Origins: 'Once in China there lived a great man...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Aug 21 - 11:09 PM

This is one of our earliest threads on "Chinaman" songs. And yes, it is still a fucking racist song. And if you are more disturbed by the word "fucking" than by the racism of this song, then maybe your head isn't screwed on right. I included the word "fucking" as a test.

Mudcat is often criticized for allowing the posting of songs that are considered racist. But yet, Mudcat is a Website that studies folk songs, warts and all. It is not a site for cleaning up songs - "euphemization" is more-or-less anathema here. We post songs as they were originally sung, although we may clean them up a bit when we sing them.

But a song like this is pure racism, and can't be cleaned up like "The Cat Came Back" and "I've Been Working on the Railroad" or "Shortnin' Bread." This song is racist to the core. Sometimes, people will sing songs like this to illustrate the racism of the "Good Old Days," but songs like this should never be sung for enjoyment or entertainment. Songs like this may sound cute to some, but they're not. They're fucking racist.

If you don't like the word "fucking," get over it. If you're a racist, get over that, too.

Take a look at the Racist Songs threads. We do not support racism in any way, but we do our best to report it accurately. There's a difference, although it may take a certain level of intelligence to understand that.

Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 21 - 05:51 PM

Nan from Liverpool UK sang us this version

Once there was a very great man, his name was
Chicaraca Chee Chi Chi,
His face was merry and his sins were small,
He went to the Cross and he lost them all

With a Chicaraca chee chi, chi chicalora.
Concalora, many pee cat.
Cat go, too go, aticatti catti go,
Hush a bye, china buy, Chinese go.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Anonymous
Date: 25 Mar 21 - 05:59 PM

This is the version I remembered from the mid 60s.

Chinaman had a wife, let her lead such a miserable life.
Led her up to the top of a hill.
Let her roll like a rolling mill.
Chicka lie chee chi cho chicka lora
Bunga lora piggy wiggy wack wack.
Hoka poka hit him in the coca.
Chatterby chatterby chee chi choka.

Chinaman had a daughter, let her play on the teeter tauter.
Led her up to the top of a hill, let her roll like a rolling mill.
Repeat Chicka....

I am sure a lot of words are wrong, but this is how I remember it. Sang it while jumping rope.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 20 Jun 20 - 04:59 PM

This thread is a testament to what can be achieved by a forum such as Mudcat. For a researching folklorist it is a goldmine. A plethora of variants. can I just make my usual plea, if you post a version sung in your family or community can you please tell us where and when at least?

As for any racist allusions, it is worth reading Azizi's post somewhere in the middle.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 20 Jun 20 - 09:40 AM

Has anybody here looked closely at the lyrics before jumping on the usual bandwagons?

I've just been looking through the original 5 verse version from c1836 and the full song is definitely about one person and in no way implies this person is in any way typical of any race, in fact quite the opposite. The song is vaguely 19th century comic and there's lots of nonsense employed particularly in the chorus. There is just one hint that it might be a proto-minstrel song. If there is any prejudice implied here might I suggest that it is one of mocking a disabled person?

However, I do agree that one wouldn't want to offend by singing the song in public simply for the reactions and false perceptions it might invoke.

In the early 19th century there were thousands of songs of a similar nature caricaturing the Irish or a fictional Irishman. Some of these stage songs eventually were adopted into the Irish traditional repertoire and are still sung today by the Irish. Is it fine for the Irish to sing them but nobody else? (A rhetorical question)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Allyson Watson
Date: 20 Jun 20 - 08:52 AM

We were taught one when we were kids 50 years ago.

THERE WAS AN OLD MAN HIS NAME WAS CHANG
CHICKA RICKA CHOO CHIN CHANG
HIS ARMS WERE LONG AND HIS FEET WERE SMALL
THIS POOR MAN COULDN'T WALK AT ALL
CHICKA RICKA CHOO CHIN CHANG.

