Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Sammie jo Date: 23 Jun 09 - 02:30 PM My grandad use to sing this to me when I was a little girl. I will never forget this!!! Once in China there lived a great man, his name was ChikkaLakka Che Chi Chan, his legs were big and his feet were small, the poor chinese couldn't walk at all... Chikka Lakka Che Chi chan chikka norey, oko moke pombarnorey paddy waddy wack... thats that! haha x |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Steve, originally from Saskatoon, now in Ari Date: 22 Jun 09 - 02:32 AM Can't believe this site exists! "Hugh" (10 Feb 07) referenced a version of the Chinaman song that is the same as the one I know. Must have been a Canadian version, since I learned it at summer camp in Canada, in the 60's, as well. Once there was a Chinaman, Whose name was Chickachacka Chee Chi Cho His legs were long and his arms were short, So he could neither walk nor snort. Chorus: Oh, Chee chi cho chi cho chuckalero Chungalero, teenweenie wango Ho Ko Poko, hit 'em on the coco Cheetabye, cheetabye che chi cho Chinaman had a wife She led him a terrible life Took him up to the top of the hill And rolled him down like an aspirin pill (Chorus) Chinaman he will die In his coffin he will lie They will bury him and then That'll be the end of the chinaman (Chorus) I can't believe that I still remember this song, that other people actually remember it too, and that we actually were OK with singing such things! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Margaret L of Edmonton AB Date: 21 Jun 09 - 02:46 PM Learned this silly song in Girl Guides back in the 50's and was usually sung around a campfire. Reading all the posts here, how did the words ever get so jumbled up! In China once there lived a great man. His name was chicka racka chee chow chan. His legs were long and his feet were small, The poor little man couldn't walk at all. Chicka racka chee chow, chan chicka lora, Conga lora wacky packy wack, Oco, oco, eedy, geedy, guidy go, Dedify, dedify, chee un coh. He had servants carry him about They took him up to the top of a hill Rolled him down with a might good will, Singing chicka racka chee chow, chan chicka lora. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Gary Thomas Date: 21 Jun 09 - 01:43 PM Hi, Only yesterday 20th June 09 i was talking with my brother about this poem that we learnt as children in the 50`s. Here goes....... Once in China there lived an old man, his name was Chika anna chi chy chan, His legs were long and his feet were small, The poor old man couldnt walk at all. Chikka anna chi chy chow cockalaurham archi boreham addy paddy wack When the majors carried him about on the hill tops they would shout Here he comes and here he goes The chinese man with the monkeys nose Chikka anna chi chy cho cockalaurhama Archi boreham addy paddy wack Oko boko hit him on the oko addyfye addyfye Jericho..... Thats as much as i can remember. Quite nostalgic. Happy Days |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,GUEST,Zoe,BrightonUK Date: 20 Jun 09 - 07:52 PM Learnt from my Auntie who grew up in Bangladesh: Once in China, there lived a great man, His name was Chikka-rakka-chee-chy-cho, His head was tall and his feet were small, And this little man couldn't walk at all! Chikka-rakka-chee-chy-cho, chikka-lawrum, Condo-lawrum, manna-fakka-one. Oko-poko, ichy-potchy-ichy-potchy, Ichy-pie ichy-pie, chee-chy-cho! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,kath uk Date: 10 Jun 09 - 03:58 AM My nan taught me this version in the 50,s:- In Chinatown there lived a funny man. His name was Chica laca laychor Chan His hair was long His feet were short The poor old chinaman had no nose at all! Chica laca laychor Chicy ora In thy ora pickey packey wikey oko oko pickey packey wikey Oko Then something about servants.. Written phonetically as remembered! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST Date: 03 Jun 09 - 08:43 PM once in china lived a man his name was chickerakacheechycho his legs were short but his name was long the china man couldn't walk or talk chickerakacheechycho chickeraro hoko poko hit him in the coco chitta bite chitta bite cheechycho the china man, he grew so stout the servants had to carry him about they took him to the top of a hill and they rolled him down like a rolling pin chickerakacheechycho chickeraro hoko poko hit him in the coco chitta bite chitta bite cheechycho |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Frank in Ottawa Date: 21 May 09 - 12:15 AM In 1997, my dad came to Ottawa from Edmonton to visit and I asked him to sing the old song he used to sing to us when we were kids in the '50's. I have the video of him singing it and I have transcribed it as closely as I can. This is all he could remember. My dad was never a racist -- it was just a cute, silly song he learned as a kid: In Chinee once there lived a man His name was Hong Kong Chickadee Chong His legs were short and his toes were long The Chineeman couldn't walk at all His friends would have to carry him about Whenever he went the people would shout Here he comes and there he goes The Chineeman with the monkey toes Chickadee choo choo choo Chickadee long-gee, pong-gee, knick, knick, knack Ankee pist and ankee poh (pronounced 'dough') Helluva gelluva Chinaman foh |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,lisa Date: 19 May 09 - 05:34 PM My nan used to sing it to us, when we were young not sure where it came from? In China once there was a little man His name was Chico raker Chi Rye Chan His head was large and his feet were small Poor little China man he couldn't walk at all Chorus Chica raker chi rye chan chica roarer on my roarer penny penny wicey oko oko penny penny wicey oko |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Bill Brade, Kent, England Date: 18 May 09 - 02:23 PM My Father taught me this (my mother never ever sang. I've since taught it to my Daughter and her two daughters.....long may it continue. There was an old man from China Town He's name was Mr Chickerlo Brown, His legs were long his feet were short The poor old man he couldn't walk Chorus Chickerlacker chickerlacker chan chickerlora Chan chickerlora alla walla wack Oko boko sock him on the oko Itchyco itchyco ee i oh Now this old man he went to sea To see all the sights of the poor chinese The Ship got wrecked and so you see That was the end of the poor chinese Chorus They took him to the top of the hill Rolled him down on aq Beachams pill The Beachams pill was far too small So they rolled him down on a tennis ball Chorus This could have come from Lancashire or even the Surrey/Hampshire boarders.......... |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma From: GUEST,Lindsay Brummer Date: 16 May 09 - 11:35 PM My Mom and Grandma ALWAYS sang something like this to us growing up: In China lived a China man, His name was Chingery Chingery Chan Chan Chan His legs were long, his body tall, This China man could not walk at all, so... Chingery Chingery Ring-O-Ray Fiddelie-D and a Happy-May Cure my Fiz and a Cappie-O Collipe-Wallapie-Ching-Ho This China man had plenty of wealth, He lived in a house all by himself, He worked his servants next to the bone, Now wasn't this man a curious drone? so... Chingery Chingery Ring-O-Ray Fiddelie-D and a Happy-May Cure my Fiz and a Cappie-O Collipe-Wallapie-Ching-Ho |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Ingrid in Florida, originally from Rhodesia Date: 13 May 09 - 04:42 PM My mother used to sing this to us when we were kids in the '60s. Her version was something like this: Once in China there lived a great man. His name was Chicka racka chi chaw chan. His les were long and his feet were small. This chinaman he couldn't walk at all. The sailors used to carry him about on their backs, and the men would shout: Chicka racka chi chaw chan chicka-lorum ecky pecky peck. Oh ko, oh ko, itchy onchi ko. Here he comes and there he goes. This china man with the turned up toes. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Guest - DLJ Date: 17 Apr 09 - 08:32 PM My mom learned this song from my grandma and sang it to us when we were little kids (1960s Toronto). The version I know is .... First Verse: Once in China lived a man His name was Chickeracka Chee Chi Cho His arms were long his legs were short He could walk and he could snort Chorus: Chickeracka chee chi cho chickaloro Bongo loro piggywiggy waggo Hoko poko hit em on the coco Chitterpie chitterpie chee chi cho Second Verse: Chinaman had a wife She did treat him awfully nice Cut his pigtail off too long And sold it for a chinasong Repeat Chorus Third Verse: Chinaman he did die In a coffin he did lie Sent him back to his native land And that's the end of Chinaman Repeat Chorus |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST Date: 17 Apr 09 - 04:52 PM Once in China there lived a mightyman his name was chicceracc cee chi cho. His legs were long and his feet were small this china man couldn't walk at all. ow chow chow chow ichi cachi ichi par ichi par cee chi cho Servants use to carry him about and everyone at the back would shout here he comes and there he goes that china man with the turned up toes. chicceracc cee chi cho chick alorum, condulorum, manna paka one ow chow chow chow ichi cachi ichi par ichi par cee chi cho . |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Rosy Chopra Date: 12 Apr 09 - 01:55 AM I learned this version in elementary/ middle school and taught it to my daughter and cousins. It is fun! Once in China there lived a funny man His name was Chick-a-rack-a-Chick-Chack-Cho His legs were small and his feet were short This China man couldn't walk at all Chick-a-rack-a-Chick-Chack-Cho-Chick-a-lorum Condo lorum many paack-a-wah Ho ko ho ko ho ko ho ko Pedi-yak pedi-yak Chick Chack Cho |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST Date: 24 Mar 09 - 05:46 PM I was taught this by my friend (scotland) and her mum had taugt her it. There lived a man in China town His name was Chika Ricka Ree Ching Chai His name was many but his feet were small When he came to the cross he lost them all With his Chika Ricka Ree Ching Chai Ching Lorum Plorum Mini Kee Kai Kiko Kooko Kee Kee Kee Kee Ki Ko I spy Chika Ricka Ree Ching Chai Makes absolutely no sense at all... |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,lowe88 Date: 24 Mar 09 - 11:33 AM The version i was taught went something like: Once there was a China man, He's name was Chika Raka Choo Chi Chan, He's legs were long and he's feet were small, And the poor little fella couldn't walk at all. (CHORUS) Chika raka choo chi chan chika nora Conday nora, iddy widdy woo. Oko Poko, biff him on the poko, Iddy pi iddy pi, im pim pim/ The cow was on the railway track, the train was coming fast, The train got off the railway track, To let the cow go past. (CHORUS) The china man he went to sea, Took his wife and family, The ship was wrecked and so you see, That was the end of the poor Chinese. (CHORUS) I never did really get it, but it was always fun to sing! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there was a funny man From: GUEST Date: 15 Mar 09 - 06:22 PM My Mother taught this version to me when I was about 3 years old in 1966, passed down to her from her father. Once in China there was a funny man His name was Chickeraka Chin Chai Chan His arms were long and his legs were short The poor old man couldn't walk or talk Chickaraka chin chai chan chickorlora Onkolora achi pachi wak Oko oko itchipotchi itchipai itchipai itchipai sheeanko |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Rahimzada Date: 27 Feb 09 - 11:16 PM I'm loving the different versions. I live in NY and my dad taught me a very similar song, though simplified, from a camp he went to when he was a teen (several decades ago). Now the song my whole family is singing is:
bongo loro pikiwikiwako hoco poko hit him on the coco cherryby, cherryby che chi cho! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Chalie C. Rampasaud Date: 22 Feb 09 - 05:06 PM Once there was a China man, His name was Chinky-Chaloo-Cha-Pan His legs were long, but his feet were short, And the poor little Chinky could hardly walk, And then one day the Chinky died, And in his coffin he did lie, They sent the coffin to Japan, And that was the end of the China man... REMIX That was the end of the China man, WHAT!, That was the end of the China man, WHAT!, That was the end of the China man, WHAT!, That was the end of the China man, WHAT!, Hit it, Hit, Break it down, hit it hit it!!! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma From: GUEST,Carl Sargunar Date: 03 Feb 09 - 06:45 PM I grew up in India and learnt this song when I was 6 or 7, but can remember most of it - strange that there are so many variations. Might even call them Chinese whispers of this song from all over the world. Here's mine: Once in China, there lived a young man His name was Chaka rucka chi chai cho His hands were long and his legs were short and this Chinaman could not walk a lot Chorus: Chaka rucka chi chai cho lama lauren a-handa ma lauren a-man a-pak a-won Hi-quick hi-quick hiti hiti hotigo Chi Chai Cho Dun Dun Dun, a big fat man hit his head on a frying pan combed his hair on a donkey's tail and this Chinaman could turn up his face Ch Marvellous Carl, |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,joanne Date: 30 Jan 09 - 11:51 AM in a chinese town there lived a funny man his name was mr maca ru ri chan his legs was long and his body was short this is the was the chinese talk chica raca ru i chin chicka lora bumba lora paddy waddy woo oko doko hit him on the noko tidy boy tidy boy see him run.... dont know if the spelling is correct but i sang that nonsence as a kid and never forgot it, it dosent even make sense lol. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,melanie Date: 28 Dec 08 - 03:49 PM my grandad's version went like this (not sure about spelling): Once in china there lived a funny man, his name was chickeraka hoo wang wang, his legs were short & his feet were small, and this funny man couldn't read or walk CHORUS: Chickeraka chickeraka hi cokalorum mo tiddyorum tiddy widdy wack hoko boko hit im on the coco chickeraka chickeraka chinese chap When the chinese took him up a hill, they rolled him down like a Beecham's pill CHORUS When the chinese went to sea, the ship got sunk & so did he Chorus |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Betsy Date: 15 Dec 08 - 03:38 PM WOW i am in awe. my mom said she learned "our" form of this in camp which would have been in the 1920s. we have passed it on to my children and now my grands are begining to learn it. We couldnt remember all of the verses but SO MUCH of what is written above belongs to our version it is weird. i think there was another verse that i cannot remember right now. (also the first time ever to try to write these words): In Chinatown there lived a man Named Chilio Chilio Chilio Chan His feet were long and his legs were short And this is the way the Chinanam talked CHORUS: Ooh chick-a-la-lee cha-lai cha-lo chick-a-la romeo in a bananago wallago wallago china sea in a bananago wowtcho Now this chinaman he had wealth he lived in a mansion all by himself he had friends who built him a boat and this is the way the chinamen float OO ...(chorus) Now this chinaman he did die and in his coffin he did lie they shipped him back to old japan and this is the way his epitaph ran Chorus |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Rick, Surrey, UK Date: 13 Dec 08 - 07:46 AM Not the most PC version, but this is the one I learned in the mid sixties when we lived in Chicago, US. Not sure about somne of the words. Once in China there lived an old man Whose name was chikka-lakka-luka-kan His legs were long and his feet were short and he could neither walk nor talk, oh . . . Chikka Lakka Luka, Chikka Lakka Lorum Condum florum bulla bulla way Oka Oka itchy cry, itchy cry Diddy-by, diddy-by shingo . . . He had so many servants to carry him about That everywhere he went, the epople would shout Here he comes, and there he goes The Chinaman with the monkey's nose Chikka Lakka Luka, Chikka Lakka Lorum Condum florum bulla bulla way Oka Oka itchy cry, itchy cry Diddy-by, diddy-by shingo . . . |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,dawn-in-nz Date: 26 Nov 08 - 05:17 AM I was reading an old book in Google today and came across the words 'O Cockalorum' which immediately brought to mind a ditty by father used to sing to me when I was little - he was born in 1910. So I've just googled the first line of that ditty and came up with this thread - had a fun half an hour reading them all! So here's my version of it, which by the way I sing to my grandchildren and they love it. I haven't a clue how to spell anything so I'm going to spell it phonetically. The Kiwi Version In China once there live a great man His name was Chicory Chee Chi Can His legs were fat his feet were small This Chinaman couldn't walk at all Chee Chi Cho Cockalorum Mandiddleorum many king man Wendor Goudor itty kitty pie Chitty kitty pie China Coooooo I've obviously made up some of the words from what I remember which isn't a lot these days! BTW Cockalorum - means 'self important little man'. Cheers....Dawn pandora@kc.net.nz |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: Cheapy Knowles Date: 25 Nov 08 - 10:12 AM This is the version of the song that we were taught in the 1970s by our grandmother, who was born in 1912. In Chinatown there lived a man His name was Chicka-la Chicka-la Chan His feet were long and his legs were short and this is the way the Chinaman walk Oh Chicka la lee cha lie cha low Chicka low romeo in a banana go Wall a go wall a go China sea In a banana go WOW CHOW This Chinaman he had some pelf He lived in a mansion all by himself His friends came over and built him a boat And this is the way the chinamen float Oh Chicka la lee cha lie cha low Chicka low romeo in a banana go Wall a go wall a go China sea In a banana go WOW CHOW Then one day the man he did die and in his coffin he did lie They shipped him back to old Japan and this is the way his epitaph ran. Oh Chicka la lee cha lie cha low Chicka low romeo in a banana go Wall a go wall a go China sea In a banana go WOW CHOW! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,George Moore, UK Date: 20 Nov 08 - 07:25 AM I have just googled about a "song" I was taught by my father back in the 1940's, and I still remeber it today. The spelling might not be correct, but this is how it sounded.. In Japan there was a very great man, His name was Chikka Rakka Ching Chang Chay, His legs were long and his feet were short, This Chinese man couldn't walk nor talk. Chikka Rakka Ching Chang, Bonzee Lorum,Witty Witty Wack, Oko Oko, hit him on the Boko, Itty Fy, Itty Fy, Chinese talk. Absolute gobbledy gook, but I never forgot it, and I'm now 68 years old. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Lorna Lou Date: 19 Nov 08 - 10:16 AM Just yesterday I started singing this as an (American) friend and I played Scrabble. She'd never heard of it! It seems to be mostly a 'Canadian' thing, as I'm from Ladysmith, BC. As I recall it went something like this (and yes, my mother taught it to us kids)(very catchy tune, too!) There was a man And his name was Rang Rang-A-Pang-A-Tang. His legs were long And his feet were small This China man could not walk at all. ChickALaOhNo China Man! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Christine, Ontario Canada Date: 17 Nov 08 - 07:04 PM Hi, Yes I too am surprised all the versions of this rhyme I learned as this ...... There was chinese man and he grew so tall He could not walk and he could not talk We took him to the top of the hill and rolled him down with a rolling pin and he said... Chick a racka Dona racka Che chi cho Chicka rollo bungalow piggy wiggy wag -o- hoko poko hit him on the coko it-a by it-a by che chi cho I was taught this from my Grandmother as a child and have passed it down to my children. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Guest33 Date: 16 Nov 08 - 11:00 PM I'm glad I found this thread! I've had this song stuck in my head. My mom was from Hammond/Chicago, and grew up in the 1930s. She sang a lot of silly war songs (The coffee in the Army...) and ethnic ditties of a sort that is not considered funny today (Snowball). Another Guest gave us a variant that is very close to what she would sing. I remember the tune, by the way, which doesn't seem to be part of the discussion. The glaring ignorance of geography was part of the joke. Anyway, here's what our earlier Guest posted, with my mom's variant in CAPS: A CHINAMAN FROM OLD JAPAN and this is the way the Chinaman floats: Chingaling chee, chi li, chi lo, chingaling wallaga, in the bananaga, wallaga, wallaga, CHAN OF THE SEA, CHINGLAING CHAN WAS HE. AT LENGTH Chinaman did die, and in his coffin he did lie; they sent him back to Old Japan, and this is the way his epitaph ran... |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,brian f Date: 12 Nov 08 - 11:05 AM As many other replies have started...my Mother sang this to me when I was young...S. Ontario Canada, early 1960's...hers sounded like this: There once was a Chinaman His name was Chicka raka chee chi cho His arms were long, his legs were short Chinaman could walk nor snort Chorus: Chicka raka chee chi cho chickaloro Bungaloro piggy piggy waggle* Hoko poko hit 'em on the coco Chitterbye chitterbye chee chi cho Chinaman had a wife Gave him trouble all his life Cut his pigtails off so long Sold them for a China song (Chorus) Chinaman he will die In his coffin he will lie Then they'll ship him off to Japan And that's the end of the Chinaman (Chorus) *(accompanied by grabbing the "piggy toe" and wiggling) I must say that in my area of Canada at that time we really knew nothing of other races as kids and the one or two "chinamen" or "negro persons" or any other race or nationality were regarded with a simple wonder and nothing like hatred. Ignorance is a bad thing, but sometimes simple naivete is bliss. We took these people on as friends just like any other... |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST Date: 06 Nov 08 - 06:45 PM That sounds so familiar...but the version I learned goes like this: Once there was a chinese man His name was Chicka-laka-Chee-Chi-Cho His arms were long his legs were short He could neither talk nor snort Chicka-Laka-Chee-Chi-Cho Chitta-laura Bongo-loro-piggy-wiggy-wora Hoko-Poko Hit-em-on-the-toko Chiggy-man Chiggy-man Chee-Chi-Cho The Chinese man had a wife Oh she had an awful life She his pigtail off so long Sold it for a Chinese Song Chicka-Laka-Chee-Chi-Cho Chitta-laura