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

Subject: Lyrics requested ... Once in China
From:
Date: 12 Oct 98 - 09:23 AM

Looking for the lyrics for a ditty that starts out:

"Once in China there lived a great man, His name was Chikera-chee-chi-chan ?? His legs were long his feet were small The chinese man couldn't walk at all

etc ???

Subject: RE: Lyrics requested ... Once in China
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 02:18 PM

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyrics requested ... Once in China
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 02:24 PM

I had no luck on google or at the levy sheet music site.

Subject: RE: Lyrics requested ... Once in China
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 03:13 PM

I'm guessing it's one of those songs from the late 19th century that made fun of Chinese immigrants to the U.S. You'll find a number of songs like that if you use our Filter and look for "china" (set the age back) - or click here


I did find this on a Google search:

once long ago, there lived a funny man.
his name was icka rocka icka rocka ran.
his legs were long as his feet were small.
and he couldn't walk at all.

EENY MEENY MING MONG PING PONG CHOW!
EASY VEASY VACKA LEASY, EASY VEASY VOW!
EENY MEENY MACKA RACKA RAY RI
CHICKA RACKA DOMINACKA
LOLLIPOPPA OM POM PUSH!

Subject: RE: Lyrics requested ... Once in China
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 03:29 PM

It also comes up in the writings of Louisa May Alcott, from Under the Lilacs, Chapter 21:

Few of the children had ever seen the immortal Punch and Judy, so this was a most agreeable novelty, and before they could make out what it meant, a voice began to sing, so distinctly that every word was heard,--

    "In China there lived a little man,
    His name was Chingery Wangery Chan."

Here the hero "took the stage" with great dignity, clad in a loose
yellow jacket over a blue skirt, which concealed the hand that made his body. A pointed hat adorned his head, and on removing this to bow he disclosed a bald pate with a black queue in the middle, and a Chinese face nicely painted on the potato, the lower part of which was hollowed out to fit Thorny's first finger, while his thumb and second finger were in the sleeves of the yellow jacket, making a lively pair of arms. While he saluted, the song went n, --

    "His legs were short, his feet were small,
    And this little man could not walk at all."

Which assertion was proved to be false by the agility with which the
"little man" danced a jig in time to the rollicking chorus, --

    "Chingery changery ri co day,
    Ekel tekel happy man;
    Uron odesko canty oh, oh,
    Gallopy wallopy China go."

At the close of the dance and chorus, Chan retired into the tea garden, and drank so many cups of the national beverage, with such comic gestures, that the spectators were almost sorry when the opening of the opposite window drew all eyes in that direction. At the lattice appeared a lovely being; for this potato had been pared, and on the white surface were painted pretty pink checks, red lips, black eyes, and oblique brows; through the tuft of dark silk on the head were stuck several glittering pins, and a pink jacket shrouded the plump figure of this capital little Chinese lady. After peeping coyly out, so that all could see and admire, she fell to counting the money from a purse, so large her small hands could hardly hold it on the window seat. While she did this, the song went on to explain, --

    "Miss Ki Hi was short and squat,
    She had money and he had not
    So off to her he resolved to go,
    And play her a tune on his little banjo."

During the chorus to this verse Chan was seen tuning his instrument in
the garden, and at the end sallied gallantly forth to sing the following tender strain, --

    "Whang fun li,
    Tang hua ki,
    Hong Kong do ra me!
    Ah sin lo,
    Pan to fo,
    Tsing up chin leute!"

Carried away by his passion, Chan dropped his banjo, fell upon his
knees, and, clasping his hands, bowed his forehead in the dust before
his idol. But, alas! --

    "Miss Ki Hi heard his notes of love,
    And held her wash-bowl up above
    It fell upon the little man,
    And this was the end of Chingery Chan,"

Indeed it was; for, as the doll's basin of real water was cast forth by the cruel charmer, poor Chan expired in such strong convulsions that hishead rolled down among the audience. Miss Ki Hi peeped to see what had become of her victim, and the shutter decapitated her likewise, to the great delight of the children, who passed around the heads, pronouncing a "Potato" pantomime "first-rate fun."

Subject: RE: Lyrics requested ... Once in China
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 09:23 AM

From the TIME Magazine archive: (with formatting changed a bit by me)

Chickery Chick
Dec. 3, 1945

In the [18]70s, collegians at Amherst set the 100-year-old jingle to music and sang it over pots of ale, when they wanted to prove that they could walk a musical straight line. One of the many versions ran like this:

In China there lived a little man
His name was Chingery-ri-chan-chan,
His feet were large and his head was small,
And this little man had no brains at all.
Chingery-rico-rico-day ekel tekel Happy man.
Kuan-a-desco cartty-o gallopy-wallopy-china-go.

Last week this old tongue twister, with new and even less intelligible lyrics, was the fast-climbing No. 2 seller in Billboard magazine's poll of record sales. It was well on its way to join Mairzy Doats and the Hut Sut Song in the jabberwocky Valhalla of the jukebox. Twenty-nine-year-old Arkansas-born Jo Proffitt had changed the Chinaman into a chick, and called it Chickery Chick. She sent the lyrics to Tin Pan Alleysmith Sidney Lippman, who added some new notes. Now it describes a chicken who got bored with saying "chick chick" all day, astounds his companions with some jived-up poultry poetry: Chickery-chick cha-la cha-la, Check-a-la-romey in a ba-nan-i-ka... .Tin Pan Alley actuarians estimate that the U.S. will need about three months to get over it.

-Copyright 1945 by Santly-Joy, Inc.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Lee Garrett
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 10:21 AM

My brilliantly bonkers Grandpa told me when I was young:

Once in China there lived a great man,
His name was Chika-Laka-Che-Chi-Chang.
His sins were many though his feet were very small,
But he had toenails on them all.

With a Chika-Laka-Che-Chi-Chang-Chika-Laka,
Chang-Chika-Laka-Malapy-Kat.
Kat-Go-To-Go
Iti-Kati-Ki-Go
Iti-Kati-Ki-Go Chiney-Go!!

Genius I tells ya, pure genius

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 01:16 PM

Lee, when you answer an eight-year-old request, that IS pure genius. Thank you very much.
-Joe Offer, who searched for this song for hours and hours-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,flyingcat
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 02:29 PM

this is version i learned at my mother's knee, she used to sing to us and make us laugh.

In China there lived a very big man
His name was Jigger iger ingjing jang

His legs were long and his neck was short
And the Chinese man could't walk nor talk

His servants used to carry him about
because he was so very very stout

They took him up to the top of a hill
And rolled him down like a great big wheel

Jiggerigering jiggerang jiggarora
bondolora woodawooda waok
Okotoko idi adi itiko
Itify titify Chinese talk

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Son of an Amherst grad
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 11:59 PM

My father, Amherst '53, used to sing a version with a chorus that went something like this:

Chicka cha loo, cha loo, Japan
Allopy, wallopy, chicka cha lallopy
Chicka cha loo, cha loo, Japan
Allopy wallopy China man

We sang it on long car trips to Canada in the 1960s, along with other ethnic favorites.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 03:26 PM

In China once there lived a man
His man was chickery iker man
his legs were long
and his feet were small
And this poor chinaman couldn't walk at all

chorus

The ladies from about the town
Came up the hill and
Rolled him down
And tickle and tease this China man

chorus

And when this chinaman
he did die
and in his coffin he did lie
They shipped his body to Japan
And that was the end of the chinaman

Politically incorrect in today's world but my Grandmother sang it to me when I was a child.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Azizi
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 11:48 PM

What???!!

Could I have been wrong??

Is it possible that I was mistaken about the origin of the "Stella Ella Ola" family of handclap rhymes???

Click here to read those rhymes: thread.cfm?threadid=77066#1370542

I thought that these rhymes might have come from the Spanish language because of that "s chico chico" line that's found in a number of its variants. But I really was standin' on shakey ground as I could never find any documentation of a Spanish source. It just sounded kinda Spanish, you know?

Now I come to find out that there may be a Chinese origin for rhymes like:

Stella ella ola, clap clap clap

With an s, chicko chicko,

chicko chicko slap jack!

falo falo falo,

with ah one, two three four, FIVE!

-snip-


Okay. I can live with that.

But. I was close, hun? No??

Oh, well.

Thanks Jim Dixon, and all the Guests!

I appreciate it. Really.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Azizi
Date: 07 Feb 07 - 12:14 AM

I hasten to correct my statement that the source for the Stella Ella Ola rhymes may be of Chinese origin.

I should have written that the source for these rhymes may be American English rhymes that attempted to mimic what they thought was Chinese/Asian talk.

That's considerably different than the rhymes being of "Chinese origin".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,Hugh
Date: 10 Feb 07 - 05:22 PM

I remember a song I heard at summer camp in Canada in the 60s. Unthinkable that anyone would sing it now. Clearly of the same origin as many of the other songs mentioned here, but a little different.

"Once in China lived a man
Name was Chickeracka Chee Chi Cho
Arms were long and legs were short
Chinaman could walk nor snort."

And the chorus went something like:

"Hoke chickeracka cheek chickaloro
Bongo loro piggywiggy wango
Hoko poko hit 'im in the coco
Chitterbee chatterbee chee chi cho."

For some reason it really sticks in my head over 40 years later. In fact, I found this thread because it was running through my head today, so I googled "Once in China lived a man". Weird.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Azizi
Date: 10 Feb 07 - 05:56 PM

Hello, GUEST,Hugh!

Life is weird that way. But anyway you get here, you're welcome to stay.

Consider joining our community. There's a whole lot of exchanging musical and other information going on.

Best wishes,

Azizi

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 03:34 PM

It certainly is a weird little ditty, and I can easily imagine how readily it passed from one generation to another as a nonsense song. But I cannot imagine leading it today unless I changed it to something like "Once in Scarsdale there lived a rich man..."

Once upon a time there was a little poetry book called, I believe, THE INNER CITY GOOSE which processed familiar nursery rhymes. The only one that comes readily to mind is:

There was a crooked man,
And he done quite well!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Geoff Yeowell
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 11:47 AM

My English granddad used to sing us a song when we were little. It went something like this:

There once was a Chinaman who had a funny name
His name was Chickeraka Chu Chi Chan
His arms were long and his legs were short
This Chinaman couldn't walk or talk
-
CHORUS
Chickeraka Chu Chi
Chimmy Chimmy Ora
Pomma Diddy Ora
Paddy Waddy Wack
Oko Boko Hit Him on the Popo
Here we go, here we go, cheerio!
-
Once his servant took him out
Treated him to a glass of stout
When they got to the top of the hill
The Chinese man felt very very ill
-
CHORUS
-
Once his servant took him for a drive
Told him not to drive to fast
He drove too fast and they tumbled down
That was the end of the Chinese man
-
CHORUS

My granddad died in 1993 at the age of 81. I wish I had recorded him singing this!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Stewie
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 07:54 PM

Adam McNaughtan recorded a Glasgow version of this and a couple of other children's ditties relating to Chinese on his "Words, Words, Words" album. This album and another, titled 'The Glasgow I Used To Know', have been reissued on an excellent double CD as 'The Words I Used to Know' Greentrax CDTRAX 195D.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,Mel
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 09:40 PM

I can't believe I found this. My grandmother used to sing it to me and I have never met anyone who knows what I'm talking about.

