Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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VERSE
YOUR HEART IS NOT A PLAYGROUND,
YOUR HEART IS NOT A TOY,
BUT IF YOU WANT IT BROKEN,
JUST GIVE IT TO A BOY.
WANT IT BROKEN, JUST GIVE IT TO A BOY.
Submitter comment:
THIS VERSE WAS TAKEN FROM AN AUTOGRAPH BOOK BELONGING TO THE
INFORMANT,
WHO IS MY MOTHER. THIS SAME VERSE WAS FOUND THREE TIMES IN THE
BOOK, SO IT MUST HAVE BEEN A POPULAR VERSE WITH THE EIGHTH GRADE
AT NICHOLS SCHOOL IN DETROIT, JUNE 1944.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
AUTOGRAPH VERSE
MM[ I LOVE YOU A BUSHEL
I LOVE YOU A PECK
IF YOU DON'T LOVE ME
I'LL BREAK YOUR NECK
Submitter comment: FROM INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK 1956
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): IRREGULAR TWO-STRESS METER ; RHYME: ABCB ; THREAT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
AN AUTOGRAPH
MM[ THE ROSES ARE WILTED,
THE VIOLETS ARE DEAD,
THE SUGAR BOWL'S EMPTY,
AND SO IS YOUR HEAD.
Submitter comment:
I GOT THIS FROM MY AUTOGRAPH BOOK.
IT WAS WRITTEN BY DAVE. IN 1961
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGHLAND PARK
Keyword(s): INSULT ; PARODY OF " ROSES ARE RED..." ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations |
Date learned: 11-11-1967
AUTOGRAPH BOOK MATERIAL
MM[ ROSES ARE RED,
VIOLETS ARE BLUE,
THE SHORTER THE DRESS,
THE BETTER THE VIEW.
Data entry tech comment: THIS SHOULD GO DOWN AS A CLASSIC IN THE ANNALS OF AUTOGRAPH MATERIAL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; PARODY OF " ROSES ARE RED..." ; RHYME: ABCB ; SEX
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations |
AUTOGRAPH VERSE.
WHEN EVENING PULLS THE CURTAIN DOWN
AND PINS IT WITH A STAR
REMEMBER THAT I AM YOUR FRIEND
NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WOMAN WHO WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, PERMITTED ME
TO COLLECT THESE VERSES FROM HER AUTOGRAPH BOOK. THE VERSES
WERE ENTERED BY HER HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATES IN 1939.
Where learned: UNKNOWN
Keyword(s): FRIENDSHIP: GOOD WISHES ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Friendship |
Entry filtered.
GHOST LIGHTS
NEAR I-75 IN FLORIDA THERE IS AN ABANDONED STRIP OF ROAD WITH
THREE LARGE HILLS. IF YOU WAIT AT THE TOP OF THE THIRD HILL, YOU
CAN SOMETIMES SEE THE GHOST LIGHTS. THIS LARGE, EERY LIGHT
STARTS AT THE BASE OF THE FIRST HILL AND CLIMBS THE THREE HILLS,
DISAPPEARING TEMPORARILY BEHIND THE HILLS. NON-BELIEVERS SAY IT
HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE LIGHT FROM I-75 AND THE FOG. HOWEVER,
A GROUP OF COLLEGE KIDS WAITED TO SEE IT ONE NIGHT. WHEN IT CAME
VERY CLOSE, THEY COULDNT START THEIR CAR. THE LIGHT SEEMED
TO CLIMB ON TOP OF THE CAR AND SHAKE IT. ONE BOY LOOKED AT IT
AND WENT INSANE, ANOTHER SAID IT WAS THE FACE OF GOD. A MAN
WATCHED THE LIGHT WITH HIS FAMILY. WHEN IT APPROACHED, HE
PULLED A GUN OUT OF HIS GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE GUN WAS LOADED, BUT
IT WOULD NOT FIRE. THE LIGHT SHOOK THE CAR. WHEN IT WAS GONE, THE
MAN TRIED THE GUN AGAIN. HE FIRED SIX SHOTS INTO A NEARBY MAILBOX
WITH NO TROUBLE AT ALL. WHEN YOU GO THERE, YOU CAN STILL SEE THE
HOLES IN THE MAILBOX.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WENT TO THE PLACE TO WATCH FOR THE GHOST LIGHTS. HE
SAW SOMETHING BUT ISN'T SURE EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): EERIE ; MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Supernatural Being |
Date learned: 11-11-1970
DON'T BURN YOUR HAIR WHEN IT COMES OUT IN THE COMB, YOU ARE
SUPPOSED TO THROW IT OUTSIDE FOR THE BIRDS TO MAKE THEIR NESTS
OUT OF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): OPPOSITE OF A CONTAGIOUS MAGIC BELIEF ALSO IN ARCHIVE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Bird |
WHEN YOU SEE A LADYBUG YOU CHANT: LADYBUG, LADYBUG FLY AWAY HOME,
YOUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE, YOUR CHILDREN WILL ROAM. IF THE LADYBUG WAS
FOUND INSIDE THE HOUSE, IT WAS CONSIDERED A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK. IF IT
WAS FOUND OUTSIDE, IT WAS CONSIDERED TO BE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Good luck P881.33 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.33 |
TRUE RIDDLE
Q: THE BEGINNING OF ETERNITY,/ THE END OF TIME AND SPACE,/
THE BEGINNING OF EVERY END/ AND THE END OF EVERY PLACE.
