La, la, la, chick-a-la-le-o

Subject: La, la, la, chick-a-la-le-o
From: black walnut
Date: 10 Oct 02 - 10:14 AM

The song begins:

I'm goin' to marry just who I please
La, la, la, chick-a-la-le-o,
I know I will if he'll marry me,
La, la, la, chick-a-la-le-o

La, la, la, chick-a-la-le-o,
La, la, la, chick-a-la-le-o,
La, la, la, chick-a-la-le-o,
La, la, la, chick-a-la-le-o

My question is:

Am I right to pronounce it LAY-LEE-OH, or should it be LAW-LEE-OH?

Thanks for your opinions,

~b.w.

Subject: RE: La, la, la, chick-a-la-le-o
From: black walnut
Date: 10 Oct 02 - 02:05 PM

Or perhaps it's La as in Laboratory, all the way through on every La?

I'm serious.....I'm from Canada and this song is from Arkansas. I might have it wrong!

~b.w.

Subject: RE: La, la, la, chick-a-la-le-o
From: GUEST,odell
Date: 10 Oct 02 - 03:09 PM

Almeda Riddle sings it as Lah. But then,I think she's from Ohio or somewheres. its a great song tho, glad to know someone's singing it.
:D

Subject: RE: La, la, la, chick-a-la-le-o
From: GUEST,TNDARLN at work
Date: 10 Oct 02 - 03:11 PM

A folk song collection I have has it as "la la la chick a li lee o", with a long I. [La as in "la, a note to follow so"] I don't know that it would matter which you did, lay or law, as long as you were consistent. Especially if you're going to be teaching it. Just my thoughts...

Subject: RE: La, la, la, chick-a-la-le-o
From: black walnut
Date: 11 Oct 02 - 01:55 PM

Thanks. I figured there might be variations out there. I found it in an Orff book of children's songs.   I think I'll choose what sounds the best to me, and then teach it to my song circle. Unless someone from Arkansas has the definitive answer.....

~b.w.

Subject: RE: La, la, la, chick-a-la-le-o
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 12 Oct 02 - 01:44 AM

Almeda was from Arkansas and, as I remember, she sings it "lah."

Subject: RE: La, la, la, chick-a-la-le-o
From: black walnut
Date: 12 Oct 02 - 08:47 AM

Thank you, Sandy! I wonder why it feels uncomfortable for me to sing it that way? Is it my Toronto accent? When I sing it 'lah' it sounds like I'm a member of some boys' choir in England. 'Lie' sounds better for my voice.

Nice song. Glad I found it. Good with piano.

~b.w.