Her version went:

In China once there was a great man,
His name was Chickery Choo Chai Chan,
His legs were fat and his feet were small,
That China man couldn't walk at all.

Chickery Choo Chai Chan-galora,
Bang-alora, Men-a-Kin-Men.
Lang-con-do-dee
Idi-kiddi-pi!
Idi-kiddi-pi!
China Coo!

My god, it is quite insane when you write it down. The Idi-kiddi bits were inevitably accompanied by a burst of tickling.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: Artful Codger
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 10:35 PM

Can someone post an ABC or send Joe a MIDI for one of these variants?


Gor, I remember "Chickery-Chick". I think the chorus ends:

Fallika wallika, can't you see,
Chickery-chick is me!

Though I don't remember any of the verses.

Thanks, Joe, for the Alcott excerpt.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 09:40 AM

My Mum's version, which I now sing to my children is:

In China once there lived a man
Whose name was Chicker-racker-ring-chi-chan
His legs were long and his feet were small
It's a wonder he could walk at all.

Chorus
Chicker racker ring chi chan chacker rorum
Pon my orum ecki pecki wan
Oh ko oh ko chicker pa chicker pa
Chicker pi chicker pi she en ko

They marched him up to the top of the hill
And they rolled him down with a right good will
They rolled him here and they rolled him there
The chinaman with the turned up chair.

Repeat chorus!

No idea how to spell it, of course, nor where it comes from (which was why I googled it in the first place) but there you go!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Shawn Bettise
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 09:27 AM

Of all the things to be running through my head this morning - I googled it and found all of you - my older cousin taught us this rhyme - they sang it at Girl Scout camp in Montana. The following is what I can remember:
"There was a man in China town - his name was Chika Racka Chee Chi Cho -
His legs were long - his feet were short - the Chinese man could walk nor talk.
(chorus) Chicka rack Chee Chi Cho Chi Chika Laro - Bongo Lago - Piggy Wiggy Wago - Oko Noko Hit 'im on the Koko - Charami Charami Chee Cha cho.
The Chinese man, he had a wife and oh! they lived a terrible life (can't remember the rest of this verse)
(chorus)
The Chinese man was dynamite - he lit the fuse and turned out the light - the very next morning, he flew sky high - but he didn't care 'cause he could fly!
(chorus)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 02:55 PM

"Under the Lilacs," Louisa May Alcott (see Joe Offer post, 26 Apr 05), was serialized in the children's "St. Nicholas Magazine." Chapter 21 with-
In China there lived a little man,
His name was Chingery Wangery Chan,-
appeared in vol. 5, no. 11, 5 Sept 1878.

This long-lived and popular children's magazine would ensure widespread disemination of the little rhyme.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Apr 07 - 03:08 PM

Chinkity Chinkity Luchadapan Ollipy Ollipy China man,
His Teeth were short and his hair was long
And this is the way he walked along

They took his coffin 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,Guest- MR
Date: 07 Apr 07 - 07:39 PM

I was trying to sing this to my 3 yr old daughter and remembered only the chorus on this song from 25 years ago-

Chickereka chee chi cho lemma lauren
Si lemma lauren one a pecka one
Koi koi koi koi hitti hotti hotti ho
Chee Chi cho.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Apr 07 - 08:27 PM

Here I thought I had buried long ago the old earworm as sung by Sammy Kaye (1945), and Artful Codger has to mention it. AAARRGHH!

Posted in thread 14419 by Alice, 14 Oct 99
Chickery Chick

Chorus (I won't repeat the rest)

Chickery chick, cha-la, cha-la
Check-a-la-romey in a bananika
Bollika, wollika, can't you see
Chickery chick is me!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Apr 07 - 08:21 PM

it kills me that I can't remember all the verses. My Mom taught us this when we were very young. the middle to end goes

oh this Chinaman, oh he had wealth,
he lived in a mansion all by himself
the neighbors next door, they bought him a boat
and this is the way the Chinaman floats:

Chingaling chee, chi li, chi lo,
chingaling wallaga, in the bananaga,
wallaga, wallaga, over the sea,
in the bananaga watch-ah.

oh this Chinaman, oh he did die,
and in his coffin he did lie;
they sent him back to Old Japan,
and this is the way his epitaph ran...

Chingaling chee, chi li, chi lo,
chingaling wallaga, in the bananaga,
wallaga, wallaga, over the sea,
in the bananaga watch-ah.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,Matthew Burns
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 05:32 PM

This is the version my Mum, nanna and great grandma used to sing to me, I'm from the north of England and was searchin to see if this was an actual song, i cant believe there's so many versions. anyway it went;

In china once there lived a great man
his name was chik-o-rak-a-chee-chi-chan
his legs were long and his feet were small
and that chinaman couldnt walk at all

so its...
chee chi chuckle oh cho chuckle oram
candy norum in a pee nam
cat-go two-go etty-gitty-gotty-go
addi-pi addi-pi china go

there were quite a few more verses but i cant remember them and me great grandmas dead n she always sang it the best.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 11:58 AM

Once in China lived a man
and his face was dark as tan
here he comes and here he goes
Hong Kong Harry with the beery nose

chikericky chee-chee chee-chee cholum
laughala doolum missipee guy
I go you go, hitty-kitty catty go
Hong Kong chikericky chee choo chi

MY FATHER TAUGHT ME THIS SONG AS A CHILD. APPARENTLY HE USED TO SING IT WITH HIS MATES IN THE ARMY CIRCA WW2

Other songs included:-

Felix... keeps on walking... keeps on walking still...

AND

For the boys all laugh at Charlie Chaplin... his boots a cracklin, for the want of blackin'...

AND

Dan, Dan the lavatory man... cleaning up the muck all day... cleaning up the 'you know'... reading the football final, passing the merry hours away gor blimey...

At this point my mum would step in and give my Dad a row for teaching the bairn... they rude songs...
Well I was only 3 then, but more than five decades later, I still remember them.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,Cheryl M
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 10:03 PM

I knew of verse that spoke of The Chinaman's Wife. It was something about "he led a terrible life" and "She cut off his pigtail, grew so long," and then I don't remember anymore. Is anyone familiar with that part of the song?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Michele L
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 09:39 PM

I LOVE THIS!!! I was trying to find the lyrics to sign this to my son. My Grandmother used to put us to sleep with this song, but this is all I can remember:

In China there once live a man
His name was Chinering Changering Chan
His legs were short and his feet were long
as this Chinaman couldn't walk at all.

Checkeree chee che-la che-la
Checker-a-roni in a banana-ka
ballacka wallacka kanatakee
in a banana-ka China go

This Chinaman had plenty of wealth
He lived in a mansion all to himself
The neighbers nextdoor they bought him a boat
And in it they set the poor Chinaman afloat

Checkeree chee che-la che-la
checker-a-roni in a banana-ka
ballacka wallacka kanatakee
in a banana-ka China go



That's were I lose it. I know the words are what I heard as a little girl, but I would love to know the actual lyrics. anyway, having fun with this post.

Subject: Lyr. Add: Chingery Chan
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 10:30 PM

Jim Dixon posted the first verse of this old Amherst song. Here is the entire song. Many versions and additions since it first appeared in the 1860's.

Lyr. Add: CHINGERY CHAN

1.
In China there lived a little man,
His name was Chingery-ri-chan-chan;
His feet were large and his head was small,
And this little man had no brains at all.

Chorus:
Chingery-rico-rico-day,
Ekel-tekel. Happy man!
Kuan-a-desco-canty-o,
Gallopy-wallopy-china-go.

2.
Miss Sky-high she was short and squat;
She had money, which he had not;
To her he then resolved to go,
And play her a tune on his little banjo.

Chorus:

3.
Miss Sky-high heard his notes of love;
She held his wash-bowl up above;
She poured it on the little man,
And that was the end of Chingery-chan.

Chorus:
Chingery-rico-rico-day,
Ekel-tekel. Injured man!
Kuan-a-desco-canty-o,
Gallopy-wallopy-china-go.

From the section on Songs of Amherst (E. C. Brayton), p. 178-179. No author cited.
H. R. Waite, Coll. and Ed., 1868, "Carmina Collegensia: A Complete Collection of the Songs of the American Colleges, with Piano-Forte Accompaniment. To Which Is Added a Compendium of College History." Oliver Ditson & Co. New York:-C. H. Ditson & Co.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 10:41 PM

The song was reprinted, without change, in the enlarged "Carmina Collegensia" of 1876.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Azizi
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 11:04 PM

"Chingery-rico-rico-day" ??!

Could "Once in China there lived a great man" be the source [or "a" source] for the children's handclap rhyme "Stella Ella Ola"?

If so, there goes my theory about "Stella Ella Ola's Spanish origin...

Here's an example of "Stella Ella Ola" for those who aren't familiar with it:

Subject: RE: Kids chant Stella Ola Ola / Stella Ella Ola
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 01:17 AM

wow, i'm surprised i found this...we used to sing it like this in the early 90s

Stella ella ola
clap clap clap
singin' es chico chico
chico chico cracker jack
es chico chico
falo falo
i gotta blow my nose
so, 1,2,3,4,5!

thread.cfm?threadid=77066#1370542

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 11:48 PM

I doubt a relationship. Chingery Chan was changed around by Louisa May Alcott; I think "Under The Lilacs," where she used it, (1878) is on line (also see the post by Joe up above.
There seem to be a number of these songs- children and the writers for them are inventive!

On the other hand-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 02:26 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jun 07 - 05:54 PM

Here's the version I learned as a child. Clearly much mutated from but also related to other versions:

In Chinatown 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 Chinamen talk

CHORUS:
Ooooh, chickety-chee chi-ly chi-lo
chickety-rummity inna-ga-waddiya
waddiya waddiya chi-na-key
inna-banana-ga-watchio

[other verses I've forgotten]

The Chinaman, he up and died
and in his coffin he did lie
they shipped him off to old Japan
and that was the end of the Chinaman

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,DavidWalters
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 08:49 AM

Like all old songs this one has many versions and here's the one my mother used to sing:

Chickeracka chin chi chi chackerlan
Constance lorey hetti petti pan
Hoko poko hitterpotta hitterpi
Hitterpi hitterpi ee i oh

Once there lived a little old man
His name was Chickeracka Chin Chi Chan
His arms were long and his feet were small
Chinese man couldn't walk at all

Chickeracka chin chi chi chackerlan
Constance lorey hetti petti pan
Hoko poko hitterpotta hitterpi
Hitterpi hitterpi ee i oh

His servants used to carry him about
On their backs and the boys would shout,
"Here he comes, there he goes,
Chinese man with a very long nose."

Chickeracka chin chi chi chackerlan
Constance lorey hetti petti pan
Hoko poko hitterpotta hitterpi
Hitterpi hitterpi ee i oh.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Karen
Date: 08 Jul 07 - 09:40 PM

I remember singing this with my sisters on the base we lived on, not sure which one we first learned it at, but possibly Ottawa.

China man had a wife,
Didn't know how to handle a knife,
,
Cut her up with a carving knife.

Chee chi cho chickalora,
Bungalora,
Pigy Wiggy Oko,
Oko oko, hit him in the coco,
Chitter bug, Chitterbug,
Chee chi cho cho.


And that's all we can remember.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,John Tapscott
Date: 12 Jul 07 - 04:28 PM

When I was about 5 years old (I'm 60 now) I learned this poem in school by heart I still remember most of the lyrics:

Once In China there lived a funny man,
His name was Chick-a-rack-a chee-chaw-chan.
His nose was long, his legs were short,
This Chinese man could walk nor talk.

Unfortunately I can't remember the chorus properly. It's something like:

Chick-a-rack-a-chee-chaw.....
.........con-o-lorum ecko pecko-ann

Some of the lyrics quoted in this thread have been close but there is nothing the same as those I learned as a child.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Simon In Leeds
Date: 12 Jul 07 - 05:00 PM

When I was very young My Uncle made out that my family was originally from China and our imaginary family sang this song to each other.
Once in China there lived a great man
his name was chika raka chee chi chan
his legs were long his feet were small
the chinese man he could,t walk at all
chikaraka chee chi chor chucoloram
condu norum nedi pee nan
cat go doogo
esty go dee gedygo
chika raka chee chi the chinese man.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Janet from Leeds
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 11:25 AM

I beg to differ with my cousin from Leeds. The words I learned were just slightly different. Only this weekend the family got together, aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews, brothers sisters and cousins and recited the poem once more.

Once in China there lived a great man,
His name was Chika Raka Chee Chi Pan,
His legs were long and his feet were small,
The poor old man he couldn't wall at all,
ChiKa Raka Chee Chi chore chuckalorum,
Condu lorum neddy pee nan,
Cat go doo go, estigo digeddy go,
Chicka Raka Chee Chi the Chineese man.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,R
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 06:47 PM

Wow! How cool that there is a website on this! My mom was a kindergarden teacher and taught me this song back in the early 70s. I loved it and made her sing it to me over and over and now I sing it to my son...he's only 5 months...unfortunately I won't be able to sing it once he understand and can repeat the words because it has now been deemed politically incorrect, but anyway...here is the version I know:

Once there was a China man
His name was Chicka chalu Chapan
His hair was short, his teeth were long
And this is the way he walked along,

Chicka chalu chalu Chapan
Challapy Allapy, Chicka Challapy
Chicka Chalu, Chalu Chapan
Challapy Allapy China Man

Alas this poor old man he died
And in his coffin did reside
They shipped him back to old Japan
And that was the end of the China Man

Chicka chalu chalu Chapan
Challapy Allapy, Chicka Challapy
Chicka Chalu, Chalu Chapan
Challapy Allapy China Man

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,JDW Harrogate
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 07:24 AM

Regrettably I was unable to attend the recent Family gathering.

However as the "Uncle who hails from China" I am delighted to confirm

that the version given by my niece Janet (Leeds)is correct & as taught to me by my Mother (her Grandmother). I'm afraid its back to school for you Simon!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Janie - Daughter of the Uncle who hails from
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 05:39 AM

I have to tell you all that I am really quite devastated - I was firmly under the misapprehension that my father's family had actually written the rhyme when they lived in China many years ago - how taken in was i????? I also believed that my father's pigtail was somewhere in the loft at home!! sad really!! Anyway, I have to confirm that my cousin Simon needs to go back to another family gathering so that he can learn chica racka all over again - The words I know are the same as my cousin Janet!! But she has always been right about everything in my life!! xxx

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 08:58 AM

In China once there lived a man
his name was chickereye ching chin chang
his legs were tall and his feet were small
and the chinaman couldnt walk at all
his servants used to carry him about
on their backs and the people would shout
here he comes, there he goes
the china man with the monkey nose

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,PenniOther daughter of 'Uncle who hails from
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 04:29 AM

I was fortunate enough to be present with my cousin Janet at the recent family gathering..... What she omits to mention is the reason we were discussing Once in China - is that it is - or at least used to be - a pre-requisite for any outsider wishing to join our dynasty to be able to recite the ditty. My fiance was attempting to learn said poem prior to being 'allowed' to marry me. I can confirm that the version written by Janet is the same as that provided for him by Aunt Margaret - who also hails from China. How did Simon go so wrong???? I blame the parents!!!! Aunty sybil??

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Lisa, Witney, Oxon England - Aged 34
Date: 21 Jul 07 - 06:42 AM

Wow....

I am trying to teach my five year old boy this rhyme, my aunt used to sing it to me when we used to walk on the moors over Barnsley. Our version was this:

In China lived a funny little man
His name was Chi Chy Chy Chy Chuckalan
His legs was small but his body was tall
The Chinese man couldn't walk at all

Chi Chy Chy Chy Chy Chuckaloo
Chuckaloo loo loo icky picky bum
Halabala rush and a by gum day
Halabala riding home

It took two men to carry him around
It made the people laugh and shout
Here he comes and there he goes
The Chinese man with the turned up toes

Chi Chy Chy Chy Chy Chuckaloo
Chuckaloo loo loo icky picky bum
Halabala rush and a by gum day
Halabala riding home.....

My memories of this are such happy ones, my little boy loves it and so do I....thanks everyone for sharing your memories.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Al the ole fashioned gal
Date: 22 Jul 07 - 10:31 AM

We used to sing this in the Brownies and I sang it to my son, he's 12 now and likes me to sing it every now and again. The version I learnt goes

In Chinatown there lived a man
His name was Chicker Racka Choo Cha Chan
His legs were short and his feet were small,
and the poor little devil couldn't walk at all.
CHORUS

Chicker racker choo cha chi chicker nora
anti nora wee willy wim
oko oko hit him on the boko
itta ma itta ma im pim pim.

His servants used to carry him about,
upon their backs with a merry merry shout,
And when they got to the top of the hill
they rolled him down like a Beechams pill
CHORUS

He got married so they say
to his wife on his wedding day.
Tho he was born on the day of his birth
He died on the very last day on earth
CHORUS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Al the ole fashioned gal
Date: 22 Jul 07 - 10:36 AM

As my mum sang it me from when I was tiny, I sang it to my son (still do now some times).Have never seen it written down so excuse the spelling, I write it as it was sung.

Chickaree chick cha la cha la, chicala roma in a bananicka
Wollika wollicka can't you see
Chickaree chick it's me

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Guest - H
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 05:18 PM

It made it to Northern Ireland in a slightly different form

There was a wee man from Chinatown
And his name was Chickalacka Brown
His head was big and his feet were small
Poor wee man couldn't walk at all

Chickalacka, Chickalacka, chychickalora
Chychickalora, walla, walla, wack
Hoke em, poke em, shill em and soak em
Itch iki, itch iki, e i o

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 08:50 PM

the lyrics i grew up with were

in china town, there lived a man
and his name was ring-a-bing-a-ban
his legs were long, feet were short
and the poor china man, could hardly walk

when he went out, they would shout
chi-chic-ari-chak-
chi-chic-aloram
candi-loram-mani-maniquack
oto-koto-etie-kitie-catio-ita-pear-sheet-a-pear eee-en-ko

the servent rolled him down the hill
they rolled him down like a rolling pill
when he went out, they would shout
chi-chic-ari-chak-
chi-chic-aloram
candi-loram-mani-maniquack
oto-koto-etie-kitie-catio-ita-pear-sheet-a-pear eee-en-ko

( i cant remember anymore lyrics , all-in-all a very racist song from another generation, but im still trying to find the origins of the rhyme, anyone have any info on this???? )

---

Please remember to use a consistent name when you post. Messages with the "from" space blank, risk being deleted.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,Chickachaloo
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 08:53 PM

My grandfather sang us this version 30 years ago - now I sing it to my kid :)

"Chicka cha loo cha loo chapan
Wallapa Wallapa China Man
Once there was a China man, his name was Chicka Cha Loo Chapan
His head was big and his feet were small
So the poor China Man couldn't waaalk!

Alas, the china man to die,
And in his coffin he did lie,
They sent to coffin to Japan and that was the end of the China man!
Wallapa Wallapa China Man!"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,David in Bournemouth, England
Date: 23 Aug 07 - 09:38 AM

The rhyme I learned from my Dad (1907 - 1984) was complete nonsense and I have no idea where he heard it - or why he learned it off by heart. Nevertheless, I have made sure my kids know it and my grand-daughter too; she does skipping to it.

Once in China there lived a man
And his name was Chikarak-a-chee chi chan
Chickarak-a-chee chi chandi claus
Alabalawak, alabalawak,
Oto oto itty itty ossify
Itty itty ossify T E Joe!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Aug 07 - 11:38 AM

I do hope that "The Fish Cheer & I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag" by Country Joe & the Fish has an equally long life as this politically incorrect ditty. The "Fish" song, in my opinion, has some redeeming value.

I would still hesitate to sing "Once in China there lived a man" to any general audience unless I first characterized it as an anti-Chinese song. And, yes, I can understand why it's so much fun to sing within the family but it is still a song of ethnic if not racial ridicule.

At least mull that over before passing it on to another generation.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,Poppy
Date: 25 Aug 07 - 09:09 PM

This morning my mum asked if my father, who died a few years back, ever sung me a song about a little china man with long legs and small feet. It was their special song, and she couldn't remember it - googled it for her and here it is - cool, that will make her very happy...

Poppy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Sep 07 - 06:08 PM

In Chinatown 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 Chinamen talked

CHORUS:
Ooooh, chickety-chee chi-ly chi-lo
chickety-rummo inna-banana-wallya
wallya chi-na-key
inna-banana-ga-watchio

This chinaman had plenty of wealth and
lived in a mansion all by himself the
people got good and bought him a boat
and sent the poor china man off to float

Ooooh, chickety-chee chi-ly chi-lo
chickety-rummo inna-banana-wallya
wallya chi-na-key
inna-banana-ga-watchio

This Chinaman, finely died
and in his coffin he deny
they shipped him back to old Japan
and that was the end of the poor Chinaman

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,GUEST Billy
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 11:08 AM

My father who was born in the 1890s sang this song to my brothers, sisters and I during the '30s. We all (9 of us) learned this song and sang it to our children and grandchildren. This is the version we all sang:

In China once there lived a great man
His name was Chika Raka Chee Chi Pan
His legs were long and his feet were small
The Chinese man couldn't walk at all

Chorus:
Chee Chika Raka Chi, Cho Chuka Lorum
Con Go Lorum Ina Pee Nam
Ek Co To Co, Esee Gossee Gissee Go
Edi Bi Tedi Bi Chian Coo

The servants use to carry him out
Upon their back for the folks to shout:
Here he comes and there he goes
The Chinese man with the monkeys nose

(Chorus)

The servants who were grave and grim
Determined to put an end to him
They took him to the top of a hill
And rolled him down like a rolling pin

(Chorus)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,sinky
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 08:32 PM

once in china there lived a great man
he lived with his friend in an old camper van
he loved his kung fu,and cup of typhoo
and his all the year golden sun tan

his back was all covered in hair,
and he hangs his coat over a chair
when he sits in the pub
with his beer and grub
he wishes we all could be there



   BOB DYLAN

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Sep 07 - 12:46 PM

My families version goes like this:

Once there was a Chinaman
he lived in a mansion all alone
his feet were long his legs were short
Chinaman couldn't walk or talk

chickety loochie loochie la
poliver woliver chickety olicer
chickety loochie loochie la
poliver woliver Chinaman

Chinaman he upped and died
laid his coffin by his side
shipped his body to Japan
That was the end of the chinaman

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 04:54 AM

My grandfathers version went like

Once in China there lived a little man
And his name was chicarocka, chicarocka ching ching chang
His arms were long and his legs were short
And this little man could neither walk nor talk.

chicarocka chicarocka boom chickarolla
acka packa kick him in the boka
boom chickarolla bom bay

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,treeboy
Date: 11 Oct 07 - 12:43 AM

Once in china there lived a little man
His name was chingalo ching chong chan
His head was big and his feet were small
And this little man couldn't walk at all

Chingalo chingalo ching chong chan
haydee hoedee happy man
Jubalo rascal county oh
gallapee wallapee chinee-oh

Now mrs cayay was short and fat
She had money but he was flat
So under her window he would go
To play her a tune on his old banjo

Chingalo chingalo ching chong chan
haydee hoedee happy man
Jubalo rascal county oh
gallapee wallapee chinee-oh

Now Mrs. cayay heard notes of love
She raised her washboard high above
And let it fall on poor cingalo chan
That was the end of the china-man

Chingalo chingalo ching chong chan
haydee hoedee happy man
Jubalo rascal county oh
gallapee wallapee chinee-oh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 12 Oct 07 - 08:38 AM

Google Book Search found this in Notes and Queries, ser. 10 v. 2 1904 Jul-Dec, page 507:

CHINESE NOMINY. -- In West Yorkshire, about 1875, the grooms, stable-boys, butchers' lads and others of the kin of Sam Weller, had a "Chinese" nominy of which they made a good deal of mystery, and the learning of which they considered quite an accomplishment. I forget the earlier part, but it ended

Katty had a cow,
Kittywarry, kattywarry, I ching go.

There was a translation which rather gave itself away by using a proper name dissimilar from anything in the original, which translation ran thus :—

Once in China there lived a man,
His name was Ratio Tamo Tyrie Tan
His legs were long, his feet were small,
Chinee feller couldn't walk at all….

Only a "snippet view" is available (at least to me) but I was able to apply my usual tricks to piece together several "snippets" to get the above text. I couldn't go any further.

"Nominy" is a new word to me. Anybody have access to a dictionary definition?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,The version I learned
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 10:06 AM

My mother learned this song in summer camp(50-60's) I'm sure it was modified from what she learnt..I just have never been able to get it out of my head. I was hoping today to find more verses...or even the original song


The chorus started slow and each time you sang it sped up.

Once in China lived a man
his name was Chickarack a chee chi cho
his arms were long, his legs were short
chinaman could walk nor snort.

Chorus
Chickarack chee chi cho chicka loro
hungo bungo, piggy wiggy wago
hoco poko, hit em on the coco
chitta by, chitta by, chee chi cho

China man had a wife
she led him an aweful life
she cut his pigtails off so long (fingers an inch apart)
and sold them for this chinese song.

Chorus (faster than the first time you sang it)

China man he did die
in a coffin he did lay
they sent him back to Old Japan
and that was the end of the China man

Chorus (as fast as you can - almost tripping over your own tongue)


I laughed so had as a kid, my kids laugh too....I think it has to do with the faces you make as you sing the chorus faster and faster.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 12:59 PM

Hey, it's funny because I was looking for the lyrics a year ago and couldn't find a page anywhere that even tried to come up with them. It's so funny how different everyone's versions are. My grandfather's chorus went more like:

Chicka chaloo chaloo chapan
Alaby Alaby chicka chalalapy
Chicka chaloo chaloo chapan
Alaby Alaby China man.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 01:59 PM

chickery chick challa challa
chickaliomee ina bananika
wallikka wallikka
cant you see
chickery chick is me

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Kim
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 10:35 PM

my mother taught me this song as soon as learnt how to spealk;

Once in China, lived a man
his name was Chick a rack a chee chi cho.
His arms were long, his legs were short.
China man could walk nor snort.

Chick a rack a cee chi cho chicka loro, bungo, loro piggy wiggy wago.
Ho co po co, hittem on the coco chit a by chit a by che chi cho.

China man had a wife, she led him an aweful life
cut his pig tales off so long and sold them for this Chinese song.
Chorus

China man he will die, in a coffin he will lie. send him back to the native land and thats the end of the Chinese man.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,sinky
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 12:16 PM

once in china there lived a great man
he ate a sandwich of brown sauce and spam
he ate it too fast,developed bad gas
and shat all over his mam

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 04:10 PM

My Father taught me and my 4 sisters to sing this song...some of them here are close but none spot on.

In Chia Town there lived a man
His name was chikity chikity chan
His feet were long and his toes were short
and this is the way the Chinaman talked

OH!... Chikity che che Ouchie ow
Chicity Romeo eat a banana
Gawalla gawalla Chanta kee
Eat a banana go ouchi ow

This chinaman he had great wealth
and lived in a mansion all by himself
his neighbors next door bought him a boat
and down the river he did float

Chorus:

(in minor key)
This Chinaman was doomed to die
and in his coffin he did lie
they sent his body to Japan
and that was the end of the Chinaman

Chorus:

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Wolfrider06
Date: 15 Nov 07 - 05:14 AM

Once in China there lived an old man,
His name was Chicka Racka Chee Chi Cho Chan
His legs were long and his feet were short
Poor old man couldn't walk or snort

(chorus)
Chicka Racka Chee Chi Cho
Chicka laro
Bungo loro
Piggy wiggy wago
Oko poko
Hit em on the koko
Chitty pie chitty pie
Chee Chi Cho


China man had a wife
Led him such an awful life
Cut his pigtails Oh so long,
Sold them for a chinese song

(Chorus)

China man he did die
In his coffin he did die
Now they'll ship him back to Japan
That'll be the end of the chinese man

(Chorus)

China man went to heaven
His sail box was number seven
He went up on roller skates
Rolled right past those pearly gates

(Chorus)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Ray Pearson
Date: 16 Nov 07 - 12:31 PM

My dad learnt this from his mother - My Dad died 10 years ago.

Once in China there lived a funny man
And his name was Ikeraka Ching Chong Chan
His feet were long and his legs were short
And the Chinese man couldn't walk nor talk.

Chorus

Ikeraka ching chong chow chaka lorum
Condo lorum itty pitty wicka
Itty my itty my itty itty otiko
Itty my itty my chikerang coo

The chinese man he grew so stout
His servants could not carry him about
They took him up to the top of a hill
And Rolled him down like a Beecham's pill

Chorus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,Brian Fellows
Date: 16 Nov 07 - 05:03 PM

I learned this song when I was 10 years old - I am now 71. I wonder how far it goes back? I was living in Birmingham England at the time. How international is its scope? Here are the words I learned.

There was a man from China Town
His name was Chicker-acker-chu-chi-chan,
He wore his whiskers upside down
The Chinaman from China Town.

Chorus
Chicker-acker-chu-chi
Chi-chick-a-lora
Poly-worla,
Poly, wolly, wolly
Oko, boko,
'it 'im on the boko
Itcha-by, itcha-by,
Chewing gum.

His head was big, his feet were small,
The poor little Chinaman couldn't walk at all
They rocked 'im here
They rocked 'im there
They rocked 'im the bamboo chair.

Chorus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,Brian Fellows
Date: 16 Nov 07 - 05:11 PM

Here is my 3 year old grand daughter singing the song on You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSLYYkEH_nM
I wonder if the tune is always the same?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Pat- They way our Mama sang it
Date: 18 Nov 07 - 08:06 AM

In China there lived a little man, his name was Ching-a-ling, ching-a- ling, Ching-a-ling Chan,
His legs were short, his feet were small, this little man couldn't walk at all.
   Ching-a-ling, Ching-a-ling, ching-a-ling chan, ride-o, dieg-o, happy man,
   He rode disco-cordeo, galloping, walloping chine-o
   
   Miss Sky-Hi was short and fat, she had money and he had none,
   Under her window he would go, and play a tune on his little banjo.
    (chorus)
   Miss Sky-Hi heard his notes of love, held her wash-board high above
   Let it fall on Ching-a-ling chan, and that was the last of the China-man.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Guest, Jo
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 05:15 PM

Trying to improve my typing skills at this late stage of my life, and was typing silly things from memory as practice. When I realized I was likely missing a piece of the first verse of this, I googled some key words and found this "thread". yow.

Learned my version on the school bus in the mid-1950s (Cleveland OH, as a first or second grader). The chorus has the "piggy wiggy wacko" line, as in some others above.

My verses are similar but never quite the same as any above. I like that the ending comes full circle.

Here 'tis:

Once there was a Chinaman whose name was Chicka Racka Cuckoo Pan.

And this Chinaman he was stout, his servants used to carry him about.
They carried him up to the top of the hill and rolled him down after he wrote his will.

Chicka racka chee chi cho chicka lora
Bungo lora piggy wiggy wacko
Hoco poco hit him in the coco
chitter by chitter by chee chi cho

And this Chinaman he had a wife who led him such a horrible life.
She cut his pigtail off so long, and sold it for a set of ping pong.

Chicka racka chee chi cho chicka lora,
bungo lora piggy wiggy wacko
hoko poko, hit him in the coco,
chitter by chitter by, chee chi cho.

And this Chinaman he did die, and in his grave he did lie.
The worms crawled in and the worms crawled out, and now this Chinaman ain't so stout.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,lana
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 05:59 PM

I don't know all this ditty sung to me by my grandad from 1964 onwards but it has been so amusing reading these threads I feel the need to respond - my grandad was in the army (WW2)and had a clean version and a 'dirty' version that to my mind went something like this:

There once as a man and a funny little man
His name was Changa Roo Ra Ran
His legs were short and his feet were small
and the poor little fella couldn't walk at all

Chorus: Ey ek e pow wow, ey ek e pow wow, ey ekey ekey man ey echo.

Alternatively: for the 'dirty' version!

There once was a man and a funny little man and his name was Chinga Roo Ra Ran, his legs were short and his feet were small and the poor little bugger didn't have no balls!

same chorus !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 05:12 PM

I'm from Fargo, North Dakota. I used to love this song when I was a little girl. This is the version I know.



THERE WAS A MAN FROM CHINATOWN
HIS NAME WAS CHICKARACKA CHEE CHI CHO
HIS LEGS WERE LONG, HIS FEET WERE SHORT
THE CHINAMAN COULD WALK NOR TALK

CHICKARACKA CHEE CHI CHO CHICKALERO
BONGO LARO PIGGYWIGGY WAGO
HOKO POKO HIT EM ON THE KOKO
CHARAMI CHARAMI CHEE CHI CHO

THE CHINAMAN, HE HAD A WIFE
AND SO THEY LIVED A TERRIBLE LIFE
CUT OFF HIS PIGTAILS, WERE SO LONG
SOLD THEM FOR A CHINESE GONG

CHICKARACKA CHEE CHI CHO CHICKALARO
BONGO LARO PIGGYWIGGY WAGO
HOKO POKO HIT EM ON THE KOKO
CHARAMI CHARAMI CHEE CHI CHO

THE CHINAMAN GOT MAD ONE NIGHT
SO HE LIT SOME DYNAMITE
BLEW UP HIS HOUSE IT WENT SKYHIGH
NOW THE CHINAMAN CAN FLY!

(REPEAT CHORUS)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Tra WAY Cool
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 10:40 PM

When I was about 4, my grandfather taught me this song....this was our version...

In China, there lived a silly old man
His name was Chee Cho Chi Chookaran
His legs were long
His feet were small
that silly old man , he couldn't walk at all...

With a "Chee Cho Chi Cho Chew Chookaran
Inky, pinky pa to my grandpa too
Talk to my China coo".

His servants used to carry him about
and the people, they would shout...
See there he is
See there he goes...
That silly old man with the great big nose

With a "Chee Cho Chi Cho Chew Chookaran
Inky, pinky pa to my grandpa too
Talk to my China coo".

It is a little far off of what all these versions are. I am wondering now, if he made it his own??!! I would love to hear the melody that you are all thinking of.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Mary
Date: 23 Dec 07 - 10:14 AM

This is how I learned it when I was a child, and I'm 57 now! My kids laugh at me when I sing this song to my grandbabies!

Once in China there was a man
His name was Chica Raka Chee Chi Cho
The chinese man, he had a wife
and oh they led a terrible life
she cut off his pigtail it was so long
and sold it for a chinese song

Chica Raka Chee Chi Cho chickalero
Bongo lero piggy wiggy wago
Hoco poko hit him in the coco
cherimiah cherimiah chi chi cho

I can't remember the rest!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,DOWSE
Date: 09 Jan 08 - 02:25 PM

My father's next door neighbour taught him this song in Denton, Manchester, during the 1960s. I have no idea where it originated from but I was taught the song as a young child.

Once in china there lived a great man,
His name was Chicka-racka-chee-chi-cho.
His legs were long and his feet were short,
This China-man couldn't walk or talk.

[Chorus]
With a chicka-racka-chee-chi
co-chicka-lorum
con-chicka-lorum
alla-balla-wah!
oh-co-co-co
itchi-bah-itchi-bah-itchi-bah-itchi-bah
chinese coke.

Took him to the top of a hill and rolled him down like a Beechams pill.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Darren ex-West Bromwich
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 11:05 PM

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.

Once in China there lived a great man
His name was Chikiran Chikiran Chan.
He had three sons and they all were small,
He went to the river and he drowned them all.

They were,
Chikiran Chikiran Chan Chiko Loro
Pongo Loro Merifi Kan,
Katgo Yugo Utchi Kutchi Utchi Boi,
Utchi Boi Utchi Boi Chinese Cow.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Darren ex-West Bromwich
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 11:12 PM

Another strange song Grandad taught us was:
Once a fellow said to me
i know where there is a tree
loaded down with blackbird eggs
i got a ton to do
so just cock your leg upon the wall
when down i fell on a 7inch snail
stuck right in where the monkey keeps his tail
couldnt get a look at it at all
I was there a'watchin'em a'watchin'em
a dog came into the ballium and he made us laugh
I had a ticker about 6 quid
coz i was a'watchin all the time

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,in Regina, Saskatchewan canada
Date: 13 Feb 08 - 06:51 PM

LOL These are so funny!

The song I learned in the 60's in Regina, Saskatchewan Canada was:

"Once there was
a Chinaman
His name was Chickeracki Chee Chi Cho
his arms were long
his legs were short
Chinaman could laugh nor snort

OOOOOOOOH

Chickeracki chee chi cho Chickaloro
Bungo Loro eeni meeni mango
Hoco Poco
hit 'em on the Poco
Cheeta-by Cheeta-by Chee chi cho

that's about all I remember :)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Cath
Date: 18 Feb 08 - 12:30 PM

My mam used to sing this song to us and I have since passed it to my children and now my grandchildren. In fact the two girls (aged 6 & 7) learnt it only last week. My grandparents were from the west of Ireland and I can see the irish influence on the lyrics. I am sure we were only taught two verses.

Once in china there lived a funny man
His name was Shigga-wagga-she-shi-sham
His head was large and his feet were small
The funny little man he couldn't walk at all

Shigga wagga she shi sham shigalorum
On my orum paddy waddy wy
Oko oko diddy pie diddy pie
Diddy pie diddy pie
Shi anko

His servants used to carry him about
On the mountains they would shout
Here he comes
There he goes
The funny little man with the big red nose

Repeat Chorus"

I dont accept that it is a racist song as the peculiarities could be attributed to almost any race. I think it is brilliant that there are so many versions around.

My mam also used to sing the Charlie Chaplin song.

cath

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Denise
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 01:35 AM

Once in china there lived a funny man
His name was
Chickeracker Ching Chine Chan
His arms were long and his legs were short
This funny man could Laugh nor talk....
Chickeracker ching chine o Cockerlaw rum
Boom Tiddy Or Rum
Willy willy Wack.

I was convinced that my grandfather made this up..Lol...
Because I had never heard it from any one before......
Funny how there are many different versons.....
I wonder if it has every been in print or just passed on verbally...
It has been the first poem taught to our family children through the generations...
If anyone knows who wrote it or if it is in print I would love to know?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,denise
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 01:57 AM

How funny....I thought my grand father had made this up too. I had never heard anyone else say it.
Our verson is different again..
Once in china there lived a funny man
His name was Chickeracker Ching Chine Chan
His arms were long and his legs were short
this funny man could laugh nor talk
chicderacker ching chine o cocker law rum
Boom tiddy or rum
willy willy wack

I think that my grandfather changed the Walk and Talk part because is brother had lost a leg in a Prisoner of War Camp...

My grandfather was from Kent England...
All our family and cousin were taught this as soon as they could talk.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,guestokc
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 11:00 AM

Hiliarious...My family might have changed it from Chingery to Chinglaling, but this is how i learned it.......

In Chinatown there lived a little man,
his name was Chingaling...Chingaling Chan
His legs were short and his feet were small,
this little man couldn't walk at all.

CHORUS
Chingaling Chan chingaling chan
Hi-Oh-Di-Oh Raggedy Man
Cordy Disco Cordy Oh
Gallopin' Wallopin' China Oh

Mrs. Way High up Above
She had money he had love
To her window he would go
to play her a song on his little banjo

CHORUS

Mrs. Way High up Above
Held her wash board high above,
Let it drop on Chingaling Chan
That was the end of the Chinaman.

CHORUS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,norman perrin
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 08:08 AM

lovely gen,but I don't see any references to the popular nonsense song heard so often on the wireless(sic!) in the late '40s not long after that other "classic" Mairzy Doats and Dozy Doats etc.Q's entry on 07 jun 07 has the chorus right,but there was more and no refs to a chinaman dead or alive.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Steve Gardham
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 06:44 PM

Hi,
This thread has been running for 3 years now and nobody has bothered to post the original. What a wonderful collection of variants though!

I'd be interested to know if they all go to the same tune. My parents sang their version to the ubiquitous first strain of 'In and out the windows'/'So early in the morning'/'Blue-tail fly' etc.
I'd say it dates at least from 1840 if not earlier as the earliest printer on broadside I have record of is John Pitts of 7 Dials London and he was in business before 1800. The usual title is 'Chinaman with a/the/his Monkey Nose'

This is the version printed by Bebbington of Manchester c1850

In China once there dwelt a great man
His name was Chick-a-chack-tan-ran-tan,
His legs were long and his feet so small
this Chinaman couldn't walk at all,
His servants used to carry him out,
Upon their backs, and the folks would shout,
O, lookee here comes!'--oh, dere he goes!
'The Chinaman with a Monkey Nose.

    So Chickara-Choo-Chi-Cho-Chut-La
    Chokolo roonee, ning o ping nang,
    Padoger was dusta canta kee,
    Gunnee po hutto pi China coo!

There are 4 more double verses
Looking at line 7 above I would guess it originated as an early solo minstrel-type song. It predates the Virginia Minstrels but there were plenty of solo blackface performers in Britain even back as far as the 18thc.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 07:13 PM

I learned it as follows:

Once in China there lived a tall man
His name was Chickarecka Chee Chy Cho
The Chinese man could not walk nor talk
His servants had to carry him about.

Refrain: Chickarecka Chee Chy Cho Chickaloro
Bon-go lor-o piggy-wiggy wag-oh
Ho cho cho cho hit him on the ko-ko
Chit-a-by, chit-a-by, Chee Chi (pronounced Chai) Cho

The Chinese man he grew so stout
His servants had to car-ry him about.
They took him up to the top of the hill,
And rolled him down like a rolling pin.

REFRAIN (repeat)

Subject: Lyr Add: THE CHINA MAN WITH HIS MONKEY NOSE
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 08:13 AM

"Nobody has bothered to post the original"! Please, Mr. Gardham, you do us an injustice! You imply that we knew where to find the original, or that the original would have been easily found! I assure you, there is no lack of diligent searchers at Mudcat, but once in a while, we search and we fail to find.

I see now that The Bodleian Library collection of ballads has 7 versions of songs beginning "In China once there dwelt a great man" but none of them was printed by Bebbington of Manchester. Where did you find yours?

Here's the Pitts version, catalogued as Harding B 11(1415):

THE CHINA MAN WITH HIS MONKEY NOSE.

In China once there dwelt a great man.
His name was Chick-chack-tan-a-ran-tan.
His legs were long and his feet so small,
This China man couldn't walk at all.
His servants used to carry him out,
Upon their backs, and the folks would shout,
'O, lookee here comes'--'Oh, dere he goes!
The China man with his Monkey Nose.

    So Chickara-Choo-Chi-Cho-Chut-la
    Chockolo roonee, ning o ping nang,
    Padoger wa dusta canta kee,
    Gunnee po hottee pi China coo.'

This China man had plenty of pelf.
He liv'd in a mansion by himself,
And next door was his servant's abode.
Now was not that a singular mode?
Two men he hired to carry him out,
But they turn'd out to be robbers stout.
He paid them well, and gave them clothes,
The China man with his Monkey Nose.
                          So Chickara, &c.

One day this China man fell in love,
And fancied, he said, miss Telto Dove;
So one of his servants carried him quick.
The other bent forward with a stick.
On a two legg'd horse, he look'd such a gill.
They took him some miles and stopt on a hill,
Then into a ditch the robber throws
The China man with his Monkey Nose.
                          So Chickara, &c.

Some China ladies then from the town
Ran up the hill and roll'd him down
From top to bottom. They then began
To tickle and play with the China man.
From him they most took all his breath,
For they nearly kissed this man to death.
At any rate, they all stopp'd his woes,
The China man with his Monkey Nose.
                          So Chickara, &c.

