Lyr Req: Chirkendoose? / The Churkendoose

Subject: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Amos
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 08:32 PM

In 1951, my wife had a children's record on which was a favorite song called "The Chirkendoose", concerning an imaginary creature made of several known fowl:

Part chicken
Part turkey
Part duck and goose!
Chirkendoose,
Chirkendoose!

This fragment is the only thing she remembers of the whole record, except that it was performed by someone who was popular but not a great singer, not Arthur Godfrey but a similar idea.

OK, you amazing sleuths high and low -- can you help my dear wife find this long lost memory? She has spent hours trying to find it, and all the luck she had was finding one used-record dealer who hadalso enjoyed it in his childhood. This at least reassured her that she was not mad, an assurance she was beginning to want. But it brought her no closer to finding it.

Anyone ever hear of this marvelous fowl?

Thanks forever if you solve this one!!


A

Subject: RE: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 08:38 PM

Ray Bolger, I think. I had a copy, too. The other side was Max the Mechanical Man. It's not impossible that my parents still have it in a box somewhere.

Subject: RE: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: GUEST,Ely
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 08:38 PM

Related to a turducken, perhaps?

Subject: RE: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 08:43 PM

Alec Wilder's interest in children brought about hundreds of piano pieces, easy study pieces for many different instruments, the well-known A Child's Introduction to the Orchestra and the song book Lullabies and Night Songs, illustrated by Maurice Sendak. His cantata Children's Pleas for Peace is a testament to his hopes for a better world for young people. He also wrote many children's songs for television productions and records, such as The Churkendoose performed by Ray Bolger and a version of Pinocchio starring Mickey Rooney. Additionally, the children of many musician friends were remembered with numerous solo chamber works.
From:http://www.schirmer.com/composers/wilder/

There also seems to be a wonder book...Click!
No actual lyrics found....also, try looking for Churkindoose....

Subject: RE: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Amos
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 08:45 PM

Malcolm:

Ask them!! Oh, name your price!! She is so impressed that we got the performer already -- six minutes!! If we could come up with a copy you'd be willing to let go, she'd be so tickled I would have brownie points for life!!!


Many many thanks!!


A

Subject: RE: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 08:47 PM

Ah, a little more. It appears that it was written by Alec Wilder.

Good God. There's audio!

http://www.kiddierekordking.com/music/Track%2005.MP3

Subject: RE: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Amos
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 08:49 PM

Wow, Sorch!! Thanks!! Great to see you back in the ...um...saddle, so to speak!! Hope you are feeling better -- and I am delighted you haven't lost your knack!!


A

Subject: RE: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Amos
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 09:01 PM

Amazing!! The very soundtrack that has haunted her for 30 years!! Amazing!!

That's two big ones for the Mudcat Sleuthing Section today!!

The MP3 has the inimitable Bolger voice on it but fades out after a few minutes. So if there's a copy of that record out there, I am all for it!!

You guys are the best!!


A

Subject: RE: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 09:07 PM

Hmm, the online file seems only to be the first half. That's a pity. I'll be phoning my Mum tomorrow in any case, and I'll ask if the record is still lurking about somewhere. It might have gone missing along with my Jimmy Shands when we all moved to various different parts of the country in the mid '70s, but if they still have it I should be able to arrange a copy.

Subject: RE: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Amos
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 09:09 PM

Wotta hero!!


A

Subject: RE: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 09:48 PM

Wow!

Subject: RE: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 19 Dec 03 - 11:16 AM

This reminds me of that other triumph of the song-writer's art,
Alexander is a Swoose"

Half a swan and half a goose...
Alexander is a swoose!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: GUEST,Bob, Sr.
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 10:29 PM

My God... I am 61 years old and still remember this record. My Mother bought it for me when I was very young. It is now long gone, but always wondered if I was the only person who ever heard of it. I have asked many people about it and they look at me as if I am nutz.
Now I can die in peace...
Thanx again

Subject: RE: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 11:00 PM

Sadly, I wasn't able to find my old family copy. Not among the records my parents still have (it was some time before they were able to check, as their house was in turmoil while central heating was being fitted), and not with the vinyl that my brother kept when we all moved away. As I feared, it looks as if it went the same way as the 78s; wherever that was.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Cool Beans
Date: 08 Sep 04 - 10:08 AM