A: THE LETTER E.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS WAS A POPULAR RIDDLE CIRCULATED IN HER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED MATTER (A) ; STATE OF BEING (Q)
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
SILLY SALLY RIDDLE
Q: SILLY SALLY LIKES APPLES, BUT SHE DOES NOT LIKE FRUIT.
SILLY SALLY LIKES GLASS, BUT SHE DOES NOT LIKE WINDOWS.
SILLY SALLY LIKES JEFF, BUT SHE DOES NOT LIKE JOHN.
SILLY SALLY LIKES BOOKS, BUT SHE DOES NOT LIKE PAGES.
SILLY SALLY LIKES HIPPIES, BUT SHE DOES NOT LIKE BEATNIKS.
SILLY SALLY LIKES COOKIES, BUT SHE DOES NOT LIKE CRACKERS.
SILLY SALLY LIKES SKIING, BUT SHE DOES NOT LIKE SNOW.
SILLY SALLY LOVES MISSISSIPPI.
WHAT DOES SILLY SALLY LIKE?
A: SILLY SALLY LIKES WORDS WITH DOUBLE LETTERS.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM CLASSMATES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORT GOODS (Q) ; HARDWARE (Q) ; PARTICULAR
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; INITIAL ITERATION ; MEDIAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-12-1967
( 20 ) RIDDLES
Q: 1. DUI SESLES PER KALNELIZ NESOEINA. - TWO SISTERS DO NOT MEET
OVER A HILL.
A: EYES.
Q: 2. DU RATU PAGIRY STOUI. - TWO WHEELS STANDING BY THE FOREST.
A: EARS.
Q: 3. PILNA LUKTELE BALTEZ VISTELIZ. - A HOUSE FULL OF WHITE HENS.
A: MOUTH AND TEETH.
Q: 4. MIZSLIUZ TEVAS KALNE GULI. - THE FATHER OF RIDDLES IS LYING
IN THE HILL.
A: TONGUE.
Q: 5. ZIBA DIENA, ZIBA NAKTIZ. - SPARKLES AT NIGHT, SPARKLES DURING
THE DAY.
A: WINDOW.
Q: 6. VISI JODO, NIEKAS NEPASERIA. - EVERYONE FOR IODINE, NO ONE
FEEDS IT.
A: DOOR STEP.
Q: 7. NEI PATI VDGO, NEI KITAM DUODA. - NEITHER DOES SHE EAT HERSELF,
OR GIVE TO ANOTHER.
A: A LOCK.
Q: 8. MASA MOTERELE VISAZ PASAULIZ APRENGIA. - A SMALL WOMAN DRESSES
THE WHOLE WORLD.
A: A SEWING NEEDLE.
Q: 9. MAZAS PUODELIS, SKANI KOSELE. - A SMALL POT, GOOD BROTH.
A: PEANUT. ?M Q: 10. PRAMUSI LEDAZ, RASI SIDABRAZ; PRAMUSI SIDABRAZ, RASI AUKSAZ. -
BREAK THE ICE, YOU'LL FIND SILVER; BREAK THE SILVER, YOU'LL FIND
GOLD.
A: AN EGG.
Q: 11. DVIEM PUPOM VISAZ LAUKAZ APSEJA. - WITH TWO PEAS YOU SOW A
WHOLE FIELD.
A: WITH EYES.
Q: 12. DU BEGA, DU VEJA. - TWO RUN, TWO CHASE.
A: WHEELS.
Q: 13. ATLEKE PAUKSTIS BE SPARNUZ, IZKANDO ZINOQUI BE DANTUZ. - A
BIRD FLEW BY WITH NO WINGS, BIT A MAN WITH NO TEETH.
A: BULLET.
Q: 14. SUDEGE AZUOLAS BE ANGLIUZ, BE PELENIZ. - AN OAK BURNED WITH
NO COAL, WITH NO ASHES.
A: A CANDLE
Q: 15. MISKE GIMEZS, IMSKE ANGES, PAREINA NAMO KEPUIUZ KILNOTI. -
BORN IN A FOREST, GREW UP IN A FOREST, COMES HOME TO RAISE HATS.
A: CROSS.
Q: 16. ILGAS - BE GALO, GILUS - BE DUGNO. - LONG - WITH NO END, DEEP
- WITH NO BOTTOM.
A: A RING.
Q: 17. PENKI TVARTAI, VIENOS DURYS. - FIRE BURNS, ONE DOOR.
A: GLOVES.
Q: 18. PER VANDENIZ EIDAMAS NEPRIQERIA, PER UGNIZ - NESUDEGA.
