO IT AND ATE IT ALL UP. SO GRANDPA HAD TO
REPLANT. THEREFORE HE STILL HAD A CROP WHEN EVERY-
BODY ELSE'S WAS GONE. THERE WAS A RAILROAD BEING
BUILT IN THE AREA AT THE TIME. THE RAILROAD WORKERS
CAME INTO THE PATCH AND TOOK SOME WATERMELONS. GRANDPA
SENT HIS SON INTO TOWN TO GET SOME POWDER, THEN HE GOT
HIS MUSKET AND WENT DOWN TO THE PATCH THAT NIGHT. HE
PUT HIS GUN DOWN AND WENT TO SLEEP. THIS WAS A BAD
THING TO DO, FOR THE GUN WAS STOPPED UP ALREADY.
WHEN THE WORKERS CAME THAT NIGHT, GRANDPA AWOKE, TOOK
HIS GUN AND SHOT IT. BUT IT SHOT BACKWARDS, AND
BROKE IN HALF. IT BURNT HIS BEARD AND FACE AND
BROKE SOME TEETH.
THE RAN HOME AND POUNDED ON THE DOOR TO LET HIM IN.
WHEN GRANDMA WENT TO THE FRONT DOOR, HE HAD RUN TO
THE BACK DOOR. WHEN SHE WENT TO THE BACK DOOR, HE
HAD GONE AROUND TO THE FRONT DOOR. WHEN HE FINALLY
ENTERED, HE TOLD HIS FAMILIES THAT "THOSE RASCALS
SHOT ME AND BROKE MY GUN."
ONCE GRANDPA (WHO WAS CALLED UNCLE STEVE BY ALL THE
FOLKS) AND PAPA WENT FISHING. PAPA WAS GREATLY AFRAID
OF SNAKES. WHILE GRANDPA WAS ROWING OUT IN THE LAKE,
A SNAKE FROM AN OVERHEAD TREE FELL DOWN INTO THE BOAT.
PAPA JUMPED OUT OF THE BOAT WHILE GRANDPA HIT AT THE
SNAKE WITH THE PADDLE AND BROKE IT "HALF IN TWO."
AS A RESULT OF PAPA'S JUMPING OUT OF THE BOAT, IT
TURNED OVER AND BOTH HAD TO SWIM TO SHORE.
PAPA WAS SO SCARED OF SNAKES, HE SAW A BUGGY LINE
CURLED UP ON THE GROUND AND HE MISTOOK IT FOR A
SNAKE. HE GOT HIS GUN AND SHOT THE BUGGY LINE TO
PIECES.
AFTER GRANDPA'S FIRST WIFE DIED, HE MARRIED A
WOMAN WHO HAD THREE SONS. AROUND JULY 4TH, WHEN THE
PLOWING WAS DONE, THE BOYS ASKED TO GET SUITS.
SUITS LASTED FIVE OR MORE YEARS BECAUSE THEY WERE
ONLY WORN ON SUNDAYS. THEY HAD BEEN PROMISED A
SUIT FOR A YEAR. FOR SOME REASON, GRANDPA DIDN'T GET
THEM THEIR SUITS. THERE FOLLOWED A BIG FIGHT, AND
THE WIFE AND HER BOYS LEFT HIM.
WELL, GRANDPA MARRIED AGAIN WITHOUT DIVORCING THE
PREVIOUS WIFE.
GRANDPA WAS ALSO A PREACHER. ONE DAY, THE HEAD
MINISTER DELEGATED TO HIM THE JOB TO ACCUSE THE
SINNERS AND EXCLUDE THEM FROM THE CHURCH UNTIL THEY
WERE IN CONDITION TO COME BACK. GAMBLING, BALL
PLAYING, DANCING, ETC.. WERE NOT ALLOWED.
ONE SUNDAY, GRANDPA REALLY GOT ENTHUSIASTIC AND HAD
EXCLUDED FIVE PEOPLE WHEN THE MINISTER SUGGESTED HE
STOP BECAUSE WITH EACH PERSON EXCLUDED HE ALSO LOST
A QUARTER IN THE SUNDAY COLLECTION. BUT GRANDPA
WAS TOO ENTHUSIASTIC, WITH HIS "CHIPS FLY, HEW TO
THE LINE!"