Now...Does anyone remember another Ray Bolger children's record, the one about "Max Mainspring, the Happy Mechanical Man." Wonder why Bolger was drawn to playing otherworldly, alien creatures in his children's records. Post-Scarecrow stress syndrome? There's a master's thesis for a curious scholar.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: GUEST,Laoise Feerick
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 08:33 AM

Wow. I had no idea about this song but my Grandfather, an Adirondack Raconteur by the name of Vic Pomerville (Sometimes spelled Pommerville) used to sing us a song we thought was of his own creation about a mysterious creature called THE CHICKEN-CROW. He may have lifted the melody and structure from The Churkendoose since he often made up his own lyrics to other melodies. Sometimes he'd do it without really being aware he wasn't being totally original. No harm intended - it just came out that way. I'd really like to hear this song.

Grandpa's Chicken-Crows lived in Utica (New York) when it got too cold up North in Newton Falls (near Star Lake) and liked to hang out in an enchanted Lilac Grove. They granted wishes to little girls and boys but could also play tricks on you. They'd also rat you out to Grandpa Vic if they caught you doing something really naughty. Nosey old Chicken-Crows! They had other magical creatures they hung out with including a talking Trout, The Jennie Wren, a family of Blue-Blooded Beavers and a menacing character named Fat Frog. He started all this Chicken-Crow business in the early 60's when his oldest daughters started having kids. Many of the characters evolved out of nicknames for the kids. My Mom is The Jennie Wren for instance while my sister is Reenie-Been The Beaver Queen.

By the late 80's the Chicken-Crows fell out of favor and the song became about something called The Peanut-Butter Birds. All that really changed was the name. They still flocked in the magic Lilac Grove where some of his other characters lived. What had happened was one group of Grandchildren had grown up and a younger set had come along and apparently they preferred Peanut-Butter Birds to Chicken-Crows.

Perhaps they are all descendants of the Churkendoose? When that whole Turducken BBQ craze started, all of us Grandkids and Great-Grandkids had a good laugh thinking that the Chicken-Crows might be offended. Believe me, you don't want to offend a Chicken-Crow...they have tempers.

Grandpa Vic was field-recorded on a few occasions and I even taped many of his songs and stories back when I was in Grad School (Anthropology..SUNYA) but I never did get the Chicken-Crow song....just some of their stories. I've always wanted to produce a limited CD for all of Vic's descendants but the quality of the recordings leaves a lot to be desired. Also, trying to track down the origins of many of the stories and songs he liberally borrowed from could be prohibitive. Still, Grandpa Vic was something alright!

I still believe the Chicken-Crows are out there in the Lilacs waiting for us to come back and visit for a spell. My folks just moved back up to Star Lake so who knows, maybe they'll see them around. They just have to remember that the Chicken-Crows don't grant your wish if you ask for something for yourself. If you get greedy, they just might play a trick on you or send Fat Frog over to teach you a lesson. I suppose I ought to do a search on some of those terms and see if he borrowed them too! It wouldn't surprise me to find other, older origins for some of his characters. The Talking Trout isn't original to him either.

L. M. Feerick-Pollison
Los Angeles
Granddaughter of Victor Pomerville (Deceased 1994)

Any NY Folklorists who want access to any of the recordings of my Grandpa or texts of his many stories....contact me at: [e-mail] and/or [e-mail] He specialised in stories and songs of The North Woods, The St. Lawrence River, Logging camps and Adirondack tales of the supernatural. (In addition to his children's stories)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From:
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 03:48 PM

I very much remember the Chirkendoose with Ray Bolger. I'm looking for a copy for my grandson.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 01:59 AM

I remember it, too! Never knew it was the old Scarecrow on the record, though. Now, does anybody remember "Rusty in Orchestraville"?

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Cool Beans
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 02:33 PM

I do, Mark!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: GUEST,Tofulope
Date: 24 Nov 05 - 06:26 PM

Thank you so much for finding this song!

