Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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Toast
A Gaelic toast when drinking: Priad
Sliante agus saoghal agat
Bean agus ciall agat
Talamh gan raol agat
Translation:
Health and long life to you
A sensible woman for a wife
And land without rent.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs Added by TRD
James Callow comment:
original BN [P500 Custom] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Cultural ; Gaelic ; TOAST ; Translate
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
TWO CANDLES ARE LIT AND PLACED ON THE TABLE DURING THE CHRISTMAS EVE
MEAL. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEAL BOTH THE FATHER AND THE MOTHER
WOULD BLOW OUT A CANDLE AND THEN WOULD WATCH THE SMOKE. IF THE SMOKE
WENT UP YOU WOULD LIVE ANOTHER YEAR. IF THE SMOKE WENT OUT THE DOOR
YOU WOULDN'T.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TROY
Keyword(s): DEATH ; PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles |
Date learned: 10-24-1970
LEGEND OF FALLING ROCK
ONCE UPON A TIME THIS OLD INDIAN CHIEF WAS GETTING READY TO DIE.
HE HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS TWO SONS WHITE FEATHER AND FALLING
ROCK AS TO WHO WOULD BECOME CHIEF. SO HE PLANNED THIS LONG RACE
AND ABOUT 30 DAYS LATER WHITE FEATHERS RETURNED. HE BECAME
CHIEF. BUT FALLING ROCK NEVER RETURNED. INDIANS STILL
TO THIS DAY LOOK FOR FALLING ROCK. THEY HAVE POSTED
SIGNS ALONG CERTAIN HIGHWAYS WHERE THEY SUSPECT HE MIGHT
BE SEEN. THE SIGNS READ, WATCH FOR FALLING ROCK.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; JOHNSON CITY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 07-00-1973
CARNIVAL
CARNIVAL IS A FESTIVE EVENT WHICH IS CELEBRATED FROM JUNE 30 TO
JULY 4 IN THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS.
IT HAS A DOUBLE SIGNIFICANCE TO THE PEOPLE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
BECAUSE MANY YEARS AGO ON JULY 3 THE SLAVES WERE NO LONGER IN
BONDAGE (JULY 3 IS CALLED EMANCIPATION DAY), AND ON JULY 4 THE
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IS CELEBRATED. VARIOUS EVENTS ARE
INVOLVED IN CARNIVAL SUCH AS J'OUVERT, A PARADE, A FAIR AND A
BOAT RACE. A BAND COMPETITION ALSO OCCURS DURING THIS TIME.
J'OUVERT IS CELEBRATED ON THE FOREDAY OR THE MORNING BEFORE THE
PARADE. BANDS CONGREGATE ON THE TOP OF OPEN BACK TRUCKS IN ORDER
TO PLAY MUSIC AND MOVE SLOWLY THROUGH THE STREETS. THE PEOPLE
DANCE BEHIND THE TRUCKS WHEN THEY ARE IN MOTION.
ON JUNE 30 A FAIR AND A BOAT RACE ARE HELD. LOCAL HANDCRAFT ITEMS
AND FOOD ARE PUT ON DISPLAY AND SOLD AT THE FAIR. IN THE BOAT
RACE, VARIOUS BOATS COMPETE FOR TROPHIES.
THE WEEK BEFORE THE PARADE, A CALYPSO (TRADITIONAL MUSIC IN THE
CARIBBEAN) COMPETITION IS HELD IN THE VILLAGE. THE VILLAGE IS AN
AREA ENCLOSED BY FOOD SELLING BOOTHS.
ON JULY FOURTH (THE LAST NIGHT OF CELEBRATION), THERE IS A
PARADE, WHICH IS DIVIDED INTO CATERGORIES SUCH AS:
(1) TROOPS--WHICH ARE GROUPS OF PEOPLE ARRAYED IN COSTUMES
(2) FLOATS--DECORATED VEHICLES WHICH DISPLAY VARIOUS SCENES
(3) FLOUPES--A MIXTURE OF TROOPS AND FLOATS
(4) MAJORETTES--BATON TWIRLERS
(5) INDIVIDUAL COSTUMES--PARTICIPANTS DISPAYING THEIR PERSONAL
CREATIONS
Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; SAINT JOHN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 30 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July 1 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July 2 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 21 solstice to September 22 |
Date learned: 00001970S
RECIPE TO MAKE GUAVA BERRY WINE
(1) WASH GUAVA BERRIES
(2) PUT THEM IN A BOTTLE
(3) ADD WINE (NO PARTICULAR TYPE) AND A LITTLE RUM
(4) SHAKE UNTIL DRINK FERMENTS
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THE AVERAGE TIME BEFORE THE BOTTLED WINE IS OPEN
TAKES ABOUT FIVE YEARS.
Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; SAINT JOHN
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented |
Date learned: 00001970S
RECIPE--KALLALOO
KALLALOO IS A NATIVE DISH (CUISINE) IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.
IT IS PREPARED BY THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
(1) WASH THE SPINACH AND CUT IT INTO PIECES.
(2) CLEAN AND SEASON THE CRAB AND FISH.
(3) ADD STRIPS OF BACON.
(4) ADD "FUNGI", WHICH IS COMPOSED OF CORN MEAL AND OKRA.
(5) PUT ALL THE ABOVE ITEMS IN A PAN AND ALLOW THEM TO SIMMER OR
COOK.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAID THAT THE NEXT DAY (AFTER KALLALOO HAS BEEN
DIGESTED) EXPECT "MASSIVE BOWEL MOVEMENTS" OR DIARRHEA.
Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; SAINT JOHN
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001970S
Entry filtered.
ENGINE, ENGINE NUMBER NINE / RUNNING DOWN CHICAGO LINE,/ IF THE TRAIN
SHOULD JUMP THE TRACK/ DO YOU WANT YOUR MONEY BACK? YES, Y-E-S SPELLS
YES. (NO, N-O SPELLS NO) AND YOU ARE NOW OUT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; ON A PLAYGROUND ; JOHNSTOWN ; WORKING
Keyword(s): ENDURANCE ; Jump ; PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-06-1967
SEVEN UP
IT IS PLAYED WITH THE WHOLE CLASSROOM, 30-50, STUDENTS.
SEVEN STUDENTS ARE CHOSEN. THE REST OF THEM PUT
THEIR HEADS DOWN WITH EYES COVERED. THE SEVEN TAP
ONE PERSON APIECE ON THE HEAD. THE SEVEN WHO GOT TAPPED
TRY TO GUESS WHO TAPPED THEM. IF THEY GUESS RIGHT THEY
BECOME A TAPPER; IF THEY DON'T GUESS, THE SAME PERSON
STAYS UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE CADET GHOST OF ST. JOHN'S
ABOUT SEVEN YEARS THERE WAS A CADET AT ST. JOHN'S WHO
WAS VERY UNHAPPY. THE PRESSURES OF SCHOOL WERE REALLY
GETTING TO HIM AND TO TOP IT OFF, HE WAS NOT GOING
TO BE ABLE TO GO HOME FOR THANKSGIVING.
ONE NIGHT, AFTER QUIET HOURS HAD BEGUN, HE PLAYED
A BEATLES RECORD VERY LOUD. EVEYONE THOUGHT THAT
THIS WAS STRANGE BECAUSE HE KNEW THAT IT WAS QUIET HOURS
AND THERE WAS TO BE NO NOISE. AFTER A WHILE SOMEONE HEARD
A SCREAM. EVERYONE WENT DOWN TO HIS ROOM TO SEE WHAT
WAS THE MATTER. THE CADETS FOUND THEIR FRIEND HANGING
FROM A ROPE. HE HAD COMMITTED SUICIDE.
NO ONE EVER LIVED IN THAT ROOM AGAIN.
EVERY YEAR ON THE NIGHT OF HIS DEATH THE CADETS CAN
HEAR BEATLES MUSIC COMING FROM HIS ROOM, THOUGH NO ONE
IS LIVING THERE. THEN, A WHILE LATER A SCREAM IS
HEARD THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING.
NO ONE CAN EXPLAIN THE MUSIC OR THE SCREAM.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS MY BROTHER.
HE TOLD ME THAT THE CADETS JUST SIT IN THE HALL ON THAT
NIGHT AND WAIT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SAINT JOHNS MILITARY ACADEMY ; DELAFIELD
Keyword(s): ST. JOHN'S
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1982
I HAD A LITTLE TURTLE, HE LIVED IN A BOX,
HE SWAM IN THE RIVER AND CLIMBED ON A ROCK.
