The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

A GROUP OF KIDS DECIDE ON A MOTHER AND A WITCH.
THE MOTHER THEN SAYS,
"I'M GOING DOWNTOWN TO SMOKE MY PIPE,
I WON'T BE BACK 'TIL SATURDAY NIGHT.
IF YOU LET THAT OLD LADY WITCH IN,
I'LL SPANK YOU BLACK AND BLUE
WITH MY OLD MOTHER'S SHOES."
AFTER SHE LEAVES, THE WITCH COMES TO THE DOOR AND
ASKS FOR SOMETHING. WHEN THEY OPEN THE DOOR, SHE
STEALS A CHILD. THE MOTHER RETURNS AND SPANKS THE
REST, THEN LEAVES AGAIN, SAYING THE VERSE. THIS
HAPPENS UNTIL ALL CHILDREN ARE GONE. IF THE MOTHER
CAN FIND THE CHILDREN, SHE WINS; IF NOT THE WITCH
WINS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALPENA

Date learned: 10-04-1970