Hokey pokey and the Druids?

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Hokey pokey and the Druids?

09 Jun 99 - 12:43 PM (#85202)
Subject: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

Seriously- I'm not making this up! I could swear I read somewhere (possibly ere???) that the game the Hokey Pokey is the oldest known children's game, dating back to an ancient Druid ritual. Can anyone elucidate, or do I really have to stop drinking PGTips?
Really- I want to know--- hey, stop laughing at me!

09 Jun 99 - 12:47 PM (#85207)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: annamill

Animaterra,

That would make a great band name. Better than Hooty and the blowfish!

Hokey pokey and the Druids playing tonight.

;-)

Love, Annap

09 Jun 99 - 12:56 PM (#85209)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Alice

"Hokey Pokey and the Druids", on tour down under, playing to sold-out crowds.... I can see a whole cult following of this group, just like the Dead-heads who wandered around trailing Greatful Dead concerts! What a great name!
I've never heard the theory before, but could it be just that circle dances are a simple and obvious way to begin playing in a group? -alice

09 Jun 99 - 01:12 PM (#85215)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: MMario

I think someone was pulling your leg... found this very quickly...at the following URL:
http://www.thonline.com/th/news/1996/th0413/stories/7200.htm

April 13, 1996

Creator of 'The Hokey Pokey' dies

Associated Press

Every schoolchild in America knows the Hokey Pokey. You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out, you put your right foot in ... well, you know what it's all about.

What you might not know is who wrote the song. Larry LaPrise, aka The Hokey Pokey Man, died last week at age 83 in Boise, Idaho, after a career that brought him no fame, modest fortune, and a job with the Postal Service.

That's right. Someone actually wrote "The Hokey Pokey."

For many baby boomers and their children, the Hokey Pokey is simply part of the national legacy, right up there with Mother Goose and Twister.

The Hokey Pokey, it turns out, isn't so old after all.

LaPrise, a Detroit native whose full name was Roland Lawrence LaPrise, concocted the song along with two fellow musicians in the late 1940s for the apres ski crowd at a nightclub in Sun Valley, Idaho. The group, the Ram Trio, recorded the song in 1949.

In 1953, bandleader Ray Anthony bought the rights and recorded "The Hokey Pokey" on the B-side of another novelty record, "The Bunny Hop."

"Everybody was doing the 'Bunny Hop' before long, which meant that everybody was doing 'The Hokey Pokey,"' observed LaPrise's daughter, Linda Ruby.

There followed a steady succession of recordings.

After the Ram Trio disbanded in the 1960s, LaPrise, by then a father of six, went to work for the post office in Ketchum. At about the same time, country star Roy Acuff's publishing company bought the rights to the Hokey Pokey.

09 Jun 99 - 01:32 PM (#85220)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Rick Fielding

Animaterra, you've made my day! Please, someone, start a band with this name!

09 Jun 99 - 02:26 PM (#85233)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: LEJ

What Alice didn't tell you and may not even know is that Larry LaPrise visited Stonehenge at the Summer Solstice in 1946, and participated in the Sanctification of the Limbs Ceremony, where Druid Priests dance in a circle around the Altar of the Oak, waving their arms, legs, feet etc over the altar in order to purify their bodies. Is it a coincidence that the ancient name for this ceremony is ahochi pahochi ? It has also been recounted in Joel Hartung's Knock on Wood : Druidical Thought in Theory and Practice that a band of Druids, angry at LaPrise's incorporation of the sacred ceremony into his song, cursed him "to walk the earth for the rest of his life, whether through rain or snow or sleet or dark of night", which some say accounts for his postal career.

LEJ

09 Jun 99 - 02:29 PM (#85235)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: annamill

LEJ,

I didn't know that.

annap

09 Jun 99 - 02:31 PM (#85236)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Llanfair

MMario!!!! Are you sure that "article" wasn't dated April 1st!!!!! The hoky koky, the curious dance that only takes place at weddings when everyone is too pissed to do any other dance is a completely different kettle of fish from HOKY POKY, which was a sweetmeat sold at markets and festivals for a penny a bag, or "poke" thus "Hoky Poky, penny a bag" Still a good name for a band, though. But I don't know where the druids come in, though. Hwyl, Bron.

09 Jun 99 - 02:52 PM (#85243)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: MMario

according to various articles I read, the song/dance is known as the "okey-cokey" or "hokey-cokey" on one side of the pond, and the "hokey-pokey" on the other. evidently there was a big stink in the 50's as to who had it first.

MMario

09 Jun 99 - 03:07 PM (#85248)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Alice

ummm, LEJ, it was MMario, not me, who posted the info about the author (thanks, MMario). Does going Postal happen after too many years of the hokey pokey curse? - alice

09 Jun 99 - 03:48 PM (#85257)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: SeanM

I believe that Hokey Pokey research is an incredibly underappreciated branch of musicology. As one of my area's imminent Hokapokologists, I'd like to render my humble opinons and research.

The Hokey Pokey is actually a much older and vastly important phenomenon than it appears. There have been several references to this dance and song combo that trace back to the dawn of mankind. The earliest version appears to have been some kind of tribal mass hunting ritual, wherein the hunter's prey, nearly dead, would be surrounded by the hunters. At this point, a specialized tribal shaman (the Hokunapoku) would begin a steady beat on the drum and chant instructions to his hunters, along the lines of 'you put your sharpened wooden stick in...' etc.

The dance seems to have traveled along with a nomadic tribe through the centuries. Oddly enough, only one tribe was ever shown to have this, the 'Hikipikalts', eventually being shortened to just the 'Celts' by recent historians. These were not the same races who would later form the Northern European breeding stock, but rather were a group known for tall men who were overly fond of throwing roundish rocks in to oddly shaped food baskets. During the time of the great land bridge exodus between the Asiatic and American continents, this tribe was known to have added a section to this dance. Upon seeing the new land before them after their arduos journey, the tribal captain announced that hereafter a new section to their sacred dance would be added, wherin after the (now ritualized) waving of weapons and anything else was completed, all participants would turn themselves about to represent the journey, and then loudly announce 'birdash crum McHale Ainge', roughly translated as 'it is this which all things are about'.

This tribe settled down in an area corresponding with Massachusets. It quickly dispersed throughout the area, and the original primal significance of the dance began to wane. As members of the tribe paired with members of surrounding tribes, women and children began to appear in the 'pokey' circles, and as they didn't have weapons, insisted on being allowed to wave body parts instead. Sadly, at the coming of the Europeans, almost all of the tribe was lost due to a misinterpreted gesture during a showing of the dance to the new settlers... The Europeans attempted to join in the ritual, but unfortunately dispatched most of the tribe by mistakenly going 'in' when they should have gone 'out'.

Nothing much is known after this point. It is surmised that Mr. LaPrise is one of the last of this noble tribe, and that he brought out his truly magical dance in an attempt to make sure that his ancestors would never be forgotten. He may rest in peace, then, for he has created a gift for the ages.

