I've really enjoyed reading through all these versions of the song. It's amazing to find there are so many!

I was taught it by my father, who in turn was taught it by his father, who was taught it by my great grandfather in London at the turn of the 20th century. I sang it to my Texan partner, who was disgusted by its blatant racism, but there is something ultimately charming about this old-time racist muck!

Here's the version I learnt:

In China there lived a very great man
His name was Chicka-facka-ching-chai-chan
His legs were long and his feet were short
This Chinese man couldn't walk nor talk

Chicka facka ching chai chickalora
Bom diddy nora widdy widdy whack
Oko oko itti-ai itti-ai tiddly-ai tiddly-ai
Chinese talk