Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON AND THE HOLY
GHOSTEST,
HE WHO EATS THE FASTEST GETS THE MOSTEST
RUB A DUB DUB
THANKS FOR THE GRUB
YEAH GOD!
Submitter comment:
WE USED TO SAY THIS IN THE BOY SCOUTS WHEN WE WERE ABOUT
ELEVEN OR TWELVE YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
Keyword(s): GRACE BEFORE MEALS ; PRAYER PARODY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LYRICAL VERSE
ROSES ARE RED,
VIOLETS ARE BLUE;
SUGAR IS SWEET,
WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NURSERY RHYME
ITALIAN:
SECA SECA SECOLA
(NAME) VA ALLA SCUOLA
SE PORTA IL CANESTRINA
A TUTTO PIENO DI ROBBA
FINCI LA MAESTRA
CE LA PRENTE
A LA METTO SUL COMO
CI JA DIRE SI E NO.
TRANSLATION:
SEE SEE SAW.
(NAME) GOES TO SCHOOL.
SHE BRINGS A BASKET
ALL FILLED WITH GOODIES
FOR THE TEACHER.
THE TEACHER TAKES THE BASKET
AND PUTS IT ON THE DESK.
ASKS HER "YES" OR "NO."
Submitter comment:
I HAVE HEARD THE INFORMANT SAY THIS TO HER GRANDSON, 1-1/2 YRS.
OLD, WHEN HOLDING HIM IN HER LAP. SHE TOOK BOTH OF HIS HANDS
AND ROCKED HIM TO AND FRO; AND ENDED THE RHYME BY PULLING
ONE HAND FOR "YES" AND THEN THE OTHER FOR "NO."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
FONTANELLA, FONTANELLA,
A QUA CI BEVE LA PECORELLA
LA PECORELLA DI SAN GIOCCHINO
VA CANTANTO LA LITANIA
DEL VIVO E DEL MORTO
PER NOI PATRE NOSTRO
PER LA MORTE E PER LA VITA
PER NOI SAN ANTONINO
LITTLE FOUNTAIN, LITTLE FOUNTAIN
HERE THE LITTLE SHEEPS COMES TO DRINK
THE LITTLE LAMB OF SAN JACOM
GOES SINGING THE LITANY
OF THE LIVING AND OF THE DEAD
FOR US AN HOUR FATHER (OUR FATHER?)
FOR THE DEAD AND FOR THE LIVING
FOR US SAN ANTONINO.
Submitter comment:
A CIRCLING MOTION IS MADE WITH THE INDEX FINGER IN THE PALM
OF THE BABY'S HAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SAN JACOB?
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
ITALIAN:
MICI MICSE MISCELLA
LE GEITTO E LA BUCHELLO
QUENDO E COTTE MANGIATELLO
SPURSTE, SPURSTE.
TRANSLATION:
KITTY, KITTY CAT
THE CAT AND THE BEEF
WHEN IT'S COOKED YOU EAT IT.
SCAT, SCAT.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE HEARD THE INFORMANT SAYING THIS WHILE HOLDING HER
GRANDSON, 1-1/2 YEARS OLD, IN HER LAP. SHE TOOK THE
CHILD'S HANDS AND STROKED HIS CHEEKS WHILE SAYING THIS
RHYME. TOWARDS THE LAST LINE OF THE RHYME THE STROKING
BECAME FASTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 02-06-1971
ITALIAN
PIZZA, PIZZA A TATA
A MAMMA LA FRETTATA
A PAPA UN CAPPONE
E A (NAME) UN SCHIAFFONE.
TRANSLATION
PIZZA, PIZZA FATHER
TO MOTHER ONE OMELETTE;
TO FATHER ONE CHICKEN;
AND TO (NAME) ONE PAT ON THE FACE.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE HEARD THE INFORMANT SAYING THIS TO HER GRANDSON,
1-1/2 YEARS OLD, WHILE HE WAS IN HER LAP. SHE WAS CLAPPING
THE CHILD'S HANDS WHILE SAYING THE RHYME, ENDING UP WITH A
SLIGHT SLAP ON THE CHEEKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 02-06-1971
ITALIAN PEASANT FOLKTALE
THERE WAS A MAN LOOKING FOR A SHEPHERD. AND HE FOUND THIS MAN
FOR THE JOB AND HE MADE AN AGREEMENT WITH THIS HANDYMAN TO HERD
HIS SHEEP, BUT WHATEVER EACH MAN DID, NEITHER COULD BE SORRY FOR
WHAT WAS BEING DONE. IN THE MORNING THE HANDYMAN WENT TO HERD THE
SHEEP. THE OWNER SAID TO HIM AS HE WAS LEAVING: "HERE'S BREAD
FOR YOU AND THE DOG. WHEN NIGHT COMES YOU HAVE TO BRING THE WHOLE
THING HOME." THAT NIGHT THE OWNER AND HIS WIFE WERE EATING WHEN
HE REALIZED THAT IT WAS TIME FOR THE HANDYMAN TO COME HOME. SO HE
SAID TO HIS WIFE, "TAKE THE DISHES OFF THE TABLE. WHO KNOWS HOW
MANY PEOPLE GO HUNGRY TONIGHT." THIS WENT ON LIKE THIS FOR A FEW
DAYS.