History lesson over. Further lessons on the significance of the number 4524636433 1/3 in the lives of ancient Babylonians will be given upon request.

09 Jun 99 - 03:52 PM (#85259)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: annamill

M,

I didn't know that. ;-)

annap

(..that was great fun to read)

09 Jun 99 - 04:29 PM (#85266)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Fadac

M. That sounds about right. P small part of this rituel exests today. In the yacht club I used to belong to, they had a ritual round disk in the noise maker. When a small coin of the relm was inserted, the box would whail about "put in your little foot, and shake it all about" Not having a little foot, I was prevented from performing this ritual. I tried using the club cat, (whom has very danty little feet.) But I was hissed out of the circle.

Dejected from such catty treatment, I would slink into the quaffable room and have a round or two. After a couple of hours, some glassy eyed small footed Hoky Pokyers would come in for quafables. After a few of those they became more glassy eyed, and their small feet became clumsy.

I know that the Hoky Pokey is a hunting ritual. Fortunitly the only heads taken here were on moosehead beer. One hoky poker tried to mount the beer head on the wall. (Didn't look at all like a moose.) We all stood around and admired the head for a while. Something must have gone wrong, (defective beer head?) Because it was gone by the next morning.

With feet too big to Hoky Poky, -Fadac. :(

09 Jun 99 - 04:30 PM (#85268)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Margo

Man, am I glad I have my boots on. It's getting pretty deep! I have oft wondered if the tribes of natives around the world didn't revere and copy their autistic children. My daughter has been doing this amazing dance since she could walk......................no hoky! Margarita

09 Jun 99 - 06:03 PM (#85286)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Alice

A guy has spent five years traveling all around the world making a documentary on Native dances. At the end of this time, he has every single native dance of every indigenous culture in the world on film. He winds up in Australia, in Alice Springs, so he pops into a pub for a well earned beer. He gets talking to one of the local Aborigines and tells him about his project.

The Aborigine asks the guy what he thought of the "Butcher Dance."

The guy's a bit confused and says, "Butcher Dance? What's that?"

"What? You no see Butcher Dance?"

"No, I've never heard of it."

"Oh mate. You crazy. How you say you film every native dance if you no see Butcher Dance?"

"UmmSUM. I got a corroborree on film just the other week. Is that what you mean?"

"No no, not corroborree. Butcher Dance much more important than corroborree."

"Oh, well how can I see this Butcher Dance then?"

"Mate, Butcher Dance right out bush. Many days travel to go see Butcher Dance."

"Look, I've been everywhere from the forests of the Amazon, to deepest darkest Africa, to the frozen wastes of the Arctic filming these dances. Nothing will prevent me from recording this one last dance."

"OK, mate. You drive north along highway towards Darwin. After you drive 197 miles, you see dirt track veer off to left. Follow dirt track for 126 miles 'til you see big huge dead gum tree - biggest tree you ever see. Here you gotta leave the car, because much too rough for driving.

You strike out due west into setting sun. You walk 3 days 'til you hit creek. You follow this creek to Northwest. After 2 days you find where creek flows out of rocky mountains. Much too difficult to cross mountains here though. You now head south for half day 'til you see pass through mountains.

Pass very difficult and very dangerous. Take 2, maybe 3 days to get through rocky pass. When through, head northwest for 4 days 'til reach big huge rock - 20 ft high and shaped like man's head. From rock, walk due west for 2 days and you find village. Here you see Butcher Dance."

So the guy grabs his camera crew and equipment and heads out. After a couple of hours he finds the dirt track. The track is in a shocking state and he's forced to crawl along at a snails pace and so he doesn't reach the tree until dusk and he's forced to set up camp for the night.

He sets out bright and early the following morning. His spirits are high and he's excited about the prospect of capturing on film this mysterious dance which he had never heard mention of before.

True to the directions he has been given, he reaches the creek after three days and follows it for another two until they reach the rocky mountains. The merciless sun is starting to take its toll by this time and his spirits are starting to flag, but wearily he trudges on until he finds the pass through the hills - nothing will prevent him from completing his life's dream.

The mountains prove to be every bit as treacherous as their guide said and at times they almost despair of getting their bulky equipment through. But after three and a half days of back breaking effort they finally force their way clear and continue their long trek.

When they reach the huge rock, four days later, their water is running low and their feet are covered with blisters. Yet they steel themselves and head out on the last leg of their journey.

Two days later they virtually stagger into the village where the natives feed them and give them fresh water. They begin to feel like new men.

Once he's recovered enough, the guy goes before the village chief and tells him that he has come to film there Butcher Dance.

"Oh mate. Very bad you come today. Butcher Dance last night. You too late. You miss dance."

"Well, when do you hold the next dance?"

"Not 'til next year."

"Well, I've come all this way. Couldn't you just hold an extra dance for me, tonight?"

"No, no, no! Butcher Dance very holy. Only hold once a year. If hold more, gods get very angry and destroy village! You want see Butcher Dance you come back next year."

The guy is devastated, but he has no other option but to head back to civilization and back home.

The following year, he heads back to Australia and, determined not to miss out again, sets out a week earlier than last time. He is quite willing to spend a week in the village before the dance is performed in order to ensure he is present to witness it. However, right from the start things go wrong.

Heavy rains that year have turned the dirt track to mud and the car gets bogged every few miles, finally forcing them to abandon their vehicles and slog through the mud on foot almost half the distance to the tree.

They reach the creek and the mountains without any further hitch, but halfway through the ascent of the mountain they are struck by a fierce storm which rages for several days, during which they are forced to cling forlornly to the mountainside until it subsides. It would be suicide to attempt to scale the treacherous paths in the face of such savage elements.

Then, before they have traveled a mile out from the mountains, one of the crew sprains his ankle badly which slows down the rest of their journey enormously, to the rock and then the village.

Eventually, having lost all sense of how long they have been traveling, they stagger into the village at about 12:00 noon.

"The Butcher Dance!" gasps the guy. "Please don't tell me I'm too late!"

The chief recognizes him and says "No, white fella. Butcher Dance performed tonight. You come just in time."

Relieved beyond measure, the crew spends the rest of the afternoon setting up their equipment - preparing to capture the night's ritual on celluloid as dusk falls, the natives start to cover there bodies in white paint and adorn themselves in all manner of bird's feathers and animal skins.

Once darkness has settled fully over the land, the natives form a circle around a huge roaring fire.

A deathly hush descends over performers and spectators alike as a wizened old figure with elaborate swirling designs covering his entire body enters the circle and begins to chant. Some sort of witch doctor or medicine man, figures the guy and he whispers to the chief, "What's he doing?"

"Hush," whispers the chief. "You first white man ever to see most sacred of our rituals. Must remain silent. Holy man, he asks that the spirits of the dream world watch as we demonstrate our devotion to them through our dance and, if they like our dancing, will they be so gracious as to watch over us and protect us for another year."