WALKING THROUGH WATER, DOESN'T DROWN; THROUGH FIRE - DOESN'T BURN.
A: A SHADOW.
Q: 19. JOKI ZIRGAS ZVENGIA, NET KAMANOS SKAMBA. - FAR DOES A HORSE
NEIGH, EVEN THE ROOF TOPS ECHO.
A: THUNDER.
Q: 20. KAD ATSIKELTUZ, DANGEZ PAREMTUZ, KAD RENKAS TURETUZ, VAGIZ
PAGAUTUZ. - IF COULD GET UP, HOLD UP THE HEAVEN; IF HAD HANDS,
WOULD CATCH A THIEF.
A: A ROAD.
Submitter comment:
IN LITHUANIAN, THESE RIDDLES RHYME. HOWEVER, THE TRANSLATION DOES NOT
BRING OUT THE TRUE AND REAL RHYTHM OF THEM.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMALS (Q) ; BUILDINGS (Q) ; HARDWARE (Q) ; NATURAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 03-24-1972
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
AS ODD AS KATE CARNEY'S CAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ANIMAL ; ANIMATED NATURE ; PROPER NAME
James Callow Keyword(s): ECCENTRICITY ; PERSONAL PROVERB
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROVERB -- Blason Populaire PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
PROVERB
BOYS AND BOOKS DON'T MIX.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; DATING ; EDUCATION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
MEDICAL BELIEF
SLEEPING IN THE MOONLIGHT WILL MAKE YOU GO CRAZY.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER LEARNED THIS FROM SOME IRISH FRIENDS WHEN SHE WAS A
CHILD IN DETROIT HER FRIENDS BELIEVED THIS SO STRONGLY THAT
BEFORE GOING TO BED, THEY WOULD ALWAYS CHECK TO MAKE SURE NO
MOONLIGHT WAS COMING IN AROUND THE SHADES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; ADVICE: POSITIVE ; MADNESS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-22-1970
THE DEAD RETURN
YEARS AGO OUTSIDE OF MONROE THERE WAS A GUY KILLE.D ON A MOTORCYCLE
TO THIS DAY WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT YOU CAN
SOMETIMES SEE A MYSTERIOUS LIGHT THAT MOVES IN THE DISTANCE. THE
LIGHT IS DEEP IN THE WOODS AND ALNG WITH IT IS THE SOUND OF A
RUNNING MOTORCYCLE. IT HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED AND CANNOT BE
EXPLAINED.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS ; MYSTERIOUS SOUND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale BELIEF -- Fire |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
GROWTH BELIEF
IN THE UKRAINE IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A SMALL CHILD IS LYING
DOWN AND A PERSON JUMPS OVER THEM, THE CHILD WON'T GROW.
BUT IF THE PERSON JUMPS BACK OVER AGAIN, THEN WALKS AROUND HIM, HE
WILL GROW NORMALLY.
Submitter comment:
BELIEF STILL HIGHLY RESPECTED, HEARD FROM GRANDPARENTS.
BY INFORMANT IN UKRAINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC ; RITUAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-01-1967
IF YOU RAISE YOUR HANDS TO YOUR PARENTS, WHEN YOU DIE YOUR
HANDS WILL COME OUT OF THE GROUND AND EVERYONE WILL STEP ON
THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; PARENTAL RESPECT ; RETRIBUTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
HOLY COMMUNION
YOU SHOULD NEVER GO TO HOLY COMMUNION IF YOU FEEL SICK OR IF
YOU THINK YOU WILL BE. SHE REMEMBERS ONE OF HER STUDENTS RECEIVING
COMMUNION AT MASS, THEN LEAVING CHURCH BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO VOMIT
SHE FOLLOWED HIM OUT, AND FOUND HIM BEING SICK. INSTANTLY
APPEARED THOUSANDS OF MAGGOTS, WHO ATE UP ALL THE VOMIT
AND THEN DISAPPEARED.
SHE BELIEVES THAT THIS WAS A MIRACLE TO KEEP THE HOST FROM BEING
DEFILED
Submitter comment: THE SHE, REFERS TO THE INFORMANTS 5TH GRADE TEACHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL INSECT LARVA
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect BELIEF -- Church |
PROVERB
EAST IS LEAST;
WEST IS BEST.
Submitter comment:
WHEN A PILOT HEARS THIS, HE KNOWS THAT HE MUST FOLLOW THE LAWS OF
THE SKY AND WHEN FLYING TO THE EAST, FLY AT AN ODD THOUSAND PLUS 500
FEET - TO THE WEST TAKE THE EVEN THOUSAND PLUS 500 FEET.
ALTITUDE RULE. ODD IS LEAST BECAUSE THE RULE APPLIES AT AND ABOVE
3000 FEET. 3000 FEET IS THE LEAST OF ALL THE OTHER ALTITUDES WHERE
THIS RULE APPLIES.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): FUNCTION
James Callow Keyword(s): AVIATION AIRPLANE ; DIRECTION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 11-00-1971