SUDDENLY, SOMEONE GOT UP AND SHOUTED THAT HE (GRANDPA)
HAD TWO LIVING WIVES. (UP TO THIS TIME, GRANDPA
HADN'T CONNECTED HIS CASE WITH THE REGULATION NOT
TO HAVE MORE THAN ONE WIFE. HE HAD FORGOTTEN). THIS
REALLY STOPPED GRANDPA. HE LOOKED UP TO THE SKY
SLOWLY, PUT ON HIS BEAVER HAT, WALKED SILENTLY OUT
OF THE DOOR, GOT HIS HORSE AND WENT HOME. HE DIDN'T
COME BACK FOR THREE MONTHS.
IN 1886 THERE WAS AN EARTHQUAKE. NONE OF THE PEOPLE
KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON. GRANDPA THOUGHT IT WAS AN
OLD MAN ON TOP OF THE HOUSE. HE TOOK A TORCH AND
GRANDMA TOOK A TORCH AND WENT OUTSIDE. HE WENT ONE
WAY AND SHE WENT THE OTHER TO SURROUND THE HOUSE. WHEN
THEY APPROACHED EACH OTHER, THEY THOUGHT THAT THAT
WAS HE. GRANDPA SHOUTED "HE'S AFTER ME!" AND BOTH
RAN AROUND TO THE FRONT WHERE THEY AGAIN RAN INTO EACH
OTHER. GRANDPA SHOUTED "HE'S GOT ME! HE GOT ME!"
THEN HE RAN TO HIS NEIGHBORS "PRAY! PRAY! JUDGMENT!
JUDGMENT!"
WHEN MAMA WAS A GIRL AND SHE AND HER SISTERS WERE
BEING TAKEN OUT BY BOYS, THE BOYS WOULD TREAT THE
GIRLS TO ORANGES, APPLES, BANANAS, AND CANDY.
THE GIRLS GAVE THE TREATS TO UNCLE TOM TO PUT INTO
HIS BIG POCKETS. THEY CAME HOME AND TOLD THEIR
MOTHER THEY WOULD GIVE HER SOME. UNCLE TOM CAME
HOME AN HOUR LATER WITH EMPTY POCKETS. HE HAD BEEN
TREATING OTHER GIRLS HIMSELF WITH THE TREATS.
NATURALLY, THE GIRLS WERE MAD.
ONCE, BROTHER REDGE WANTED TO MAKE SOME HOLES IN
WOOD TO FIX SOMETHING. SO HE HEATED A BOLT TO POUND
IT INTO THE WOOD. MR. SHAW CAME OUT AND SHOUTED
"YOU--------, DON'T KNOW NOTHIN." "LET ME DO IT."
HE WENT TO PICK UP THE BOLT AND IT STUCK TO HIS
HAND. HE GOT REALLY ANGRY AND THREW IT AT REDGE
AND HIS BROTHERS.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
A SLAVERY TIME STORY
A STORY TOLD MR. WRIGHT WHEN HE WAS A BOY AT THE TURN
OF THE CENTURY.
LOTS OF PEOPLE STAYED IN THE WOODS AND LIVED IN
CAVES AND AT NIGHT CAME OUT TO STEAL CHICKENS AND HOGS,
ETC. THEY WOULD GO UP TO A MAN'S HOUSE AND GRAB A
TURKEY AT ROOST. DOGS WERE KEPT TO TRACK THE THIEVES,
WHO WERE BAREFOOTED. BUT THE PEOPLE COULD OUTRUN
DOGS IN THOSE DAYS. THEY WOULD RUN TO THE FENCE, JUMP
OVER IT; THEY WOULD TAKE A CERTAIN WEED AND HIT THEIR
FEET WITH IT. THE DOGS COULDN'T TRAIL THE THIEVES
ANY LONGER BUT WOULD JUST WHINE AT THE FENCE.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
PROVERB FROM ITALY:
A FATHER AND A MOTHER CAN RAISE A HUNDRED CHILDREN, BUT ONE
HUNDRED CHILDREN CAN,T TAKE CARE OF A MOTHER AND FATHER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; DAUGHTERS HOME
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-26-1969
Entry filtered.