The chanting of the Holy man reaches a stunning crescendo before he moves himself from the circle. From somewhere the rhythmic pounding of drums booms out across the land and the natives begin to sway to the stirring rhythm.

The guy is becoming caught up in the fervor of the moment himself. This is it. He now realizes beyond all doubt that his wait has not been in vain. He is about to witness the ultimate performance of rhythm and movement ever conceived by mankind.

The chief strides to his position in the circle and, in a big booming voice, starts to sing,

He says, "You butcher right arm in. You butcher right arm out. You butcher right arm in and you shake it all about"

09 Jun 99 - 06:10 PM (#85289)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Matthew B.

omigosh, Alice, how much time did you spend, typing that one up for us? I'm still limping from it.

As for the Druid version of the hokey pokey, I believe it starts of this way:

You put your right foot in
You put your right foot out
You put your right foot in
And you line it up with the sun's trajectory during the vernal eqinox...

09 Jun 99 - 06:15 PM (#85291)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Alice

Matthew, it was a copy and paste from my email file... a friend sent it to me a year ago with the title "A Marvellously Awful Story". (Can't believe I saved it, but then, this opportunity did present itself!) I'm too busy to think up or type a GROANER like that one. ;->

alice

09 Jun 99 - 06:23 PM (#85294)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Matthew B.

Whew. I was afraid you were starting to go postal on us.

09 Jun 99 - 06:24 PM (#85295)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: LEJ

Sean,while deferring to your obvious depth of knowledge re Hokey Pokey, you do a disservice by omitting a curious Hikipikalt aspect of the ceremony that has a unique carry-over in today's manifestations of the phenomenon. The unique practice of binding slippery fruit to the soles of the feet as performed by the religious elite of the Hipikalts, and then performing the dance on a steep slope. This was an obvious attempt by the elite to display their proficiency at the dance. This intentional encumbrance has been passed down to todays practicioners, most notably in the common Hokey Pokey Roller Rink Ritual. Correlations may also be pointed out in Fadac's recollection of his yacht club companions, who would imbibe mind-altering substances to enhance the HP experience. For more background, see Hibbard and Glutz Holy Rollers;Hikipikalt Dance Ritual in Smithsonian June23,1989

09 Jun 99 - 06:36 PM (#85300)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Alice

LEJ, in these parts we call that sect the Hickey Pickles. They all have sour expressions, and you can tell there are aspects of their cult rituals they are trying to hide with turtlenecks and scarves. Yes, it is a slippery slope they are heading down....

09 Jun 99 - 06:39 PM (#85301)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: SeanM

My apologies. My post-doctoral studies were set to be in the Hokipokital uses of other items in this field. Sadly, before I could begin on that, the University of Schenectady, Tahitian branch, was destroyed in a huge accident, ironically related to another native dance... the Con-Ga... it seems that someone in the group had poor spelling abilities, causing a large ape to be attracted to the ceremony. Poor thing destroyed most of the University in its search for a scantily clad blond professor.

09 Jun 99 - 06:47 PM (#85309)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Fadac

Alice! Oh, I'm laughing so hard I have to wipe my eyes. Great story. I scraped and sent it to my joke cronies.

Fadac

09 Jun 99 - 06:51 PM (#85311)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From:

It was probably that called Hanskin or Half Hannakin in the late 16th and early 17th century and Prinkum Prankum in the later 17th century. The oldest verses I've seen, which describe the dance, were given in the 19th century by Robert Chambers (Hankum Booby), later to be followed by the titles Lubin or Looby Loo and the modern Hokey Pokey.

09 Jun 99 - 08:19 PM (#85332)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

I can't stop laughing long enough to get a word in edgewise! This is priceless... er... scholarship and I'm forever indebted for all of you for your erudition! The Mudcat is truly a wonderful place!

09 Jun 99 - 08:29 PM (#85339)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: MAG (inactive)

Hinkery pinkery cutery corn, maybe, but I can't find the reference. - MA

09 Jun 99 - 08:57 PM (#85352)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Alice

More on the Hickey Pickles (or, as LEJ in Colorado calls them, Hikipikalt) - the turtleneck cover-up of the ritualistic purple mark on the neck is seen today in the attire of the ski culture, which is also directly connected to the sliding down of slopes (wood slats replacing fruit). The branch that split off in the cowboy direction (scarf or bandana around the neck) were the group who used their atlatl on the katlkatl, and drove the first herds up here from Texas. The original spelling was, of course, Hikipikatl, but years of the spelling error -kalt instead of -katl (as in our earlier thread on this subject) has caused Hikipikalt to become commonly accepted.
The song, after all, comes from Idaho. We have an abundance of both cattle ranches and ski resorts here in the Rockies.

alal in montana

09 Jun 99 - 09:09 PM (#85358)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: katlaughing

Out here, in the Ole West, the dance was considered to be something of a heathen ritual atrributed mostly to the darker angels of the lower stata. When anyone was found to be exhibiting signs of such gyrations, they were immediately taken into custody by the local "Matt Dillon" and put in the "Pokey", so named for the incarceration and, hopefully, purification of such adherents. Of course, if, while in the throes of their riotous ecstacy, they committed some other, more heinous crime, or if they spouted even tiny "divil knobs" on the tops of their heads, they were treated to a new kind of dance, the next day after being "poh keed", that is the "Dance of the Dangling Rope".

Owen Whistler refered to this in his "Study of the Early Range Terrirorial Practice of Law and Heathenism, as it Related to the Open Range of the Wyoming, Dakota, and Colorado Territories". He made mention of the fact that plenty of cattle rustlers were reluctant, but active, never-the-less, participants in a variation of the same "Dangling Rope" dance, sometimes with colourful variations. Rather than throw the rope over a tree, which was often hard to find, inventive lawmen and rabblerousers would find the nearest telegraph pole, barn pulley, or crossbar with which to facilitate the dancers.

One of the strangest customs mentioned in the book, is a penchant they had for immortalising the inevitable demise of all Dangling Rope dancers through the use of photography. Even today, these lasting images impart an eerie sense of what it must be like to partake in such a dance. Those who even thought of performing the HokeyPokey must have been either very brave or insane to have risked such punishment. It is said that the analogy of "sure if ya think yer dancing such an innocent little thing like the HokeyPokey, doncha know you'll end up in some gutter, used up and burnt out, fit only for the dreaded Dangling Rope Dance?"

At one point, Whistler, points out there was declared an all out "War on the HokeyPokey" wherein children especially were asked to "just say no!" in order to fend off the temptations of its lascivious ways. These warnings, apprarently continued on into this century until they were eclipsed by the never before seen gyrations of the ElvisPelvis, icon of the rocknroll era. eventually the Dangling Rope dance was done away with and teh sad remnants of the original HokeyPokey were taught to innocent schoolchildren as a quaint, old folkdance. But sometimes an elder raises their eyebrows, smirks their lips, and make the sign against the evil eye, for in their dimmist memories, they remembered the "divil" dance of the old days and the wretched path it led one down.

