The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #6971   Message #2637210
Posted By: GUEST,Frank in Ottawa
21-May-09 - 12:15 AM
Thread Name: Origins: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
In 1997, my dad came to Ottawa from Edmonton to visit and I asked him to sing the old song he used to sing to us when we were kids in the '50's. I have the video of him singing it and I have transcribed it as closely as I can. This is all he could remember. My dad was never a racist -- it was just a cute, silly song he learned as a kid:

In Chinee once there lived a man
His name was Hong Kong Chickadee Chong
His legs were short and his toes were long
The Chineeman couldn't walk at all

His friends would have to carry him about
Whenever he went the people would shout
Here he comes and there he goes
The Chineeman with the monkey toes

Chickadee choo choo choo
Chickadee long-gee, pong-gee, knick, knick, knack
Ankee pist and ankee poh (pronounced 'dough')
Helluva gelluva Chinaman foh