Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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OFFICIAL REQUEST
THERE WAS ONCE A MAN AND A WOMAN WHO HAD TWELVE SONS, AND THE
THIRTEENTH WAS ON THE WAY. THE FIRST TWELVE HAD BEEN NAMED
AFTER THE APOSTLES AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE NAME FOR THIS
ONE WOULD BE. BY THE TIME HE ARRIVED THEY HAD DECIDED TO NAME
HIM CHRIST--CHRIST MURPHY.
AFTER A FEW YEARS CHRIST MURPHY STARTED TO SCHOOL. ONE DAY
IN SECOND GRADE THE BISHOP WAS VISITING. HE SAID TO THE TEACHER,
"SISTER, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ONE OF YOUR PEOPLE SING. HOW ABOUT
THAT LITTLE BOY THERE," POINTING OUT LITTLE MURPHY.
"CHRIST MURPHY CAN'T SING," SHE PROTESTED.
"WELL, GODAMMIT, HE CAN TRY, CAN'T HE?"
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HAS NO RECORD OF WHERE HE FIRST HEARD THE JOKE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; WOODSTOCK
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
SONG PARODY (RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER)
RANDOLPH THE SHINEY-GUN COWBOY
HAD A PAIR OF SHINEY GUNS
AND IF YOU EVER SAW THEM
YOU WOULD TURN AROUND AND RUN.
ALL OF THE OTHER COWBOYS
USED TO LAUGH AND CALL HIM NAMES.
THEY NEVER LET POOR RANDOLPH
JOIN IN ANY POKER GAMES.
THEN ONE FOGGY COWBOY EVE
THE SHERIFF CAME TO SAY:
"RANDOLPH WITH YOUR GUN SO BRIGHT
WON'T YOU SHOOT MY WIFE TONIGHT."
THEN ALL THE COWBOYS LIKED HIM
AS THEY SHOUTED OUT WITH GLEE
RANDOLPH THE SHINEY GUN COWBOY
YOU'LL HANG ON A TREE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; WOODBRIDGE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 03-25-1970
SOLDIER SAYING
"A GI NEVER LEAVES HIS BUNKER THREE DAYS BEFORE HE LEAVES VIETNAM."
Submitter comment:
SINCE HEARING THE ABOVE, I HAVE ASKED SEVERAL VETERANS OF VIETNAM,
(MANY OF MY STUDENTS ARE VETERANS) IF THEY EVER HEARD OF THIS SAYING
MOST SAY NO, BUT FEW DENY THAT IT IS TRUE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; WOODRIDGE
Keyword(s): THREE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-29-1970
SUPERSTITIONS
IT IS BAD LUCK TO REMOVE A RING FROM SOMEONE'S FINGER BECAUSE IT
MIGHT MEAN THAT A BREAKUP IS IMMINENT.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; FAIRFAX
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
IF TWO PEOPLE GO AROUND A STABLE OBJECT, THEY MUST SAY BREAD AND
BUTTER OR RUN THE RISK OF HAVING A FIGHT.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; FAIRFAX
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
DREAM OF THE DEAD, HEAR OF THE LIVING. THIS MEANS THAT IF YOU
WERE TO DREAM OF SOMEONE DEAD THEN THE NEXT DAY A CALL WOULD
COME FROM THAT DEAD PERSON'S RELATIVE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; FAIRFAX
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Dreams Hear from the living |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
RUB A WART WITH A PENNY TO GET RID OF THE WART.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; FAIRFAX
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
CALCULATOR PASTIME
TO FIND OUT A FAMOUS CIVIL WAR BATTLE ENTER 0.7145 AND INVERT-SHILO.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; FAIRFAX
James Callow Keyword(s): MODERN FOLKLORE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
WHAT DO A SUNDAY GOLFER AND THE MOVIE "CASABLANCA" HAVE IN COMMON?
MULTIPLY 332.375 BY 96 TO FIND OUT-BOGIE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; FAIRFAX
James Callow Keyword(s): MODERN FOLKLORE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS
OH, ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS, ROLLING OVER THE SEAS.
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
IT'S THE CHEESE, THE CHEESE, THE CHEESE THAT MAKES THE MOUSE GO
'ROUND. (REPEAT VERSE TWICE).
IT'S THE CHEESE THAT MAKES THE MOUSE GO 'ROUND.
...... CHORUS......
OH, ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS, ROLLING OVER THE SEAS.
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
IT'S THE MOUSE, THE MOUSE, THE MOUSE THAT MAKES THE CAT GO 'ROUND.
(REPEAT VERSE TWICE).
IT'S THE MOUSE THAT MAKES THE CAT GO 'ROUND.
...... CHORUS......
OH, ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS, ROLLING OVER THE SEAS.
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
IT'S THE CAT, THE CAT, THE CAT THAT MAKES THE DOG GO 'ROUND
(REPEAT TWICE).
IT'S THE CAT THAT MAKES THE DOG GO 'ROUND.
...... CHORUS......
OH, ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS, ROLLING OVER THE SEAS.
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
IT'S THE DOG, THE DOG, THE DOG THAT MAKES THE BOY GO 'ROUND (REPEAT
TWICE).