Excerpt from "Origins of the Western Dance" by KattleKate of LooseGow Ranch, Wyoming 1919

09 Jun 99 - 09:10 PM (#85360)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: katlaughing

got the copyright date wrong on that one above. shoulda been 1999! KKof the HGR

09 Jun 99 - 09:16 PM (#85363)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Roger in Baltimore

What a lovely insane bunch. And not a Catspaw in the crowd (how did he miss this thread?). See, Animaterra, you ask a simple question, you get a simple answer.

I didn't know that.

Big RiB

09 Jun 99 - 09:42 PM (#85374)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: LEJ

Kat- I apologize, but I am able to find no reference in any of the extensive writings of Owen Whistler to the Hokey Pokey being in ANY way connected to the Dangling Rope Dance, and I am afraid you are getting some Jimson Weed mixed into your Caesar Salad.

Alice- the use of the atlatl on catl-catl by the Hikipikalt is still a subject of idle prattle as well as a source of considerable intellectual battle.

Sean- I have seen the photos of U of Schenectady's Tahiti Campus Post-anthropoidem assaultus , and it is truly awesome what an aroused Gorilla can do to a full score of quonset huts on Sorority Row.

LEJ

09 Jun 99 - 10:26 PM (#85385)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Alice

LEJ,
fiddle faddle

Alice

09 Jun 99 - 10:49 PM (#85390)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From:

No. Fiddle Faddle was another name for the tune Tail Toddle.

10 Jun 99 - 12:39 AM (#85421)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: katlaughing

My dearest Leeej,

Perhaps you're not looking in the right edition? This was a limited edition meant for those of the mystery schools only, although I did have permision for posting them here for the erudition of all.

As this knowledge was not originally intended for the masses, perhaps this explains the seeming obscurity of the excerpt I quoted. NOT, that I don't think you are worthy. OH, NO, great Learned One, perhaps because of the vastness of your memory banks, this was just a small oversight on your part. I am sure if yu check your references you will find some mysterious allusions to the Dangling Rope dance in association with the original HokeyPokey.

Another reference gives that association as the main and only etymology of "pokey" as a term for the "hoosegow" or jail/gaol house as it was more commonly known.

I will check my references again, but at the moment, I hold fast to my position. You see, I was named after KattleKate of the HooseGow Ranch...she is my gran and her memory is quite sharp, as is her tongue!

As to Jimson Weed? well, bite yer tongue, Pahdnuh! we don't hold wiht any of that mind altering herbal stuff up here in these parts! Gran wouldn't have it. 'Sides, she doesn't even know what a Ceasar Salad is!

Respectfully,

Kat,jr.

10 Jun 99 - 12:41 AM (#85423)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: bseed(charleskratz)

dammit! who put this in here?

10 Jun 99 - 01:04 AM (#85426)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: SeanM

Ah, dearest Kat...as resident Hokapokologist Emiritus, I must thank you for pointing out one of the neglected texts of our great study. According to the great researcher, Alouicious ArgleBargle, Ph.C., the Western dance you speak of occured primarily after a remote tribe of Piecute Indians attempted to recreate the Hokilapokila dance after being exposed to the near lethal 'Bunnitahoppe'... surely, all must remember the expose written by Prof. Alouicious, wherein he traced this hideous ritual back to bizzare mating ceremonies of prehuman races in the Antarctic. The two combined made a truly obscene spectacle, and it is suspected that the 'Rope Dancers' were performing a true service to humanity in their attmept to stop this bizzare intermingling of the dances. All the same, it was a shame when Prof. A. departed this world in attempting to recreate this ritual in a publicly acceptable way... his last words seem to indicate that he 'hopped two steps in, one step back, and shook it all about', without noting what he shook. Apparently this caused a rift in the fabric of reality itself, releasing a demon rabbit into his Tunguskan research laboratory, and the ensuing carnage is known to all.

10 Jun 99 - 01:21 AM (#85436)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: katlaughing

Yes, Sean, I had heard a bit about that. Can you believe my son's long ago first grade teacher knew about it and told me therein lie the origins of the seemingly cute little children's song, "Little Bunny FooFoo"! And, to think my innocent children sang it all in good fun, not knowing the hideous history behind it!

katshuddering

10 Jun 99 - 04:26 AM (#85463)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Brakn

The Hokey Cokey was copyrighted in England in 1942 by Jimmy Kennedy. He called it the Cokey Cokey. In an introduction to the dance he wrote;

This is one of the simplest dances ever. Since its introduction here by the Canadian forces, it has caught on like wildfire and bids fair to out-rival some of the most sensational dance successes of the past. The word "Cokey" means a dope fiend - but what this has to do with the dance is not clear. The dance is founded on a traditional action song long known in the mining camps and dance saloons of the Canadian West.

Regards Mick Bracken.

10 Jun 99 - 05:58 AM (#85472)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Alan of Australia

G'day,
A few years ago we played for a group called "Riding For The Disabled". When we got to the hokey pokey (not cokey in Oz) there were some in wheelchairs, some with various limbs missing, but they all had a go. We weren't sure how they would take it but they loved it.

Cheers,
Alan

10 Jun 99 - 08:06 AM (#85485)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Steve Parkes

Well, in this country, the thing was first published as the Kokey-Cokey; the name was later changed to the familiar "Hokey-Cokey" soon afterwards, probably in the interests of common sense (relatively speaking).

Hokey-pokey is ice-cream, as sold by Italian immigrants (Hoco uno poco - take a piece).

Sorry, is this a bit serious? If you prefer your party entertainment sitting down, you can't beat the great game of name ten famous Belgians. I found out on Sundaty that Georges Simenon (authour of the Maigret stories) was Belgian. That should start you off.

Steve

10 Jun 99 - 09:19 AM (#85498)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Bert

The ORIGINAL dance was called the 'Hanky Panky'. It was extremely popular in England for many centuries. However, due the to Victorian prudish view on life it was starting to die out. Just in time it was collected by the great Cecil Sharpe, but unfortunately was bowdlerised into what we see today. You don't want to know what the original dance was like (or what they were putting in and out).

I know this because my family used to sell tickets to the dance many generations ago and the name Hansell is a contracted derivitive of the term 'Hanky Panky Sellers'.

And that's the truth!!!

Bert.

10 Jun 99 - 09:49 AM (#85505)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: annamill

I didn't know that!!!

Nuts. Love, love, love, annap

10 Jun 99 - 10:53 AM (#85527)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From:

The BS keeps getting deeper!

I've misplaced my copy of Robert Chambers Scots version, Hinkum or Hankum Booby. There are 14 versions of Lubin or Looby Loo, 5 with the tunes, and the 1st with 14 verses, in Alice Bertha Gomme's 'The Traditional Games of England, Scotland and Ireland', I, 1894.

The 1st two verses of the 1st version go:

Here we dance lubin, lubin, lubin,
Here we dance lubin light,
Here we dance lubin, lubin, lubin,
On a Saturday night.

Put all the right hands in,
Take all the right hands out,
Shake all the right hands together,
And turn yourself about.

10 Jun 99 - 11:24 AM (#85537)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: The_one_and_only_Dai

I think I saw a German video some time ago that depicted that very custom. And one or two others as well.

10 Jun 99 - 12:16 PM (#85548)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Alice

Thanks, anon, for contributing the REAL information. (Bruce, that MUST be you!) True to Mudcat tradition, the BS part of the thread is good for a laugh. -alice

10 Jun 99 - 03:05 PM (#85600)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Penny S.

Perhaps some light may be cast on the ancient origins of this dance by the aquatic version performed by some children over here. From a position standing in waist deep water, a gradually more complete surrender to the water (you put both feet in...) culminates in complete immersion (knees bend) and a triumphant rise with arms in the orante position to the repeated cry Ra! Ra! Ra!

Penny

10 Jun 99 - 05:38 PM (#85641)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Peter T.

Net surfing reveals the following (http://www.scotist. dame.uy/newscotistnotes/html/ (I can't do the blue-clicky thing).
"New Scotist Notes: In the forthcoming revised version of their Oxford Book of Children's Verse, the Opies discuss the possible origins of the children's game, "hokey -pokey" or "okey-kokey" as being derived at one remove from the medieval communion service phrase, 'Hoc ist corpus meum' (This is my body) which was corrupted into "hocus-pocus" in 16th century nonsense phrases supposedly used by magicians, particularly parodic versions of Scotus; and the nonsense phrase was in turn corrupted into 'hokey-pokey'. They cite remnant examples of a ring dance parodying magic ritual from Shropshire surviving into the early 20th century, which uses the phrase "okey pookey, pookey okey", but this was a women's festival dance, and not a children's dance. Carters Meade, folklorist specialist at the British Library Children's Literature Archive (cited by the Opies) suggests that the movements in the modern ring dance may similarly derive very distantly from portions of the liturgy.
(more about other items)
ISBN - 0-201-88448-8. Hardbound, available July 31, 1999. Oxford: O.U.P ($175.00 American).
The Internet is an amazing place.Yours, Peter T.

10 Jun 99 - 08:06 PM (#85676)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: alison

Here we go Looby Loo,

ah..... fond memories of Andy Pandy.... Andy is waving good night.....

slainte

alison

10 Jun 99 - 09:15 PM (#85701)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: bbc

SeanM--

I'll bite. Members of my household really *need* to hear the significance of the number 4524636433 1/3 to the ancient Babylonians. We'll be holding our collective breath till your next post. Gasp...hurry!!!

curiously,

bbc

10 Jun 99 - 09:33 PM (#85707)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: The Shambles

I didn't know any of that!

The following is absolutely true and it even has a postal reference as well.......... It is DR5 HRT.

No seriously the postal reference is that the whole sorry tale happened at our local Post Office, New Year party, when I was working as a (hippie) postman.

I worked in a smaller office and did not know the majority of the other postmen at the party. My wife and I had some problem with the people at table next to us, they thought that she had knocked one of their coats on the floor or something. No words were spoken to us but there was a lot of muttering going on.

There must be something deep and tribal about the Hokey Cokey, for it was during this dance that the whole thing reached crisis point.

For those that are not aware of this dance, part of it involves linking with the people either side of you and the circle of people goes in to meet in the middle and that out again. It was during one of the passes in that my wife's foot accidentally caught the knee of the chap from the next table.

The circle then went out again.

He obviously thought that she had done this on purpose for when the circle came in again, I saw him quite deliberately make a bee-line for my wife and kick her on the knee.

The circle then went out again.

Katrina, still in some pain, bravely continued to link hands and we started to go in again.

I was a little worse for wear from the liquid refreshment, and I saw it then as I still see it in my memory now, in slow motion...... One does not stand for that sort of behaviour from a chap to ones wife, my thinking went.

I had plenty of time to concentrate my aim on the way in and I swung freely and caught him square in the 'mailbox'.

The dance (and the party) appeared to end at that point, amid scenes rather like those of a John Wayne movie, bar-room brawl.

Hence the title of that song 'Blame It On The Hokey Cokey'.....(The Dance Of Love)... Or was that the Bossa Nova? .......You have been warned.

Bert

Is it Deja Vu or have we been here before?

11 Jun 99 - 03:22 AM (#85810)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Steve Parkes

Shropshire eh? I might have known - there're all weird out there!

I'm intrigued by the Andy-Pandy connection. There's a nursery rhyme (which I never heard as a child); I don't know it, but it rhymes Handy-pandy with sugar candy. Sounds like we're getting perilously close to the old phallic symbolism here - a right load of symbolics, if you ask me!

Steve

11 Jun 99 - 07:47 AM (#85836)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: campfire

I just got one of those e-mail lists of "what if's" that included: What if the Hokey Pokey really is what its all about?

11 Jun 99 - 10:31 AM (#85871)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Matthew B.

Omigosh, campfire! You my be right! eeeeeek

17 Jun 99 - 01:30 AM (#87313)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: bseed(charleskratz)

I should remain silent in awe of such an academic endeavor, yet I must point out that none of you has mentioned the key role played by the sacred bough-run, without which the dancers of the honky-ponky would have surely lost the rhythm of the dance and ended up stomping each other to death. This actually happened on many occasions in pre history--one of the cro-magnon cave paintings shows a frenzied ring of dancers with sloping foreheads and prognathuous brows dancing in an ever diminishing circle over a growing mound of dead dancers with similar physiognomies. Off to one side of the soon-to-be-extinct dancers a spread circle of tall, laughing men with high foreheads seem to be flinging a large, flat, circular object in a game of keep-away, the putative owner of the disc lying exhausted at their feet, a stick with a knob lying just beyond the reach of his right hand... --seed

17 Jun 99 - 10:07 AM (#87381)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Fadac

BSeed is right! There was a case in the 1720's (BC) where a Bough-Run was half devoured by a passsing rat. Right in the middle of a Pokey! This terrable event just occured when the call was, "Put Ur Big Ars in, and shake it all about." Nobody could get their ars out! The dancers were frozen in place, unable to move. Unable to Hokey. Time went by, hours, days, years. Other Bough-Runs were brought in, but without hope. (You can't change Runs in the middle of a Pokey.) After a few years, the people became harder and harder. Finely after a few hundred years, they turned to stone. These stones were left unturned. You can visit these very unfortunite HP'ers, now it's called Stone-Henge. Henge of course is the old term for Pokey.

Pokey, the real name of the crow-bar-hotel, is another story. As is, the orgian of the expression, "Get your Ars out of there!"

-Fadac

17 Jun 99 - 12:36 PM (#87421)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Penny S.

Found an old counting out rhyme: unfortunately in a collection merely attributed to England, Scotland and America, without each one being identified. Probably this side of the pond though.