EAT HERRING AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 02-18-1970
(TALE FILLED WITH CONTRADICTION)
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT,
AND THE SUN SHOWN DOWN IN SPLENDOR.
TWO MEN STOOD FACE TO FACE WITH THEIR BACKS TOGETHER.
ONE DREW A REVOLVER FROM HIS BELT,
THE OTHER'S HEAD DID SEVER.
ALONG CAME A GAY YOUNG MISS,
SHE WAS OLD AND BENT WITH YEARS.
AND ON HER FACE SHE WORE A SMILE,
AND HER EYES WERE FILLED WITH TEARS.
SHE RECOGNIZED THE DYING MAN,
AND CRIED ALOUD, "WHO IS HE?"
HE RAISED HIS HEADLESS BODY UP
AND SAID, "MY GOD, IT'S LIZZIE!"
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative Prose Narrative |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MR. AND MRS. HILL WERE DRIVING ALONG IN THEIR CAR,
DURING A RAINSTORM. SUDDENLY IN A FLASH OF LIGHTNING,
MRS. HILL SAW A SPOOKY CASTLE ON A HILLTOP. "LOOK,
DEAR," SHE SAID. AND TOO BAD HE DID, BECAUSE THE
CAR RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH AND MR. AND MRS. HILL
WERE KILLED INSTANTLY.
BUT UP IN THAT CASTLE ON THE HILL WAS DR. FRANKENSTEIN
WHO HAD BEEN WORKING ALL OF HIS LIFE ON AN INVENTION
TO MAKE DEAD BODIES COME BACK TO LIFE. FRANKENSTEIN
SENT HIS ASSISTANT, IGOR, DOWN TO GET THE BODIES OF MR.
AND MRS. HILL. WHEN IGOR RETURNED, THE APPARATUS WAS
SET UP. THEY LAID THE BODIES DOWN. "GIVE THEM 5000
VOLTS, IGOR." ZAAP. BUT THEY WERE STILL DEAD. SO
FRANKENSTEIN DECIDED TO GIVE THEM FULL POWER--"GIVE
THEM 25000 VOLTS, IGOR!!" ZAAAP. BUT NO, STILL THEY
WERE DEAD. SO, FRANKENSTEIN, FACED WITH DEFEAT AFTER
A LIFETIME OF HARD WORK, STARTED PLAYING HIS FLUTE TO
RELAX HIS NERVES. LOOK--MRS. HILL'S HAND IS QUIVERING.
MR. HILL IS SITTING UP. THEY'RE TALKING TOGTHER!! "LOOK
IGOR" SAID DR. FRANKENSTEIN--"THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH
THE SOUND OF MUSIC!"
Submitter comment:
THIS JOKE IS A VERY CONTEMPORARY JOKE CONSIDERING
THE SONG FROM THE PRODUCTION "THE SOUND OF MUSIC."
FOR ANYONE LOOKING IN THE ARCHIVES AFTER 1980.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 02-22-1971
IT IS THE BUSINESS OF THE FUTURE TO BE DANGEROUS.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
EACH YEAR IN THE SPRING, MY MOTHER'S GRANDFATHER WOULD LINE UP
ALL THE SMALL CHILDREN AND HAVE THEM EACH LICK SOME POWDER(WHITE)
CALLED CALAMEL OFF HIS PEN KNIFE IN ORDER TO CLEAN OUT
THEIR BLOOD FOR SUMMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): BLOOD ; PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 04-00-1970
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
IT'S LIKE GETTING THE MILK WITHOUT BUYING THE COW
Where learned: BOYFRIENDS HOME
Keyword(s): COMMITTMENT BENEFITS INJUSTICE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 11-08-1968