THEN ONE DAY THE HANDYMAN WAS OUT WALKING WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED HIS
BROTHER. AND HIS BROTHER ASKED HIM: "HOW COME YOU'RE SO THIN,
DON'T YOU EAT?" THEN THE HANDYMAN TOLD HIM WHY. HIS BROTHER
FELT SORRY FOR HIM SO THE BROTHER WENT TO THE OWNER AND TOLD HIM:
"MY BROTHER IS SICK, AND IF IT PLEASES YOU, I'LL TAKE HIS PLACE."
THE OWNER SAID IT WOULD BE ALL RIGHT SO LONG AS THE TERMS WERE
THE SAME: THAT NEITHER COULD BE SORRY FOR WHAT THE OTHER DID.
WHEN MORNING CAME, THE OWNER GAVE THE BROTHER BREAD FOR HIM AND
THE DOG AND TOLD HIM NOT TO EAT IT; JUST AS BEFORE. WHEN THE
HANDYMAN TOOK THE SHEEP UP INTO THE MOUNTAINS, HE MET ANOTHER
SHEPHERD AND HE TOLD HIM THAT IF HE PUT UP THE BREAD THEN HE,
THE HANDYMAN, WOULD PUT UP HIS BEST SHEEP. SO THEY ATE AND HAD
A PARTY.
THAT NIGHT WHEN HE WENT HOME, THE OWNER SAID TO HIM, "SERVANT,
SERVANT, WHAT HAVE YOU EATEN TODAY?" "YOUR BEST SHEEP, MASTER,
ARE YOU DISPLEASED?" BUT THE OWNER COULD SAY NOTHING.
THE NEXT DAY THE OWNER GAVE THE MAN BREAD AND TOLD HIM TO BRING
IT HOME UNTOUCHED. THAT NIGHT THE HANDYMAN CAME HOME EARLIER THAN
USUAL SO THAT AS THE OWNER SAID TO HIS WIFE: "CLEAR THE TABLE. WHO
KNOWS HOW MANY PEOPLE GO HUNGRY TONIGHT," THE HANDYMAN WALKED IN
AND SAID TO THE OWNER: "LEAVE THE PLATES ON THE TABLE. YOUR BELLY
IS FULL AND MINE IS EMPTY." SO THE HANDYMAN SAT DOWN TO EAT WHILE
THE OWNER COULDN'T.
THAT NIGHT THE OWNER TELLS HIS WIFE: "MAKE ME SOME SPAGHETTI;"
AND MEANWHILE THE HANDYMAN IS SLEEPING ON A BENCH NEAR THE FIRE.
WHEN THE OWNER'S WIFE PUTS THE MACARONI IN THE WATER, THE HANDYMAN
WOKE UP AND ASKED, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
"I'M BOILING MY CLOTHES."
THE HANDYMAN SAYS, "HERE'S MY RAGS, PUT THEM IN TOO" AND HE THROWS
HIS DIRTY CLOTHES IN AND THUS THE OWNER IS NOT ABLE TO EAT THE
SPAGHETTI.
ANOTHER NIGHT, HE TELLS HIS WIFE, "MAKE SOME PIZZA FOR ME." SHE
IS COOKING IT UNDER THE FIRE AND THE HANDYMAN WAKES UP AGAIN AND
ASKS HER WHAT SHE IS DOING. HE TAKES A PIECE OF STEEL AND SAYS
"WE WERE SIX BROTHERS AND WE DIVIDED" AND HE MAKES SOME CROSSES
IN THE ASHES AND THUS RUINS THE PIZZAS. THE OWNER TOOK THE PIZZA
BEHIND THE SOFA AND BLEW ON THEM TO SEE IF ANY COULD BE EATEN AND
THE HANDYMAN THINKING HE WAS A CAT BEHIND THE SOFA, HIT HIM ON
THE HEAD.
THE OWNER IS REALLY MAD BY THIS TIME AND TELLS HIS WIFE, "WE HAVE
TO DESTROY THE HANDYMAN."