HE SNAPPED AT A MINNOW, HE SNAPPED AT A FLEA,
HE SNAPPED AT A MOSQUITO, AND HE SNAPPED AT ME.
HE CAUGHT THE MINNOW, AND HE CAUGHT THE FLEA,
HE CAUGHT THE MOSQUITO, BUT HE DIDN'T CATCH ME.
James Callow comment: RDNeedsReview
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; JOHNSTOWN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
ERASER TAG
TWO PEOPLE PLAY THIS GAME. EACH PUTS A CHALK BOARD
ERASER ON HIS HEAD AND ONE TRIES TO CATCH THE OTHER
ONE WITHOUT THE ERASER FALLING OFF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PEPERONI
WHILE ATTENDING JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY, MY ROOMMATE, GARY
PASQUALICCHIV, WOULD BRING PEPERONI BREAD FROM HOME. HE SAID HE
GOT IT FROM A SPECIAL BAKERY IN ERIE PENN. SEVERAL OF US TRIED TO GET
IT ELSEWHERE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE EVENT WAS SPECIAL SINCE THE BREAD
WAS RARE AND HAD TO BE EATEN RIGHT AWAY OR IT WOULD SPOIL. THE BREAD
WAS CIRCULAR, SHAPED LIKE A DOUGHNUT, WITH PEPERONI SLICES BAKED
IN THE CENTER OF THE LOAF. THE EVENT WAS ENHANCED WHEN HOME-MADE
WINE WAS ADDED. THE WINE CAME FROM MY FATHER IN CANTON. WINE WAS
ILLEGAL IN THE DORMS AT THAT TIME AND ADDED TO THE OCCASION SINCE
THE DOORS HAD TO BE LOCKED TO KEEP THE FLOOR ADVISOR OUT. A SMALL
GROUP OF 4 TO 5 WOULD GATHER WHEN GARY RETURNED FROM A VISIT HOME
TO ENJOY THE FEAST.
Data entry tech comment: ALSO ON THE 5 X 8 CARD ARE A TOP AND CROSS - CUT VIEW OF THE BREAD
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND ; JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal |
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
Bumper Sticker Wisdom
Don't Eat Yellow Snow!
Submitter comment:
I first saw this in Detroit in 1971 on the bumper of a car.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs and BN added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The original BN [Z220] is crossed out, with the note Why Z220? written next to it.
Submission Card located in pile marked To Be Classified
Keyword(s): Allusion ; Bumper Sticker ; SNOW ; URINE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
EVERY CHRISTMAS MORNING A PAN OF WATER IS PLACED UNDER THE SINK. A
CHRISTMAS TREE BRANCH, A PENNY, A NICKEL, A DIME, A QUARTER AND A
FIFTY CENT PIECE IS PLACED IN THE WATER. THIS WATER IS THEN USED TO
WASH IN. WHEN YOU WASH IN THE WATER YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SPEND
MONEY FOR HEALTH.
Submitter comment:
DOROTHY BANAS RELATED THE CUSTOM BUT WHEN QUESTIONED ON THE REASON
FOR THE CUSTOM SHE WAS UNABLE TO REPLY. EMIL MAZUR IMMEDIATELY
INSERTED HIS BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions |
Date learned: 10-24-1970
Superstition: Animals
If you kill a black snake and throw him in a tree, it will rain until you take him down.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P435, P447] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classification.
Where learned: ALABAMA
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DEATH ; Kill ; Rain ; Serpent ; Snake ; SUPERSTITION ; Tree ; WEATHER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Belief: Weather
Rain Before Seven:
Rain before seven, shine by eleven.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Dup of WPP
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
Keyword(s): PREDICTING WEATHER ; PREDICTION ; Rain ; RHYME ; TIME ; WEATHER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Belief: Weather
Weather Proverb:
April Showers bring May flowers
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [V800] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classification.
Dup. of WPP
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): April ; FLOWERS ; May ; Month ; NATURE ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; PREDICTION ; Rain ; RHYME ; Sky ; TIME ; WEATHER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |