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

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,dankeith1earthlink .net in washington stat
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 01:01 PM

I often hum this one to myself... my old granny filled me full of old songs.
She called it the galloping man from china... chineao

There lived in china a very great man
his name was shiggery shig shian
his head was big has feet were small
poor shiggery could not walk at all
   
    Oh shiggery shingo my go day
    diddly discum happy may
    tooby tiskey ohhmy ohh
    the galloping man from chineo

some ladies from the very next town
brought him up the hill to roll him down
from head to toe he began to spin
like shiggery shigery shig shian

    Oh shiggery shingo my go day
    diddly discum happy may
    tooby tiskey ohhmy ohh
    the galloping man from chineo

OOOh shigery shingo my go day
didly diskum happy may
tooby tisky ohhmy oh
that galloping man from chineo

So there it is... it is a bit of history to me and I think it refers to the binding of feet and the ungainly walk of those who had to make do with the results of having to walk with said bound feet.... not a very nice song but most of them granny sang were a bit non correct PC.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 09:00 PM

I think only women had their feet bound, and only high-class women at that.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 11:17 AM

My grandmother used to sing this to me as a child. She died in 2007 aged 82. I can't remember exactly all the words

In China once there lived a man
His name was Chic-a-balla chu chan chan
His legs were long and his feet were small
The China man couldn't walk at all

Chic a bala chu chan
chan chic-a-lorum
Chuc chic-a-lorum quack quack quack
Oco oco e dilli ottapo
Hitterpi hitterpi see him go

His servants used to carry him about
and on his back the boys used shout
here he comes and here he goes
the china man with the bumpy nose

Chic a bala chu chan
chan chic-a-lorum
Chuc chic-a-lorum quack quack quack
Oco oco e dilli ottapo
Hitterpi hitterpi see him go


Im singing it to my daughter now!

Sarah, Ireland

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Sussex Sweet Shop
Date: 28 Apr 10 - 05:55 AM

Had to join in... obviously loads of variants from over the years. Here is my late Nan's

In China lived a very great man
His name was Chicker-acker-chee-chiy-cho
His legs were long and his feet were small
This Chinaman couldn't walk at all

Chorus
Chicker-acker-chee-chiy-cho-chicker-lorum
Condor-lorum, Mana-Pata-Whack
Hoko-Tow-Ko, Itchy, Kitchy, Catchy, Ko
Itchy-By, Itchy-By, Chee-Chiy-Cho

His servants used to carry him about
And on the mountains they would shout
Here he comes and there he goes
This Chinaman with the turned up toes

Chorus
(We used to shout the word Whack at the end of the second line of the chorus)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 05 May 10 - 03:01 PM

Before TV in rural Ireland in the early 70's my Grandmother used to recite the following:

In China once there lived a man
And his name was Chicky Chicky Chi Cho Chan
His head was big and his eyes were small
And the poor little man couldn't walk at all

Chorus:
Chicky, chicky chi cho,
Upon my Nora
Woki Woki wora, didi pi, didi pi, on coe

They rolled him here
And they rolled him there
They rolled him into
A BIG armchair

Chorus

It kept us amused!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jun 10 - 03:06 PM

This is HILARIOUS to read all these different versions. My mom and dad sang this to us, and they learned it from my grandmother. And I sing it to my kids lol! I'm pretty sure we have a huge deviation from the original.

In China once there lived a man
His name was Ching-a-ling Ching-a-ling Chan
His head was big but his body was small
And that little man couldn't talk at all

Now Miss Ki-yi was short and squat
She had money but he had not
So under her window he did go
Playing a tune on his light banjo

When Miss Ki-Yi heard his notes of love
She raised her broomstick up above
She let fall down on that little man
And that was the end of Ching-a-ling Chan.

Chorus:
Ching-a-ling, Ching-a-ling, Ching-a-ling Chan
Gallopin' Wallopin' Happy Man
Yu ko tis ki chine-y ho
Gallopin' Wallopin' Happy Man

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Aug 10 - 09:53 PM

I know nobody has posted here in a while but the version I was taught by my dad was:

chinese man had a wife
she gave him an awful life
cut his pigtails off so long
sold them for a chinese song

chideraka chee chi cho chikalora
bunga lora piggy wiggy waga
poko loco hit em on the coco
chiderby chiderby chee chi cho

chinese man he did die
in his coffin he will lie
ship him back to his native land
that's the end of the chinese man

chideraka chee chi cho chikalora
bunga lora piggy wiggy waga
poko loco hit em on the coco
chiderby chiderby chee chi cho



there is supposed to be a second verse in the middle but he never taught it to me lol

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Aug 10 - 10:22 PM

Grandpa, who was born in 1901, sang this to his children and grandchildren in rural Nebraska. Some of us are together today and checked to find lyrics. Ours of course is different as well.

In China once there lived a rich man
His name was Chickery Chink Chi An
His legs were short, his feet were small
This China man couldn't walk at all.

some ladies from the very next town
brought him up the hill to roll him down
from top to bottom this china man rolled
(this is where we don't remember)

I know Grandpa sang more. Today is my Dad's 85th birthday. We've had fun trying to remember.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 04:42 PM

In China lived a little man
His name was Ching a Ling, Ching a Ling Shan
His legs were short, his feet were small
This little man could not walk at all

Chorus: Ching a Ling, Ching a Ling, Ching a Ling Shan
Rye-O, Dago, happy little man
You know Bisco Card-io
Gallopin, Whallapin, Chineo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Carli and Fiona
Date: 14 Aug 10 - 09:17 PM

There once was a man who lived in china,
who's name was Chika-raka-ching-chong-chow,
his legs were big but his feet were small,
this little man couldn't walk at all.

Chika-raka-ching-chong-chow-chickaroni,
Alla-bella-fat man- oo koo koona,
itchy itchy caterpillar
ricka by, ricka by, oo koo koo.

His servants came from minisoo dam,
funny little screwed up gentleman,
here he comes and there he goes,
funny little fella with a squashed up nose.

Chika-raka-ching-chong-chow-chickaroni,
Alla-bella-fat man- oo koo koona,
itchy itchy caterpillar
ricka by, ricka by, oo koo koo!

Me and my sister learnt this from our mum who was taught it in primary school in Australia. Its funny how many different versions there are!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Aug 10 - 11:02 AM

The version I learned from my great grandfather Thurston goes:

In China there lived a little man.
His name was chingally chingally chan.
His legs were short. His feet were small.
This little man couln't walk at all.

Chingally chingally chingally chan
A ryego deego happy man
Curro disco cardio
Galluppy walluppy chineeoh.

Miss Kai-Ai was short and fat.
She had money and he wanted that.
So under her window he would go
And play her a tune on his old banjo.

Chingally chingally chingally chan
A ryego deego happy man
Curro disco cardio
Galluppy walluppy chineeoh.

Miss Kai-Ai was no lonesome love.
She raised her washtub high above
And let it fall on Chingally Chan
And that was the end of the Chinaman.

Chingally chingally chingally chan
A ryego deego happy man
Curro disco cardio
Galluppy walluppy chineeoh.


There is also a characteristic tune but, not being a musician of any sort I cannot transcribe it here.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Fred J Fisher
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 10:54 AM

My uncle Rube, born in England in the late nineteenth century, sang the song this way:

In China there lived a jolly old man,
Whose name was Chicka Licka Ai Kai Kan.
His legs were long and his feet were small.
Poor Chicka Licka, he couldn't walk at all.

His servants they would carry him about,
And over the hills you could hear them shout:
Boom tiddy ai kai, alla balla bay;
Ai kai bai kai iddie biddie kiddie kai,
Chicka by chicka by jingo.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 11:05 AM

My mum used to sing this playground clapping song when she was a little girl in the 30's in the playground or in the streets of Bristol when there was not much traffic and relatively safe!

In China once there lived a great man,
His name was chikerocka choo chi pan
His legs were long and his feet were small
This little Chinaman couldn't walk at all

Chickerocka chickerocka cho chiker orum
Condo romum acki paki wak
Oko koko hit him on the boko
Ikipie ikipie okoko

My mum's younger sister, although a few years younger had a slightly different version although basically the same. Funny how things alter in a few years. When I was a little girl I knew the Eenie Meenie one that is mentioned right at the top as a playground clapping song. Irish comedian Frank Carson did a version of Eenie Meenie Macarraca and it did get into the UK hit parade I think it was at the end of the 70's or early 80's.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Interested Party
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 04:27 AM

I thought it was a cheer. My father recited it as:

"Rah-rah chicorah, chicorah rooney.
Rooney, rooney, ping pang pooney--
Palla-walla wah,
sing Chinee Ching!"

(Not very P.C.!)

It sounds like a cheer for football games--it has a kind of rhythm, and "Rah-rah", after all.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 06:36 PM

My Mom's version was a little different but must be from the same original. It goes

Once in Japan there lived a man name Hiko-chiko-chickery-chan, Hiko Chiko chinaman, Wadame Kadame dusty-o willapy wallapy chineo.

One day the people of the town went up and brought the Chinaman down. Then the Chinaman he died and all the people for him cried.

And that was the end of Hiko-Chiko-Chickery-Chan, Hiko Chiko Chinaman, Wadame Kadame Dusty-o Willapy Wallapy Chineo.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,missin daddy
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 11:11 PM

So neat to see all the different versions of this song. My dad used to sing this version to me and I now sing it to my son. Dad passed away 4 years ago and still when I sing this song it is very emotional for me.

In China there lived a very rich man
his name was Chigari Chi Chian
His legs so short and his feet so small
this poor old man couldn't walk at all.

So Chigari Chi Charaw Charay
went galloping off one happy May
he tore his tisky tineo,
and went galloping off to Chineo.

And then he would say, "I can't remember the rest"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Nov 10 - 04:31 AM

My dad learned this song in high school in Melbourne and would sing it to me growing up. I sing it all the time to my little ones, although the version I know seems to be slightly different.

"There lived in China a very fine man
His name was Chicka-wocka-ching-chong-chan
his ears were big and his feet were small
this little man couldn't walk at all.

Chicka-wocka ching chong chan chickaroni
alla-balla fat man oh-ko koni
itty bitty caterpillar
icka-bi icka-bi oh-ko-ko!"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,jhkinghill Reading UK
Date: 14 Nov 10 - 04:01 AM

My Dad used to sing this--he learnt it from his mother and thinks she learnt it from her parents, so we are going back to mid-late 19thC Lancashire:
Once in China there lived a great man
and his name was Chicker-ricker-rookington
his legs were long but his feet were small
so that Chinaman couldn't walk at all
CHORUS: Soooooo--chicker-ricker-roo chy cho chucka-larum
Scandal-arum is a peg man
Cargo too-go is a giz gaz go
is a peg nay go
is a peg man
Cheero cheero chuck chucka largo is despatched in China
here he comes and here he goes
the Chinaman with a monkey's nose

Two smart men they carried him about
the people did laugh and the people did shout
they took him to the top of the hill
and rolled him down like a rolling pin (sometimes changed to 'beechams pill'by my mother, an English teacher and purist about rhyme
CHORUS repeated

I've never found anyone before outside of our family who had the remotest idea about this song, which we figured must have come into the family from trips to the old music halls--unless anyone knows of any sheet music for it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Haruo
Date: 14 Nov 10 - 04:45 AM

In the Alcott book is it really (as cited here, and as predominates at Google) "painted pretty pink checks" or is that a typo or CRS misreading of "painted pretty pink cheeks"?

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.

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
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,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,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,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,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,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,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,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: 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,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: 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,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
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,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: 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
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: 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: 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,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: 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,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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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,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: 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,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.