THE OWNER DECIDES TO SEND THE HANDYMAN IN A HARNESS TO THE SWAMP
SO THAT THE WOLF CAN EAT HIM. THE HANDYMAN SAYS: "I'LL GO, BUT
I'LL NEED A BASKET OF EGGS, ONE OF STONES, A BOTTLE OF HONEY, A
DRILL, A SAW, AND TWO SQUASH."
WHEN HE WENT TO THE SWAMP, HE WENT BY A TREE, ONE HE SAWED DOWN
UNTIL IT JUST BARELY HELD UP; ON ANOTHER HE MADE 5 HOLES WITH THE
DRILL AND PUT HONEY IN THEM. THEN HE CLIMBED UP A TREE AND
SOUNDED A HORN. WHEN THE WOLF HEARD THIS HORN, HE SAID, "I WILL
MAKE A GOOD DINNER," AND THE WOLF PROCEEDED TOWARDS THE SOUND OF
THE HORN.
THE HANDYMAN SITTING IN THE TREE WOULD BREAK AN EGG AND EAT IT.
THE WOLF SAYS TO HIM, "COMPARE, WHAT ARE YOU EATING?" AND HE
SAYS, "EGGS," AND THE WOLF SAYS, "WHY DON'T YOU THROW ME ONE."
AND THE GUY SAYS, "OPEN YOUR MOUTH." AND HE THROWS STONES IN,
INSTEAD OF EGGS AND BREAKS ALL OF THE WOLF'S TEETH. THE WOLF
SAYS, "COMPARE, MY BUT THOSE EGGS ARE HARD!" THE GUY SAYS,
"LOOK HOW TENDER THEY ARE," AND HE BREAKS ONE AND EATS IT. THE
WOLF SAYS, "THROW ME ANOTHER ONE," AND THE GUY SAYS, "OPEN YOUR
MOUTH" AND HE THROWS AND HE THROWS MORE STONES DOWN AND NOW THE
WOLF CAN'T EAT AT ALL.
THE WOLF SAYS: "COMPARE, COME DOWN" TO THE GUY. THE GUY SAYS
OK AND THE WOLF SAYS: "COMPARE, LET'S MAKE A BET. LET'S HIT OUR
HEADS AGAINST A TREE AND SEE WHO CAN BREAK THE TREE DOWN." THE
HANDYMAN GOES REAL SLOW AND IS ABLE TO BREAK THE TREE DOWN (IT'S
THE ONE HE HAD SAWED PREVIOUSLY) AND THE WOLF NEARLY KILLS HIMSELF
TRYING.
THE WOLF SAYS: "COMPARE, LET'S MAKE ANOTHER BET. LET'S STICK 5
FINGERS INTO A TREE AND SEE WHO GETS HONEY OUT FIRST." WOLF
BREAKS HIS FIVE FINGERS, BUT THE HANDYMAN GOES REAL SLOW AND GETS
THE HONEY OUT.
THEN THE WOLF SAYS TO THE HANDYMAN: "COMPARE, WHERE ARE YOU
GOING TO SLEEP TONIGHT?" HE SAYS, "INSIDE THE BARN." THE WOLF
SAYS, "THEN TONIGHT I'LL COME TO SEE YOU." THEN THE HANDYMAN MAKES
A BED OF SQUASH IN THE BARN AND THEN GOES UP INTO THE TREE AGAIN.
THE WOLF GOES INTO THE BARN AND HITS ON TOP OF THE BED AND HE GETS
SPLASHED IN THE FACE AND THINKS THAT HE KILLED THE HANDYMAN.
IN THE MORNING, THE HANDYMAN SOUNDS HIS HORN ONCE AGAIN. THE WOLF
COMES BACK TO THE HANDYMAN. "COMPARE, YOU WANT TO MAKE A BET?
LET'S TAKE THIS BOLT AND SEE WHO CAN THROW IT THE FARTHEST AWAY."
FIRST THE WOLF THROWS IT AND HE BARELY MOVES IT. WHEN THE HANDY-
MAN SAW HOW SMALL A DISTANCE IT WAS FOR THE WOLF, HE DECIDED THAT
HE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO MOVE IT. HE CLIMBED ON TOP OF SOMETHING
HIGH AND WOLF KEPT ON ASKING HIM WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO. "I
WANT TO WARN THIS WORLD AND THE OTHER WORLD THAT WHOEVER THIS
STONE WILL HIT, IT WILL KILL." SO HE ROLLED THE STONE DOWN THE
HILL AND IT HIT THE PROTESTING WOLF AND KILLED HIM. SO THE
HANDYMAN WON AGAIN.