Hoky poky, winky wum,
How do you like your 'taters done?
Snip, snap, snorum,
High popolorum,
Kate go scratch it,
You are out.

Penny

17 Jun 99 - 06:11 PM (#87508)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: LEJ

Penny...you have just made an amazing contribution to the entire scholastic body of Hokipokology. The poem you recount is a fascinating mish-mash of English, Latin and Hikipikalt! I have used the Aureola Stone (the well known Hikipikalt Pub Sign which gave directions to the water closet in HP, Greek and Low Serbian) to de-codify this example of apparent childish folderol. Let me elucidate:

Hoky Poky, Winky Wum This is an allusion to the original ritual dance coupled with the Winkiwum, or Bough-run Ritual. It is a powerful invocation of the multi-armed Tree Gods.

How do you like your taters done? "Tater's done" is a linguistic corruption of Teeter-Stone, the term used for the linking "hinge" stones at the Stonehenge Monument . In other words, the Druidical priest asks "Welcome Deities! How do you like the enormous stone structure we have erected for you?"

Snip, Snap, Snorum Again, an allusion to the Ceremonial breaking-of-the-twig during the Bough-run."Snorum" is a latinate word which refers to the fitful sleep of the tree-gods, who have been awakened by this ritual.

High Popolorum Another English/Latin hybrid phrase translated "Hey! There's way to many of us, anyway! Somebody's got to go!"

Kate go scratch it, You are Out! This was the dreaded moment when "the Kate", the designated sacrificial victim, was selected and dragged by the other relieved members of the counting circle to the Altar to be the centerpiece of The Sanctification of the Limbs Ceremony.*

LEJ

*Bristlethwaite Hikipikalt Studies Vol.2

17 Jun 99 - 06:18 PM (#87509)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Penny S.

I couldn't believe what I had found! But without a copy of Bristlethwaite, I was really at an impass. Thanks for the elucidation!

Penny

17 Jun 99 - 06:26 PM (#87510)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Alice

Penny, check this out... King of the Cannibal Islands

alice

17 Jun 99 - 06:34 PM (#87513)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Penny S.

I hadn't noticed that! Probably because it appeared to be vegetarian.

Penny

18 Jun 99 - 06:36 PM (#87793)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Llanfair

Check out the new Fortean Times...or is it British only? There is the explanation of the origins of hokey pokey, which backs up Peter T's explanation....definately from the latin mass. I still don't know what happened to the druids, though......... Hwyl Bron.

18 Jun 99 - 07:08 PM (#87798)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: bseed(charleskratz)

Actually, the early church got it from the Irish--an old pictogram text found by a peat digger shows that a few surviving slope-headed, prognathuous browed honkey-ponkey devotees fled the continent, their bough-runns not yet destroyed by the tall people, and landed on the Emerald Island--which seemed to them to be simply green--and thought long and hard about how their arm, leg, head, and butt flailing was lethal without the rhythmic assistance of a drummer. One of their leaders suggested that if they do all their dancing straight up and down, their hands held tightly at their sides, they were no longer lethal to their neighbors. They also found the style useful for getting rid of snakes, which abounded on the island in the millenia prior to the arrival of St. Patrick (who drove the snakes across the Irish Sea to Brittain where they mated with the invading Franks, producing the ancestors of the Conservative party). St. Patrick's followers, on pilgrimages to Rome, showed the dance to the Romans, who--because of their inability to communicate without manual flourishes--brought the dance back close to the form depicted in the yet-to-be-discovered cro-magnon cave paintings.

--seed

18 Jun 99 - 10:57 PM (#87843)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Alice

This is all, of course, post hoc fallacy. (post hoc ergo proper hoc = after this therefore because of this) People are often hoodwinked with quack medical treatments because the post hoc fallacy is so commonly believed.

18 Jun 99 - 11:18 PM (#87846)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: bseed(charleskratz)

Far be it from me to quibble, Alice, but even the phrase post hoc fallacy has its origins in the hokey pokey, and was in its original form a descriptive phrase applying to large numbers of the male dancers: post hokey phallusy. Even the later meaning of the phrase in its complete form: post hoc ergo procter hoc arose out of the discovery that it wasn't the dance, it was a drink made from the mushroom amanita viagarum that caused the dancers to become "phallusy"--and it was this discovery that gave the logicians the insight to realize that "after" doesn't always mean "because of." --seed

19 Jun 99 - 04:23 AM (#87902)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Banjer

?

19 Jun 99 - 01:14 PM (#87946)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: bseed(charleskratz)

What, Banjer, you're expecting posts to this thread to make sense? That's a pretty heavy burden to place on folks trying to define a little original territory for their doctoral dissertations.

--seed (who recognizes his misspelling of that which Alice had previously misspelled: "propter," not "proper" or "procter."

19 Jun 99 - 08:03 PM (#88041)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: The Shambles

Seed.

Thanks for the origin of the Conservative Party....I thought it was a bit hard on the snakes though.

20 Jun 99 - 07:59 PM (#88304)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Alice

--seed, thanks for the enlightenment... I think.

23 Jun 99 - 12:04 PM (#89038)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Fadac

It's been way too long. I finished my Hokey Pokey for today, so I thought I'd talk about the experiance.

Right hand, left hand, right foot, left foot. Just typeing the words, bring joy to my fingers.

So it's Oky doky on the Hokey Pokey!

-Fadac

23 Jun 99 - 12:32 PM (#89047)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Blake Madison

I guess I just don't get all the scholarly stuff- the Celts, the Druids. And who the hell cares about Larry LaPrise anyway. To me the Hoky Poky has always been about a bottle of Four Roses, a naked dame, and John Coltrane on the phonograph.- Blake Madison,PI

23 Jun 99 - 06:00 PM (#89159)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: katlaughing

Ah, Blakey, dear. If you'd only open your mind and look beyond the naked bodies, put down the bottle, and focus, you could learn somethng useful, like Hokey Pokey is not about hiding the salami! Have you considered hormonal therapy? That's hormonal, NOT whoremonal, you dolt!

And, you have got to take that Coltrane off and smash it! It does nothing but implant suggestive messages in your two heads, making the lower more dominant, thus encouraging your less altruistic tendencies!

Sincerely,

PrimPam, using Kat's computer

24 Jun 99 - 10:43 AM (#89365)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Fadac

Oh my, Hormel? Gack! This brings visons of twenty people, ankle deep in chili, doing the Hoky Pokey, when the Boh-Ran player slips. Oh what a terrable sight, Hokeys there, Pokeys over yonder, and Hormel every where.

So do you have to pay Mel first?

-Fadac

24 Jun 99 - 10:52 AM (#89368)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: AndyG

Those with the time might consider a course of study at The Institute of Druidic Technology.