Bongo-loro-piggy-wiggy-wora Hoko-Poko Hit-em-on-the-toko Chiggy-man Chiggy-man Chee-Chi-Cho The Chinese man he will die In his coffin he will lie Then they'll ship him back to Japan That is the end of the chinese man Chicka-Laka-Chee-Chi-Cho Chitta-laura Bongo-loro-piggy-wiggy-wora Hoko-Poko Hit-em-on-the-toko Chiggy-man Chiggy-man Chee-Chi-Cho |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: Azizi Date: 26 Oct 08 - 08:53 AM I'd like to make some random comments about this rhyme: From reading the comments posted on this thread, it appears that few people have included in their posts any acknowledgement of the fact that the words of "Once In China There Lived A Great Man" ridicules Chinese people. One poster who did recognize this was GUEST,Darren ex-West Bromwich; 18 Jan 08 - 11:05 PM. Darren posted this comment: "My Dad taught this one to me and his Dad taught it to him. Obviously back in the day they had a a hatred for Asian people and made up songs to ridicule them" -snip- Another poster who recognized the "socially incorrect" nature of this apparently fondly remembered rhyme is GUEST,Hugh Date: 10 Feb 07 - 05:22 PM who wrote: "I remember a song I heard at summer camp in Canada in the 60s. Unthinkable that anyone would sing it now. -snip- Guest Hugh may have meant that he considers it unthinkable that this song would be sung in public at camp. It would be interesting to see what Chinese people think of this rhyme. I hope that if {since} this rhyme continues to be passed down to children that at the very least some acknowledgement of this fact is made by the adults who are carrying on this tradition. And I hope that those who pass this rhyme on to their children reinforce that it isn't good to make fun of people because of their race, ethnicity and/or nationality. That said, I believe discussion threads like this one serve are important as they help document the variant texts of folk rhymes and folk songs. [See my earlier comments to this thread about the possible connection between "Once In China"... and other certain other children's rhymes]. I think that community folklorists, professional folklorists, and the general public have only begun to recognize the importance of text based Internet discussion forums such as Mudcat as a means of documenting, studying, and passing on the words to children's rhymes/songs and other folk songs. And, hopefully, in the immediate future, more and more people will also recognize the huge role that Internet sites such as YouTube can serve in helping to document, study, and disseminate not only the words,but also the tunes, and any performance activities of these examples of folk culture. GUEST,Brian Fellows 16 Nov 07 - 05:11 PM appears to be the only person so far to post a URL to a YouTube video of "Once In China There Lived A Great Man". Along with that website address, Brian Fellows adked "I wonder if the tune is always the same?" Here's the hyperlink to that YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSLYYkEH_nM For some reason that video clip is titled "Chewing Gum". I searched for this rhyme on YouTube under its title, and there doesn't appear to be any entries of it as of this date. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Ronnie Graham, Australia, Date: 26 Oct 08 - 06:25 AM i learnt this song in grade 5[1978]. once upon a time in a land called chat there lived a funny funny little man, his nose was long and his feet were short and the poor little follow couldn;t walk or talk, chikka and a choo cha chan chik a door punch and polly polly polly wack oke oke etchi ka etchi ka, etchi ka etchi ka oke oke oke. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Jennifer Date: 23 Oct 08 - 10:35 AM I learned this version from my mother and we thought we were the only family who knew this rhyme as all my friends had never heard of it. I have taught it to my children and grandchilren so we are contining the tradiion. In China once there lived a great man His name was Chickeraka chee chi pan His legs were long, and his feet were small So this Chinaman couldn't walk at all With a Chickeracka chee chi cho cockerlorum, conderlorum up in nine Cat go doo go esticotikitico Ettipie tittipie Chinese coo The servants used to carry him out On their backs till the folks did shout And when they got to the top of the hill They rolled him down like a rolling pin. With a Repeat chorus. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Steve Morris Date: 30 Sep 08 - 07:28 AM And I thought the only version was:- In China once there lived an old man, His name was Chikka-Rakka-Ching-Chang-Chang, His legs were long,his feet were small, This Chinaman,he couldn't walk at all. So-o-o-o:- (Big Breath) Chikka-Rakka-Ching-Chang,Kongalore,Kokalore,Ekki-Pekki-Mo, Okka-Okka,stick him on a poker, Ate a cow,ate a cow,ee en chew, Ra-ra chikkara,chikkara rooney, Rooney-pooney,ping-pang-piney, Kar-rah-raxi,Chinese ching! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Bill, Grantham Date: 29 Sep 08 - 02:23 PM My mum who came to the UK from India in 1948 sang this version: In China once there lived a great man His name was Chickeracka Chee Chi Cho Chickeracka Chee Chi Cho Chickalorum Conday Lorum, One a pack a one His legs were long & his feet were small This Chinaman couldn't walk at all Chickeracka Chee Chi Cho Chickalorum Conday Lorum one a pack a one Oh toh toh toh, itti kitty catty co Ittipie, ittipie, chi chi cho |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Chris Gibbons Birmingham UK Date: 13 Sep 08 - 05:08 PM Earlier today I was at a friends house and someone said, 'Once in China' and everyone looked amazed when for the first time in fifty years I immediately said the first verse, I could not remember the chorus--I leant it as a small child from my grandmother who was born in Meiktilla in Burma and I know she leant it from her Aya, nurse, I thought the chorus was Burmese which was why I could not remember it ---so I googled it. I am amazed at how many versions there are. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,canada Date: 07 Sep 08 - 10:02 PM once in china there lived a little man, his name was chicka racka chee chi cho. His legs were long and his feet were short. This little man could neither walk nor talk. (chorus) Chicka racka chee chi unga lora, bunga lora, iggy piggy wago. Oko poko hit him on the coco. Chitapie chitapie, chee chi cho. This little man he grew so stout, the servants had to carry him about. They took him up to the top of a hill and rolled him down with a rolling pin. Chorus |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Jim Knowledge Date: 30 Aug 08 - 03:20 PM I `ad that Chinaman in my cab once. I `ad to take him from SOHO to Carnaby street. `e was after some new clobber from that poncy shop that used to be next to the "Bunch of Grapes. I said, "`ere, are you that Chinaman there all singing about. They reckon you`ve got long legs, little feet, turned up toes, funny teef and `as to be carried about `cos you can`t walk?" `e said, "nah, it`s all a load of borrocks. It`s just a flont I put on but it don`t `arf dlaw the punters in to my "Peking Parace"!!" Whaddam I like?? |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Nikki TG Date: 29 Aug 08 - 03:40 PM My Grandad Dave has taught my entire family this version of the song and we all embarrass ourselves infront of our partners at family get togethers by singing it! Vs 1 In china town there lived a man his name was chicaraca chee chi chan his legs were long and his feet were small china man couldnt walk at all Chorus Chicaraker chee chi cho chicanorah condy nora iddy widy win otoe otoe hit him on the boto iddy pie iddy pie imm pimm pimm Vs 2 The cause of his infirmity was very simple you can see he waked to France on a railway track and wore his feet out coming back Chorus Chicaraker chee chi cho chicanorah condy nora iddy widy win otoe otoe hit him on the boto iddy pie iddy pie imm pimm pimm Now China man got married they say to his wife on his wedding day although he was born on the day of his birth he died on his very last day on earth! Chorus Chicaraker chee chi cho chicanorah condy nora iddy widy win otoe otoe hit him on the boto iddy pie iddy pie imm pimm pimm We plan on passing down!! i noticed no one had posted this version yet! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Alan Cohen, Beer Sheva, Israel Date: 20 Aug 08 - 03:37 PM My mother used to sing this song to me and my sisters when we were small and we have passed it on to our own kids. She says she learnt it from her father. Her version is as follows: Once in China, there lived a funny man His name was Chikeraka Chu Chai Chan His legs were long and his feet were short The poor old man could hardly walk Chorus: Chikeraka chu chai chay chakalora Bonjiora alla walla wax Okey pokey hit him on the nokey Itchy cotchy itchy cotchy winkle Now this old man he went to see To see the sights of Kangaree The ship got wrecked and so you see The poor old man was drownded Repeat chorus |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Jessica Lightfoot Date: 18 Aug 08 - 