These Chinese ladies, so fine and gay,
Resolv'd to carry him home next day;
So safe at his house they reach'd once more
With all the ladies, and lock'd the door.
The robbers plunder'd his house entire,
Then set the ladies and him on fire.
All in the house had a fire repose,
The China man and his Monkey Nose.
                          So Chickara, &c.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 04:41 PM

IN CHINA ONCE THERE LIVED A MAN
HIS NAME WAS CRACKER RACKA ROO SHI SHAN
HIS LEGS WERE LONG HIS FEET WERE SHORT
THE POOR OLD MAN COULD HARDLE WALK

THEY ROLLED HIM HERE, THEY ROLLED HIM THERE
THEY SAT HIM IN A BAMBOO CHAIR
HO HO HO CHITTA BYE LAY ING CHEE AND CO

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Steve Gardham
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 06:58 PM

Sorry, Jim.
Didn't mean to be rude or clever.
The Bebbington/Pearson version is In Manchester Central Library.
I didn't bother noting down the Bodl versions cos I already had lots of versions. I have records of the following printers printing it in addition to Bebbington/Pearson no386 which is also in the Baring Gould BL collection.
Sanderson, Edinburgh
Poet's Box, Glasgow.
Hodges/Ryle/Such, London probably all derived from your Pitts version
Booth, Hyde

The Roud Index probably gives more.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 09:02 PM

Well, I did mean to be clever, but not rude. Welcome to Mudcat. I am impressed by your interest in broadsides. Please stick around and look at other threads. From time to time, we do find that lots of "folk" songs can be traced to broadsides, or old popular music, music-hall, and so on. It could be helpful to have someone around who is interested in tracking them down.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,Emily
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 02:32 PM

My grandfather used to sing this song to me and my brother. The stanza we remember is:

In china lived a china man
his name was ring a ling chan chan chan
he worked his fingers to the bone
wasn't he a curious soul
oooooo
Chingaling Chango Rango Ray
Fiddle-dee-dee and a happy day!
cure my fist with a calapee pole
calapee wallopee chinie ohhh...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,steve
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 08:56 PM

Im not the greatest on spelling but i sang this at school and remember it all, this is the version i was taught.

once long ago there lived a funny man
his name was ikerrocker ickerocker ran
his legs were long and his feet were small
and he coudlnt walk at all,

inee meinee ming mong ping pong chow
easye vease valkazise easy veasy vow
emnie meinee makara lacker rar re chickerlacker dominacker lolipoper on bomp bush

i know the rest if you want email me

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,From my grandmother
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 07:07 PM

I learned a version of this from my grandmother when I was little:

In Chinatown there lived a man
His name was Ring a ting a tang
His body was short, his leg were slim
Ollie ga wallie ga Chinaman

Chickara coo cha coo cha ra
Chack a roni made a pee olla pee
Olla pee dusk a China chew
Ollie ga wallie ga Chinaman

The Chinaman he lived in wealth
He lived in a mansion alll by himself
He sent his servant to Japan
To buy some tea for the china Man

Chickara coo cha coo cha ra
Chack a roni made a pee olla pee
Olla pee dusk a China chew
Ollie ga wallie ga Chinaman

The Chinaman well he did die
And in his coffin he did lie
The sent his body to Japan
And that was the end of the Chinaman

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Susan from NJ
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 07:16 PM

My mom is 88 and I'm 62. I remember her singing it to me when I was a child. To the best of my recollection it went:

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 Chinaman spoke.

Oh. . .
Chickalee chall-I chall-o
Chickalo romeo in a bananago
Alago walago chanticlee
In a bananago out you go

Oh. . .
This poor 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

Oh. . .
Chorus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Leadfingers
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 07:45 AM

100

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Leadfingers
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 07:46 AM

Not bad - Nine and a half years to clock the hundred !!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 11:22 AM

I offer a lyric for 2008.

Once in China there lived a great man.
They called him Chairman Mao.
He learned so much on the world wide web.
He doesn`t live there now
Ch:- Choo, Chin, Choo Chin Chow
    Where the hell is Chairman Mao.?

No one else was allowed to surf
Just Mao and a couple of mates
They saw the big cars and Disneyland
And decided to go to the States
Ch:

He got to love the burgers and chips
They sold in Tiannanmen Square
He got brassed off with rice every day
It was more than he could bear.
Ch:

He saw there was dollars in real estate
Made a killing in Shanghai
Packed his bags, stuffed full of loot
Then flew to the U.S.of A.
Ch.

He hasn`t been seen for a couple of years
But Ive heard and it`s not just talk.
He bought the whole McDonalds chain
Now lives "high on the hog" in New York.
Ch:

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,nitin in pensacola florida
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 04:47 PM

my father used to recite this song to me... when i was a kid. now i'm in my mid twenties, and wish i had this written down.

my fahter learned it in a catholic school growing up in indonesia

-----------

Once in China there was an old man
His name was Chickeracka Chee Chi Cho
His legs were short, his feet were small
And this China man couldnt walk at all

Chickeracka Chee Chi Cho
Limmer On A Bon
Pomma Diddy Ora
Paddy Waddy Wack
Oake Po, Oake Po
Here we go, here we go
chee chi cho!

This China man had plenty of wealth
He lived in a mansion all to himself
His feet were large and his head was small
This China man had no brains at all

Chickeracka Chee Chi Cho
Limmer On A Bon
Pomma Diddy Ora
Paddy Waddy Wack
Oake Po, Oake Po
Here we go, here we go
chee chi cho!

His servants used to carry him about
On their backs and the boys would shout,
"Here he comes, there he goes,
China man with a very long nose."

Chickeracka Chee Chi Cho
Limmer On A Bon
Pomma Diddy Ora
Paddy Waddy Wack
Oake Po, Oake Po
Here we go, here we go
chee chi cho!

Once a servant took him out
Treated him to a glass of stout
When they got to the top of the hill
The Chinese man felt very ill

Chickeracka Chee Chi Cho
Limmer On A Bon
Pomma Diddy Ora
Paddy Waddy Wack
Oake Po, Oake Po
Here we go, here we go, chee chi cho!

He got married or so they say
To his wife on his wedding day
On that day she bought him a boat
And in it she set the China man afloat

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Julie
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 11:50 AM

This is the one I remember when I was young.

There was a little old china man
His name was Chicka Chalooch Chapan
His teeth were short and his nails were long
and this is the way he went along

Chicha Chalooch Chalooch Chapan
Allapy Allapy Chicka Chalolopy
Chicka Chalooch Chalooch Chapan
Allapy Allapy China man

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,lyricman
Date: 02 May 08 - 03:29 PM

In China once there lived a great man
his name was Chic-a-roca-re-cha-chan,
His body was long and his feet were small,
the Chinaman could not walk at all,

Chorus:
Chic-a-roca-re-cha, chic-chic-a-lora,
gonga-lora, bang wang wang,
hoco doco hit 'em on the coco,
diddy boy, diddy boy chico,

His servants used to carry him about,
on their backs and the men would shout,
"Here he comes, and there he goes,
the Chinaman with the turned up toes"

Chorus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,EWI
Date: 04 May 08 - 08:57 AM

My grandmother, born in 1899 used to sing this to me.

In China there lived a little man.
His name was Chingaly Ching Ching Chan.
His head was big and his feet were small,
So this little man couldn't walk at all.

Singing...Chingally Chingally Ching Ching Chan
Deego, Deego happy man.
Curo, presto, canty-lo.
Gallupin' Wallupin' Chinee-o

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Emily
Date: 04 May 08 - 08:29 PM

Does anyone know where I could HEAR the music to this little song....my grandma used to sing this to my dad, and after googling it, we found these threads!! My dad remembers the chorus, but we would love to hear how the whole song is sung!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Nikki C from South Coast England
Date: 06 May 08 - 11:32 AM

Didn't realise you could put your name on! If anyone has a book with the rhyme in could you let me know what it is called please? I'd love for my neice to own it!

Thanks :-D

Nikki

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,AC
Date: 18 May 08 - 03:51 AM

My family version went:-
In China once there lived a great man
His name was Chiracker Che Chi Chan
He was so big, he was so stout,
The servant girls had to carry him about
Singing Chiracker Che Chi, Chanelackererlorum
Congo Lorum Eckipecki Wan
Ocopoco Ititittytottyto
Ittypi,ittypi see em coo!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Ron
Date: 18 May 08 - 11:47 AM

My mom taught me this one:

In chinatown there lived a man his name was chick-a-la chick-a-la chan,

His toes were short and his feet were long,

And this is the way his epitaph ran:

"Oh, Chick-a-lee Cha-lie Cha-lo, Chick-a-la Romeo in a Banana-go

Wallago wallago can't cha see?

In a banana-go out, chow!"

I hope you like the version...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST
Date: 22 May 08 - 08:15 AM

Here's the Irish Catholic Massachusetts version:
There once in China lived a man
A little bit of a China man
He was a funny little man
This little bit of a China man

mee-allah-mee-oush, mee-allah-mee-oush
little bit of a china man

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST
Date: 22 May 08 - 09:38 AM

Odd how many different versions of this song are out there...

The version my grandmother (Southeastern US) taught me:

Once there was a Chinaman
And his name was Chingery Chan
His hair was long and his toes were short
The poor old man couldn't hardly walk.

CHORUS:
Chickety Luch-eye Luch-eye Lye
Alacabamaco Chickety Alaco
Chickety Luch-eye Luch-eye Lye
Alacabamaco Chinaman!

When that Chinaman did die,
In his coffin he did lie,
In his coffin of Japan,
That was the end of the Chinaman!

(REPEAT CHORUS)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,Ethan
Date: 26 May 08 - 09:12 PM

Our version, that my family has sang goes like this:
Once in china there lived a man
Named cherimiah cherimiah chee chi cho
This man he had a wife
And oh they lived a terrible life

He cut off her pigtail which was so long
And sold it for a chinese song:

Cherimiah, Cherimiah Chee Chi Cho
Chikalero Bungalero
Ho-ko Po-ko
Hit him on the koko
Cherimiah Cherimiah Chee Chi Cho

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Cush
Date: 28 May 08 - 04:19 PM

There was a wee man from China town
His name was Mr Chickalaka Brown

Chickalacka Chickalaka chine Chickalorum
CHine chickalorum mwala mwala mo
Moko Moko
Sat apon a soko

Itchy go Itchy go ee I o

He sailed far away across the sea
His ship was wrecked and so was he!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Stacey Charlesworth
Date: 31 May 08 - 03:50 PM

Anyone know this version?

Can't quite get my head around all this!!! Was Googling the lyrics, attempting to impress my mother with the wonders of the internet - it worked big time...thoght I think she thinks there is still a correct version, hers!

She's 82,from Cheshire, England and was taught it by her mother, passed it on to me, and my sister, who has taught it to her granddaughter, 2 and a half.


Once there was a great big man
His name was Chickaracca Chee Chi Chum
His legs were long and his feet were small
This Chinaman couldn't walk at all

Chicka Racka Chee Chi I Conka Lorum
Conka Lorum Packa Wacka Whack
His servants used to carry him about
Upon their backs
The men did shout
Chicka Racka Chee Chi I Conka Lorum
Conka Lorum Packa Wacka Whack

They took him to the top of a hill
And rolled him down like a rolling pin

Chicka Racka Chee Chi I Conka Lorum
Conka Lorum Packa Wacka Whack


Oko Poko Itty Pitty Cotty Pie
Itty Pie Cotty Pie Co in Choo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Guest Leila
Date: 02 Jun 08 - 03:41 PM

Here's the version I learned at summer camp in southern Saskatchewan in the 1960s.