My grandmother was singing this the other day- from at least 40 years ago. It has completely brought back so many memories! thank you!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Nov 05 - 01:22 AM

The book title is "The Churkendoose: Part Chicken, Turkey, Duck and Goose" by Ben Ross Berenberg, 1950.

According to The BMI Repertoire, the song was written by Ben Ross Berenberg and Alec Wilder. (I guess that means Berenberg wrote the words and Wilder wrote the music?)

Click here to see images of book covers in several different editions.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 01:43 PM

According to the information on this page, Ray Bolger was indeed the narrator, accompanied by an orchestra led by Mitch Miller! The record, Decca 9006, was issued in 1947 as a 78rpm disk.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Churkendoose
From: GUEST,tbtrin
Date: 09 Dec 05 - 06:04 PM

I happened upon this website out of curiosity about one of my favorite songs from childhood and was surprised to see so much interest in "The Churkendoose". It made me go looking and, sure enough, I still have our recording. It is on the Decca label (unbreakable record, thank goodness)and takes up both sides of a 78. In the same stack of records I found two other definite keepers, "What Makes Rain?" described as a musical story for children who ask questions and "The Little Tune That Ran Away" presented by Peter Lind Hayes. Since my brother and I played them thousands of times they are well worn but after the holidays I think I'll take them to a recording store and try to have them put on CD. They need to be preserved for our grandchildren!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Churkendoose
From: Sourdough
Date: 10 Dec 05 - 12:17 PM

I loved "The Churkendoose" and remembered it was Ray Bolger but learning it was the Mitch Miller group backing him was a surprise.

Another musical record fondly remembered from my distant childhood is "Tubby the Tuba" which I felt lucky to find as an mp3 not long ago.

I also had a favorite non-musical record called "Why We Sleep" which was an explanation for children about why we do spend a third of our lives asleep. I found it fascinating and listened to it as often as the others.

My all-time favorite, I still have it, all the 78s in their original album. According to the inscription, I received it on my fourth birthday from my grandparents. It was called, "Peter on the Roof", or at least that's what I thought it was called. Apparently my family thought this was cute so no one ever corrected me. When I learned to read I discovered the real name was "Peter and the Wolf". The narrator is Basil Rathbone. It is a wonderful production.

I've just finished reading "War and Peace" and there is a wolf hunt that is a part of the story. As I read, I remembered Peter and the Wolf and understood it better seeing how much a part of Russian culture the wolf hunt was.


Sourdough

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Churkendoose
From: GUEST,Hermine
Date: 10 Jun 06 - 08:55 AM

I read the book when I was a very little girl, both in English (I thought it was spelled "chirkendoose") and in French "Le pouldincanoie".
That was in the '50s.

I remembered this book to-day, while preparing a conference on High Ability Pupils, especially those who fail in school, because they are looked over like the churkendoose by their school fellows.

Thanks to internet I could find a picture of the book (which I remembered quite well).

Amazing how many persons left a message with so different memories about it on this thread.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Churkendoose
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Jun 06 - 02:06 PM

The link posted by Malcolm in 2003 is still active, so download it before it vanishes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Churkendoose
From: GUEST,Churkendoose for God
Date: 16 Jul 06 - 11:59 PM

I'm a youth pastor and use the message of this book OFTEN! I even have a copy of the book from when I was a child. It is a bit ragged now, but I love to read it to my children as well. I'm glad to know about the song and will continue to seek out the full version!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Churkendoose
From: Scoville
Date: 17 Jul 06 - 11:15 PM

Is a chirkendoose like a turducken?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Churkendoose
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 09:50 AM

Whoa---I'm in my 2nd childhood (!)having just discovered the greatest records of my younger years at this site:
http://www.kiddierekordking.com/library.html
There's The Churkendoose, Tubby the Tuba, Rusty in Orchestraville, and 11,000 other vintage children's records, just about all anyone might be searching for. I even played snippets to remind me how wonderful they were/are.
Thank you, Malcolm Douglas, (18 Dec. 03) for steering me here.

Sheila

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Churkendoose
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 07:11 PM

Oh my God, my mother, aged 77, has always referred to the Thanksgiving turkey (or indeed, any turkey) as "the churkendoose", and I always assumed it was just a silly nonsense word, such as mothers are always coming up with; now I'll have to ask her about it!

