My father used to sing this song all the time. I remember it like this:

There was a country schoolhouse, where all the darkies go
There was a pica-ninny by the name of Rag Time Joe
Now, the teacher called on Joe, to spell a kinda bird
Joe didn't know how to spell the word, but this is what he said,

C-That's the way to begin, and the
H- is the next letter in, and
I - that am the third, and the
C – salt and pepper is the seasoning for the bird, well
K- That's the fillin' in, and the
E– well that's next to the
N
Well C-H-I-C-K-E-N, that am the way you spell Chicken.

I still love it!!