China man had a wife
She led him a terrible life
Cut his pig-tails off so long
Sold them for a Chinese song

Chorus
Oh chick-a-ratta-chee-chi-cho-chick-a-rollo
Bungo-rollo-peenie-weenie-wango
Oh-co-po-co-hit him on the co-co
Chit-a-back-a-chit-a-back-a chee-chi-cho

China man very stout
Servants carried him all about
Took him to the top of a hill
Rolled him down like an aspirin pill

Chorus

China man he will die
In his coffin he will lie
Carry him back to old Japan
That's the end of the China man

Chorus

(And the reason that he had to be buried in Japan instead of China is because he no longer had long pig-tails.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Mad
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 04:05 PM

The version I learned from my grandmother goes like this:

Once there was a Chineseman
His name was Chikka Rakka Chi Chai Cho
His feet were long and his arms were short
This Chinese man couldn't walk nor talk

Chikka Rakka Chi Chai Cho chikalera
Bungalera piggy wiggy waggle
Ogo pogo anna banna coco
Cheraby cheraby chi chai cho

This Chinese man, he had a wife
And oh, they lived a terrible life
She cut off his pigtail, it was too long
And sold it for a Chinese song

Chikka Rakka Chi Chai Cho chikalera
Bungalera piggy wiggy waggle
Ogo pogo ana bana coco
Cheraby cheraby chi chai cho

It was always accompanied by a lot of clapping. I always thought she had made it up, so I'm happy to know that there are other people out there with their own versions of it. Makes me feel less crazy somehow :)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Helen, Lancashire, UK
Date: 09 Jun 08 - 05:36 PM

There was a family version sung by all the womenfolk on my maternal grandmothers side to their children, I have memories of my gran and several of her many sisters singing at family gatherings.

The only verse of our version that I remember clearly went:

The Chinaman was very,very fat
and his servants they were very,very thin
They took him up to the top of the hill
and they rolled him down like a rolling pin!

Chicka Racka Chee Chi
Chan Chackalorum
Condolorum ecky pecky weck
Oko Coko, oochy, coochy, oochy boy
Itchi pie, Itchi Pie
Shee in coo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Guest-Charley T
Date: 09 Jun 08 - 05:37 PM

My mother, who passed away not long ago at the age of 99, told me she learned this version from a sailor who visited her family when she was a wee girl in Scotland-that would have been sometime around 1913 or 1914:
In China once there lived a great man,
his name was Chicarac a Chee Chow Chan.
Now his legs were long and his feet were small, and
the Chinaman couldn't walk at all, with his
Chicaracka chee chow chan, condolorum,
mondolorum,many pea cat.
You go, I go, etty, cotty, kitty ko,
atcha pie, china pie, chinee co.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,Chili
Date: 16 Jun 08 - 06:35 AM

This us the version i learnt

Once in China there lived a great man
His name was chikeraka choo chi chan
His legs were long and his feet were small
And this little china man he couldtn walk at all

Ohhhhhhhhhh

Chikaraka choo chi chan cho chokalora cokalora lelipy man
Taki tooki etcha catcha citcha co
Etcha pie etcha pie lelipy man

They walked him up to the top of the hill and
They rolled him down like a rolling pin

(repeat chorus)

He lived until he he died
As most people do
And now you've got the history of Chikeraka choo

(Repeat weird chorus once more)

Good old fun ryhme....hell to say when you're a tot though

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

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 [e-mail]

Thanks,
Richard

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 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,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,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,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 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,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,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,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,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,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,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,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,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: 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
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: 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,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,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,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,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: 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,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
[e-mail]

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,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,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,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 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,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 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:

Chikaraka che chi cho chikoloro
bongo loro pikiwikiwako
hoco poko hit him on the coco
cherryby, cherryby
che chi cho!

-It's great to hear of other people who know the song, or at least a few different versions of it!

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,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 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,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: 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,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,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 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,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 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,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
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,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,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,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,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,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,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: Song Req: 'There was China Man...'
From: GUEST,AmericanRice
Date: 27 Jun 09 - 12:33 AM

I've heard of one that goes

"In china once there dwelt a man,
his name was Ricotangtangotangtan
His legs were long and his feet were small
the poor china man couldn't walk at all!
His servants used to carry him out,
upon their backs and all would shout,
'Oh here he comes, and there he goes!
the china man with the monkey nose!'

Rie chikarai chu chala chalae
chacala ronie ningaping nei
Pick of the dust a canaky
canopy uniky china coo.

This china man went out one day,
not intending for to stay.
One of his servants carried him quick,
the other bent forward with his stick.
On a two legged horse oh he looked such a kill!
They carried him up to the top of the hill.
And into the ditch,
these robbers throwed,
the china man with the monkey nose!

Rae chikarae chu chala chalae
chacala ronie ningaping nei
Pick of the dust a canaky
canopy uniky china coo.

Two chinese ladies from the town,
walked up the hill and rolled the man down.
From top to bottom they then began,
to tickle and play with the poor china man.
They almost robbed him of his breath!
They almost tickled the poor man to death!
But at any rate, it eased the woes,
of the china man with the monkey nose.

Rae chikarae chu chala chalae
chacala ronie ningaping nei
Pick of the dust a canaky
canopy uniky china coo."

My mama used to sing this to me when I couldn't sleep.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Hannah
Date: 04 Jul 09 - 08:44 PM

I think i must've learnt this at my primary school; it's the song my dad used to teach me hand-clapping games
version i learnt is--

In Chinatown there lives an old man
His name is Icka Racka Choo Chi Chan
His brain was big but his head was small
Poor little fella couldn't talk at all

Chorus is:
Icka racka choo chi chan chicker nora
conti nora illi willi wim
oko oko hit him on the boko
itta bo itta bo, im pim pim

His servants used to carry him about
On their backs, then he gave a shout
So when they got to the top of a hill
They rolled him down with abundant will

Chorus again

He never married, so they say
Had no wife or a wedding day
He was born on the day of his birth
But he'll die on the very last day of earth

Last chorus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Old Girl
Date: 05 Jul 09 - 03:58 PM

I learned:

In China town there lived a funny man
His name was Chickaracka Choo Chai Chan
His legs were long and his feet were short
The poor old man could hardly walk

Chickaracka Choo Chai Chan chickanora
Kondynora iddy widdy wim
Oto oto hit him on the boto
Iddy pie, iddy pie, im pim pim!

(Don't ask me what it means .....)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 10:40 PM

Learnt this about 10 years ago. (Northern Ireland)

There was a wee man from Chinatown
His name was Mr. Chickalaka Brown
His head was big and his feet were small
Poor wee man he couldn't walk at all

Chorus:
Chickalaka, Chickalaka Chai Chickalorum
Chai Chickalorum Walla Walla Wack
Oko Moko Cinnamin a Stoko
Ichigo Ichigo E I O

They took him to the top of the hill
And rolled him down on a Beecham's Pill
The Beecham's Pill was far too small
They rolled him down on a tennis ball

Chorus.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,Grandaughter of Marjorie Stillians
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 04:05 AM

I was just looking up the lyrics for this because I was recording my grandmother singing all her songs she sings. This is so funny. I love seeing this history and how we're all connected. We couldn't remember the middle verse but here is our take on it.

There was a poor old Chinaman
His name was Chinkachaloochipan
His teeth were short and his nails were long
and this is the way he walked along

(to be said very fast)
Chinka cha loo cha loo chi pan Ollipy Ollipy Chinka Chilollipy
Chinka cha loo cha loo chi pan Ollipy Ollipy Chinaman

[Missing verse]

Alas this poor Old Man he died
And in his coffin he did lie
They sent him away to far Japan
And this is the way the coffin ran

(to be said very fast again but with the last Chinaman said very slow)
Chinka cha loo cha loo chi pan Ollipy Ollipy Chinka Chilollipy
Chinka cha loo cha loo chi pan Ollipy Ollipy Chinaman

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Kelly
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 11:25 PM

My take on the song which i learnt from my grandfather

There was a man, a very funny man
his name was chiker raker chi chai chang
his head was big his feet were small
A chinese man who couldnt walk at all

Chicker raker chi chai
chik chik a lorum condi lorum
wee wagga wim
hut to hut to hit on the boko
hitty my hitty my i tie tie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,Guest, Jeff
Date: 06 Aug 09 - 03:55 AM

Thanks All,
I remembered two verses from my mother (Living in U.S. with English parents) she would sing this ditty to amuse us kids in the 50's and 60's.
Chorus
Chic a rack a che chi cho chack a lorum conda lorum nida pee nun, catco guco estacata kitico idipi didipi chinee coo

Once upon a time there lived a great man whose name was Chic a rack a che chi pan his legs were long but his feet were small that China man could not walk at all.
Chorus
He had three men big and stout who used to carry him all about they carried him up to the top of the hill and rolled him down like a rolling pin.
Chorus

The monkey nose verse I have read in others versions was the one missing from my memory, will have to add it in in my future renditions!
OK!
Thanks again

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Guest, Mb
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 10:05 PM

Wow, it is amazing to find this thread! We have a version that has -een passed down from my father and his brother (born 1920-22) and we have known it as our family song! It is slightly different from all the other versions, and its lack of political correctness is now obvious. But to us as kids it is just this unique, fun little ditty that our family sings when we get together. And we are not a singing family!

There lived in China a very queer man
His name was Chicka-ricka-ricka-ran

Cheero cheero chucka-rucka-rah
Hucka-rucka-pine ah bulla wulla wah

Here he comes and there he goes
The Chinese man with the monkey nose

Ba bulla cushata kudanta-tay
Walla walla wah jingo-ay

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 12:03 AM

I have to say I cringe every time this thread is refreshed. On the other hand, I remember a time when people thought that "Chinamen" were "cute," as were songs about them. The American prejudice against Asians did not seem to be as intense as the hatred of blacks, but it lasted a lot longer.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 11:28 AM

This Is Another Version

There Lived In China A Funny Little Man
By The Name Of Ichi coopi Can
His Feet Were Large, His Head Was Small
Funny Little Chinaman Couldn't Walk At All
Servants Used To Carry Him Around
Upon There Heads And They Did Shout
Here He Cuns And Here He Goes Funny Little Chinaman
With A Handsom Nose

This Version Has Been Passed Down Generations Of My Family
From My Great Grandad

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,JohnM
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 04:34 PM

Fascinating to read all these versions. My father recited it to me and now I am too - to the delight of my grandchildren. Our version is slightly different and does scan better than many of the above. Interesting how we had the nose rather differently and cotton reel rather than Beechams Pill. My father was in amateur theatre in the 1930's and also in India and Burma in WW2.

Once in China there lived a great man
His name was Chick a racka ching chong chan
His nose was long and his feet were small
And the poor little Chinaman he couldn't walk at all.