~D

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Churkendoose
From: GUEST,David
Date: 27 Sep 06 - 11:27 PM

I'm 63, my mother bought the record for me, too, and I listened to it over and over again.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Churkendoose
From: GUEST,Bruce Harris, Wisconsin
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 09:47 AM

Out of my childhood, the story of the chirkendoose calls. Now, as a 62-year-old, the lessons of the story are still signifidant to me. I always felt different, unappreciated by others. But because of my very uniqueness, I can be a hero.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 09:30 PM

Deccca Records - The Churkendoose with Ray Bolger

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: GUEST,Mary P
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 05:04 AM

The Churkendoose record was what pulled my little sister and I through our bout with chickenpox. We listened to it about a zillion times, and though today, at our ages of 62 and 70, we still remember MOST of the words, we are missing some. I have spent the last hour searching the Net and found only one verse (which happened to be the only one I remember completely. Here are as many of the words as I can remember -
"Does the green grass ask the sky so blue,
I'm green why aren't you green too.
A rose smells sweet cause it's a flower,
An onion smells strong, a pickle is sour.
They're different yet they get along,
And no one seems to think it wrong.
Chicken, turkey, duck or goose,
Can't there be a churkendoose?

It depends on how you look at things,
It depends on how you look at things,
Is the baby chimpanzee any prettier than me
It all depends upon, begins and ends upon,
It all depends on how you look at things.

The camel hasn't got a pretty face,
And the alligator's not a thing of grace.
Tho I'm not pretty, front or rear, Am I ugly?
No, I'm just a little queer.

'Cuz it depends on how you look at things.
It depends on how you look at things

Then there are snatches running around in my memory -- "Does the pear tree say to the apple tree, I hate you 'cuz you're not like me?" and something about -- " Is a (blank-di blank di-blank) any prettier than I? Well it depends upon, begins and ends upon, it all depends on how you look at things."

I also remember that when the fox came into the chicken yard with murder on his mind, and suddenly spotted the Churkendoose, "...he was so scared he took off running and it took 3 days for his shadow to catch up with him!"

If anyone can fill in the holes in my memory, I would be SO happy! I'm not an eBay person, and I no longer have a record player anyway, so I'm not hunting for the record... just the words.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Cool Beans
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 01:24 PM

Mary P, here's one line for you:
Are the hippopotami any prettier than I?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Churkendoose
From: GUEST,wilderworld
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 04:31 PM

As part of my Alec Wilder 100th birthday tribute, The Churkendoose has been posted in its entirety at http://wilderworld.podomatic.com/entry/2007-02-06T00_40_05-08_00
Enjoy!
Rob
wilderworld.podomatic.com

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Cool Beans
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 04:14 PM

Thanks, Rob!! IT was wonderful to hear "The Churkendoose" again after so many years. I'd forogtten that he was the original rapper.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 04:24 PM

Wonderful!

here is the link blickified:

Blickified link to the Churkendoose

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: GUEST,C Lenhart
Date: 07 May 07 - 10:48 PM

I remember listening to it as a child. As far as the story line, the Ray Bolger recording of Chirkendoose, as I recall, was about several different birds who each spend time sitting on an egg. As a result of the variety of the birds, a chirkendoose results. Vaguely it seems that he was ostracized because of the variety of parentage but winds up saving the other birds and is accepted. Ray Bolger's voice lent a certain character imagery that made the lyrics popular.

C Lenhart

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: GUEST
Date: 28 May 07 - 11:45 PM

My uncle was Ray Bolger and I loved the Churkendoose record. If anyone knows where I can find a copy of the record I would be most grateful.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: GUEST,Chirkendoose Lover
Date: 10 Jul 07 - 10:37 PM

I have a copy of the Churkendoose book and record, which has been recorded on a tape. It is Ray Bolger. How many people out there would like a copy?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Sep 07 - 06:54 AM

Much of it is featured here:
http://www.kiddierekordking.com/library.html

W

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: GUEST,Fran Hawkins
Date: 27 Oct 07 - 07:35 PM

I am a 65 year old grandmother who absolutely loved THE CHURKENDOOSE
(Done by Ray Bolgers in the 50's on a 78 record, which took 20-30 minutes to play. I learned this song and sang it to my kids, as well as my grandkids when they were growing up. My kids still can't believe that I remember the words to a song I knew when I was 8 years old. I had the record copied onto a cassette tape well over 20 years ago. The words on my record were as follows:

This is my story on the Churkendoose,
Part chicken, turkey, duck and goose;
Churkendoose, Churkendoose, Churkendoose Churkendoose.
It all happen many years ago on a farm near Rex town.
The Chicken had laid an egg, but what an egg!