IT'S THE DOG THAT MAKES THE BOY GO 'ROUND.
...... CHORUS......
OH, ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS, ROLLING OVER THE SEAS.
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
IT'S THE BOY, THE BOY, THE BOY THAT MAKES THE GIRL GO 'ROUND
(REPEAT TWICE).
IT'S THE BOY THAT MAKES THE GIRL GO 'ROUND.
...... CHORUS......
OH, ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS, ROLLING OVER THE SEAS.
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
IT'S THE GIRL, THE GIRL, THE GIRL THAT MAKES THE LOVE GO 'ROUND
(REPEAT TWICE).
IT'S THE GIRL THAT MAKES THE LOVE GO 'ROUND.
...... CHORUS......
OH, ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS, ROLLING OVER THE SEAS.
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
IT'S LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THAT MAKES THE WORLD GO 'ROUND (REPEAT TWICE)
IT'S LOVE THAT MAKES THE WORLD GO 'ROUND.
...... CHORUS......
OH, ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS, ROLLING OVER THE SEAS,
ROLLING OVER THE BILLOWS OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; FAIRFAX
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Love |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
NAMING
WHORE'S BATH: NAME GIVEN TO A SUPERFICIAL CLEANING OF LABORATORY
EQUIPMENT INSTEAD OF A THOROUGH CLEANING.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; PORTSMOUTH
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
GAME
KILLER BALL. THIS IS LIKE DODGE BALL. ANY NUMBER CAN PLAY
THE PLAYERS DIVIDE INTO TWO EQUAL TEAMS AND LINE UP FACING EACH
OTHER. THEY MUST BE ALONG A WALL. BALLS ARE DISTRIBUTED AMONG THEM.
THE OBJECT IS TO HIT YOUR OPPONENT WITH THE BALL. IF YOU ARE HIT
YOU ARE OUT OF THE GAME. THE TEAM WITH THE MOST PLAYERS LEFT
AT THE END WINS.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME WAS PLAYED BY TEENAGERS AND VERY FORCEFUL. OFTEN THE
OBJECT WAS TO SEE HOW HARD YOU COULD HIT YOUR OPPONENT.
ALL BALLS ARE THROWN AT THE SAME TIME. THERE ARE RULESAGAINST
HITTING TOO HARD OR ABOVE THE WAIST BUT THEY ARE MOSTLY IGNORED.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; CHESAPEAKE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
TO KEEP YOUR CHILD FROM HAVING TERRIBLE NIGHTMARES,YOU SHOULD
PUT A BIBLE UNDER HIS OR HER PILLOW.
Where learned: VIRGINIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic Book BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Dreams |
Date learned: 04091984CA
"DOLLAR DANCE"
WHEN A SPANISH COUPLE GETS MARRIED, THEY DO A SPECIAL
DANCE CALLED THE "DOLLAR DANCE." IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
WEDDING RECEPTION, THE BRIDE AND GROOM, THE ONLY COUPLE
ON THE FLOOR, START DANCING. AFTER THEY'VE DANCED A FEW
MINUTES, ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DANCE WITH EITHER THE BRIDE
OR THE GROOM, MUST FIRST PIN AT LEAST ONE DOLLAR ON THEIR
CLOTHES BEFORE THEY START DANCING. SOMETIMES MEN DANCE
WITH THE GROOM AND WOMEN DANCE WITH THE BRIDE INSTEAD OF
DANCING WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX. THE MONEY FROM THE DANCE
IS USED TO PAY FOR THE COUPLE'S HONEYMOON OR TO HELP THE
COUPLE GET STARTED IN THEIR NEW LIFE.
Submitter comment:
FIVE YEARS AGO, MY BROTHER AND HIS WIFE HAD A "DOLLAR
DANCE" IN THEIR WEDDING RECEPTION.
THE "DOLLAR DANCE" WAS IN HOLLAND, MICHIGAN.
THE DANCE IS AN ENJOYABLE THING TO WATCH.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; NORFOLK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Crucial moment of life Life cycle Crucial Moment in Life CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
An Old African Fable: When a baby is about to teethe,
about four months or so (drooling stage) take a raw egg
from the refrigerator and wrap it in a cloth diaper if
you have one. Keep it where you place other diapers
(hamper). This will prevent the baby from any
difficulty in teething. Older people have sworn by it.
Where learned: VIRGINIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
It is not good to put your hat on the bed or table.
It is bad luck. When asked why it is bad luck, Mr. Ford's
answer was "I don't know".
Where learned: VIRGINIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
Don't let a woman in your house before 12 noon on Monday.
It is okay or good to let a man in.
Where learned: VIRGINIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
Among some black folks, it's good to let a "white" man
in your house before 12 noon. It's okay to let a black
man in also, but a "white" man takes precedence.
Where learned: VIRGINIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
If a dog howls that's a sign of death in the neighborhood.
Where learned: VIRGINIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
Some people say that a man of dark color is crazy about a
high yellow, but high yellow will throw you, and when
you come home, there will be another mule kicking in your
stall. A brown skin girl is the best gal after all.
Where learned: VIRGINIA
James Callow Keyword(s): African-American color of skin
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Color SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1939