CONKA LORUM PUGGY WUGGY WEE
EECHA PEACHA ETICA PETICA ETICA PETICA CHEETAH CHEETAH.

NOW THIS OLD MAN HE WENT TO SEA
TO SEE THE ISLE OF JUBILEE
THE SHIP WAS SUNK AND SO YOU SEE
THAT WAS THE END OF THE POOR CHINESE
CHICKA RICKA CHOO CHIN CHANG.

CONKA LORUM PUGGY WUGGY WEE
EECHA PEACHA ETICA PETICA ETICA PETICA CHEETAH CHEETAH.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Trevor R
Date: 10 Jul 19 - 11:40 AM

Hello all.
It is neat to see so many variations of the same song.
This was our version of the song growing up. Sung on May a car ride to the cottage.

There was an old man and he lived in china
his name was chickaracka chee chi cho
His legs were long and his toes were short
and he could neither walk nor talk.

Chorus:
Chickaracka chee chi chum chickalora bungalora piggy wiggy wag
Cho cho cho hit him on the go go
chitta-boy chitta-boy chee chi cho

the chinaman, he grew so stout
the servants couldn't carry him about
They took him up to the top of a hill
and rolled him down like a rolling pin

(Chorus)

the china man he had a wife
he kept her in a miserable life
Because her pigtail was so long
he sold it for a Chinese song

(Chorus)

the china man, he will die
in his coffin he will lie.
Then they'll send him back to japan
and that's the end of the china man.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,MarieaGrace
Date: 22 May 19 - 06:35 PM

CHICKA LA CHE, CHILI CHILO,CHICKA LA WANAGO IN THE BANANA GO, WANNA GO WANNA GO CHANASEE, IN THE GOWANA GO NOTCHO

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Feb 18 - 06:55 PM

In China once there lived a great man
his name was Chickarraka chee chi chang
his legs were long and his feet were small
hat poor man couldn't walk at all

cheeee chikarraka chee chi cho
chickalorum on my orum inny vidneys got to go
ishy kishy co
inny vi china man

the servants used to carry him around
on their backs while the folks used to shout
here he comes and their he goes
the China man with a monkey nose

cheeee chikarraka chee chi cho
chickalorum on my orum
inny vidneys got to go
ishy kishy co
inny vi China man.

(as I remember it being sung by my sister in the sixties)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Barbara
Date: 08 Nov 15 - 12:07 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Kittymama
Date: 01 May 15 - 06:07 PM

It's racist and offensive (for those who are collecting support for that position, patchouliason). We sing it privately, because it makes us think of our late mother, but we know better than to sing it in front of people. Which makes it sound as though we have a private little racist club, but, sigh, it is what it is. At least we've protected succeeding generations.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Bazza
Date: 21 Mar 15 - 10:44 PM

There lived in China a very funny man
His name was chicker raka Ching Chong chan
His legs were skinny and his feet were small
This little man couldn't walk at all
Chiker raka Ching Chong Cha chikeronie
Ala bala fat man okeronie
Itchy bitchy caterpillar
Ikabie ikabie oh oh oh
His servants carry him in sampan
Funny little screwed up gentleman
Chiker raka Ching Chong Cha chikeronie
Ala bala fat man okeronie
Itchy bitchy caterpillar
Ikabie ikabie oh oh oh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 06:06 AM

patchouliaison. I quite agree. I find this song racist and offensive and I woder why anyone would want to bother singing it.

Just for the record, there is a version on CD, but no, I'm not prepared to provide any details.

Subject: Origins: Once in China there lived a little man..
From: GUEST,patchouliaison
Date: 14 Jun 14 - 11:06 AM

My great grandfather used to sing this song, and it's been handed down in the family. I find it entirely racist and have asked my parents to stop singing it to my baby. They, of course, we're horrified I would make this request. Basically, I'm trying to prove them wrong, that it is a quite offensive song. Any ideas on where it came from? The version we learned goes like this:

Once in China there lived a little man.
His name was Ching-a-ling-Ching-a-ling-Ching.
His legs were short and his feet were small,
And this little man couldn't walk at all.

