John the Chinaman

19 Sep 98 - 04:14 PM (#38638)
Subject: John the Chinaman
From: [e-mail]

I am looking for the words to a song my great aunt used to sing to me when I was a child. I remember part of the song went

ring chang ching chang ching-a-ring-a-ring chang
John the Chinaman, shoemaker by birth tailor by trade
he was born on the land of the free.

I still remember this after over 30 years. any help would be appreciated.

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20 Sep 98 - 03:52 AM (#38691)
Subject: RE: John the Chinaman
From: The Shambles

It sounds like a song that my wife's grandmother used to sing whilst bouncing children on her knee. It went something like: Chin, Chin, Chinaman, Chop a Chop a Chop! Then a lot of stuff I can't really remember. Does this sound like it? I would like to know where it came from though.

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20 Sep 98 - 08:41 PM (#38750)
Subject: RE: John the Chinaman
From: [e-mail]

I don't think this is the one I am looking for but I appreciate the reply. My sister remembered another part of the lyrics that is He fell asleep by a big oak tree, along came and indian with a tomahawk and cut of the end of his que.

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20 Sep 98 - 11:31 PM (#38774)
Subject: RE: John the Chinaman
From: Lil

Generally, I try to be openminded about folksongs which come from a different time when people weren't very sensitive to how minorities felt. Since you can't remember the words, though, maybe this one could be laid aside. I still remember as a child steeling myself to hearing children chant, "ching chong chinaman" when I would pass by, and that was a long time ago. I haven't heard it lately, and hope it stays away.

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09 Jun 11 - 03:01 PM (#3167839)
Subject: RE: John the Chinaman
From: GUEST,Married to the man that sings it!

In China once, there was a little man.
His name was Chick-a-rack-a-Chick Chack Cho.
His hands were small and his feet were small,
this chinaman couldn't walk at all!
Chick-a-rack-a-Chick Chack Cho, Condo Lora, Condo Lora and a peck of one.
Oto, Oto, Ity Ity Pie, Ity Pie, Ity Pie
Chick Chack Cho!

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