Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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LYRICAL VERSE
THREE LITTLE ANGELS ALL DRESSED IN WHITE,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE TAIL OF A KITE,
THE KITE STRING BROKE AND THEY ALL FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY ALL WENT TO ...
TWO LITTLE ANGELS ... (REPEAT REST OF VERSE #1)
ONE LITTLE ANGEL . . . (REPEAT THE REST OF VERSE #1)
THREE LITTLE DEVILS ALL DRESSED IN RED,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A THREAD.
WELL THE THREAD IT BROKE AND THEY ALL FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY ALL WENT TO ...
TWO LITTLE DEVILS (REPEAT REST OF VERSE #2)
ONE LITTLE DEVIL... (REPEAT REST OF VERSE #2)
HELLO OPERATOR GIVE ME NUMBER EIGHT,
IF THE DEVIL GETS CONNECTED, TELL HIM I CAN'T WAIT.
DON'T GET DISCOURAGED, DON'T GET UPSET,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN, THEY ALL WENT TO BED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
Keyword(s): HELL TELEPHONE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
MY FATHER WENT TO SEA, YOU SEE,
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE;
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD SEE, YOU SEE,
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
Submitter comment: ACCOMPANIED BY HAND CLAPPING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
BUBBLE GUM, BUBBLE, GUM
IN A DISH
HOW MANY PIECES DO YOU WISH?
THEN COUNT DOWN FROM THE NUMBER WISHED, AND "YOU ARE IT)
Submitter comment: THIS IS USED TO DETERMINE WHO WILL BE IT IN A GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
TICK TOCK, THE GAME IS LOCKED,
AND NOBODY ELSE CAN PLAY.
IF THEY DO, I'LL TAKE MY SHOE,
AND BEAT THEM BLACK AND BLUE.
Submitter comment: TO KEEP OUT UNWANTED WOULD-BE PLAYERS, E. G., SMALL KIDS.
James Callow comment: WHEN SAID?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
RIN TIN TIN
RIN TIN TIN
SWALLOWED A PIN,
WENT TO THE DOCTOR,
AND THE DOCTOR WASN'T IN.
HE OPENED THE DOOR,
FELL ON THE FLOOR,
AND THAT WAS THE END OF RIN TIN TIN.
Submitter comment: DONE WHEN CLAPPING HANDS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
MISS SUSIE
MISS SUSIE HAD A BABY,
SHE NAMED HIM TINY TIM,
SHE PUT HIM IN THE BATHTUB,
TO SEE IF HE COULD SWIM.
HE DRANK UP ALL THE WATER,
HE ATE UP ALL THE SOAP,
HE TRIED TO EAT THE BATHTUB,
BUT IT WOULDN'T GO DOWN HIS THROAT.
MISS SUSIE CALLED THE DOCTOR,
THE DOCTOR CALLED THE NURSE,
THE NURSE CALLED THE LADY,
WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
IN WALKED THE DOCTOR,
IN WALKED THE NURSE,
IN WALKED HE LADY,
WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
MUMPS SAID THE DOCTOR,
MUMPS SAID THE NURSE,
MUMPS SAID THE LADY,
WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE. MM[
OUT WALKED THE DOCTOR,
OUT WALKED THE NURSE,
OUT WALKED THE LADY,
WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
Submitter comment: ACCOMPANIED BY HAND-CLAPPING SAYS THE COLLECTOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
James Callow Keyword(s): HAVE ALSO HEARD THIS AS A JUMP-ROPE RHYME.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
MISS MARY MACK
MISS MARY MACK, MACK, MACK,
ALL DRESSED IN BLACK, BLACK, BLACK,
WITH SILVER BUTTONS, BUTTONS, BUTTONS,
ALL DOWN HER BACK, BACK, BACK.
SHE ASKED HER MOTHER, MOTHER, MOTHER,
FOR FIFTY CENTS, CENTS, CENTS,
TO SEE THE ELEPHANTS, ELEPHANTS, ELEPHANTS,
JUMP THE FENCE, FENCE, FENCE,
THEY JUMPED SO HIGH, HIGH, HIGH,
THEY WILL NEVER COME BACK, BACK, BACK,
TILL THE FOURTH OF JULY, JULY, JULY.
James Callow comment: HAND-CLAPPING ON ALL THE ACK'S
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
WHEN I WAS A BOY I REMEMBER RUNNING RACES. WE STARTED
THE RACES BY SAYING:
MOTOR BOAT, MOTOR BOAT, GO SO SLOW,
MOTOR BOAT, MOTOR BOAT, GO SO FAST,
MOTOR BOAT, MOTOR BOAT, STEP ON THE GAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.524 |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
REMEMBER THE TURTLE,
REMEMBER THE DOVE,
REMEMBER THE DAY
YOU AND (BLANK) FELL IN LOVE.