Ching-a-ling-Ching-a-ling-Ching-a-ling-Ching,
Ride all day oh happy man.
You no fishy-go, shorty-o.
He wept and he wept in Chin-e-o.

Thanks for any tips on its origin!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Dec 13 - 09:46 PM

This is the way my father sang it:

Once in China lived a man, his name was Chili Chalu Chalan.
His legs were short and his arms were long,
And this is the way he sang his song.

Chili Chalu Chalee Chali, Chili Chalu Chali Chalee,
Chili Chalu Chali Chali, Cholika Bolika Chinaman.

When he died they buried him, in a coffin long and thin,
For his legs were short and his arms were long,
And this is the way he sang his song. (Chorus)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 29 Nov 13 - 03:56 PM

Let me try this "Blue Clicky" thing again.

https:/soundcloud.com/#john-hills/choo-choo-choo-chin-chow

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Scotty L
Date: 28 Nov 13 - 05:23 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tiuwMxre-8

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 15 Nov 13 - 06:58 AM

I just haven`t mastered this "blue clicky" business. Any guidance on cut and paste is welcome.

https://soundcloud.com/#john-hills/choo-choo-choo-chin-chow

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 15 Nov 13 - 06:53 AM

Here`s my one. It`s called "Choo, Choo, Choo-Chin-Chow".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Kaz
Date: 14 Nov 13 - 06:14 PM

Whoa I was looking for the lyrics for my daughter, I learnt this song 40 years ago, when I lived in Zambia. It is amazing how many similar versions there are.

In China once there lived a great man
His name was Chikaraka Chikchor Chan
His legs were long and his feet were short
This poor man he could not walk

Chikaraka Chikchor Chan Chikaloran
Condialoran Icky Picky Back
Oko Oko Ichy Kitchy Kotchy Ko
Tittibhai Tittibhai Tianku

His servants used to carry him about
On their backs and they would shout

Chikaraka Chikchor Chan Chikaloran
Condialoran Icky Picky Back
Oko Oko Ichy Kitchy Kotchy Ko
Tittibhai Tittibhai Tianku

We used to sing it slow at first then re-sing it over and over getting faster each time. I have taught it to my kids and now my grandkids.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Oct 13 - 06:52 PM

my version was different as well. My Welsh uncle used to sing this and play the ukulele

Once in China, there lived a great man
His name was Chikoraka Chee Chi Chan
His legs were short and his feet were long
The Chinese men, had to carry him along.

(Chorus)

Chickaraka Chee Chi
I kauna roara
I kauna roara
Wiggy wiggy wang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Dday
Date: 20 Apr 13 - 07:03 PM

There lived in china a very old man and his name was Chicka Racka Ching Chong Chong. His legs were long and his feet were small this little man couldn't walk at all. Chicka Racka Ching Chong char chacka roni ella bella fat man oh ko koni itchy bitchy caterpillar icka by icka by oh ko koni.

His servants carried him in an arm chair, funny little fellow with the squashed in nose. Here he comes and there he goes, funnily little fellow with the squashed in nose.

Chicka Racka Ching Chong char chacka roni Ella Bella fat man oh ko koni itchy bitchy caterpillar icka by icka by oh ko koni.

Hard to spell but that's what I remember about this song I learnt over 35 years ago.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Dec 12 - 03:43 PM

This is one of many strange songs that were passed down from my Fathers family and since then, sung by us at our Christmas night family gatherings for the past 50+ yeras.