AndyG

29 Jun 99 - 08:21 PM (#90851)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: bseed(charleskratz)

Andy, a font of truly awesome scholastic and intellectual (they are not the same thing, alas) endeavor and achievement. We scholars specializing in the archaeology, history, and culture of the Hokey Pokey would do well to emulate the incisive, rigorous research and interpretive activities of the Institute. Their discoveries re: monary computer technology are inspiring, truly and overwhemingly inspiring. --seed

29 Jun 99 - 09:05 PM (#90859)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

I just can't believe this thread is still alive! Your scholarship and erudition never cease to amaze me. I must however beg to differ about one thing: the Hokey Pokey isn't what it's all about- the Mudcat is!
Still LOL, Allison

30 Jun 99 - 12:14 AM (#90917)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: katlaughing

Mud is thicker than water! Mudcat rules!!!

06 Jul 99 - 10:00 AM (#92846)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Bert

I don't usually pass on news like this. I know you are busy; but sometimes we have to pause and truly remember what life is about . . . so, with great regrets, I pass on this sad, sad news.

There was a great loss today in the entertainment world. The man who wrote the song "Hokey Pokey" died.

What was really horrible is that they had trouble keeping the body in the casket. They'd put his left leg in and... well, you know the rest.

20 Sep 99 - 04:39 PM (#115880)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: katlaughing

Somebody at Public Radio has been lurking through our threads! I just got the new Wireless catalogue, today, and lo and behold! right there on page 46 is a black sweatshirt or T-shirt, with white lettering which says,

What if the Hokey-Pokey
is really what it's all about?

Don't WE have the copyright on that!???**BG**

katlaughing

20 Sep 99 - 05:11 PM (#115902)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Bert

Kat, Don't we have ENOUGH trouble with the origins of folk songs without you stirring the pot??? ;-)

Bert.

20 Sep 99 - 05:17 PM (#115905)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: katlaughing

Hey, Bert! I'm jist trying ta watch out for Max's interests, ya know?!!!*g*

20 Sep 99 - 05:53 PM (#115912)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: sophocleese

Thank you, thank you, katlaughing for bringing this thread into prominence again. I always knew that folks here at Mudcat were an intelligent and scholarly crew. This thread is clear 140 proof of the breadth of their specialized knowledge and the depths to which they will sink in their efforts to disseminate (or get rid of) it. Truly an awesome site. As for Wireless catalogue, I'd recommend suing them for a modest 3 million dollars. A mere token gesture made simply to establish the Mudcat's right to the intellectual, or other, property displayed in its threads.

20 Sep 99 - 09:32 PM (#115997)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

I have GOT to get that shirt!!!!!

20 Sep 99 - 09:46 PM (#116003)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: katlaughing

Animaterra, here's their number, 1-800-669-9999, tell them our lawyer's gonna be calling them, real soon. But first, I think we ought to ask Blake Madison to do a little investigating... maybe one us is an NPR plant! Blake Madison! Mr. Blake Madison! Please pick up a white courtesy phone. Paging, Mr. Bllllaaaaakkke Mmmaddddiissssoonnnn.

Glad to oblige, sophoC!

kat

20 Sep 99 - 11:34 PM (#116020)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: WyoWoman

I heard a piece on NPR this a.m. as I was resisting waking up about the "crypto Jews" of the American Southwest, whose ancestors fled to Mexico to escape the Inquisition and then had to hide their Judaism to survive. And in my blurry unawake state, I had the startling insight that my people are crypto-druids, who had to hide our spiritual practices from the catholic church many, many generations ago...No WONDER I've always got this itch to dance nekkid around campfires. (No, no. Not Campfire...campfires, lower case...)

21 Sep 99 - 12:15 AM (#116029)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: katlaughing

LOL! WW! I heard the same piece. Thank gawd, though, my dad, esp. didn't make me be crypto about anything. Mom sent us to church once or twice a year, but it was really left up to us. When I told dad, at around 5 yrs old, I didn't see why people didn't just go to the woods to worship instead of in a stupid old building they made, instead of in gawd's creation he agreed with me.

21 Sep 99 - 12:28 AM (#116033)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: catspaw49

Not only is this a great thread full of incredible bullsh...uh,......research and unfathomable depths of knowledge and understanding, but for me it is a true joy to behold and read on a very different level.

Do you have any idea how wonderful I feel when I KNOW that this one piece of Mudcat Bullshit EXISTS? More to the point, this particular insanity is the only one that I do not have to take blame/credit for either starting or taking part in. I am very proud of this and it's the only thing Father Joebro has written on the plus side of my "Pearly Gates Admission Application." I sincerely hope the fact that I posted on it here and now will not be held against me by Father Joebro. I can't do anymore fockin' knee time.

Spaw

21 Sep 99 - 10:03 AM (#116106)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Bert

Wow, WW dancing nekkid and Kat going "to the woods" I'm glad that 'this' thread was refreshed.

Kat, Re: 'worshipping in the woods'; I've always wondered, when we bury people, why don't we plant a tree on the grave instead of paying a lot of money for a carved rock? We could then visit our loved ones in a forest instead of a graveyard. The thought of my old body & bones being held and hugged by the roots of a tree is much more comforting than thinking of them rotting away in a box.

Bert.

21 Sep 99 - 12:15 PM (#116160)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: katlaughing

Good idea, Bert, even though I intend to be cremated, I still would prefer the arms of a gnarly old tree, although I have to admit, the huge, plain, Colorado granite headstone on my grandparents' grave which simply says "Hudson", has always been very special to me, 'course I am really into the energy of the stones anyway, ya know.:-)

kat

21 Sep 99 - 12:26 PM (#116167)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Bert

Hi Kat, My second wife wanted to be cremated and sprinkled up in the mountains, but she also wanted people to plant trees in remembrance. We had a beautiful ceremony with a piper, and we planted 48 bristlecone pines and sprinkled the ashes in and around the holes.

Other family members planted trees and shrubs in their yards, and the folks at work gave a donation to the Huntsville Horticultural Society to dedicate a new tree.

Bert.

21 Sep 99 - 01:07 PM (#116185)
Subject: Lyr Add: HOKEY POKEY (THE ICE CREAM SONG)
From: lamarca

Just found this thread, and couldn't resist adding one of my favorite interpretations of the Hokey Pokey phenomenon, again harking back to the fertility rituals associated with earlier civilizations. Richard Thompson didn't say which of the Druidical/Sicilian sources he was influenced by, but the connections are clear...