THEN A BUYER OF OLD PIGS WAS GOING BY AND HE SAID TO HIM: "I'LL
TRADE YOU THIS WOLF'S SKIN FOR ALL THE OLD TAILS AND EARS YOU
HAVE." SO HE TAKES THE TAILS AND EARS AND SPRINKLES THEM OVER
QUICKSAND SO THAT IT'LL LOOK TO THE OWNER AS IF THE PIGS HAD
DROWNED. HE WENT TO THE OWNER AND SAID TO HIM, "THE PIGS THEY
WENT TO THE MUD AND WHEN I PULL THEIR EARS THEY COME OFF AND
LIKEWISE FOR THE TAILS." SO THE OWNER TOLD HIM, "I NEED 2
SHOVELS. GO TO MY NIECES AND TELL THEM TO GIVE THEM TO YOU."
SO HE GOES TO THE NIECES AND SAYS, "YOUR UNCLE SAID TO GO OUT AND
MAKE OUT THE TWO OF YOU. AND IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME, JUST ASK
YOUR UNCLE, ONE OR BOTH?"
THEY WENT TO THE UNCLE AND ASKED "ONE OR BOTH?" AND THE UNCLE
ANSWERED "BOTH" AND THUS THE HANDYMAN'S CLEVERNESS ONCE AGAIN
WON OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 10-03-1969
BANSHEE
IRISH: WHENEVER A BANSHEE (DEVIL) APPEARED THIS BECAME AN OMEN OF A
DEATH OF A FRIEND OR RELATIVE. THE BANSHEE IS USUALLY A BEAUTIFUL 6 INCH WOMAN.
James Callow comment: BANSHEES ARE NOT USUALLY EQUALLED WITH DEVILS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.4 BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IRISH: THE LITTLE PEOPLE OR LEPRECHAUNS-- ACCORDING TO A PERSON
OF IRISH DESCENT, THESE PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO PRODUCE A POT OF
GOLD IF THEY WERE EVER CAUGHT. AT OTHER TIMES, THEY GRANTED THE
CAPTURER 3 MAGIC WISHES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WEATHER BELIEF
LIGHTNING NEVER STRIKES TWICE IN THE SAME PLACE.
Where learned: EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.7 |
Date learned: 10-03-1968
BELIEF, CURSE
A GYPSY CURSE PUT ON A PREGNANT WOMAN CAN CAUSE PERMANENT
DAMAGE TO THE CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Prophet / Seer / Soothsayer BELIEF -- Birth |
DEATH OMEN
IF YOU SUDDENLY SMELL THE FRAGRANCE OF ROSES, WHERE THERE AREN'T
ANY ROSES PRESENT, THEN SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY WILL DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 09-17-1969
WISHING DITTY
STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT,
FIRST STAR I SEE TONIGHT;
I WISH I MAY, I WISH I MIGHT
HAVE THE WISH I WISH TONIGHT.
Submitter comment: MUST BE RECITED TO FIRST STAR SEEN FOR WISH TO COME TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 04-05-1967
LIGHTNING
WHEN LIGHTNING FLASHES, MAKE THE SIGN OF THE
CROSS SO IT WON'T STRIKE YOU.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
UNLUCKY NUMBERS
THIRTEEN IS A UNLUCKY NUMBER BECAUSE IT STANDS FOR JUDAS, THE
APOSTLE WHO WAS REPLACED BECAUSE HE BETRAYED CHRIST.
Where learned: EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described |
BELIEF, CURSE
A GYPSY CURSE PUT ON A PREGNANT WOMAN CAN CAUSE PERMANENT
DAMAGE TO THE CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 03-00-1969
IRISH BELIEF
IN BLARNEY CASTLE, THERE IS A HIGH ROCK CALLED THE "BLARNEY STONE".
THE BLARNEY STONE IS DIFFICULT TO REACH, BUT THE IRISH BELIEVE
THAT IF A PERSON IS ABLE TO KISS THE STONE WITH HIS LIPS, THE
FEAT GIVES THE TOUNGUE THE POWER OF FLATTERY AND OF COMPLIMENTARY
SPEECH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 11-03-1969
Language
RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY/ COME AGAIN ANOTHER DAY/ LITTLE JOHNNIE WANTS
TO PLAY.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD / Updated on 01-13-2011
Where learned: EAST DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHILD ; CHILDREN ; Language ; Play ; Rain ; RHYME ; SONG ; VERSE ; WEATHER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
GOOD LUCK: OBJECTS, HORSESHOE ( CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)
A HORSESHOE YOU FIND IS GOOD LUCK, YOU SHOULD HANG IT UP TO KEEP
THE GOOD LUCK WITH YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.12 |
Date learned: 04-02-1967
FRIDAY (COLLECTORS TITLE)
IT IS BAD LUCK TO START ANY TRIP OR JOURNEY ON A FRIDAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.4 |