Once in China there was a little man
His name was Chicoracka Rooka Kan
His hair was long and his tail was short
The China man couldn't walk or talk

Chickoraka rookum, chickoraka rorum,
condomflorum, Bulabulaway
oko, oko, itchikiy, itchikiy
Diddiby, diddiby
Jingo

He had so many servants, to carry him about
Everywhere he went, the people would shout
"Here he come and there he goes"
"The china man with the monkeys nose"

Chickoraka rookum, chickoraka rorum,
condomflorum, Bulabulaway
oko, oko, itchikiy, itchikiy
Diddiby, diddiby
Jingo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 05:17 PM

Once in China lived a great man. His name was Chikka rakka chee cho Chan.
His legs were long and his feet were small the poor China man couldn't walk at all.

Chikka rakka che cho
Chucka lucka Laura
Come down dora
Hecka pecka why
Olaa ola so so so
Eddi kai eddi kai
She yan ko

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Oct 12 - 11:35 PM

My fragmented memory of this song, must have heard it at primary school when I was around 7 years old - 46 now.

There lived in China a very old man
His name was Chika-raka-ching-chong-chang
His head was big but his feet were small
This little man couldn't walk at all

Chika-raka-ching-chong chi-chakarony
Alalbama fat man oh ko kony
Incy wincy caterpillar
eka-by eka-by oh ko kony

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 18 Oct 12 - 02:05 AM

Interesting. As a pure Chinaman I have never heard such a song myself.

Jason in China

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Oct 12 - 10:20 PM

My father, now 91 and still rockin' taught me this one:

There was an old chinese man who lived across the sea
his name was chicoraka ching chi chee
his legs were long and his feet were short, the poor old chinese man couldn't walk
chikoraka ching chai chay chakalora, bondolora, allo allo wa
okie dokie inomonozoki, ictchy cotchy, ictchy cotchy, chingo!

I have a vague memory he learned it in the RAF in WWII

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Amy
Date: 02 Oct 12 - 07:14 AM

Once in china there was a man and his name was chicka rocka chee chi chan
with a chee chi chor chee chor chickle orum candle orum inny pin nap
out go too ko what a kitty ko what a chi what a chi wa nee ko

the people used to carry him about and all the children would cry out
here he comes and there he goes the china man with a monkey nose with a chee chi chor chee chor chickle orum candle orum inny pin nap

they carried him up to the top of the hill and they roled him down with a rolling pin with a chee chi chor chee chor chickle orum candle orum inny pin nap
-

dad used to sing this to me and so did his and his dad blablabla, we have a recording of my great granddad singing it :)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Aug 12 - 08:15 PM

Wow.

I'm Googling this song to use as a skipping rhyme for a comic I'm writing. My Gran used to sing it (or a version of it) to me and my brother when we were kids in the '70s. I was beginning to think we'd imagined it!

Our version is short and quite a bit different than those already listed here, so I thought I'd include it for completeness.

Chicka racka chi chai
Chay chaca raurum
Mikum morum
Paddy Paddy wack
Oko moko
Paddy Paddy why
Poor Chinese with a monkey's eye.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,jeff
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 12:27 PM

hey i know a little bit of this song too umm i remember it as

once there was a chinese man his name was chikeraka - chi chai chan
his arms were long his legs were short, he could neither talk nor snort,oh chikeraka chi chai cho chickalore oh bum boogie woogie woogie war oh coco coco hit him on the coco cheddar pie cheddar pie chi chai choo/ the chinese man he had a wife he led her such an awful life he grew her pigtails oh so long and sold them for a chinese song/ chikeraka chi chai cho chickalor oh bum boogie woogie woogie war oh coco coco hit him on the coco cheddar pie cheddar pie chi chai choo, the chinese man he will die and in his coffin he will lie,
and then they'll send him off to japan and thatll be the end of the chinese man/oh chikeraka chi chai cho chickalore oh bum boogie woogie woogie war oh coco coco hit him on the coco cheddar pie cheddar pie chi chai choo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 07 May 12 - 01:30 AM

Can anyone help me out on this?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Mar 12 - 01:50 PM

This song was taught to me when I was a child in a Brownie group. The leaders were lovely, older British ladies but even as a child I felt unease with the ethnic ditties they seemed to like. The nonsense words were what we children liked to recite however.