Everyone agreed it was the biggest egg they had ever seen.
The chicken sat on the egg until she got tired of sitting,
Then the turkey sat on the egg until she got tired,
Then the duck sat on it, then the goose,
But when the goose got tired, the chicken sat on it again.

So soon after she had taken her place on the egg,
Then they all heard a strange loud frightening noise.
The egg was hatching.
They all huddled there waiting to see what would happen next.
The shell broke open and out came,

Hello folks, howdy dee, don't be scared, it's only me

Chicken:        You look very peculiar!
Turkey:                What kind of legs are those?
Duck:                What kind of a head is that?
Goose:                What kind of bill is that?
Chicken:        What kind of a body is that?
Everyone:        Yes, what kind of a body is that?

Churkendoose:   One at a time please, one at a time! I'll answer your questions, but one at a time.

I have a head like a chicken and legs like a duck, Instead of quacking I say yuck yuck.
I have a body like a turkey and a bill like a goose; I feel pretty good 'cept my legs are loose.

Turkey:    You do not look like a chicken, you have only one ear!
Churkendoose:         Sure, and that's in the back of my head.

Chicken:        Your legs are funny, they bend every which way!
Turkey:         What are you anyway?

Churkendoose:   Well, I'm not a chicken and I'm not a duck, I have more brains then I have luck. I'm not a turkey and I'm not a goose,
Can't you see I', a Churkendoose!

Everyone:        A Churkendoose?
Churkendoose:        Yes a Churkendoose!
Chicken:        Well, what's a Churkendoose?
Churkendoose:        Me, I'm a Churkendoose!

Turkey:                You talk awfully funny
Churkendoose:   I don't talk all the time, but when I do I talk in rhyme.

Goose:                Walk over here let us take a good look at ya!
Churkendoose:   I can't walk, I wouldn't take the chance, but if you give me some music, I'll go into my dance.

[clumping/dancing...]

Rooster:        Stop, stop that at once. I'm the rooster, this is my henhouse. What are you doing here? Just look at you, you're too little to be much good for anything and you're mighty ugly! What good are you?

All together:        Yes, what good are you?

Churkendoose:   Wait a minute, wait a minute, why must you shout?
Take a minute, take a minute, think this thing out. Can't the chicken turkey, duck and goose Live in peace with the Churkendoose.

Does the pear tree say to the apple tree, I hate you 'cause your not like me? Does the green grass ask the sky so blue, I'm green why aren't you green to?

A rose smells sweet, 'cause it's a flower; An onion tastes strong, a pickle is sour. There different yet they get along And no one seems to think it's wrong..

Must I be a chicken, a goose? Can't I be a Churkendoose!

You know the moo-cow says, look I give milk, The silkworm answers I make silk. The horse says look how strong I am, The piggy answers I give ham. My skin makes leather, snorts the bull, The sheep replies I grow wool.

Each one has it's special use And I'm sure there's one for the Churkendoose!

There must be one for the Churkendoose.

Rooster:        You still didn't answer me what good are you?

Churkendoose:        I'd like to tell yah, but I don't know. I'm still little, I gotta grow.

Goose:                But you know how to tape dance don't yah?
Turkey:                And how to sing and recite poetry.
Chicken:        If you ask me he knows too much.
Goose:                Yeah, he's dangerous!
Duck:                Take him away, kick him on the head, poke him in the eye, chase him out.......

Turkey:         No, no, no, now you listen to me. Let's not be hasty, everybody sit down and talk this over quietly.

Goose:         Alright, but ask the Churkendoose to wait outside,
        This is private!