HOKEY POKEY (THE ICE CREAM SONG)
by Richard Thompson

Little boy running and the little girl too
Got the money tucked up in their hand
Over the wall and down into the street
Give your man to the hollering man
Give your man to the hollering man

Chorus:

Girl on the corner with the tight dress on
You know she don't know nothing so fine
Feels so good when you put it in your mouth
Sends a shiver all down your spine
Sends a shiver all down your spine

"Cat got your tongue" says Frankie to Annie
"Girl you haven't said a word all night"
Well Annie she smiled and she took another bite
Hokey Pokey made her feel all right, all right
Hokey Pokey made her feel all right

Well some like it round and some like it flat
And some like a poke or two
But everybody runs for Hokey Pokey
It's the natural thing to do
It's the natural thing to do

Down in the prison, number 999
Working like a bee in a hive
He's still dreaming of Hokey Pokey
Helps to keep that boy alive
Helps to keep that boy alive

Boss man he says to choir-boy Rocky
Don't you sing to the boys in blue
Or you won't get no more Hokey Pokey
By the time we're through with you
By the time we're through with you

Fellas in the alley all look like girls
With their lipstick and their high-heeled shoes
Feel so pretty and the boys all say
That they know just what to do
That they know just what to do

21 Sep 99 - 02:28 PM (#116208)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Neil Lowe

Leej, SeanM, --seed: Damn, but you guys are good! I wish you had been around when I was back in college, struggling with all those topical writing assignments on the historical significance of such-and-such to so-and-so. Your dedication to (highly creative)legwork and your penchant for incisive irreverence would have been an inspiration, as well as a motivator to eradicate my own habitual laziness and sloppiness. My humble admiration for what you have wrought.

The first time around I mistakenly thought this thread was about some obscure novelty group, and completely bypassed it. Thanks, kat, for reviving it, and thanks Bseed for pointing it out in the Tavern thread.

Regards, Neil

21 Sep 99 - 06:14 PM (#116237)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: katlaughing

That's a good one, lamarca! You're welcome Neil, see.....watch the pendulum swinging back & forth, you are getting very sleepy. Now, do you understand? You WILL check out every thread, every day, that way you won't miss out on any of the postings of the Erudite Mudders. Repeat after me, "I will check every thread, I will check every thread, I will"......Now, when I clap my hands, you will wake up and not remember anything but your instructions. Smack! So, Neil, have you checked out that Star Wars thread, yet? Some obscure group getting together there.**BG**

Bert, that sounds beautiful. I think I will write some such into my istructions to my children regarding my hopefully, old, carcass, when the time comes.

katlaughing

21 Sep 99 - 06:34 PM (#116245)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Neil Lowe

....I will check every thread, I will check every thread, I will .... %o}

...and yes, I guess that makes me Lowne Bacin... (oops...cross -threaded)

Regards, Neil

21 Sep 99 - 07:42 PM (#116260)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: katlaughing

Lowne Bacin?!!! I can just hear it, to the tune of the Lonely Bull, here he comes, Solo Fatback! Related to Han Solo, ya know? Or is it his twin, Solo Ribs, no, no...it's the Lowne Bacin and his trusty sidekick, Squatto, fresh off the farm! Out to foil those evil droids! Oops, cross thread, again! NOI, Neil!

21 Sep 99 - 08:38 PM (#116276)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Neil Lowe

none taken...I am laughing, katlaughing, sunny side up with a side order of hominy grits.

:-D Neil

22 Sep 99 - 04:38 AM (#116367)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Tom B.

I just know because I know, that Bert's right: it's about sex, and 1amarca with Richard Thompson's song shows where the subconscious goes when whipped out, because that's what it's all about, in and out, it doesn't matter whether it's a hand or a leg, and the person that originally "wrote" the song may say he was only thinkin' of legs and arms, but why think or say that, when that's not really what it's all about?

23 Sep 99 - 02:45 AM (#116744)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From:

Richard Nixon invented the hokey pokey didn't he?

23 Sep 99 - 08:54 AM (#116790)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: alison

I wonder is that why we ask the ice cream man for a "poke" in Ireland..... (and before you ask 'spaw... he would give us an ice cream cone)...... thanks for the song Lamarca

slainte

alison

24 Sep 99 - 04:49 AM (#117205)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Canberra Chris

Since there is some licence to be pedantic on this marvellous thread, Alice I loved your story but someone took it from elsewhere, probably US, as the 'Aboriginal' references are all wrong. The English they are speaking is B movie American Indian, as are 'villages', 'chiefs' and 'drums', none of which are Aboriginal.

I discovered recently that the English knew it as 'Hokey Cokey', and the Australians as 'Hokey Pokey', both are well referenced in the earlier messages.

24 Sep 99 - 08:22 AM (#117225)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: catspaw49

First, I want to point out that I am NOT on this thread. This is NOT a post and I will NOT have to confess my sins to Father Joebro. But if I WERE on this thread, I would like to point out the obviously phallic symbology of an Ice Cream Cone in it's relationship to getting a "poke."

And Canned Chris.......Being a bit new you probably don't realize that NOT ONE person on (or not on) this thread has any idea what the word pedantic means.......pedophile, yes...pedantic, no.

And a special message to my 17 year old, Middle Mike, who is at Fairfield Career Center, a vocational school, where he is studying for a career in Computer Systems Technology (and doing real well too) and asked me this morning what a good current thread was:

"Get back to work and quit mucking about with this group of illiterates!!! And are you sure you are supposed to be at a site like this?"

Spaw - the Ol' Man

10 Oct 99 - 07:09 PM (#122549)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: bseed(charleskratz)

I thought with that other thread about paganism and music resurfacing, it was time to revive this related one for the light it sheds on the subject. --seed

11 Oct 99 - 12:02 PM (#122692)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Fadac

Huh? Wheres' the Hokey? Oh, Hi, BSeed.

Anyone reading this thread, will get an education. At least they will learn all the body parts.

Put your left foot in, take your left foot out, Put your right paganism in and take your right paganism out.

Come show your moon tonight!

I think my left brain is in and my right brain is out.

-Fadac

29 Jan 01 - 03:30 PM (#385024)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: MMario

Beware!

29 Jan 01 - 05:03 PM (#385136)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

Oh, MMario, (head in hands, shaking it slowly and sadly) ya really shouln't have!

29 Jan 01 - 06:12 PM (#385191)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: GUEST

Gumby, contritely, to his sidekick on his hackneyed way:

"Hokey, Pokey."

heeeeee heehhehe

15 Apr 03 - 11:27 PM (#934448)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Dave Swan

Just received this in the mail and had to refresh this venerable ol' thread to include this winner of a recent competition.

The Hokey Pokey
(as written by W. Shakespeare)

O proud left foot, that ventures quick within
Then soon upon a backward journey lithe.
Anon, once more the gesture, then begin:
Command sinistral pedestal to writhe.
Commence thou then the fervid Hokey-Poke,
A mad gyration, hips in wanton swirl.
To spin! A wilde release from Heavens yoke.
Blessed dervish! Surely canst go, girl.
The Hoke, the poke -- banish now thy doubt
Verily, I say, 'tis what it's all about.

-- by William Shakespeare (Jeff Brechlin, Potomac Falls)

16 Apr 03 - 09:33 PM (#935126)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: Genie

Love it, Dave! I got it emailed to me, too, and posted it in the other Hokey Pokey/Cokey thread that has a blicky at the top of this page.

Toooo funny!!!!

Genie

14 May 03 - 08:12 AM (#952397)
Subject: RE: Hokey pokey and the Druids?
From: MMario

That one must really be making the rounds - I got it last night as well!