10:13 PM My grandmother used to sing this diddy to me when I was a little girl riding beside her in her car. She always said that there were more versuses that she couldn't remember. I was happy to find additional ones from your blog. My grandmother is now 84. This is what Gigi would sing to me and my siblings and cousins. Once there was a China man, his name was chicka cha looch a pan, his teeth were sharp, his nails were long, and this is the way he'd travel along- Chicka cha looch a looch a pan, aloppy aloppy, Chicka ja alopy, Then one day, the man he died, in his coffin he did lie, they shipped his body to Japan, and that was the end of the Chinaman. Chicka cha lutch a lutch a pan, aloppy aloppy, Chinaman. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma From: GUEST,Donna Date: 16 Aug 08 - 03:20 AM My husband learned this when he was a boy in Canada. in the 1930's our kids and all the nieces and nephews learned it as well. Chickaracka chichichan Once in China there lived a great man His name was Chickaracka chichichan His legs were long and his feet were small Chinese man couldn't walk at all. Chorus: Chickaracka chichi cho chicka lorum pum tick a lorum paddy waddy wack Oklo oklo iddy by iddy by she backo Chinese men used to carry him about upon their backs so he could shout Here he comes and there he goes Chinese man with the handsome nose Chorus: |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,KJS Somerset England Date: 09 Aug 08 - 05:45 PM My mother used to sing this lyric to me at the age of 5 I am now 74. In China once there lived a man, His name was Chickerty Ran Chan Chan His legs were long and his feet were short That Chinaman he could not walk, He hired three ment to carry him out Upon their backs how he did shout He paid them well, found them in clothes That Chinaman with a monkey's nose Chickerty Ran Chan Char Co Loo Char Co Loo said Giggypo Nan Go to the dust O Cancer Koo Giddy poor ninny poor Chinaman. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma From: GUEST,Bess Date: 18 Jul 08 - 11:54 AM Holy cow, I had no idea that there were so many versions of this song. I learned this from my Quaker Liberal relatives who are now embarrassed to sing it because of it's racist overtones! Chinkety Chinkety Chan In Chinatown there lived a man His name was Chinkety Chinkety Chan His feet were long and his toes were short And this is the way the poor Chinaman talked: Ohhhhhhhhhh- Chinkety-chee Cha-lye Cha-lo Chinkety Romeo in a banana-ga Wallika wallika chanikee In a bannana-ga WAH-chee-yow! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Coveynov12 Date: 16 Jul 08 - 10:59 AM My mom taught me this from the camp that she used to go to. I go to the same camp now, but they don't sing it anymore for understanible reasons. I still like the song because it is catchy. There was a man from china town His name was Ikichicka - chi- cho - chow His legs were long and his feet were short Poor old man he could hardly walk Chorus: ChorIkichicka - chi- cho - chow chickolora Bobtail lora paddy wack wack Oko moko hit 'em on the coco Hit 'em hard hit 'em hard There he goes!! He had servant carry him about Up on the mountain they would shout "Here he comes and there he goes - poor old man with the turned up toes" Chorus: ChorIkichicka - chi- cho - chow chickolora Bobtail lora paddy wack wack Oko moko hit 'em on the coco Hit 'em hard hit 'em hard There he goes!! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,Richard Latker Date: 25 Jun 08 - 04:32 PM Hi Emily I'd like to ask you some questions about your grandfather, A.W. Jeffreys. I'm at pristine@netvigator.com Thanks, Richard |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man... From: GUEST,PigglyWiggly in the UK Date: 16 Jun 08 - 01:24 PM My dad tought my sister and I this when we were much younger - I never found out where he learnt it!! It muct have travelled all around the world as we are in London!! Once in china there lived a funny man His name was chickeracka choo chi chan His arms were long and his feet were short The poor old china man could hardly walk Chickeracka Chickeracka Choo chi norum Punchy norum Alla walla wax Hokey Cokey Hit him on the Bokey Itchy Cotchy Itchy Cotchy Winkle Now this old China man went to sea To see the sights of Kangaree The ship got wrecked and so you see The poor old China Man was drownded Chickeracka Chickeracka Choo chi norum Punchy norum Alla walla wax Hokey Cokey Hit him on the Bokey Itchy Cotchy Itchy Cotchy Winkle |
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