Hey........Chack a racka ching chong
Cha chicka lora kondolora mick picky whack! (the kids love an extended "Hey" before the chorus is sung fast and then very fast.)

His servants used to take him out
they used to think him rather stout
They took him up to the top of a hill
And rolled him down on a cotton reel.

Chorus (fast)

I shall definately add some of the other verses about his wife and death

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: Azizi
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 07:50 PM

For those who may be interested, here is an excerpt from a comment from another Mudcat thread about these types of songs:

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ching Chong Chinaman Song
From: GUEST,A proud Asian American - PM
Date: 07 Apr 09 - 08:01 PM

Why would anyone want to continue a tradition such as this, a tradition that degrades an entire race of people? For what point and purpose? How would you feel if your people were subjected to such vile degradation, disrespect and hatred?

You really should think things through before you decide to pursue a topic.

And anyone who has ever uttered such filthy words for fun and amusement needs to do some serious soul-searching...

-snip-

I realize that singing this song is a family tradition for some people. I also realize that a number of people are nostalgic about this songs because it reminds them of their childhood and of their parents and grandparents who may be gone.

I believe that there is some merit in documenting the variants and engaging in other folkloric study of these songs. However, I'm concerned about passing on to another generation this song and other songs like it because it ridicules a race or a nationality of people.

These comments may not make any difference to those who think these songs are just fun. But I hope people think about these points before they teach these songs to their children and to other children.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,Chris Brierley
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 02:22 PM

My dear Gran used to sing a version of this song too!Trying to get my brother to recall her version of the "lyrics".

It certainly made me smile to see others have heard of it and those old memories live on.

God bless you Gran. We miss you so much.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST,Chris Brierley
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 02:40 PM

A few thoughts for Azizi

This is a song about an anonymous person. It was probably fiction at the time. I think you are an idiot berating people for recalling their memories on this forum.

The song does not "degrade an entire race of people" however I could make a few comments about those funny yellow rice munchers if you like?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Barbara
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 03:25 PM

I just taught this to my 3 year old grandaughter and we sing it like this:

Once in China there lived a great man His name was Chickarapa Chiko Pan He had long hair and his feet were small And this little man he couldn't walk at all.

Chickarapa Chiko contickalero nanapeenan Cat da, Ooh da, es ay diddypaw diddypaw Chinese Coo Hoo Hoo.

It works for us and she loves it. (some words can only be spelled phonetically)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Lisa
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 12:08 AM

I'm trying to find what these Chinese lyrics mean. My grandma used to sing them to me when I was little but she also said she didn't know what they mean. I hope they aren't offensive! Anyone know?

Hi lo many many cow cow
Umpa pa un chi wa wa
Idi adi o
Ooh hoo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 12:12 AM

No doubt, they mean nothing, Lisa. I guess many of us were brought up with made-up interpretations of what Chinese speech sounds like. In general, I think people thought it was cute. I wonder what Chinese people thought of it.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Nagesh from AVN Vadiyampet (Somu's batch)
Date: 02 Oct 09 - 04:53 AM

I think in my schoolhood i used to sing it like this:

One in China there lived a great man
his name was chica raka chee chai chou

hig legs were short and feet were small
this china man couldn't walk at all

chica raka chee chai chokkalorum chandalorum mani pakkako
okko takko iti kati kati ko iti pai iti pai chee chai cho

Not sure if this is correct and if so what it means :-). Have fun.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Phil
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 05:56 AM

Once in China there lived a great man,
His name was Chakarakamee-Aye-Kan,
His legs were long and his feet were small, Chinese man couldn't walk at all,
His servants used to carry him about, on their backs and the men would shout,
Here he comes and here he goes, Chinese man with a teapot nose.

Chakarakamee-Aye Oh pitchee okee,
Bunyerokee mee aye kan,
oko oko itchipie itchipie,
Chi-nese man.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Brandy
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 12:37 PM

I have to say that it is amazing that so many people had so many differnet versions of this song. I do realize that it is not the most politically correct song but my mother who passed away a few years ago sang this to me when I was a kid and all I remember is how much fun the song was to hear.

I had a son two months ago and was looking for fun songs to sing that would make him laugh and the first thought was of this song.

For all of you who are offended and think that it will pass on an unfair bias to children please remember that bias and prejudice are a learned behavior and a childs song does not make a child prejudice against chinease people.

The funniest part is I thought it was about an american indian when I first started looking for it, so that just goes to show that it really does not stick in a negative way.

For all of you who put in your versions for those of us who are looking I say Thank you for helping me to recapture a part of my mom that I no longer have at my fingertips :O)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,becky
Date: 10 Nov 09 - 08:15 PM

My Grandpa taught me the following...

There was a little man from china
His name was titter-n-tan-tan-tan
His legs were long and his feet were small
Little chinaman couldn't walk at'tall at'tall

So fancy I, to carry him out
Upon my back, the boys did shout
"There he is, yonder he goes"
"Little chinaman with the monkey monkey nose"

Ah-choo, choo, chick-alla
Chick-alla, I know, hinky-pinky nail
Chine-oh man with the fantor key
Akabah, chakabah, chine-oh coo-coo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Nov 09 - 03:50 AM

His head was big but his feet were small
This little man couldn't walk at all

Chika Raka ching chong
Chi raka roni
Alla balla fat man
Oh cony cony
Itty bitty caterpiller
Ika ba, ika ba

Here he come and there he goes
A funny old man with squashed up toes

Chika Raka ching chong
Chi raka roni
Alla balla fat man
Oh cony cony
Itty bitty caterpiller
Ika ba,ika ba

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Nov 09 - 03:33 AM

My dad has sung this song for as long as we can remember! At every family occasion it would get sung and all his grandchildren now sing it too! He died this morning and I cannot think of a btter tribute than writing down his version...so here it is!

Once in China, there lived an old man
His name was Chickaracka chee chi chan
His legs were long and his arms were short
This Chinese man couldn't walka nor talk

Chickaracka che chi cho chockalorum
Akondalorum acka packa wacka
oto oto iti my iti my
Iti my iti my chickarang coo

This chinese man he grew so stout
His servants had to carry him about
They took him up a very high hill
And rolled him down like a beechams pill

Chickaracka cho chi cho chockalorum
Akondalorum acka packa wacka
oto oto iti my iti my
iti my iti my chickarang coo......

All sung in a very "chinese" accent....quality!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Dave In Rhode Island
Date: 29 Nov 09 - 08:20 AM

I learned this song as a kid during the summers at camp in the 1970's. Here in the Connecticut/Rhode Island area it went like this;

Once there was a Chinaman
His name was Chika Cha Loo Chapan
His hair was short and his teeth were long
And this is the way he walked along

CHORUS

Chika Cha Loo Cha Loo Chapan
Chalopy olipy chika chalolipy
Chika Cha Loo Cha Loo Chapan
Chalopy olipy Chinaman

At last the old man he did die
And in his coffin he reside
They shipped him back to old Japan
And that was the end of the Chinaman

Chika Cha Loo Cha Loo Chapan
Chalopy olipy chika chalolipy
Chika Cha Loo Cha Loo Chapan
Chalopy olipy Chinaman

.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Lys
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 11:35 PM

This is the version I grew up with:

There lived in China a very old man
Whose name was Icka Bocka Ching Chong Chang
His head was big but his feet were small
Funny old fella couldn't walk at all
Ickabocka ching chong chijackaroney
Yellow belly fat man oke king koney
Itchy witchy cattarpillar
Ickaba ickaba oke oke oke
Here he comes and there he goes
Funny old fella he squashed his nose
Ickabocka ching chong chijackaroney
Yellow belly fat man oke king koney
Itchy witchy cattarpillar
Ickaba ickaba oke oke oke

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,john from cramlington
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 03:30 PM

once in china there lived a great man
his name was cheeraka chee chi chan
his legs were long and his feet were small
the poor china man could`nt walk at all
cheeraka chee chi chor chuck alorum
candi norum
itapy nap
cat go u go
itty catty kitty go
itapy itapy chiney go

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Gemma
Date: 06 Feb 10 - 01:37 PM

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

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Feb 10 - 03:16 AM

Was taught to us in primary school in the 70's in Australia

There lived in china a very old man
his name was chikaraka ching chong man
His head was big but his feet was small
this little man could walk at all

chikaraka ching chong chi chikarony
ala' man' a fat man o ko kony
iki wikki ikki bye iki bye iki bye oh kokony

Here he comes and there he goes
a funny little fat man with a squashed up nose

chikaraka ching chong chi chikarony
ala' man' a fat man o ko kony
iki wikki ikki bye iki bye iki bye oh kokony

Subject: RE: In China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST,Juny
Date: 13 Mar 10 - 01:38 AM

Hi Everyone,

My grandmother who was born in 1909 sang this to me when I was little... She grew up in Arkansas. I always enjoyed singing it with her, even though some of it doesn't make much sense, it's so cute and fun to sing! I will pass it down to my children one day as well! =)
This is the version she sang to me:

"In China, there was a little man
His name was Shing-a-ling, Shing-a-ling Shan.

His legs were short and his feet were small
And this little man couldn't walk at all.

Shing-a-ling, Shing-a-ling, Shing-a-ling Shan
Rycko Decko Happy Man
Alico Disco Corneo
Gallopin and a wallopin in the county-o

This little man went to the window to play his little banjo
He let it fall on Shing-a-ling Shan
And that was the end of the China Man...."

=)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great ma
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Mar 10 - 12:56 PM

GOODNESS KNOWS WHY THIS CAME TO ME TODAY BUT MY SONG FRO MY GRANDFATHERS MUST BE CONNECTED...IT WAS TAUGHT TO ME IN NEW ZEALAND.. HE WAS A WELSH MAN !!!
PHONETIC OF COURSE AND APOLOGIES TO ORIGINATOR..
.CHICK ARACKA CHICK A RACKA
CHAI CHICK A LOREM
BOMPTY LOREM
WIDDY WIDDY WAY
OROKO OROKO
ITTY OTTY ITTY O
DITTY FIE DITTY FIE
CHING A LEE SING...
HE SAID IT WAS ABOUT A CHICKEN.... ANY CLUES ANY CONNECTIONS

MY SISTER SINGS A DIFFERENT VERSION INSISTS ITS WHAT WE LEARNED!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Once in China there lived a great man...
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 01:14 AM

Hey, I'm from Australia and growing up my father use to sing me a version similar to those listed but still quite different. Interesting ay, Went something like this...


One upon a time in the land of chang,
There lived a funny little funny little man,
His nose was long and his feet were short,
And the funny fella couldn't walk at all.

Chika racka ruchii
Chan chika roara
Podgy Laura
Poley Walley Whack

Oakey dokey
Itch ki oakey
Itch ki itch ki oakey


Love to know where the orgins of this song is. have many others i've been searching for to. funny how songs you grow up with turn out to come from all around the world... On here I read New Zealand, Arkansas, Connecticut/Rhode Island, Northern Ireland, Bangladesh, Canada, Edmonton, Toronto and Australia. From all over the place. It's amazing. Love it.

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.

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,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,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: 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
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: 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,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: 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,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,Barbara
Date: 08 Nov 15 - 12:07 PM

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,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,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,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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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