Their version went:

Once in China there lived a man,
His name was Chickaki-chee-chi-cho.
His legs were long; his feet were small.
And hardly could he walk at all.

Chickeraki-chee-chi-cho chik-alero
Bungo laro piggy-wiggy waro
Hoko smoko hit 'em on the koko
Chiremiah chieremiah chee chi cho!

This man in China he had a wife
And oh they lived a terrible life!
She cut off his pigtail which was so long
And sold it for a Chinese song!

Chickeraki-chee-chi-cho chick-alero
Bungo laro piggy-wiggy waro
Hoko smoko hit 'em on the koko
Chieremiah chieremiah chee chi cho!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Mar 12 - 12:14 PM

What an interesting thread. I heard this song from my grandfather, though never was sure if he picked it up during the war or as a schoolboy in London.

Unfortunately he used different verses that I don't see here.
There was one about 'combed his hair with a knife and fork' or something to that effect. The first verse ended with 'couldn't walk or talk' with 'talk' rhyming perfectly with short because of his accent.

The only verse I remember, which I always thought was the best, was the last one which I don't see here:

"They took him up in an aeroplane
And told him not too bash his brain
The word was said and he fell on his head
and that was the end of the Chineseman"

As far as the concerns on the board about the racist nature of this song goes, I don't think there is any risk that teaching this song will promote racist attitudes. It's just a fun look into the attitudes that prevailed back then.
Case in point: I heard that song all the time growing up, but it didn't stop me from learning Chinese, spending time in China, having Chinese friends, and dating Chinese women. It's a fantastic culture, that I greatly admire, but that doesn't prevent me from enjoying this ridiculous song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 04:03 AM

I do not know if this would be of interest to anyone, but we used to sing a similar song in the playground at primary school many years ago. There were three versus that i can remeber but unfortunately can onlt recall two for the time being. It went something like this...

The Chinese man, he went for a walk
He asked the Butcher for a piece of Pork
The Butcher gave him a piece of fat
Oh, said the Chinaman - I don't want that

Choo Chi Chan, Cha Chittalara, Humbalara Paddy Paddy Wack
Oko bocko, hit him on the coco
Gidde boy, gidde boy - see him go

The Chinese man, he went for a sail
He sailed right to the USA
The boat did sink and so did he
And that was the end of the poor Chinese

Choo Chi Chan, Cha Chittalara, Humbalara Paddy Paddy Wack
Oko bocko, hit him on the coco
Gidde boy, gidde boy - see him go

There was a verse between these two as I said but cannot remember the lyrics (and have no idea how to spell any of the above ditties - only guessed by what they sounded like).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Gavin (Northern Ireland)
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 06:22 PM

At last I can prove to everyone this song actually exists.
Albeit with, yet again, slightly different lyrics.

So, as sung by my maternal grandmother in Belfast:

There once was a little Chinee man
His name was Mister Chikalaka Brown
HIs head was big and his feet were small
The poor wee man couldn't walk at all.

...Chikalaka Chikalaka Chang Chikalorum
Chang Chikalorum Allaallawack
Hoko Poko Sock him in the Boko
Itcheeko Itcheeko E I O.

Ring any bells?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 09:15 PM

So cool to find this! My grandmother used to sing it to me and we actually recorded her before she died. Here is her version:

Oh, I knew a man from old Japan
His name was chickely chickely chan
His feet were long and his nose was short
And this is the way the poor chinaman talked

Oh, chickely cha lie cha lo,
chickly romano ana bananago
alago alago chanakee
ana banana co ouchio!

Oh, this chinaman he had some wealth
He lived in a mansion all by himself
The people next door they bought him a boat
And set the poor chinaman afloat!