Churkendoose:   I danced out of the henhouse very sadly, I wondered if I was really as ugly as they said, Anyway, how could they tell if I was ugly? They had never seen a Churkendoose before.

Maybe for a Churkendoose I was handsome! I danced over to a rain puddle And looked at my reflection in the water. Then, as a tear rolled off my bill, I sang:

Can it be that I am such a sight, That when others see me they take fright?
Though I can see what they meant When they said my legs are bent.
Am I ugly? No, I'm just different.

'Cause, it depends on how you look at things, It depends on how you look at things. Is a baby chimpanzee any pettier than me, Well it depends upon begins and ends upon, It all depends on how you look at things.

An alligator's not a thing of grace, And a camel hasn't got a lovely face. Though I'm not pretty front or rear, And I only have one ear.
Am I ugly? No, just a little queer.

'Cause, it depends on how you look at things, It depends on how you look at things, Ah the hippopotami any handsomer than I, Well it depends upon begins and ends upon, It all depends on how you look at things.

I sniffed back my tears and then, I hear screams coming from the henhouse. I danced back there as fast as I could. All was confusion.

The rooster, chicken, turkey, duck and goose Had flown to the highest roost, And were frantically flapping their wings And squawking with fright.

There on the floor was a fox, running this way, and that,
Snapping as he went, trying to catch one of them.
When I cam in the fox turned, Ready to spring and catch me by the throat.

But when he saw me, he started to run, He was in such a hurry to get away, He didn't even turn around. He ran so fast he took off and flew backwards.

He flew so fast that it took three days for his shadow to catch up with him.

It all happened so quickly that no one was quite sure what had taken place. Finely the rooster spoke up.

Rooster:        Is, is the fox gone?
Churkendoose:        Yes.
Rooster:        You saved our lives Churkendoose. That fox will never come back as long as you're here! Three cheers for the Churkendoose.

Churkendoose:        No, no wait. Before you caused me tears, now you're giving me three cheers 'cause I chased the fox and set you free. Well, I don't want the tears and I don't want the cheers. Can't you like me just because I'm me?

Then, I guess they realize how selfish they were And how mean they had been. Because they all apologized and pleaded with me to stay there and bee their friend.
Well I stayed, and I'm still there.

You know the other day The duck started go give me swimming lessons
And in exchange I'm teaching the duck how to tap dance.

What fun we have. Now we help each other and learn from each other.
So you see:

It depends on how you look at things, It depends on how you look at things. Making friends can be a pleasure 'cause a good friend is a treasure, No matter how you look at things.

Enjoy!! Fran Hawkins, Three Rivers, CA

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: GUEST,Lois Thurston
Date: 07 May 08 - 01:10 PM

Dear Amos,

There is such a thing as a Chirkendoose -- I have been looking for this childhood book of mine for years. When I saw your post, I had to respond. Althought I had the book (it was like a small Golden Book), I had never heard the record or heard the song. Do you know where I could get a copy of the book? This book was foundational in helping me form my current views on people different from us. A very good book. The moral of the story was that you shouldn't make fun of people who are different from you because they may be very good people. Any inkling where I could find this treasured book would be greatly appreciated.

Lois Thurston, 714 Medaris St., Clinton, TN 37716

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose
From: GUEST,island girl
Date: 16 Jun 08 - 05:52 PM

Copied (from the record) CD of the Churkendoose, & just about any other vintage 78 children's record can be obtained from the website kiddierekordking.com          No new copies are available as the copyright apparently prohibits it

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose /Churkendoose
From: GUEST,Erin
Date: 10 Oct 08 - 03:57 PM

The song was sung by Ray Bolger who also played the scarecrow on The Wizard of Oz. Definitely a hard find, but it is out there.