Submitter comment: FILL IN THE BLANK WITH ANY BOY'S NAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD TOWNSHIP ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
PROVERBIAL SIMILE
NERVOUS AS A LONG TAILED CAT IN A ROOM OF ROCKING CHAIRS
USED WHEN TRYING TO POINT OUT HOW NERVOUS A PERSON, YOURSELF
OR SOMEONE ELSE, CAN BECOME IN A GIVEN SITUATION
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS BEING USED DURING HIS CHILDHOOD
HE HAS USED IT AND HEARD OTHERS USE IT IN TIMES OF STRESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; ANXIETY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 11-08-1971
A FOLKTALE ABOUT A HALLOWEEN CUSTOM
WHEN I WAS JUST A LITTLE FELLOW, JUST ABOUT SO TALL, ME AND THESE
FRIENDS OF MINE WENT OUT ON DEVILS NIGHT AND DECIDED WE WAS GONNA
HAVE US SOME FUN. WELL WE TOOK US AN OLD TIRE, TIRES WAS HARD TO
GET IN THOSE DAYS, AND WE FILLED THAT OLD TIRE WITH COW MANURE.
THEN WE TIED A LONG ROPE TO IT AND PUT IT OUT IN THE ROAD. NOW
TIRES WAS HARD TO GET IN THOSE DAYS AND THERE WAS SURE TO BE
SOMEONE WHO WOULD STOP TO PICK IT UP. WELL WE HID IN THE BUSHES
AND WAITED AND SURE AS YOU MAKE HEAD CHEESE FROM PIGS A CAR STOPPED
TO PICK IT UP. AND WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT TWO FELLAS, ALL DRESSED
UP 'CAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO TOWN, STOPPED THEIR CAR AND WAS
GANNA PICK UP THAT OLD TIRE WHEN WE GIVE IT A GOOD PULL. WELL
THEY WEREN'T GONNA LET US KIDS OUT SMART THEM SO THEY PICKED UP THAT
OLD TIRE AND GAVE IT A GOOD PULL AND WE LET IT GO AND THEY FELL
WITH THAT TIRE ON TOP OF THEM AND GOT ALL MESSED UP AND THAT OLD
TIRE WASN'T NO GOOD ANYWAY. (SIC)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
Keyword(s): PRANKS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
PROVERBS: MONEY
"WHEN THE RIGHT HAND ITCHES YOU WILL LOSE MONEY, WHEN THE LEFT
HAND ITCHES YOU WILL GET MONEY." THE REASONING BEHIND THIS IS THAT
WE OFTEN TAKE OUR WALLET FROM A POCKET WITH OUR LEFT HAND AND WE
REACH INTO THE WALLET TO HAND OUT THE MONEY WITH OUR RIGHT HAND.
WHEN RECEIVING THE MONEY WE PUT IT IN OUR BILLFOLD WHICH IS IN OUR
LEFT HAND.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS SAYING FROM WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER. IT WAS
A COMMON BELIEF AND SAYING OF EARLIER DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-08-1971
WHENEVER A PERSON SEES A FLOCK OF BIRDS
THEY SAY, "MONEY, MONEY, ON MY BIRTHDAY."
THIS WILL ASSURE THEM OF AMPLE GIFTS ON THEIR BIRTHDAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
EVIL EYE OR BREAKING SPELLS
WHEN A PERSON IS SICK IT IS BECAUSE
THEY ARE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE EVIL EYE
OR UNDER A SPELL. TO RID A PERSON
OF THEIR SICKNESS TAKE A BOWL HALF FULL
OF VINEGAR, PUT TWO DROPS OF OLIVE OIL IN IT
ONE ON EITHER SIDE. WHEN THE DROPS OF
OIL COME TOGETHER THE PATIENT WILL BE HEALED,
THE SPELL BROKEN AND THE EVIL EYE CAST OFF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
PROVERB: CAT
HAPPY AS A CAT IN A CREAMERY.
Submitter comment:
USED TO DENOTE EXTREME HAPPINESS OF A PERSON OR ANIMAL IN A GIVEN
CIRCUMSTANCE.
INFORMANT USED THIS WHEN HE SAW HIS SECRETARY WAS VERY HAPPY. HE
LEARNED WHEN HE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 11-01-1971
COUGH
IF YOU HAVE A COUGH PUT SOME SALT ON THE END OF YOUR TONGUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
CHANGE YOUR LUCK (COLLECTOR,S TITLE) ; CONVERSION: WALKING COUNTERCLOCKWISE (CLASSIFIER,S TITLE)
IF A PERSON IS HAVING A STREAK OF BAD LUCK IN A GAME SUCH AS BINGO,
ALL TYPES OF CARD GAMES, OR IN A GAME IN WHICH A PLAYER IS SEATED,
HE CAN CHANGE HIS LUCK BY WALKING AROUND THE CHAIR COUNTER-CLOCKWISE.
OF COURSE, IF THIS PROCEDURE DOES NOT WORK THE FIRST TIME IT SHOULD
BE REPEATED UNTIL A CHANGE OF LUCK TAKES PLACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Bingo ; CUSTOM ; DIRECTION: COUNTERWISE ; Entertainment ; GAMES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P833 P833.6 |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
Entry filtered.
CHEER
HIT EM HIGH HIT EM LOW COME ON VIKINGS GO GO GO.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT WAS A HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADER IN THE FIFTIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival Custom Festival |
Date learned: 00001950S
CHEER
VICTORY, VICTORY IS OUR CRY. V I C T O R Y. WILL WE WIN IT? WELL I
GUESS. VIKINGS, VIKINGS YES YES YES .
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival Custom Festival |
Date learned: 00001950S