(repeat chorus)

Oh, the chinaman he up and died
And in his coffin he did lie
They shipped him off to old Japan
And this is the way his funeral march ran

(repeat chorus)

Adam S. age 43

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Sarah Burgess
Date: 24 Nov 11 - 06:22 PM

My Gran taught me this rhyme and I have never heard it anywhere else, I can't believe how many different versions there are of it, I think I am putting down the words right, she died 20 years ago and there is no-one else to ask. I can picture her now singing it to me, I wonder if everyone else sings it to the same tune as I do ???

In China Town there lived an Old Man
His name was Chickeracka Ching Kai Cho
His legs were long and his feet were small
So the poor man couldn't walk at all

Chickeracka Ching kai Cho Chackalor
Pondidleorum had a paddy wack
Oka toka itty kitty kotty pie
Itty Kai Itty Kai Chico

The chinese used to carry him about
On their backs and the men did shout
Here he comes and there he goes
The chinese man with the handsome nose

Chorus

The Chinese sailed across the seas
To visit the caves of the poor brownies
The ship did sink beneath the seas
And that was the end of the poor chinese

Chorus

I really did love this rhyme, and I remember standing up at primary school trying to teach it to my class when I was 7 years old, great memories xxx

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Amyuk
Date: 13 Nov 11 - 04:11 PM

Ooh, here's the version I grew up with and now sing to my children
In china there lived a very great man
His name was chikeriker chee chi chan
His head was big and his feet were small
And this little man couldn't walk at all

Oh chikerikeree chi chan chikolora
Condalora mika paka wak
Oti coti itty kitty kitty ca
Diddabaa diddabaa
Sheeakoo

Now the man who used to wheel him about
Proved to be a robber stout
Rolled him up to the top of the hill
And rolled him down like a rolling pin

Chorus

It's so funny reading all the different versions, although mines the best of course!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Anderson
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 04:32 PM

I grew up with my Mom now 92 and her sister singing this and teaching it to my children. My cousins daughter at 5 actually asked if she could sing it at an audition for the next Oscar Meyer kid. Very ackward.
In China once there lived a man
his name was Chickety Chickety Chan
his feet were long and his toes were short
and this is the way the poor Chinaman talked
oh chickey chee cha lotcha low
chickty chickty chan ta key
..........something..????
IN A BANANAGO WHATCHIOW!!!!

Subject: once in china
From: GUEST,miss Bee
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 12:02 AM

once in china,there lived a funny man,
his name was chick-a-rac, chick-a-rac, chick chak cho.

his hands were long and feet were short,
this kind of man could not walk at all.
chick-a-rac chick-a-rac chick chak cho
chick-a-rac chick-a-rac chick chak cho.

than than, than ,a big fat hen,
it washed its face with a flying pan,
it combed its hair with a big toe nail,
it brush its teeth with a horse's tail.
chick-a-rac chick-a-rac chick chak cho
chick-a-rac chick-a-rac chick chak cho.
i learned this song when i was in a boarding school.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Mike B
Date: 10 Aug 11 - 02:31 PM

I'm amazes there are so many versions of this my Father (84 years old) remembers his grandfather reciting this to get him to sleep as a young boy. He recalls that there were many verses and it went on for ages (maybe it just seemed that way). His version is quite different though (excuse the attempt at spelling.

In China there did live a man his name was Ran Tan Tan
His legs were long and his feet were small
and that poor Chinaman couldn't walk at all

i chai chicory kandle doodle wasky....

that's all he recalls and I hoped so much that I could get the full version for him!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,sangeeta
Date: 10 Aug 11 - 10:32 AM

the lyric we teach goes like this
once in china i met a little man
his name was Logo togo Ching Chang Chow
his hair was long and his feet were small
this little man couldn't walk at all
Logo Togo Atti Ketti Kei
Atti Kei Ketti Kei Ching Chang Chow.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Cathy
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 05:46 PM

Never knew what this meant. I can just remember my version:
Chicoraka chi chai cho chicalorum
Congo lorum mena pi kat
Etco cocto eti cotty kitty co
Eiser pi, china pi, chinese choo.