Peace

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose /Churkendoose
From: GUEST,Janet Wunderlich, Douce
Date: 18 Oct 08 - 03:49 PM

My sisters and I grew up in a small mountain town in Ecuador,South America. We had a small little record player and would replay this song and act it out over &over again.
They will be sooo pleased to know I have fouond it.
My son wants to use it in a Forensic compitition at his school so I was looking for the lyrics thankyou

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose /Churkend
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Feb 10 - 12:49 AM

BELIEVE IT OR NOT I STILL HAVE MY REVORD FROM 1948 AND IT STILL PLAYS I WAS SIX WHEN I GOT IT IN CHUCAGO

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose /Churkendoose
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 02:25 PM

the Churkendoose truly influenced my life, teaching me to tolerate and embrace differences when nothing else in my life was teaching me that value. Amazing!
What I wonder is this:
Were Wilder, Berenberg, Bolger or any one of them trying to teach an anti-McCarthy-ism message to kids??? Was any a victim of McCarthyism or any 50s witch hunt?
It seems so, but I don't know.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mystery of the Chirkendoose /Churkendoose
From: Amos
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 02:37 PM

The KiddieKorner site has reorganized. The soundclip and album cover can be found at http://www.kiddierekordking.com/library.html. The Churkendoose is #1 on the list. To hear the audio click on the small sound icon below the album cover.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chirkendoose? / The Churkendoose
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 03:58 PM

i have the original record.... carol

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chirkendoose? / The Churkendoose
From: GUEST,chill
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 07:31 PM

I'm looking for the children's book called "I'm a Churkendoose". has anyone got any information on where to find this old book.   I believe that it was a Golden book.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chirkendoose? / The Churkendoose
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 07:59 PM

The Churkendoose at Amazon.com.

Let the buyer beware.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chirkendoose? / The Churkendoose
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Mar 11 - 11:22 AM

Growing up we had a book called: What am I? read by Soupy Sales with the song on it. My mom would sing "It depends on how you look at things" many many times through out our childhood when we came with people problems from school.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chirkendoose? / The Churkendoose
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Mar 11 - 07:05 PM

http://wilderworld.podomatic.com/entry/2007-02-06T00_40_05-08_00

Here is a link to the recording.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chirkendoose? / The Churkendoose
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Apr 12 - 11:20 AM

Please let me know if you are able to make a CD and sell me a copy!
I have been in search of this record for years. While in Australia last summer, my sister and I [who memorized the Churkendoose] found a very strange bird.. we looked at each other and said .. "This is a Churkendoose!" We became very nostalgic for a copy of this recording.
Please let me know...
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chirkendoose? / The Churkendoose
From: GUEST,Muffin van Rooyen
Date: 12 Dec 13 - 03:48 PM

Hi. I know 'The Chirkendoose'. My mother still has the record that I listened to loads as a child. I'm now 40 and still remember many of the lyrics. I am now living in the UK and my parents are still in South Africa, but I will track down the record and lyrics for your wife. There is nothing like childhood memories. In fact, it was searching for the lyrics to 'Max Mainspring - The Mechanical Man' that lead me to your question. I have often thought about those lyrics and thought about how useful they are to life, if only we remembered that 'it all depends on how you look at things'! I'll be in contact again.
Regards.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chirkendoose? / The Churkendoose
From: GUEST,G. BUCKNER
Date: 11 Mar 16 - 10:50 PM

I remember it well. I think it was a Decca recording. 'It depends on how you look at things' - Now this is the story of the Chirkendoose, part chicken, turkey, duck and goose' 'It depends on how you look at things'
As a child this was one of my favorite stories. I did have the recording, but I think it got lost during a move. I continue to search for it.
If anyone locates a copy, I would love it and should I find my copy I will submit a message..

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chirkendoose? / The Churkendoose
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jul 18 - 08:29 AM

This was a children's book read by Soupy Sales. It was on of my favorites. He read many children's books.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chirkendoose? / The Churkendoose
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 21 Apr 20 - 01:42 PM

Thanks to so many of you who posted to this thread. I am now 80 and for years have thought I hallucinated because I can remember the chorus but not the verses. Earlier research produced nothing because I recalled so little of what I was looking for. Basically, "it depends on how you look at things, is the hippopotomi any prettier than I?" I am also thrilled to learn that my recollection of Ray Bolger performing this song and story wasn't a dream. I probably had an old 78 RPM record of the Churkendoose. Thanks for the memories.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chirkendoose? / The Churkendoose
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 21 Apr 20 - 06:23 PM

Here is a really good history of it.

https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/CHURKENDOOSE.pdf

(I don't think that's been linked-to as yet.)