Or something to that effect!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Deb in Holland
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 07:05 PM

OK here goes. My father used to sing this to me 50 years ago in the East End of London:

In Chinatown there lived a funny man
His name was chicker aka roo chi chan
His legs were long and his body was short
And this is how the Chinese talk

Chicker aka roo chi I chuck alorum
lorum lorum paddy addy whack
oko oko pat him on the boko
attaboy attaboy see him run.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,A Canadian version
Date: 24 Jun 11 - 01:33 PM

In China once, there lived a great man
His name was Chickoraka Chee Chi Chan
His legs were long and his feet were small
And the Chinese man couldn't walk at all

With a Chickoraka Chee Chi Chan
Kondee Nora Mupsy Nan
Catco Doogo
Esty Catty Kittico

That was the name of the Chinese man.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Larry Urrutia Gooding Idaho.
Date: 11 Jun 11 - 11:00 PM

These are the words I remember.

Iko chiko chickory chan Iko chiko Chinese man
lordy caudy dusty o willopy wallopy chinese o

one day the people of the town went up the hill to roll him down
from top to bottom they all began
to tickle and play with the Chinese man

Iko chiko chickory chan Iko chiko Chinese man
lordy caudy dusty o willopy wallopy chinese o

One day the chinese man did die and in his coffin he did lie
They carried him over to Japan and that was the last of the Chinese man.

Iko chiko chickory chan Iko chiko Chinese man
lordy caudy dusty o willopy wallopy chinese o

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Tony Durrant in Melbourne Australia
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 04:20 AM

My father, Thomas Hawkins Durrant from Norfolk England, who died in 1968 used to sing this to us and make us repeat it until it was word perfect. I have never heard of this from anyone else ever but like it so much that it is very important for it to be preserved for the Durrants of future generations. This version has a tantilising similarity to some of the lines of others here but no matter that it is different because this is THE version that I learned as a kid and will pass down unchanged in all its accuracy or otherwise.

Chicka racka chi chai
Chou chica laurum
Pungi laurum
Paddy waddy wack
Or kor bor kor
Hit him on the knoke cor
Hedge fire, hedge fire
Here he goes

The servant used to carry him about
On the mountain he did shout
Here he comes and here he goes
That little chinaman with a big long nose

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Apr 11 - 04:05 PM

Chinaman had a wife
she lead him such an awful life
so she shipped him back to japan
and that was the end of the china man

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,billy75
Date: 17 Mar 11 - 07:25 AM

LOL. This is like a game of Chinese Whispers.

There are lots very similar to the version that my Grandad used to sing to me. I am going off memory though and i was a little girl at the time so I may have some words wrong ;)

There was a funny man and he lived in Japan
And his name was China-Racka-Tooting-Can.
His feet were long and his toes were short,
And this funny man couldn't walk nor talk.

China-Racka, Chicka-Racka, Bommy-didi-ora,
Bommy-didi-ora, widdi-widdi-wang.
Oka-boka-stick it up your boka(?)
Dedi-vy, dedi-vy, Chinese talk.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,canada
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 06:52 PM

Hi, my dad who is from Lancashire and sang this song to us along with I'm a wee melody man but the way I remember is this way:

In China once there lived a man
His name was Chika-Racka-Chee-Chi-Chan
His head was big and his feet were small
And this poor Chinaman couldn't walk at all

Chika-Raka-chee-chi
Choo Cock-a-lorum
Cando, lorum, ninny pinny nap
Cat go, you go, etty cotty kitty ko
Ditty pie, Ditty pie, Chika-Rack-Chee-Chi
   

Talk about not being politically correct! But I'm in my early 60's and I remember this; that little golliwog from the jam jar lids and I had a book about ten little Ni***r boys sitting in the sun.